Car Detailing Manuals — Free Tips and Tricks that Save!

If your idea of car detailing is washing and waxing your car, you might be in for a bit of a shock. While you can save a lot of money making this a do-it-yourself (DIY) project, this is definitely a skill which has been developed over the years.

If you do not want to pay the detail shops to perform this work for you, buying a DIY manual on car detailing is probably the next best step. A manual will provide time-saving shortcuts, as well as tips to give you the professional edge you need.

Repair Minor Body Damage

We all hate the annoying dings and scratches we get from everyday driving. Luckily, a repair book can save you a lot of money. There are many how-to tips which will enable you to repair simple dents (such as hail damage), saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Waxing and Buffing Techniques

Think you know how to wax a car? Well, after reading a manual you might find out you didn’t know as much as you thought! First, you need to start with the right type of polish or wax for your vehicle. Understanding the chemical and material makeup which provides the best shine and long-term protection will help you determine what type of wax to buy. Most do-it-yourself guides will even list a comparison of the most popular brands (so make sure you purchase a recent version).

Interior Preservation

The best way to make sure you don’t have to restore your interior is by preserving it. Easy how-to instructions explain the best way to care for leather, synthetic leather, vinyl, and cloth seats. You will also learn about wear patterns, and how to prevent them. Remember, prevention is the best medicine!

Interior Restoration

Although it is possible to completely restore the interior of a vehicle by having new upholstery installed, this is not always the most practical—or cheapest—method. Car detailing manuals demonstrate common methods to repair small tears in cloth, leather, and vinyl. They will also show you how to bring life back into your worn fabric, which is valuable since it is not always easy to find an exact match on vintage vehicles.

Engine Detailing

If you have ever purchased a car, surely one of the first things you did was open the hood to look at the engine – even if you didn’t have a clue what you were looking for! Whether you are looking to care for your existing car, baby your classic, or spruce up a bit before you sell, engine detailing is one of the most important steps in car detailing.

It is extremely important to follow the instructions in the do-it-yourself manuals. Some cleaning chemicals can cause accelerated deterioration of hoses and electrical components. Certain cleansers are not meant for automotive use, and their residue can remain flammable for several hours. Following a manual will prevent you from making the basic mistakes, show you the best techniques and tools to use (saving you scrapes on your hands as well as time), and can even help you create your own cleaning products which are just as effective as the one sold in your automotive store.

Wheel and Tire Maintenance

Keeping your tires looking good is a great way to keep your car looking good as new. While there are many great products out there to make your tires look great, you should know which ones clean, and which ones leave a residue all over the rubber which will haunt you once the shine wears off. When it come to wheels, it is important to keep them clean and protected. Small rocks and other debris on the road will put small pits in your wheels, making them more susceptible to rust and corrosion. A good how-to book shows you how to clean and protect your wheels so they look brand new for years.

It Just Makes Sense

Owning a how-to manual or book just makes sense. For a few dollars, you will have a wealth of knowledge and a handy reference guide to look at while you are detailing your car. You will pick up time-saving techniques and money-saving tricks that will improve the overall quality and safety of your DIY projects.

GPS System - Gas Saving Tools

There’s a few tips that will get you where you’re going with the least amount of gas spent. First off in the age of technology you should own a GPS system. They range in price but all are well within affordable, check online and do some comparison shopping. Chances are you’ll run into a sale. Most don’t realize how far they will get with using the momentum of the vehicle.

Acceleration, if you can maintain even a slow speed, it’s that much less your car will have to burn to get going again. Try to anticipate traffic and traffic lights moving just fast enough to move with traffic, or get o the next light. This will also reduce the wear and tear on your brakes and tires. You will be surprised how much gas you’re saving and notice the brakes and tires lasting longer. Driving between 45-60mph is considered the most fuel-efficient cruising range. It just so happens that this range coincides with most parkway and secondary roads. A GPS system will help you map out your destination, and in conjunction with your “cruise control” you can maintain optimum mpg.

Aerodynamics plays a crucial role as your vehicle moves. The less it has to fight the laws of physics, the less fuel will be consumed. Keep the windows rolled up and use your cars ventilation. It is more energy efficient than keeping windows open at speeds over 25mph. When down air gets sucked into the car creating a pushing effect that’s called “drag.” This makes the engine work harder, burning more fuel to maintain the same speeds. Roof racks that are used often can be taken off until needed to keep the vehicles exterior clutter free, and in its more aerodynamic shape. Make sure tires are at 32psi, driving under inflated tires can cause you to use as much as 10% more fuel.

Doing these small things everyday can really add up. Just be sure to make a conscience effort in doing so. Walking when not going far, using your GPS system for the most direct route, rolling up windows on parkways, using the cars momentum between lights. Even checking tire pressure are small things that might not cross our minds during our everyday errands and hectic schedule. You know what though, if your serious about saving money where you can you will make a conscience effort to do so.

The Perfect DIY Method 0n Changing Oil

Changing your car’s oil on your own is a relatively simple task that will help you save some extra cash. Purchasing your own motor oil and oil filter typically runs about $20 at any auto parts store, but many oil and lube facilities charge much more than that. The added cost is the convenience of not having to jack up your car and get dirty, but performing your own oil change can be educational, save time, and keep a few extra bucks in your pocket.

Getting dirty while change your oil won’t sound appealing to plenty of drivers. But getting in the trenches appeals to people who want to take pride in do-it-yourself maintenance. While most do-it-yourself oil changes can be done quickly and painlessly, Tuscaloosa Auto Repair says it’s important to remember that oil is vital to the health of your vehicle. Honda Parts Salinas points out that forgetting an important step or making a careless mistake can easily cost more time and money. For those performing an oil change for the first time, it’s important to consult a tutorial or have a guide with you before you begin.

An oil change consists of draining old oil, adding fresh oil, and replacing the dirty oil filter. While automotive technology seems to be constantly changing, not much has changed when it comes to this type of vehicle maintenance. If you’ve performed an oil change on a car years ago, Hyundai Service Millville suggests that you will be perfectly capable of changing your oil again.

A common concern for those considering a do-it-yourself oil change is whether such a procedure will void the vehicle’s warranty. Luckily, if you change the oil and filter in the recommended fashion, you should have no problem. However, Minneapolis Ford Service recommends keeping receipts and records to indicate that maintenance was performed.

Free Latest 2009 VW TDI Upgrades – Advanced Flow Engineering

The 2009 VW TDI Performance Upgrades are finally here! If you’ve been waiting patiently for the chance to modify your 2009 TDI, your wait is over.

True Volkswagen TDI enthusiasts have something to cheer about as new Performance and Upgrade product releases are here for the 2009 VW JETTA 2.0L TDI Sedan and Wagon. After Volkswagen’s decision not to manufacture 2007 and 2008 VW TDI’S, many TDI enthusiasts have pounced on the chance to buy a factory fresh 2009 TDI Jetta. With no TDI vehicles coming off the VW assembly line for a few years, manufacturers of VW TDI upgrades had to turn their attention to other product lines. Now, however, with the popularity of Volkswagen’s new 2009 TDI Jetta’s, upgrade and modification companies have taken note and are again giving car owners the types of Performance products they crave – products that until only recently had been reserved for older model VW TDI’S.

Performance Cold Air Intake Systems and Rapid Power Module’s, or “Chips” as they are often called, are two of the easiest, least expensive, and most effective upgrades you can make to your 2009 TDI Jetta. Diesel engines want cold air to breathe and properly atomized fuel to burn, and an upgraded intake and module will give your TDI just what it needs. If you are interested in maximizing the full potential of your VW TDI, read on.

To give your Turbo Diesel more cold air, a high-quality choice comes from Advanced Flow Engineering, or AFE Power as they are commonly known. AFE has recently released a Performance Air Intake System for the 2009 Jetta TDI 2.0L with an impressive list of benefits and performance data. The system is 100% bolt-on, mounts to the lower airbox housing, and no drilling or cutting is required. After a simple 15-30 minute installation, you can expect air flow to increase 56% over stock. Horsepower gains average +10 at 3150 RPM, and expect Torque to increase by 23 lbs. at 3050 RPM. The system comes with a high efficiency, low restriction air filter in your choice of either a Pro Dry S or a Pro 5R. Most people choose the Pro Dry S for ease of use with filter cleaning being a simple wash and air dry.

Performance modules improve TDI fuel economy and provide extra horsepower at the same time by improving the efficiency of the vehicle fuel injection system. Performance market manufacturer and TDI stalwart Bully Dog now markets a “Rapid Power Performance Module” for the 2009 VW TDI Jetta which effectively improves fuel economy and horsepower. This module is a simple inline, between wiring harness, plug-in chip designed for safe and long lasting use. It is adjustable on-the-fly, allowing you to choose between three power levels; Stock, +10% and +15% horsepower via a simple toggle switch that can be left in the engine bay or installed within the interior of the vehicle for easy access. The total horsepower increase from this module on the highest setting according to Bully Dog’s Dyno testing is +25HP and a torque increase of 30 ft-lbs. If you can keep your foot of the gas pedal you should even see some impressive fuel economy gains on a car that already gets remarkable mileage.

Combine the Performance Cold Air Intake System with the Rapid Power Module and you’ll see tremendous gains in horsepower, torque and economy; perhaps most importantly, though, will be the increased fun you’ll have driving your modified 2009 VW Jetta TDI!

Toyota Leading to Number 1 Position

In the last few months, it had been in the news report that some of the world’s largest automakers are facing the declining period. General Motors is one of them and on the other hand Toyota is getting extreme primacy in the market. It is the belief of some of the experts that by the end of this year, Toyota will lead the General Motors is number of sales but there are some who are expressing a caution in regard of this assessment. So the question still remained unanswered, whether Toyota will rule the auto-market or General Motors will be able to maintain its positions and authority.

Another new technology which is engraved by Toyota is the Hybrid Synergy Drive which always keep the engine in the first gear if the speed of the car changes. The best thing about Toyota is that all the car models are based on perfect reviews and test drives and then only launched in market. This results in fine acceleration about the models particularly in heavy traffics.

Neck to neck competition between Toyota and General Motors: -

The main thing that matters in this world which tells about the number one position of the company is the prestige. If a company is holding the top place, then it means that consumers will be attracted by the reputation of the company and all the company is laying at the top of the game. So when experts talk about Toyota then it was revealed that they are working very hard to reach the heights of success. So, if one is trying is so hard then why must devoid the first rank.

Enhancing features and technologies of Toyota: -

Another reason for the popularity of the Toyota is the company had already moved to the hybrid technology which is proving to be much superior to the average model cars. It had been noted that the cars which are running on the hybrid technology from Toyota are able to produce an average of 40 MPG gas mileage and this average moves to 38 MPG on highways.

The engine in the present Toyota models is 4-cylinder engine which is mainly using gasoline as the main fuel. Besides this, the maximum capacity is 30 KW on 245V battery or 40 horsepower. Maximum power can peaks up to 192 or 140 kilowatts. Besides the capacity of the gasoline engine can be 2.4 liters. On the other hand the electric motor is of 45 horsepower. Another good thing about the latest engine technology in the Toyota car models is that engine can maintain the power band efficiently and this can be done with the help of CVT which constantly transfer front wheels.

Free Car Care Tips – Washing Engine In Correct Way

Besides keeping the outside of your vehicle looking like brand new you also want to make sure you periodically clean the engine compartment. There are many reasons for doing this, including helping prevent rust, to check for oil or fluid leaks and to detect belt wear. To soften the grease and grunge that collects in the engine compartment you should start the engine and let it run for a few minutes and then shut it off. If you can just hold your hand on engine without burning, then it is warm enough to clean. The proper temperature for cleaning the engine is warm but not hot.

While the engine is cooling down you will want to cover the openings on the motor that you do not want to get water in. These include the air intake/ air filter, the distributor, the coil and the oil dip stick/breather. You can use baggies and rubber bands to cover the openings. You also want to check the tightness of the oil filter cap, power steering cap, windshield washer fluid cap, battery filler caps and all other caps.

Now that you have the engine warm and everything is sealed you then spray the engine and engine compartment with a high quality non petroleum based degreaser. You should start at the bottom and work up, that way you won’t be getting your face covered with degreaser.

Allow the degreaser to set for about three to five minutes and then use a 100% cotton towel or a soft brush to start removing the heavily soiled areas. You then re-spray and re-brush any areas that need additional cleaning. Once the entire engine and engine compartment have been cleaned you rinse it thoroughly with water. You don’t have to use a high pressure sprayer a gentle spray will work just as well and you won’t have to worry about getting water in sensitive spots.

Once the engine compartment is clean you can remove the plastic bags and rubber bands. You then dry any puddles and aluminum parts with a soft towel. Use paper towels to thoroughly dry the battery. You now start the engine and allow it to warm up. This will dry the rest of the engine and will evaporate any moisture that has collected.

Once everything is dry and completely cooled you should wax the painted areas of the engine compartment, but not the engine. If the undercoated aluminum areas are dull or have whitish corrosion you can use a mild metal polish to help restore the finish. At this time you should check the battery terminals to make sure they are clean. If they are not clean you can disconnect the cables and clean both the cable terminals and the battery posts with a wire brush.

Then you should check all hinges, throttle cables and shocks to see if they need a thin coating of non silicone lubricant. Then check all fluid levels and remove any stray baggies and you have completed cleaning your engine.