10 Cheapest Cars to Own

You've read it on Bankrate.com and heard it elsewhere: A well-informed consumer will get a better deal when buying a vehicle.

Research is the key. Every additional piece of information you have increases the likelihood that you will negotiate a fair price, lock in the best financing available and drive away in a car or truck you can afford. The emphasis here is on "afford." Affordability involves much more than down payment and monthly installments. It encompasses other costs such as insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs and depreciation. You must factor these costs into your annual vehicle-ownership budget as well as into that magical dollar amount you feel you can afford monthly.

All of these factors, of course, may vary depending on the way you use and maintain your car.

Edmunds.com, a leading automotive Web site, features an interactive tool it calls its True Cost to Own calculator, which computes an estimated total five-year cost and the cost per mile based on driving 15,000 miles per year.

Here are the 10 cars that top Edmunds' current list of the most frugal cars to own and operate:

Hyundai Accent GS:

Starting price: $10,690
5-year total cost: $25,958
Cost per mile: 35 cents

As basic transportation, the Accent GS three-door isn't so basic. Its 110-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivers decent fuel economy with an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The interior is relatively roomy and comes with power accessories and air conditioning.

Nissan Versa Base

Starting price: $10,710
5-year total cost: $27,196
Cost per mile: 36 cents

Nissan Versa: A sedan for the frugal, Versa's stingy fuel consumption earns it an EPA rating of 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. A five-speed manual transmission ushers the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine's 107 horsepower to the front wheels. Its relatively roomy back seat is a major attraction in this segment; otherwise, its cabin is devoid of frills.

Chevrolet Aveo5 LS

Starting price: $12,685
5-year total cost: $28,360
Cost per mile: 38 cents

Chevrolet Aveo5 LS: Chevy beefed up the Aveo's 1.6-liter four-cylinder for 2009 and it now produces 107 horsepower. EPA estimated fuel economy is a very respectable 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Among its short list of standard features is a four-speaker audio system with an auxiliary input jack.

Suzuki SX4 Sedan

Starting price: $13,994
5-year total cost: $28,965
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Suzuki SX4 Sedan: A number of trim levels let consumers increase content in smallish dollar increments. In its base form, though, the SX4 offers full-power accessories and a tilt steering wheel. EPA fuel economy estimates are 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway earned by a 143-horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder engine.

Pontiac G3

Starting price: $15,055
5-year total cost: $29,049
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Pontiac G3: Compared to the first four entries on this list, the G3 is positively loaded with standard equipment. Air conditioning, a six-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack, and a tilt steering wheel are all standard. A 106-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine mated with a five-speed manual transmission earns it an EPA rating of 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway.

Mazda3 iSport

Starting price: $15,360
5-year total cost: $29,271
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Mazda3 iSport: Six airbags, anti-lock brakes and a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary audio jack are all standard in this sedan. A 148-horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder engine collaborates with a five-speed manual transmission to earn EPA estimates of 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Honda Fit

Starting price: $15,460
5-year total cost: $29,420
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Honda Fit: Nicely appointed, even the base Fit has air conditioning, full-power accessories and a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack. Its performance is on par with this group and is provided by a 117-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Its fuel economy is among the best with EPA estimates of 27 mpg city/33 mpg highway.

Pontiac Vibe

Starting price: $16,735
5-year total cost: $29,512
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Pontiac Vibe: Fraternal twin to the Toyota Matrix, the Vibe in its base form is fairly Spartan. It does come with a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Power arrives via a 132-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. Fuel economy is acceptable, with an EPA rating of 26 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

Toyota Yaris

Starting price: $12,955
5-year total cost: $29,595
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Toyota Yaris: You have to step up a trim level to get an audio system, but the base Yaris three-door hatchback does have air conditioning and a tilt steering column. Its power comes from a 106-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. With an EPA rating of 29 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, its outstanding fuel economy earned it a spot on our list of top 10 fuel misers.

Nissan Sentra

Starting price: $16,070
5-year total cost: $29,623
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Nissan Sentra: With the most standard equipment of any entry on this list, the Sentra sedan comes with air conditioning, a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack, and power windows and locks. Its 2-liter four-cylinder engine generates 140 horsepower. Its EPA rating is 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

The best spark plugs & HT leads improve performance.

An efficient engine needs a good supply of cold air laden with oxygen.

The correct mixture of fuel and a good spark to ignite the mixture.

The two main components of a plug are:-

The ceramic casing which is a good insulator and

The electrodes from the central tip and the negative pick up contact which is connected to the engine block.

The ceramic casing allows the spark to happen at the tip rather than it shorting out inside the spark plug core. We are talking about very high voltages as we are trying to get a spark to arc through a gap.

Be very careful working on any part of a cars high tension circuit and never work on it with the engine running. Many cold start faults are caused by faulty plugs or HT leads but lets first of all remind ourselves of what goes on inside our engine.

The suck has a big effect on the bang or combustion part of the process. Any restriction in the suck will affect the efficiency of the burn. The more air that gets sucked in the more fuel can be efficiently burnt.

Primarily you need a strong spark so make sure you have a good set of spark plugs with a slightly wider gap than standard. Lining the spark gap to be on the side of the intake can also increase the efficiency of the burn.

With the plug out of the box make a mark on the ceramic edge, at the top so you can see it as it goes into the engine, with a marker pen to show which side the gap is on.

All plug threads will typically be different so if the mark does not line up with the intake remove it and rotate it 45 degrees and try again until it does.

The spark will always take the shortest path so on a twin, triple or quad tipped plug the gaps must be the same all round otherwise you may just as well have a single contact point. Join the debate which is raging on in our forum to establish whether triple or quad plugs increase a cars performance or not.

High performance HT (high tension) Leads

Faulty high tension leads – (HT leads) will not cause a weaker spark they will just prevent the spark from happening so if you are having a misfire or uneven idle make sure the HT leads are in good order – flexing and bending them is often enough to damage then so make sure that they are handled carefully. A set of good quality HT leads will minimise electrical faults especially in extreme temperatures but will not in themselves increase performance.

The HT leads should have the lowest internal resistance and also provide electromagnetic shielding to prevent electrical interference with other car components such as the main engine control unit (including the radio). The lead should be matched to the voltage as the wrong size core can lead to heat problems and resistance issues. A sports core size will be as large as 8.5 mm whereas a street tuned car will probably get away with 7 or 8 mm core sizes. Most HT lead suppliers can assist you in choosing the right length and core size for your cars application.

Performance ignition coils and coil packs.

Just as a power transformer converts mains 240 volts into a usable 9 volts for your charger or appliance a coil will increase the voltage (in some installations up to 40,000 volts) allowing the creation of a spark which can jump the gap between the plugs. In some modern engines there is a separate coil pack with a separate coil for each spark plug. A faulty coil can also reduce the spark voltage to the point that no spark happens and you end up with a misfire.

Sports coils increase the power to the plug and allow a larger spark so match a sports coil with a larger plug gap. Timing the spark is critical too early (premature ignition) and the engine could be damaged and too late and the compression will be lower as the exhaust port opens potentially causing damage to the cat & exhaust as combustion move down along the exhaust.

Ideally you want to create a spark inside the cylinder of the engine and expose as much of the spark as possible to the compressed air and fuel mixture. Ideally the electrodes should be as thin as possible and be good conductors of electricity and the voltage should be as high as possible. Spark plug technology has really moved on in recent years and iridium tipped plugs allow an ultra fine electrode, last for up to 40,000 miles and are superb conductors of electricity.

Ignition system maintenance.

A good steady power supply is vital for a good strong spark, common problems in an old engine are actually caused by a bad earth connection (actually just the connection to the -ve battery terminal). Power regulators are available which ensure that a constant voltage is always available.

If you have a large ICE install and lots of other power draining accessories you may find that on a cold day when a battery typically struggles it will fail so ensure you have a battery with a large cranking power which although only gives 12V, it will do so in a much more steady manner and be more resilient to adverse conditions.

Ensure that the spark plugs are clean and in good condition as the terminals may well glaze and lose their conductivity to a small degree over time (expensive plugs are typically more resistant to glazing and can be left for longer periods of time).

So every six months or so it can be beneficial on normal plugs (we are not here referring to iridium or performance/long life spark plugs) to deglaze them by rubbing them over with a wire brush and fine grade of sandpaper. This keeps the conductivity of the contact points and ensures a strong spark thereby maintaining both performance and economy.

Top 10 Cash for Clunkers Trade-Ins and New Cars

America has a lot fewer functioning Ford Explorers these days.

The number one vehicle destroyed under the Cash for Clunkers program, the Transportation Department says, was the Ford Explorer (1998 edition). Number two, the Ford Explorer (1997). Number Three...you guessed it. The '96 model.

The top eight, Jalopnik reports, were all SUVs. In fact, they were all various editions of the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee. A pair of late ‘90s minivans, the ‘97 Ford Windstar and '99 Dodge Grand Caravan, round out the top ten. All ten were domestic vehicles.

Domestics claimed a decent share of the new vehicle sales generated by the program as well. The Detroit News notes, "Detroit's automakers accounted for 47 percent of the first 80,000 ‘Cash for Clunkers' sales, the Obama administration said today...which is above their overall share in the auto market of about 45 percent." The top-selling vehicle under the program so far is the Ford Focus. "Four of the top 10-selling vehicles are manufactured by Detroit's Big Three. Of non-Big Three purchases, the Transportation Department's preliminary analysis suggests that more than half of these new vehicles were manufactured in the United States."

Autoblog adds, "White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says the average fuel economy increase so far is 9.4 mpg; a 61% increase." Based on the first 80,000 sales, "83% of the vehicles traded in have been trucks, while 60% of the vehicles purchased under the program have been cars."

The Top Ten Cash for Clunkers Trade-Ins:

1. 1998 Ford Explorer

2. 1997 Ford Explorer

3. 1996 Ford Explorer

4. 1999 Ford Explorer

5. Jeep Grand Cherokee

6. Jeep Cherokee

7. 1995 Ford Explorer

8. 1994 Ford Explorer

9. 1997 Ford Windstar

10. 1999 Dodge Caravan

The Top Ten Cash for Clunkers New Cars:

1. Ford Focus

2. Honda Civic

3. Toyota Corolla

4. Toyota Prius

5. Ford Escape

6. Toyota Camry

7. Dodge Caliber

8. Hyundai Elantra

9. Honda Fit

10. Chevy Cobalt

2011 Infiniti M56 and M37 – The Latest Technology "Blind Spot Alert System"

Infiniti gave a “virtual” preview of the upcoming 2011 M at 59th Annual Pebble Beach Concours with screening true-to-scale clay model was. Meantime, it released “M” Interior and Exterior photos.

Infiniti offered 2 models which is the M37 and the M56 comes with a V6 and V8 engine respectively. The M37 has been powered by Nissan’s new 3.7 liter V6 engine while the M56 will be powered by the 5.6 liter VK56DE twin-cam V8. The 5.6-liter V8, which pounds out “more than 400 horsepower,” does so as well. Infiniti’s stout 3.7-liter V6 will also be available.

M revealed the technology highlight of the car is a new blind spot alert system. It’s called a blind-spot “intervention” system, as it will actually piloted help bring the M back into its lane if it has veered off-course.

Free Improve Vehicles Appearance Tips – Auto Detailing & Headlight Restoration

There are two simple ways to improve your vehicles appearance and actually improve its safety at the same time. By combining two services that are offered at most auto reconditioning shop, auto detailing and headlight restoration, you can achieve those two things. It may not sound like a lot but it really can make a difference.

The first – Auto detailing your vehicle will experience an extremely thorough cleaning, polishing and waxing of an automobile, both inside and out, to produce a show-quality level of detail. Auto detailing entails several things. The exterior detailing includes claying, polishing, and waxing. This will remove any tree sap, pollutants, or other things that may be on your car. It also restores the deep shine of your car. The interior detailing process involves the cleaning of the interior of a vehicle using vacuums, liquid cleaners, and brushes. The professional detailer should clean every inch of your vehicle. You may also get your engine bay area detailed if it is a concern for you.

The next step is getting your headlights looking and working good with headlight restoration. After time all vehicles headlights become hazy/cloudy and sometimes yellow. Actually about 90% of the cars on the road have dirty, scratched, discolored, or hazy headlights lens. Not only does this affect the appearance of your vehicle but it also affects the safety of your car. The hazy or cloudy headlights can significantly reduce your night vision.

Free Car’s Interior Cleaning Tips – A More Refreshing Interior

Maintaining the cleanliness of the inside the car makes driving even more pleasurable and helps prevent accidents while your eyes are on the road. Vacuum cleaner and attachments, small brush for cracks and tight places, paper towels for windows cleaning, lint-free cloths for dusting, cleaning and window polishing are essential tools usually used in cleaning the inside of your car.

Remove those things that cannot be absorbed by the vacuum like plastic bags, your childs small toys, office papers, pens, bottles, cans, etc. Then, proceed with the use of the vacuum. After removing the seat covers, vacuum the seats, the dash board, the floor mats and the carpets. It is also advisable to wash seat covers. Let them dry, and then return them to the car. Changing the seat cover is also great for a more refreshing look.

Adding some car fragrance can also help in accessorizing and maintaining good odor in your car.To maintain cleanliness inside your car, practice to immediately remove any unnecessary things or return the accessories in their proper places after using them. With this, you can be assured of a neat, pleasurable, and a worry and hustle free driving experience.

It is important to take note, however, that your car exteriors cleanliness must also be tantamount to the cleanliness of the interior, for a more desirable appearance.

Get Paid To Drive Your Car

How it works

Here's the basic premise of the "paid to drive" concept: A company seeks people -- regular citizens, not professional drivers -- to go about their normal routine as they usually do, only with a big ad plastered on their car. The ads are typically vinyl decals, also known as "auto wraps," that almost seem to be painted on the vehicle, and which often cover a large portion of the car's exterior surface.

The car owner is then compensated, usually a few hundred dollars per month, which is essentially a "rental" payment for letting the company use that space. In the past, there's also been a "free car" version of this concept. The company provided the driver with a new, prewrapped car. In this situation, the drivers usually didn't get any cash; their payment amounted to the free use of a new car. However, companies quickly discovered that giving away a bunch of free cars didn't make economic sense, so few still take this approach, says Drew Livingston, president of Free Car Media in Los Angeles.

What does the company get out of this type of ad strategy? Lots of exposure. The auto wraps tend to be colorful and eye-catching and attract lots of attention. Plus, it's a form of advertising with a captive audience, meaning people who are stuck in traffic and can't avoid seeing the wrapped car alongside them, Livingston says.

The companies usually select drivers who live in desirable locations such as high-traffic, urban areas. A company's ideal driver can vary depending upon the target demographic they want to reach, according to Brandon Clarke of DrivenMedia, a Phoenix-based advertising company that specializes in creating branded vehicle campaigns for clients. For example, a tech or electronics company may seek drivers who live on or near college campuses, so as to gain exposure with the college crowd.

The vehicles in these programs are often equipped with GPS tracking devices, so the companies can make sure the drivers spend sufficient time in the desired areas.

'Paid to drive' primetime

Paid-to-drive programs were very popular five to 10 years ago. Gas was cheaper, and people were spending more time on the road. There were plenty of Web sites devoted to these programs, including many fee-charging sites that acted as a middleman and promised to connect willing drivers with companies seeking vehicles for their ads.

Then, fuel prices spiked and people weren't spending as much time in their cars, Clarke says. At the same time, online advertising became the rage.

Current opportunities

Still, there are opportunities out there, if you know where to look.

Livingston says his company's client companies still have plenty of campaigns running nationwide. Business slowed slightly right before the recession but returned when the economy started going south.

"Consumers are seeking ways to make money, while companies are cutting back on spending for television campaigns and looking for more affordable advertising strategies," Livingston says.

On average, Livingston's clients put about 800 to 1,000 wrapped cars on the road.

Like other similar companies, Free Car Media serves as a matchmaker. Interested consumers register at MyFreeCar.com and then are notified when they meet the criteria a client seeks in potential drivers.

Drivers are paid an average of $700 to $900 per month, with campaigns usually running a few months long. Drivers use their own cars which are fitted with the wrap. "They don't actually get a free car," Livingston says. "But the monthly payment is generally enough to cover their auto expenses like car payment, gas, etc., for the month, so that's where the name comes from."

It doesn't cost anything for drivers to sign up, and Livingston warns people to avoid any sites that do charge a fee.

"There are a lot of unscrupulous companies that want to charge you $20, $30 or more when you can get this information yourself for free. I get calls on a weekly basis from people who are upset because they were scammed," he says. Livingston says that anyone who is directed to his site after paying a fee to another service should demand a refund.

Adding to the confusion, many of the sites -- legitimate and questionable -- have very similar names, often some variation of the words "free" and "car." So it's important to check out the Web site carefully, watching for any mention of fees or membership costs.

Finding drivers

Clarke says his company puts a lot of effort into recruiting brand influencers, or drivers who are a perfect fit for the client's target audience.

"Recent engagements have focused on family-oriented and consumer driven advertisers who are generally trying to create awareness within a specific region among active moms with active families," Clarke says, adding that busy soccer moms would make perfect driver candidates for these campaigns. "With active families being such a coveted demographic, incorporating their vehicles is ideal since they're getting tremendous exposure parked in the pick-up line at school, at the Saturday morning soccer games, etc."

There are important criteria for driving candidates. "Background, driving record, employment verification, personal interview, as well as having mandatory minimum auto insurance coverage are part of the vetting process," Clarke says. "We're also looking to incorporate an online personality assessment tool and a short online defensive driving course."

Interested drivers can sign up for opportunities at Drivenmediaonline.com. "We compensate drivers within a range of $300 to $500 per month, with incentives and other engagements that allow them to earn more," Clarke says. "Our typical campaign lasts three to six months, with the time frame and vehicle type being the primary factors for determining their monthly compensation."

GM says new Volt could get 230 mpg in city driving

WARREN, Mich. – General Motors said Tuesday its Chevrolet Volt electric car could get 230 mpg in city driving, making it the first American vehicle to achieve triple-digit fuel economy if that figure is confirmed by federal regulators.

But when the four-door family sedan hits showrooms late next year, its efficiency will come with a steep sticker price: $40,000.

Still, the Volt's fuel efficiency in the city would be four times more than the popular Toyota Prius hybrid, the most efficient car now sold in the U.S.

Most automakers are working on similar designs, but GM would offer the first mainstream plug-in with the Volt, which seats four and was introduced at the 2007 Detroit auto show.

The Volt will join a growing fleet of cars and trucks powered by systems other than internal combustion engines.

Unlike the Prius and other traditional hybrids, the Volt is powered by an electric motor and a battery pack with a 40-mile range. After that, a small internal combustion engine kicks in to generate electricity for a total range of 300 miles. The battery pack can be recharged from a standard home outlet.

Hybrids use a small internal combustion engine combined with a high-powered battery to boost fuel efficiency. Toyota's Prius — which starts at about $22,000 — gets 51 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway.

The number of all-electric vehicles available to U.S. consumers remains limited. The Tesla Roadster, a high-end sports car with a range of 224 miles, is perhaps the best known. But its $100,000-plus price tag keeps it out of reach of all but the wealthiest drivers.

The company is working on an electric family sedan that will be priced considerably less.

Nissan Motor Co. unveiled its first electric car, the Leaf, earlier this month. Nissan said the vehicle will go on sale in Japan, the U.S. and Europe next year.

Edmunds.com, an auto Web site, cast doubt on whether drivers can expect 230 mpg from the Volt since fuel efficiency also depends on driving style.

Volt drivers who cruise sensibly on smooth roads without much cargo — and who avoid exceeding 20 or 30 miles between charges — might fill up only rarely. But "for most people, it is not realistic to expect that kind of mileage in real-world driving," said Michelle Krebs, a senior analyst with the Web site.

General Motors Co. is touting the 230 mpg figure following early tests that used draft guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency for calculating the mileage of extended-range electric vehicles.

The EPA guidelines, developed with help from automakers, figure that cars such as the Volt will travel more on straight electricity in the city than on the highway. If drivers operate the Volt for less than 40 miles, in theory they could do so without using a drop of gasoline.

Highway mileage estimates for the Volt based on the EPA's methodology have yet to be released.

"We are confident the highway (mileage) will be a triple-digit," GM CEO Fritz Henderson said.

The EPA conducts testing to determine the mileage posted on new car stickers. The agency said in a statement Tuesday that it has not tested a Volt "and therefore cannot confirm the fuel economy values claimed by GM."

The EPA is working with the Society of Automotive Engineers and state and federal officials to develop testing procedures to measure the fuel efficiency of advanced vehicles, according to a draft outline of the proposal obtained by The Associated Press.

The plan could be released later this year.

It was not immediately clear how GM reached the 230 mpg in city driving, but industry officials estimated the automaker's calculation took into consideration the Volt traveling 40 miles on the electric battery and then achieving about 50 mpg when the engine kicked in.

Although Henderson would not give details on pricing, the first-generation Volt is expected to cost nearly $40,000, making it cost-prohibitive to many people even if gasoline returns to $4 per gallon.

The price of the sporty-looking sedan is expected to drop with future generations of the Volt, but GM has said government tax credits of up to $7,500 and the savings on fuel could make it more affordable, especially at 230 mpg.

"We get a little cautious about trying to forecast what fuel prices will do," said Tony Posawatz, GM's vehicle line director for the Volt. "We achieved this number, and if fuel prices go up, it certainly does get more attractive even in the near-term generation."

The mileage figure could vary as the guidelines are refined and the Volt gets further along in the manufacturing process, Posawatz said.

Chrysler Group, Ford Motor Co. and Daimler AG are all developing plug-ins and electric cars, and Toyota Motor Corp. is working on a plug-in version of its gas-electric hybrid system.

GM has produced about 30 test Volts so far and is making 10 a week, Henderson said during a presentation at the company's technical center in the Detroit suburb of Warren.

Henderson said charging the Volt will cost about 40 cents a day, at about 5 cents per kilowatt hour.

GM is nearly halfway through building about 80 test Volts that will look and behave like the production model, and testing is running on schedule, Posawatz said.

Two critical areas — battery life and the electronic switching between battery and engine power — are still being refined, but the car is on schedule to reach showrooms late in 2010, he said.

GM is simulating tests to make sure the new lithium-ion batteries last 10 years, Posawatz said, as well as testing battery performance in extremely hot and cold climates.

"We're further along, but we're still quite a ways from home," he said. "We're developing quite a knowledge base on all this stuff. Our confidence is growing."

The other area of new technology, switching between battery and engine power, is proceeding well, he said, with engineers just fine-tuning the operations.

"We're very pleased with the transition from when it's driving EV (electric vehicle) to when the engine and generator kick in," he said.

GM also is finishing work on the power cord, which will be durable enough that it can survive being run over by the car. The Volt, he said, will have software on board so it can be programmed to begin and end charging during off-peak electrical use hours.

It will be easy for future Volt owners living in rural and suburban areas to plug in their cars at night, but even Henderson recognized the challenge urban, apartment dwellers, or those who park their cars on the street might have recharging the Volt. There could eventually be charging stations set up by a third-party to meet such a demand, Henderson said.

Simple Headlights Restoring Tips – Safety Driving Conditions

First of all you need to understand what happens to make your headlights change from their original condition. Well many years ago car’s came with headlights that were made of glass so this problem didn’t really exist. However, the car manufacturers started using plastic headlight cover that is made from plastic, and they will continue to because plastic is much cheaper to produce.

The plastic lens covers, over just a few years, begins to discolor and get cloudy. This is a result of oxidation. Oxidation is a common form of chemical reaction which is the combining of oxygen with various elements and compounds. Similar to what happens when a freshly cut apple turns brown. The oxygen mixes with certain elements in the apple and turns it brown. The same goes for your vehicles headlights. Your vehicles headlights are exposed to many different things like pollutants, road debris, UV rays and much more that react with the oxygen and therefore cause your headlights to oxidize, which is what causes the hazy and discolored look.

Not only does this oxidation look bad on your vehicles headlights, but it can also be unsafe for you while driving. This oxidation produces a discolored and hazy headlight which decreases the amount of light that can shine out. Therefore, it will significantly decrease your night vision and produce unsafe driving conditions. Back to that not looking good part. Surely you want your vehicle to look its best. Even if you wash and wax your car regularly, your headlights can still look bad. Your vehicle is normally a reflection of yourself, so make it a good reflection. Also if you need to trade in or sell your car getting the headlights restored can increase the value of your vehicle.

Headlight restoration is a great solution to driving safer and riding nicer. It is also a great choice since getting new headlight lens can be very costly, and restoration is affordable. Start looking today to find a qualified professional to restore your vehicles headlights and get it looking like show room appearance in no time. You will also be playing it safe with headlight restoration!

4 Must Have Gadgets to Stay Connected on the Road

As Americans look to save on travel costs and gasoline prices hold fairly steady, more people are turning to their own cars to get them where they want to go. But few sounds drown out the joy of a summer road trip faster than a backseat chorus of “Are we there yet?”

Fortunately for the chauffeurs of the vocal and impatient, gadget makers have released new devices designed to make car trips easier for passengers, not to mention drivers. Among the possibilities: tuning into live TV while idling in traffic, getting enough battery power from your computer to play the entire "Harry Potter" DVD lineup back-to-back, and turning your cellphone into a radar detector.

SmartMoney.com talked to auto and electronics experts, as well as drivers, to find car-worthy gadgets. Here are four ways to stay in touch on the road:

1) Live TV

New satellite services ensure that a lengthy road trip doesn’t mean the family misses the latest episodes of hit summer series like “Burn Notice,” or popular kids’ shows, such as “Hannah Montana.” “This would be a lifesaver,” says Lisa Tyler, a spokeswoman for social networking site MomsLikeMe.com. She routinely sets up the car’s DVD player with videos for her four-and-a-half year-old twin boys but says it’s tough to keep their interest with the same shows on the family’s annual 14-hour summer roadtrip from Virginia to Florida. “With TV, you get the variety of programming,” Tyler says.

Systems can be installed in most vehicles, as long as you have an FM radio and a monitor. The technology is still in early adoption, so expect to pay steep fees for equipment. A few systems on the market:

• AT&T (T) CruiseCast. Browse the lineup of 42 satellite TV and radio channels, including Disney (DIS) XD, Discovery Kids, Animal Planet and Accuweather. The antenna/receiver combo costs $1,300, and a monthly subscription is $28.
• DirecTV (DTV) Total Choice Mobile. Watch any of the satellite service’s 185 channels, including the major networks and niche offerings like The History Channel and Spike. The service requires a subscription to the satellite provider (packages start at $30 per month) and an unobtrusive receiver (roughly $2,000) to be installed on your vehicle’s roof.
• Sirius (SIRI) Backseat TV. Programming is currently limited to three kid-friendly channels: Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network. To set up the service you’ll need an audio/video tuner ($300), as well as a monthly subscription ($7, in addition to regular satellite radio subscription fees, which start at $7 a month).

2) Power converter

Forgot the car charger for your favorite electronic device? No sweat. Inexpensive power converters enable you to power any device that uses a standard plug, including your cellphone, your laptop or a blender for smoothies near the beach. This coffee-cup-shaped version ($30, from ThinkGeek) plugs into the cigarette lighter in your vehicle. It can power up to three devices at the same time, and fits into the car’s drink holder for easy storage and access.

3) Your smartphone

Whether he’s driving the family car or his motorcycle, debt counselor Steve Rhode of GetOutofDebt.org always brings his Apple (AAPL) iPhone along for the trip. “It’s my travel essential,” he says. “I rely on it.” In addition to music and games, Rhode has loaded his phone with apps to make his trips easier, including weather monitor RadarScope ($9.99 on iTunes) and “AroundMe” (free), which locates the nearest restaurants and other amenities. “I can make a more informed decision about where I get off the highway,” Rhode says. A few other useful apps for the road:

• Trapster. Avoid speeding tickets with this free app for the BlackBerry, iPhone, Android device or other phone operating system. It uses GPS to alert you when you’re approaching known speed traps, red-light cameras and speed cameras.
• SitorSquat. This free app for BlackBerry and the iPhone uses GPS to find nearby restrooms. An active user community rates each from zero to five stars for cleanliness.

4) GPS

New standalone and dashboard models on the market do more than direct you from Point A to Point B. Some alert you to congested roadways and offer alternate routes to cut your travel time. Voice activation commands let you keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. A handful — like the Garmin (GRMN) nüvi 265WT (on sale at Best Buy for $220, a 33% discount) — include Bluetooth technology, which allows you to reroute cellphone calls through the device’s built-in speakers and microphone. “We’re all in favor of anything that prevents distraction in a vehicle,” says Fran Clader, a spokeswoman for the California Highway Patrol, which has issued more than 100,000 citations to drivers using handheld cellphones on the road. And in New Jersey, hands-free might soon be the only legal way to operate your GPS.)

Many GPS models also include programs that can play your MP3 collection, point you to the nearest bookstore or amusement park and locate the cheapest gas around.

Free Review of BMW E30 – Ultimate Drift Machine

The E30 3 series was introduced at the end of 1982. It came available in 1983. It was available as 316, 318i, 320i and 323i. The 320i and 323i where six cylinders and had a check control and rev counter as standard. At the end of 1983 a 4 door version came available. In 1985 some changes were made to the 3 series.

First the 320i received a new engine that now had 129 HP. Then the 324d was introduced. It was the first 3 series diesel ever. It had a six cylinder diesel engine with 86 BHP. Also new where the 325i, 325e, 325ix and 325i convertible. The 325i replaced the 323i and had 170 BHP. The 325ix had four wheel drive and the 325i convertible was the first convertible that was made made by BMW. All models received a very small facelift. The front spoiler was changed. In 1987 the 324turbo diesel was introduced.

It had a 6 cylinder diesel engine with turbo wich now had 115 BHP. This was also the year that the 3 series received a facelift. Black plastic bumpers replaced the chrome ones and the rear lights where bigger now with a plastic surround filling up the void at the rear end surrounding the license plate. The 318i received the new M40 four cylinder engine. The 316 received the old 318i engine and now had 102 BHP. In 1988
the 316i received another new engine. It now had a M40 engine wich had 100 BHP.

Also available now was the new Touring. It was available as 320i, 325i, 325ix and 324td. In 1989 the 318is came available and the 318i was available as touring. The 318is had a 16 valve engine that produced 136 BHP this was nicknamed “the baby m3″ as it was a small 4 cylinder that was also lively. In 1991 the 316i touring came available. This was also the year that the convertible received the same facelift as the sedan had in 1987. There was also a 318i convertible introduced. This was also the last year that the E30 sedan was available. The new 3 series was already available since the end of 1990 so the old E30 went out of production. The Convertible was available until 1993 and the four cylinder tourings until 1994.

The bmw E30 is an iconic legend and has a special place in many a man’s heart it is the pinnacle of bmw engineering and was a world leader at it time of introduction. it is renowned by many as the ultimate drift machine with its lively rear end attitude and the power versions avilable. The best of the e30’s for drifting in my opinion would be the 327i alpina but as many know this was a limited edition and somewhat of a collectors item nowadays so sporting it round a track on a trackday or drifing round the roundabuts in your local town would be frowned upon by many enthusasts. Therefore the best e30 drifter in my opinion is the 325i yes you heard me right the 325i not the m3. the 325i is a lot more tourquey than the m3 with it being a six cylinder giving you more ability to control the drift giving you a much more satisfactory experience.

Car Breaks Down Tips – Precaution Steps

Have everything in your car that you may need if you get stranded somewhere. If possible, the first thing you should do is pull safely over to the side of the road.

• Cell phone: You are never going to appreciate having a cell phone more than you will if your car breaks down. If you have a cell phone you can call a service station and at least get a tow, if possible. If that is not possible, you can at least call someone to pick you up.

• Flashlight: The possibility always exists that your car can break down while you are driving at night. If it does, you will want to have a flashlight handy.

• Reflective warning triangles: These will help protect you and your vehicle in case of a breakdown.

Once you are over to the side of the road, turn on your hazard lights to alert traffic that may be headed your way. Once you do this, follow these tips

• Enter and exit your car using the door that is furthest away from traffic.

• Place at least 2 reflective triangles behind your car and one in front of your car. Place the farthest one approximately 50 feet behind your car.

• If possible, move away from the car to make your phone calls and also have your passengers move away from the car.

• Call a tow truck, a ride, or the police. It is only natural to worry about your car but the first priority is your safety and your passenger’s safety.

Most importantly, don’t panic. If you are not in a familiar area or you are travelling and do not know who to call, contact the police. These are very stressful situations and there is no need to try to handle them alone under these conditions. Keep the priorities straight. Ensure the safety of yourself and your passengers first and then the protection of your car. The car can be replaced, a human life cannot.

If you have ever had a car break down, you are well aware of the benefits of having an auto club membership. More than anything else (and there is a lot) they provide you with a peace of mind. You don’t have to worry about the chance that something will happen. Sometimes breakdowns happen, just make sure you know how to stay safe when they happen.

Volvo Car Safety Tests "Crashworthiness tests"

Seat and head restraints tests on Volvo vehicles are conducted at the Volvo Research Center simulation shed. The whiplash injuries that result from rear crashes are also examined and appropriate safety measure are designed and built into the vehicles. Rear impact simulation tests are also conducted to ensure that safety is in no way compromised when the vehicle is hit from the rear end.

Crashworthiness tests also take into account the incompatibility and design differences in different types of cars that may be involved in a crash. The geometric mismatch between the different models is considered and provided for in the final design of the Volvo car. This considerably reduces risk to the occupant.

Injuries to passengers in cars can also occur when airbags inflate in crash situations. The size of the occupant, the seating position and the dimensions of the inflating airbag can be factors that create to fatal situations. The institute issues instructions to Volvo drivers to seat themselves in a position such that their chest is at least 10 inches away from the Steering wheel. Specific instructions are also issued for seating children in front seats.

Low speed bumper tests are undertaken to find out how bumpers resist or bear up during a crash. Volvo bumper test results are compared with the test results of bumper tests on other vehicles. The best features of various passenger vehicle bumper designs are taken into consideration while designing the Volvo bumper. Volvo is also working with international groups of insurers to refine the bumper testing procedures. The publication of the results of bumper tests by Volvo Research Center also stimulates healthy competition among the various car designers and brings into focus an area of car safety design which is normally considered low priority.

However, safety devices do not guarantee 100% safety. They at best help mitigate injuries. Drivers must follow traffic rules and take care that they do not drive so carelessly that their actions cause accidents that can result is tragic loss of life and limb