Installation Tips - High Intensity Discharge

HID – High Intensity Discharge – The HID system is a lighting system containing a set of 2 bulbs, 2 ballasts and 2 starters. These kits are designed to produce more light and last longer than any other lighting kits out there. HID kits are a complete replacement to your existing headlight bulb, yet they are extremely easy to install. That starter takes the signal from the vehicle and quickly sends it to the ballast. The ballast then amplifies the signal to a high current signal and sends it to the bulb. The plug in HID bulb receives the signal and creates the light. The bulb is filled with a mixture of gases and salts. When the bulb receives the amplified power from the ballast, it energizes the gases in the bulb creating a white/blue light output. The color varies, depending on the Kelvin (K)/color temperature of the kit.

HID kits dramatically improve night vision driving. Reports show that 60% of night accidents are caused due to poor lighting conditions. HID kits illuminate hundreds of feet in front of the vehicle. It is also useful in the rain where lines are harder to see. These kits are also designed to last up to 10 times longer than conventional bulbs. Since there is no filament to break, road bumps and shock cannot damage the lamp.

Hid lighting kits range from 3,000K – 10,000K color ranges. The higher the Kelvin (K) of the kit, they bluer the light output is. Ideal driving ranger from an HID kit would be between 6000K and 8000K. This most closely resembles sunlight. There is a good selection of color options ranging from white to purple and blue, so find what works for you and enjoy the ride. These cool blue color hid kits will really look awesome with a little bit of blue accent lighting, or even some underglow lighting.

Hid kits are becoming increasingly popular with tuners and car enthusiasts alike. These kits offer exceptional night driving illumination, and even widen the visible night driving range. So what else do they offer?

We like these kits because of the functionality and visual appeal they offer. The really do add class to your car, as well as give you a little bit more confidence behind the wheel in less than perfect conditions such as fog, rain, or night time driving. These kits are easy to install. First, layout the components and find a good mounting spot for both the ballast and starter. Be sure the wiring from the both of them, including the bulb, reach without being too snug. Once you find a mounting spot, mount them securely into place. Be sure to fasten them well to the vehicle. Now, remove the stock halogen bulb from the headlight housing using latex gloves and unplug the plug from it.

Now take that plug and plug it into the starter you just mounted. Plug the starter into the ballast, then carefully plug the new bulb into the headlight housing. Use latex gloves to do this because you don’t want to touch the bulbs with your fingers. It should go in the same way the old one came out. Once it is securely fastened into place with all rubber garments reconnected, plug the ballast into the bulb. You may find that you need to adjust the headlights. You can find information on how to do this by checking your owners manual.

How to prevent oil leaking in your car

Trying to prevent things from going wrong with your car is not easy work. It is often, however, difficult to avoid, given that some cars are produced with a fault pretty much inbuilt. Not deliberately, of course, but we have all heard from owners of certain kinds of car that a certain thing is always going wrong with theirs and other ones that they know of. Some cars are prone to clutch problems; some have spongy brakes, some lack a bit of consistency in the steering department. One problem that can be more annoying than almost any other is a leaking oil reservoir in your engine. It affects the running of the car, and finding the leak can be a messy job in itself.

As often as not, your first warning that you have an engine oil leak is when it gets trailed into your house or your front porch as a series of grimy footprints. These footprints can be either large and human, or small and feline or canine. Essentially, it is a visual clue to the fact that your engine is dripping oil and there must be a leak somewhere. After you have cleaned your shoes (or dog, or cat), it is important to get out to the car and have a look at it, so as to find the source of the leak and see if you can fix it yourself, or whether it may need a trip to the body shop.

There are a number of products on the market which help you identify an oil leak. One of these is good, simple white printer paper. By placing this under your car, starting the engine and leaving it to run for a few moments, you will be able to collect a sample of exactly whatever is dripping out of your car engine. Should the substance be thick, oily and black then you have got engine oil leaking and you need to investigate further. This is where the products you will need become a little bit more technical. They include a trace dye that you mix with water and add to the engine. Under UV light this dye will show up as a yellow-green color that cannot be mistaken for anything else.

If you put some paper under your engine and let the engine run for a while, then the drips will appear in this color under UV light. You can then trace the leak to its source and identify where exactly your problem is. This may take quite a bit of detective work, but an oil leak can be very problematic and can lead to very expensive repairs if not fixed quickly and properly. If you recognize the problem and are sure of how it can be fixed, and equally sure you can do it yourself, then go ahead. If you have your doubts then get a friend to look at it, before taking it to a garage if necessary. This could save you a lot of money and hardship in the meantime.

Free Airbags Safety Measure Tips

There has been much speculation as to whether or not airbags are safe for children and adults. Back when airbags first came out, people were afraid to buy cars that had them. I can still remember when my dad brought home our first car that had an airbag in it. Together, I walked outside with my mom and dad and observed as my father instructed my mom on how to drive the car. This particular car had a bunch of other neat features back then as well- and the airbag was one of them. As he explained how the airbag was sensitive to braking short as well as what would happen if she were to get into a fender bender, I could see my mother growing increasingly apprehensive. At the end of the conversation, my dad asked my mom if she wanted to take the car out for a spin to which she politely declined.

My mom’s fears back then weren’t all that unrealistic. There are, after all, some hidden dangers in airbags. While they are supposed to provide safety to passengers in a vehicular accident, they can also cause additional injuries. For instance, many people are aware that when airbags deploy, the intensity at which they deploy can actually knock the wind out of someone. There are numerous reports of people who get into accidents where the airbag is deployed, but the force of the airbag hitting their face and/or chest area actually causes them to break their noses or to break their ribs. And in some instances, if there happens to be a child sitting in the front seat or in the path of an airbag, airbag deployment may actually kill the child.

The best defense to airbags and car safety is to never have to use them. What do I mean by this? Be aware of your driving, and exercise good judgment so that you never get into a car accident. Most, if not all, car accidents are 100 percent avoidable because most are caused by an error in the driver’s judgment. Only a small percentage of car accidents are caused by mechanical failures of some sort. This is why you need to be cautious when you are driving. Look around you, use your turn signals before changing lanes. Avoid sudden breaking, and allow plenty of stopping room between you and the next person in front of you. All of these things and more will not only make you a better driver; it will save you the trouble of having to use your airbags in the event of car accident.

In a small number of cases, there have been airbags that were so sensitive to vehicles breaking, that they would go off. What is my point? The point is to say that not all airbags are created equal. Sometimes technical failures like that can happen. In the event that it does, try to stay calm and make sure that you drive your car off the roadway and into a safe spot where you can call for help.

Car Gas Saving Tips

We all know that having a regularly serviced and tuned car leads to savings on gas with enhanced fuel economy but what many fail to realize is they can help save on gas and money by performing a few, simple and easy car care steps themselves.

Tighten Up the Gas Cap

Every time we fill up at the pump we slap the gas cap back on and give it a turn usually until we hear the “click” and then forget about it. Make sure you have the cap on firmly and tightly so it as airtight as you can make it without threading the plastic cap itself. The reason is simple, gas evaporates and even a slight failure to provide an airtight seal with your gas cap will result in wastage for no value whatsoever.

Screw the cap on firmly and tightly and check it every day.

Don’t Top Off the Tank

Many people do this when they are at the gas pump – the nozzle clicks off but they insist on putting in the last few drops of gas to get the tank literally full to the brim.

This is a complete waste of gas as most of it will slop over the brim, running down the paintwork (helping cause discoloration and damage) as well as over your hands which is dangerous and no good for them.

When the gas pump nozzle clicks off, you are safely full – put the gas nozzle back in its holder and do not top off your tank.

Use Lower Octane Fuel

Every gas station has higher octane fuels offering better engine and car performance or less wear and tear on the engine.

This is a myth – ignore these claims and fill up with the cheaper lower octane fuels; unless you have a very high performance vehicle you will never experience any material difference in performance or engine wear and for the average motorist this is a waste of money.

Park in the Shade

Many drivers do this automatically because they have children or pets or quite simply do not like coming back to a vehicle that feels like a sauna, but there is another good reason for making sure you park your vehicle under cover.
The hotter the car is the faster the gas in your fuel tank will evaporate!

Always park in shade and keep the vehicle cooler which will lead to more comfort for you and your passengers as well as less strain on your wallet.

Use Your Garage

Parking the car in the garage helps keep the vehicle cool in summer and warm in winter. This helps reduce your use of the gas-chugging air conditioner or defroster and results in less gas consumption as well as enhanced security for your vehicle and less likelihood of dings and dents caused by the neighborhood kids playing ball nearby.

As you can see, these are all very simple and easy to do tips – there is no extra effort or money involved and the savings are immediate – star them today!

How to Install Car Security Alarm - Tips

Buying a car security alarm is not enough to enjoy peace of mind. Before you can breathe a little easier when your vehicle is parked without you, it is imperative that you get that system installed and running right. When saving a few dollars is the plan, it is feasible to install some systems without the help of a professional.

How easy or complicated the installation job will be will depend on the type of system you have purchased. Perhaps one of the most simplistic systems to install is a siren-based alarm. This will only require basic tools and an understanding of how to use them.

Before you get started installing any type of system, do make sure to read the instructions from the manufacturer thoroughly. Also, collect the tools of the trade you’ll need, including such things as a knife, drill, screwdriver, mounting tape, a voltage meter, solder, a soldering gun and scissors.

The exact steps involved in installation might vary depending on the device attached, but will likely require you to:

Pick your mounting spots – You will need to select a place to put the control module, or brain of the alarm, and also the siren. Once you have done this, follow manufacturer instructions for hooking up these parts and wiring them correctly. The LED indicator, valet switch and sire will all need to be properly wired to the brain for the system to function correctly.

Position and place sensors – These will have to be positioned in the correct mounting location and then hooked into the brain, as well. It is a very good idea to place sensors temporarily and test them for how much coverage they provide before settling on a permanent location.

Door trigger placement – If the alarm you have purchased includes door triggers or a keychain alarm activation/deactivation device, you will need to place the door triggers and tie them into the system at this time. Generally, these tie into the parking light and dome light circuits. Before settling in and considering this step completed, it is a very good idea to test it.

Unhook the battery – Before you do the final wire splicing and make the installation job look neat and clean, be sure to disconnect the battery. While it is necessary to have it in place to test functionality, it is imperative for the connection to be broken when the actual final splicing work is done.

Finishing touches – Once everything is in place, properly mounted and wired, finish up by testing the system one last time and permanently mounting the control module.

Putting in a car alarm is not for everyone. If there are any concerns about having the ability to get it right, it is not a bad idea to hire a pro to do the job. Most stores that specialize in car alarms will offer installation on site or have recommendations they can make. Many garages, too, offer installation services. Keep in mind that some systems are simply more complicated than others and might require a skilled hand to tackle the installation.

Most Overpriced Cars - Chevrolet Trailblazer is worth 16.4% less than its MSRP

These days, car buyers have the upper hand when they walk into the showroom. They have access to dealer invoice prices and day supply data on the Internet--not to mention a recession that has spurred lowest-ever financing deals and unprecedented cash-back incentives.

But that doesn't mean every vehicle is a bargain; plenty are still overpriced. Right now, according to Vincentric, a firm that tracks vehicle ownership costs for the auto industry, several cars on sale now have market values far below their manufacturer's suggested retail price.

The Jeep Liberty, for example, has a true market value 20.9% lower than its MSRP; the Dodge Ram 2500 is worth 26% less; and the Chevrolet Trailblazer is worth 16.4% less than its MSRP.

Those three models, in particular, tell the story of the most overpriced autos currently on the market: Our entire list is comprised of vehicles manufactured by Detroit's Big Three. No foreign brands make the list, as those automakers' cars tend to be priced fairly when considering supply and demand as well as their high rankings on consumer-satisfaction surveys.

Behind the Numbers

To find America's most overpriced vehicles, we first looked at market price figures supplied by Vincentric. These are updated each month to reflect marketplace inventory, demand, rebates and incentives, and to represent the price that a buyer typically pays. We ruled out any vehicles where the gap between market price and MSRP was less than 10%--a natural breaking point in the data that left a list of about 150 overpriced vehicles to pare down.

We then used two pieces of customer-satisfaction information to better determine whether certain vehicles meet the expectations their brands promise--essentially, whether they justify their sticker price.

We used J.D. Power's 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) survey results, and ruled out vehicles that won their segments or scored better than two-and-a-half stars out of five: Any vehicle that scores less than 50% is likely not delivering on the thousands a consumer must shell out to buy it.

The list was further shortened by Consumer Reports' Owner Satisfaction results, data from a survey that asks owners--considering a wide range of factors, including price--whether they would buy a particular car again. Vehicles that scored less than 50 (on a scale of 100) made our list. We then ranked the remaining 15 vehicles by the amount overpriced (the difference between market price and MSRP).

The three most overpriced cars are the Dodge Ram pickup (worth 26% less than its MSRP), Mercury Grand Marquis (worth 21.4% less) and Jeep Liberty (worth 20.9% less).

Close the Gap

When it comes to the price of a car, the most important factor to consider is market value vs. MSRP, says Dave Freed, a managing partner for Vincentric. Even big cash rebates or 0% financing won't ensure you're getting the best deal on the lot, he says, and Vincentric's true-value information should give you a sense of how tough a negotiator you can be.

After that, research the top factors that cause a price to balloon out of proportion: availability, depreciation and gas prices. These points, in particular, are why American-made models comprise our entire list. Fleet sales and overproduction by GM and Chrysler has led to a dilution of resale value--and to dealers' lots overflowing with identical models. The Dodge Nitro is one of the worst offenders of this, according to Ward's, an automotive data and analysis firm.

Some cars tend to be overpriced partly because of their weakened brand image, which can lead to poor resale value. Vehicles that have this problem include the $17,430 GMC Canyon pickup truck, which has a resale value of 11.9% less than its MSRP; as well as GMC Envoy, with a resale value of 16.1% less than its MSRP.

"Where you might pay a higher price for a Honda Civic, you get it back at the end because it has a high resale value," says David Zoia, the editorial director for Ward's.

Lack of Luxury

While luxury vehicles cost thousands more than their non-luxury counterparts, none made our list. They all invariably receive extremely high satisfaction rates and APEAL scores. A Mercedes-Benz CL550 may cost a lot ($107,900 to be exact), and the E-Class costs a more reasonable $48,000, but the people who drive these cars think they're worth the price. It doesn't hurt that Mercedes keeps a tight rein on production levels too--you won't see a CL550 at your local Enterprise office anytime soon.

The $29,270 Mercury Grand Marquis sedan, however, is one to watch. Its market value is 21.4% lower than its MSRP, and it received low APEAL (2) and satisfaction (43) scores as well. So someone with her heart set on this vehicle shouldn't--in theory--pay more than roughly $23,000.

The Grand Marquis is the victim of a general move in the market away from larger, heavier sedans, says James Clark, general manager of Automotive Lease Guide, a California company that compiles automotive residual values. Those cars get worse gas mileage and cost more to insure, meaning they cost more to own in the long run. Similarly, U.S. consumers' move away from trucks and SUVs--also prominent on our list--has driven down those vehicles' true market values as well.

"It's a shift that we've experienced this past year due to the high gas prices we had last summer," says Clark. "With trucks and SUVs, a lot of those are showing up at the top of the list in terms of the highest cost to own."

America's Five Most Overpriced Cars

1. Dodge Ram 2500

2. Mercury Grand Marquis

3. Jeep Liberty

4. Dodge Nitro

5. Dodge Durango

DIY - replace motor for you car power window

Modern car models are now equipped with car power windows that automatically roll up and down the car with just one click of a button. But like any other mechanical parts and motors, such new car feature can also face some shortcomings along the way. In some cases, a car power window doesn’t fully roll up or down, and much worse, would not respond to the click of the button that prompts it to roll up or down.

In this case, there is probably something wrong with regards to your power window motor. But before you buy a new one, make sure first that the problem really is with your power window motor. To do so, you need a multi-meter to test whether the motor is still functional or not. If you have confirmed that the there really is a problem with your power window motor, then its time for you to purchase a new one and consider these few easy steps to guide you properly on replacing your power window motor.

The first thing that you need to remove is the door panel where you first have to unscrew all the necessary bolts that connect the entire door panel to the car. You are going to need a door clip tool in order to help you remove the entire door panel. The water deflector is then removed after the door panel followed by the connector for the motor. In most cases, car owners think it is already safe to lift the motor out after the connectors are being removed. After you deal with the connectors, you first have to flex away all the release tabs from the motor before you can easily remove the motor out of the regulator.

After removing the motor, you may then replace it with a new one and carefully trace back and reinstall all you have removed from the start. Installing a new motor for your power window is not that hard at all. By the looks of it, mechanical works for your car may not be a job for all. But all you need is the right and sufficient knowledge to help you properly repair all that needs to be repaired in your car.

Car Wax - Color Protection Guides

Some men treat their cars with more respect than their spouses-because they last longer than the later. Jokes apart! The secret of a shiny and glitzy car goes back to European history. Over 100 years ago, the Europeans used to apply animal fat over horse-drawn carriages to protect the paint. The same tradition continues with car wax, but with a modern and scientific approach. No matter how good the quality of your car paint is, it will surely lose its glossy finish and go dull with time. But a car wax can definitely protect car color from fading and give a glossy look for a long time.

With increasing pollution, acid rains and ultraviolet radiation, keeping healthy car paint is difficult. A simple method to keep it safe is - waxing. Car wax provides an easily renewable, transparent barrier between the finish and a hostile environment. It also makes the new or old car, look better. Many varieties of car waxes are available. They combine enriching oils that “wet” the surface with protective methods for high gloss finish and brilliant shine. Initially the quality of wax was thicker and at times in protecting the paint, would reduce the look and shine. But over the years enough research has been done in this field to produce car waxes that are thin, transparent and still offer great protection. These days the car waxes would form protective layer, as thin as 0.004 to 0.006 inches.

Applying car wax is the best way to protect your car from dust or corrosion that is caused by water. It takes about 30 minutes to apply car wax which would last for nearly three to four months, even keeping in mind a wash once in two weeks. There are two forms of wax available these days; paste and liquid. They differ basically in the amount of solvents. Hard Carnauba is diluted with solvents to produce a paste form or further diluted to produce the liquid form. When you apply a paste form, the friction of application helps melt the wax and evaporate the solvents. A liquid wax usually contains more volatile solvents that evaporate out when the wax is applied. The excess wax, left over lubricants, excess bonding agents, solvent residues and whatever else is left forms the layer that is buffed out to reveal the only the wax. And further polishing it leaves the car shiny.

The quest for cleverer cars. "Hi tech - Hi Cost - Hi Stress."

We seem to be getting more and more gadgets fitted to our cars. The list of possible enhancements seems to be complete and then another great innovation comes along. All types of entertainment equipment are available including DVD and various voice activated MP3 music, SAT nav and telephone systems.

Many gadgets now seem to be aimed at the incompetent driver and this will inevitably move towards a completely self driving car where you input your destination and various radars sensors and GPS technology will drive the car to the destination for you. This bring the issue of driver satisfaction and driver enjoyment to the fore. Lets take a look at some of these enhancements and see if they are really worth the extra cost.

Give me a track day car any day with no electrical gadgets or assistance except for ABS

ABS braking systems. These sense the wheel motion and as the wheel locks up the brake is released allowing a driver to maintain full control over the car in an emergency situation. Even an experienced driver employing cadence braking will be unable to brake as efficiently as a car fitted with ABS. The only downside of ABS is when moving to a car without ABS the impulse to stamp on the brake is not diminished and this can put the car into a lethal slide. Overall though most people will concede that ABS is an essential.

Power steering. With cars getting heavier and wheel sizes increasing the muscle power required to move the steering wheel is much greater. Power steering though takes away a lot of the feedback you get from the road, we all remember taking afast corner in a non power steering car and fighting against the tug of the corner and some how that seemed to improve the driver experience and involvement. Makers have woken up to this and now produce power assisted steering giving greater assistance at lower speed when steering becomes heavier and less at high speed when you really want the steering feedback to tell you how the car is behaving in the corner.

Various braking enhancement systems, are in place and all work in a similar way. The braking enhancement systems starts or enhances the braking process in an emergency situation. Simple systems detect a stab of the brake pedal and increase the braking force applied to assist the driver in avoiding a collision.

It appears that drivers do not brake hard enough in emergency situations. We mixed feelings on this, when you get used to the system you actually start to rely on it and although at first this is a safety enhancement it can actually be the opposite should you find yourself in a less well equipped car. Other braking enhancement systems detect your foot lifting off the throttle and it starts the brakes or at least moves the brakes toward the disks and starts braking. This system can really impact on driver enjoyment on fast bends when you have always relied on lift off over steer to help you round the corner - the last thing you want is for the brakes to be applied!

Traction control. Most drivers turn this of when they go onto the track and We have yet to see an effective implementation of traction control. The best ones are fitted to 4 wheel drive cars like the Nissan skyline and Audi quattro which alter the power to each corner of the car to maintain power and stability in the corners. Nearly all traction control systems sap power from the engine. For the ultimate drivers car We would not recommend a traction control method which holds back the power and full enjoyment of high speed cornering.

The next one just made us laugh. Audi have introduced a system which prevents the car from rolling backwards on a hill in that instance where you transfer your foot from the brake to the accelerator. Everyone learnt clutch control and hill starts in their driving test do we really need a feature that compensates for lazy habits to this extent.

Then Japanese makers come along with technology that helps warn the driver if he is tired. Lane sensors detect that you are drifting out of your lane and vibrate the seat to warn you. Others monitor you blink rate and give you a warning if they detect that you are getting drowsy. Nissan have devised a system which detects alcohol on your breath and will not start the car. What happens though if your car is full of drinkers and you are the one who didn't drink and was elected to do the driving. Whilst a Moron detector would be a good and long overdue addition to a cars arsenal of gadget we cannot see it happening! Many of these headline grabbing features are just publicity stunts and add very little to road safety. Other enhancements are useful until the driver adjusts his driving style to rely on them.

Give me a basic track day car any day with no electrical gadgets or assistance except for ABS brakes and I will be happy.

Parotec 206 CC Body Kit Free Preview

The Peugeot 206 has always been a fine car. For tuners and modders it has provided many opportunities to create something quite unique. Whether modifying a GTI or a HDi or a simple 1.1lx there are some great looking 206's on the road. The one exception perhaps has been the 206 CC. We all know it's a great car in it's own right. Ahead of it's time in many ways, and still holds it own against the other convertible hardtops. Yet there is a slight suspicion that it belongs in the realm of the hairdresser rather than he serious tuner or modder.

However that needn't be the case anymore. Parotech have produced a stunning bodykit for the 206 CC, which Ecosse the exclusive distributer in the UK and Ireland are selling for £2,585. Now for that kind of money you rightly expect to get something that will give your ride a complete makeover. Believe me this does not dissapoint.

The profile of the 206 has always been attractive, and Parotech sensibly have not tinkered too much with the overall shape, however the front bumper conversion gives the car a more muscular appearance, reminiscent of a boxer jutting his chin out at an opponent. While the rear spoiler is a true work of art. Mounted at a similar angle to the front windscreen, it gives the car a marked symmetry. Drawing the eye to the driver and cockpit.

The light conversions front and rear, punctuate the smoothed off panels beautifully. Just like the standard car they wrap around the wings of the 206, yet Parotech have made them appear far more sporting, and a real feature.

The rear bumper conversion is an absolute work of art. Rounded and smoothed off under the rear of the car, housing a tasty big bore exhaust it realy looks the part. Finished of with some big juicy alloys and red callipers.

The Peugeot 206 CC deserves it place in the modders conscious. I have seen a few well built modified 206 CC's, mainly with lambo doors and leather interiors. But nothing has come close to this, especially not off the shelf. Well worth a look if you have a CC sitting in the garage crying out for a conversion.

Install A Car Speaker On Your Own

Installing the speakers yourself can allow you to take every consideration into account. Not only this, but it could well save you a bit of money into the bargain. So as long as you make sure you are well informed before you set to work, there is really no reason why you should not at least consider setting up your in-car speaker system yourself. It is really the best way of getting the set-up you want at a price that is agreeable to your wallet, and having the information close at hand should anything go wrong with your set-up and need repairing.

The good news is that the woofers in any new speaker pack should fit straight into the locations already in place for those that came with the car. The tweeters, however, will usually require custom installation, and this is where you will have to either be brave and prepare yourself for some mildly fiddly installation work, or admit defeat and take your car to the garage to ask the mechanics there to do the work. If you have a little bit of confidence, though, it is perfectly manageable to do it yourself.

You will need to do a little bit of taking apart, but nothing that will affect the running of the car – indeed, it is all stuff that is easy to put back together again. What you need to do is work out the locations of the speakers that are currently in your car – these are usually in the door and in the boot – and then access these by using the door panel popper to remove the door panel. Remove the old speakers, and wire up the new ones, remembering to match positive wire to positive outlet, and do the same with the negatives. When putting your new speakers back into the door cavity it is wise to pack it in with a sound dampening add-on like Dynamat, which will lessen any excessive vibrations (this is the part that noise polluters often forget!)

Repeat the process for any speaker that needs replacing, but take great care when you are removing and replacing speakers. Take care not to break any of the old ones, and not to make your installation system too haphazard as there may come a time when you are selling the car and want to reinstall the old speaker system – either because you want the bespoke one for your new car, or because the old one might appeal more to potential buyers.

Free BMW Bluetooth Technology Guides

Some bad news for folks who cannot stay off of your cell phones: state and local legislatures are starting to crack down. Because of the increasing number of motor vehicle accidents caused by distracted drivers who attempt to have phone conversations while behind the wheel, more and more states and municipalities are passing stringent laws against cell phone usage whilst a vehicle is in motion – and still penalties for those found in violation.

The good news is that in most cases, “hands free” cell phone usage is still allowed. A hands-free device for BWM phone users was one of the earliest such pieces of equipment, made possible by the technological miracle of BMW Bluetooth.

Today, most BMW phone users can easily connect their cell phones to their BMW Bluetooth systems. The technology installed in all new BMW 3-Series vehicles as well as the X3 and X5 SUVs and the Z4, M3 and M4 roadster can automatically transfer a call-in-progress to the BMW Bluetooth system as on enters the vehicle – so BMW phone users can continue their conversations hands-free while driving.

This process requires of course that your vehicle is equipped with BMW Bluetooth and that you have both a Bluetooth passkey and that your BMW phone is in fact Bluetooth enabled.

First, start the vehicle. Your BMW Bluetooth automatically goes into pairing mode for the first two minutes of vehicle operation.

Next, you’ll need to call up the Connections menu on your cell phone and select the device search function. Once you see an ID code on the screen starting with “BMW,” select it an enter the BMW Bluetooth passkey. You’ll note whether or not the pairing process was successful by looking at the radio display, indicating that your data is downloading into your BMW phone system. Once this has been completed, simply make a test call.

Best Driving Instructor Guides

With the new year and summer in the distance, many people start to think about learning to drive. If you can’t get a recommendation from a friend, the internet and phone books are normally the next in line

Choose a driving instructor who is fully qualified

Firstly, they will have a certificate/badge displayed on the front windscreen of their tuition vehicle (this is a legal requirement, not doing it while charging for driving lessons is illegal). It will either be a green octagon if the instructor is fully qualified, or a red triangle if the person is a trainee instructor (valid for 6 months). Trainee driving instructors are not always worse, but they haven’t completed their full training, and if their licence runs out, they can no longer by paid for teaching.

All registered driving instructors have to undergo rigorous training and examinations , they are also Criminal Records Bureau checked at the enhanced level to ensure the safety of you the pupil. Fully qualified ADIs ( approved driving instructors ) have regular checks by the Driving Standards Agency to ensure their level of instruction is up to the required standard. Unregistered illegal instructors do not have any of this.

Don’t be afraid to ask about your instructor qualifications, if they’re genuine, they will be more than happy to provide you with the information you require. If you are still not sure, the DSA have a database of all registered instructors, so a phone call should clear it up.

Also, don’t be afraid to change instructors if you don’t feel happy. Learning to drive should be enjoyable and relaxed, if your instructor shouts or gets impatient with you, they’re not being professional.

Happy Learning!!

Free Vintage Car Restoration Tips

Restoration of any kind is an exceptionally difficult and time consuming job. It certainly does have benefits though. The restoration of a vintage car demands plenty of commitment and perseverance. It is a long task that could take years to complete so you certainly must have a lot of staying power.

This is the type of job that is perfect for a small group or a pair of friends to do together. Having more hands could help the job significantly as it will achieve more in far less time. There is a lot involved in the restoration of vintage cars but it is not without rewards.

If you are on the search to replace or repair different parts of your vintage car, then you will want to make sure you are getting the best deal. There are a range of different shops specializing in the collection of cars which have the necessary tools and parts you will need. If you are looking at the different parts, then you will be at an advantage when you are looking for them in these types of stores.

Looking on the Internet and completing a search on Google will allow you to see the different ones in your area. Then, you should visit the different stores to see if they have any parts that match the make and model of your classic car. You will also find that many of the stores will offer free shipping for items that are not in the local area and need to be brought in.

If you are very new to car restoration then perhaps you would be interested in having a professional restoration company do it for you or help you out with certain tasks or repairs. This type of service can become quite costly so shop around for the best price possible. Some of them will only agree if they are taking on the whole job, not just part of it, so keep this in mind.

Do not make the mistake of cutting corners when restoring a vintage car. Doing everything the cheapest way may not be the best idea. Not only do you want the car to look great when it’s finished, you also want it to work properly.

Use quality parts that are designed for use in that type of vehicle. It could save you a lot of trouble and repair costs later. It also does not hurt to look up some helpful tips online for dealing with things like rust removal. You can discover plenty of ways to save time while working faster with an online search.

You should aim to keep everything as original as possible. You may find that there are some used parts on the car that are not as old as the original car, but when it comes down to it you will need to match the era the car was bought in as some parts and types of paint won’t be produced anymore. Also, if you use a new paint that is only found on models of the current age, then you will be robbing your vintage car of the effect you want it to have on people.

You should also look in restoration magazines and online sites when you are looking at the restoration process. These types of information sources will assist you a lot. Also, when you are restoring your vintage car you will need to make sure that you do everything correctly as you will want to keep the value of the car.

Get Better Horsepower Or Gas Mileage Tips

Today there are more performance parts available for your Acura, and other high performance vehicles, than ever before. Finding Acura parts or parts for other premium automobiles can be a little bit of a challenge, but once you find the right performance parts, your car and your ego will thank you. There is a lot of satisfaction in knowing that you have found the best performance parts money can buy, for your car.

Considering the Required Skill Set for Do-It-Yourself Mechanics

Deciding on which of a variety of performance parts to choose depends on what type of power you are looking for and if you plan on installing those parts yourself. Everyone has their own level of mechanical ability, and if you decide to install the parts yourself, you will need to be comfortable with your mechanical skills.

For example, installing larger fuel injectors can be a lot of work for the backyard mechanic. To complete an installation of larger fuel injectors, you will need some specialized tools and you will need to have a fair amount of time to dedicate to the project.

Other projects are much simpler and can quickly and easily be completed by the backyard mechanic. For example, if you purchase a high-flow air filter for your car or some rapid-fire spark plugs, you will not need any specialized tools. Installing performance parts such as these does not require a lot of time for most people either.

Increasing Your Horsepower

Some performance parts can result in great gains in horsepower for your car. Some of the types of performance parts you may be considering can include camshafts, high flowing cylinder heads, nitrous oxide, etc. However, you can also add parts that will result in smaller gains, but will provide great payoffs in the long run.

For example, a higher flowing fuel pump may only result in a small immediate horsepower gain, but if you decide to add a larger throttle body at a later time then the high flow fuel pump will be well worth it. These performance parts, much like all of the parts of your car work in sync with each other and adding one without the other may not provide as good of results as you had expected.

Measuring Your Performance Gains

Adding one of these performance parts at a time can be a great option for those who are on a budget. Adding one part at a time is also a great way to measure the horsepower gains that each of the individual parts provide to your car. Further, if you install one part at a time and you experience any operational problems, it is easy to track the problem down to your latest modification. If you add a handful of parts all at once, it can be difficult to determine which one was the culprit.

Whether you are looking for a quarter mile monster, or simply want to have a little more acceleration when entering the freeway, some of these performance parts may be just what you have been seeking to make your car come to life.

Fuel Efficiency Gains

Performance parts can not only add to your horsepower, they can also add to the efficiency of your car. This means that some of the performance parts can actually improve your gas mileage, if you can keep your foot off the gas! A more efficiently operating vehicle will also last longer if you keep it well maintained.

Replacing Factory Parts With Performance Parts

The inevitable reality is that at times you will need to replace some of the parts on your vehicle. Due to general wear and tear, parts will need to be replaced. It makes good sense at these times to upgrade to high performance parts instead of going with the standard factory parts, especially if you are looking for that extra boost in your horsepower.

These performance parts are often better in quality than the factory replacement parts. The cost difference is generally minimal, and when you add in the fact that they outperform the factory replacement parts, it is really no contest. The companies that produce the high performance parts know that you have choices as to which parts you buy for your car. Because of this, they go the extra mile to not only add power, but also to also create parts that are a higher overall quality than the factory parts.

Check out some of the performance parts available for your automobile and get that boost in power that you want.

How to Maintain Your Automobile

If you own an automobile, here are some automobile tips that can help you. These tips have been collected from various automobile news websites. Read on and benefit from them.

Here are some automobile tips for maintaining your automobile in the finest conditions. All the automobile tips are related to the different parts of your automobile:

Tyres – one of the most important automobile tips is to rotate the position of the tyres on a regular basis. Another of the automobile tips is to balance the tyres at around 10,000 km. Also the under-inflated tyres have to be checked regularly. Also the tyres have to be checked for any gravel or stone residual.

Brakes – one of the most important automobile tips for the maintenance of breaks is to top up the brake fluid reservoir occasionally. This is to be especially done if you notice the brakes becoming wobbly and getting slow.
Battery – The automobile tips for battery maintenance is to clean the battery terminals regularly as well as apply some grease. The second tip is to check the battery’s distilled water level.

Interior – the interiors should be vacuumed regularly. This helps to prevent any deposits of sand, grime, dust, salt, etc. while cleaning the dash should be wiped, instruments and seats should also be cleaned. It is advisable to use some special car cleaners.

If the interiors have leather, you should not use any high alkaline content as they can actually bleach the color off the leather.

Exterior – the best of the automobile tips for cleaning the exteriors is to wash the windscreens with water and soap. To dry the exterior, the chamois leather should be used. As soon as the car dries off it is advisable to use a rag dipped in a solution of water and methylated spirit to polish the glass.

Lights- all the lights like, brake lights, emergency flashers and turn signals should be cleaned regularly. Some fuses and bulbs should be kept in the vehicle as spares. Make sure that all your lights are clean and working, including the brake lights, turn signals and emergency flashers. Keep spare bulbs and fuses in your vehicle.

Hoses – the automobile tips for hoses state that they should be inspected every month. Same is true for the belts. In case you feel that a hose appears bad or has become really hard, then it should be replaced.

Exhaust – the exhausts should be given proper attention. They should not be loose; also their clamps should not be broken. The automobile tips suggest that you should look for any possible holes in the pipes or the muffler. You should also change the parts that are either damaged or have caught some rust. Also the emission of your automobile should be checked every year.

Spare parts- most of the automobile tips that you will ever read will suggest you to use only genuine spare parts for your automobile. They last long and do not have any side effects on the automobile’ performance.

Free Changing Windshield Wipers Guides

Windshield wipers are made up of plastics and rubbers which tend to break down easily over time. Weather conditions certainly play a role in this. Changing your wipers is best done before it becomes a necessity. Learning the hard way when you are caught in a rainstorm without good wipers can be both inconvenient and potentially dangerous. Changing your wipers during the spring or summer is usually a safe bet. Do not wait until extremely bad weather hits in order to put new wipers on your car.

Plan to put your new wiper blades on the car during a sunny day. Make a point to schedule it into your day timer if it is something that you are tempted to put off. This is an easy task that will not take you long at all if you just get to it. It looks harder than it really is. You should make a note to check your wipers every 4 months or so, just to be certain. It does not take long for wear to build up. The quality of your wipers as well as the climate you live in will all be a factor in how long they last for. Try to buy wipers that are of reasonably good quality.

Grab the windshield wiper and pull it so that it stands straight out from the windshield. Look for the little tab that releases the wiper. You have to press it and then the wiper will release. Even though these wipers are exposed to harsh elements, you still must be careful with the wiper arm when doing this so that you do not break anything. Once you slide the wiper off of the wiper arm, you must be sure that the arm will not fall against the windshield as it could crack or damage the glass.

Putting the new wiper on is as simple as sliding it down the wiper arm and clicking it into place where the tab is. Make sure that you are putting it on the proper way. Most wiper blade packages have instructions to show you how to put the new one on. Be absolutely certain that the wiper blade has been put on correctly. You certainly do not want the thing to go flying off when you are driving down the road or when you try to use it in the rain.

The type of windshield wipers that you choose to purchase is very important if you want them to last for more than a few months. Try looking for some that come with an automatic warranty. Price will play a role as well of course. If you get the cheapest ones available then you can bet the quality is likely to match. Purchasing the right type of wipers is essential too. Not all cars have the same type of windshield which means that you need some that will fit yours. Changing your wipers will take a few minutes of your time but it is well worth it once you are driving and you can actually see.

How to Beat a Speeding Ticket : Essential Guides

From the many beating speeding ticket tricks, none will work for sure when you are face to face with a police officer. Each traffic crime is unique, just as the circumstances that led to its happening, which is why you will have to adapt to the situation and improvise if you do not manage to convince the officer to let you go without a fine. Half of the beating speeding ticket attempts fail and the case is sent to court if you do not pay the fine for not respecting the speed limit.

If you do not admit your guilt, at least try to say as little as possible, but stay calm. The highest chances of beating speeding ticket success is not to fight the policeman; regardless of what your excuses may be, when you are speaking in a loud and angry voice, you’ll simply make the officer want to resist you with even more determination. If you simply want to get it done with as fast as possible, do not argue at everything the officer says; sometimes a “yes, officer” or “no, officer” will prove the most appropriate.

Beating speeding ticket situations become a lot easier if you act as if the fine would ruin you, express your feelings and regret as vividly as possible but without making a scene. If you really feel sorry and show it, while also being honest about the importance of the incident, you may just convince the officer to give up punishing you and let you go with just a verbal warning. Sometimes arguing with the police officer won’t change anything, but it will just annoy you even more; hence try to avoid getting into whatever form of conflict.

If you act ignorant of what you did and you do not admit your fault, such a piece of information cannot be used in court against you. Many people who tried beating speeding ticket and confessed their guilt had their own words turned against them in court and they could no longer plead as “not guilty”. Even when you get a ticket do not argue in the road, this won’t win anything to your advantage; under such circumstances try to remember as many details as possible: the weather, the lane on which you were driving, the traffic conditions and so on.

Sexy Car Wash Babes

Many people may choose to exercise some financial prudence and opt to do it oneself. It is a good thing to indulge in a bit of physical exertion, especially for those, whose work routine does not involve much of physical activity. And after all the sweat and toil, you may feel great seeing your car fresh and gleaming.

Well, if your car is looking too messy, that might not yield the desired results. It may require you to drive to the nearest garage and go in for a mechanized wash. If one is looking for a bit of thrills and frills and some spicy excitement, a good option could be to get the job done by some attractive looking car wash babes .

Car wash babes are charming people with their appealing outfits and their exciting styles of washing cars. So go ahead and treat yourself to some good fun and frolic with the charming lasses!

Small Cars Mean Huge Bills in Minor Crashes

The Hyundai Accent is currently the least expensive car in America, by MSRP, at just under $10,000. With four minor, parking-lot speed accidents, you can reduce its worth by $7,203, according to a new report.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an automotive safety research lab funded by a consortium of insurance companies, conducted the tests. They crashed seven small cars into a barrier representing the bumper of another car at 6 mph, once to the front bumper and once to the rear. They then hit the same barrier at an angle, testing the corner of each bumper, at 3 mph - again once with the front bumper and once to the rear. They calculated the costs associated with repairing the damages from each low-speed crash, and published the total.

In a press release, the IIHS explains, "The Smart Fortwo is best overall, with $3,281 total damage in 4 tests." The Smart car's replaceable plastic body panels kept repair costs low. "The Chevrolet Aveo, a minicar, is next best, with $4,490 total damage." The Kia Rio placed last, with $9,380 in damages.

The tests are part of a new IIHS campaign to improve auto bumpers, testing hundreds of cars in the four bumper-bash accidents and publishing bumper ratings for each. Automobile Magazine reports, "The IIHS hopes that their new bumper rating system will help buyers make a more informed decision when buying a car as to possible repair costs if the owner does happen to get into an accident."

The Institute gives cars a score of Good, Acceptable, Marginal or Poor on each test. Kicking Tires reports, "Out of seven cars, none received the top rating of Good. The Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Mini Cooper and Toyota Yaris all received the lowest rating, Poor, while the Chevy Aveo managed a Marginal rating and the Smart ForTwo was rated Acceptable."

Institute senior vice president Joe Nolan told the AP that "bumpers should be designed to protect vehicle parts such as grilles and headlights," but in none of the tested cars did the bumper protect those features well. "Damages should cost less than the typical $500 insurance deductible for a collision." But none of the tested cars met that standard for any accident.

The standard is particularly relevant to tiny microcars. Jalopnik notes, "Microcars are often chosen for urban driving because they're affordable, fuel efficient and easy to park," but "fender-benders are the largest urban driving hazard."

If you're in the market for a new car, check out the U.S. News rankings of this year's best cars as well as this month's best car deals.