Basic Car Driving Tips for All Seasons

How many out there wish to spend more time in the car than other things? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average American spends about 49 minutes a day commuting to and from work.
Avoiding an accident requires both hands on the wheel and no distractions.

Only 25 percent of the driving population takes to the roads at night. Yet, nighttime accidents account for 50 percent of driving accidents. Light is the major thing while you drive in the night time to avoid accidents. Xenon headlights create wider beams, which are lit more evenly, allowing drivers to see more of the road, and are virtually impervious to shock and vibrations. Xenon lights also last longer, providing more than 3,000 hours in an automotive application, compared to 1,000 hours for halogen. Small changes can make big differences. If drivers buy cars with Xenon headlights, they will likely enhance their own safety and energy efficiency.

When a car is in top operating condition, it will not only enhance the safety conditions for and passengers, but also help people save on gas. One of the first things you should do is familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of your vehicle. It is important to read the owner's manual and follow proper winterizing suggestions that involve the battery, lights, defroster, heater, motor oil, antifreeze, wiper blades, windshield washer fluid, tire pressure, brakes and brake fluid, belt, hoses, and filters.

Before hitting the road during winter travel, you must clear the snow and ice from not only all windows and lights, but also the hood and roof of the car.

In addition to maintaining the safety level of your vehicle, you must also pay extra attention to the way you drive in the wintertime. This means staying off of the cell phone and adhering to the legal speed limit. Additionally, a driver should:

• Not forget to wear seat belt.
• Stay Alert and drive without Distractions.
• Drive completely sober
• Drive with headlights on that too in the dark places and also in the winter seasons.
• Give ample amount of time to slow down when roads are slippery.
• When roads are icy or snowy, the best suggestion is to delay travel, especially when "black ice" is involved.
• Do not pass maintenance vehicles or plows on the right and give them at least 200 feet between them and your vehicle.
• Avoid traveling on bridges or long travel during icy conditions.
• Since trucks take longer to stop than cars, do not cut in front.
• Avoid cruise control or overdrive in freezing cold weather.
• Avoid pumping anti-lock brakes - it is much better to "stomp and steer."
• In case of a puncture or blowout hold on to the steering wheel firmly. Draw the vehicle towards the corner of the road.
• If you sense fire, switch off the ignition and draw the vehicle towards the side of the road. Switch on the hazard lights. Try to put out the fire by throwing sand onto it. If the fire grows, stay away from it – it could lead to an explosion. Try to find help as quickly as possible and warn others.

Plan the best route to your destination. Try to avoid hills, busy areas and bridges. Anticipate cars coming from side streets and allow extra distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. If someone is riding your bumper, don't speed up -; maintain your pace and let them go around you. As an additional precautionary measure, store name and telephone number of an emergency contact on your cell phone under the name "ICE". This acronym stands for "emergency" aid and rescue personnel quickly locate a friend or family member.



October 1, 2009
By Myers Hurt
Myers Hurt is the author of murderedoutrides.com. Murdered out Rides is an online discussion forum dedicated to the hottest trend in cars today – completely blacked-out rides. Black on black is the new black! Site features pictures, videos, and discussion of your cars, trucks, and bikes – plus celebrity rides, parts, services, and how-to.
For more details, please visit – http://www.murderedoutrides.com

Tips On Looking For The Best Used Car Dealer

Buying used cars is a more practical way of avoiding a public mass transportation commute. However, with the industry’s numerous car dealer options, lack of education could lead you straight into a bad car deal.

So how do you know who to trust? Which car dealer is best to transact business? Here is some useful information on searching for the best used-car dealer.

1) Reputation: This is the most vital in choosing car dealers. Making business deals with fair, honest and accommodating car dealers is easy as long as you find a reputable dealership. You should check with the local Better Business Bureau for car dealers reliability report and you could ask relatives and friends for past car dealers they dealt with that guarantee satisfaction.

2) Services: Finding the best car dealers should not be the only factor to consider. Make sure the services the car dealers provide are appropriate. These services include:

* Check and check out – Most car dealers provide express maintenance and service appointments to its customers.

* Car loans - Some extend their services by handling or providing assistance with your financial needs.

* Service rates - Each car dealership has various service discounts. Service rates may vary depending on the name, location, other benefits, and negotiations.

* Warranty – Some car dealers offer free extended car warranties when you purchase used cars or service and examine vehicles from them.

3) Price range: Most people assume that the price you pay is for the whole vehicle. This is not the case when doing business with car dealers.

Majority of dealerships include “add-ons” that may include window tinting, car accessories, CD changers, paint protector products, undercarriage coatings, car interior accessories and many more. Some dealers may try and force the customers into purchasing them usually install the add-ons.

If these additional accessories would be an advantage for you, it might be a blessing. However, if you prefer to purchase the car alone, check to see the car you wish to buy if it includes add-ons refrain from paying additional for each.

Extra fees such as dealer handling and dock fees are charged to set up a used car for sale, maintaining the car and preparing needed documents for the car sale. These extra fees could be negotiated since all of these services would only provide additional profit for the dealer.

Aside from a respectful, dignified and honest dealer, consider these factors in choosing the best car dealer. You may be purchasing a used car, but by looking for the best person to assist you, it will lead to a good investment.



September 30, 2009
By Gregory Ashton
Gregory Ashton, your resident automobile enthusiast, bringing to you over 20 years of vehicular passion, and expertise; presents for your approval his insider secrets on selecting, buying, and maintianing the car that is ideal for you. http://www.best-car-buying-tips.com

Car Accessories and Car Audio

Almost everyone wants to have the best car in the world and people even customize their cars in order to make them stand out of the crowd. Apart from the modifications, there are a number of car accessories which enhance your experience and makes your car stand out of the crowd.

Car audio system is the sound fitted in an automobile. Saxochina provides the most innovative car audio system.

Find the best deals on car audio and car audio accessories when you compare prices at Price Grabber. Get deals on car speakers, amplifiers, subwoofers, cd and mp3 players and all car audio accessories. Visit our site Saxochina.com for Car Audio Forum dedicated to Car Audio Equipment and Car accessories and all subjects related to Car Sound and Audio.

Saxo Technologies International Co., Limited is a company dedicated its activities to the manufacturing and marketing of all car accessories Ornamental, Utility and Electronic.

The company is a part of a group engaged in the Research and production of Electronic goods from the year 1983.The group is in to Electronic Production, Tool room, Metal Fabrication and Garments. The main customers for our product are from Europe, Middle East Africa and India. The company is dedicated in after sales follow ups with service point of view.

Every proud car owner is protective about a least the music system that is fitted in the car. There are many choices available in the market. If you love your car try not to go for the cheap products from the gray markets-which sell imported car audios. Ideally one should buy from a recognized dealer. One of the main reasons is that the dealer will be available in case something goes wrong in the warranty period itself.

Get deals on car speakers, amplifiers, subwoofers, cd and mp3 players and all car audio accessories.

Visit our site Saxochina.com for Car Audio Forum dedicated to Car Audio Equipment and Car accessories and all subjects related to Car Sound and Audio.

The Vision of the company is to adopt latest technological benefits to modify car interiors in a luxurious manner, maintaining excellent quality, attain customer enlightenment and emerge as the world leader brand. Our main strength is our professional approach and our dedication towards our customers. We are proud that most of our buyers are repeaters for a long span.

September 29, 2009
By Ecsolutions

Saxo technologies International co., limited offers a wide range of car accessories for lesuire, safety, appearance and performance. Car audio, car cleaning products, car electricals, car tools, car exteriors.

How Interactive Car Clubs Can Help You Build Your Own Car More Efficiently

If you are looking to build or restore a car then you are going to need a bit of help either way. The best thing that you can do at this point is to go to a car show or car club and meet new people that love the same things as you do. You never know you might meet someone that wants to help you out enough to where they can get cheaper and better parts for you anytime you need them.

The first thing you will want to do if you are building a car is go around the car club looking for people who sell parts wholesale or just for someone who will give you a big discount since you are going to be buying a lot of parts. You will just need to make friends with everyone and try to find someone that will want to work on the car just as much as you do.

If you are going to need or want a paintjob or glass work done then you will want to ask around as well because those two things alone can set you back about five grand. A good paintjob can cost anywhere from two to four thousand dollars depending on what type of paint and how many coats you want. There are just a lot of things that you need to realize when you are building a car.

As you keep working on the car when the time comes around for you to work on the motor then you are most likely going to need help no matter what because no matter how much you know you will always need help with a motor. Motor work is different then just painting there are many different things that you will need to know in order to make other things work as well.

You building a car and you being in a car club will benefit you more than someone just building a car in the garage at home. You will be able to call friends that you know or just walk up to them and ask them for help or opinions, whereas in your garage you only have you and your computer to rely on. At a car club people will love to help and show you the right way to do things where as in your garage if you mess up then that might cost you some time and a lot of money. So the good thing to do is get help from someone who has already done it or is doing the same thing as you. It will pay off in the end to be part of a car club because they will be able to show you and teach you things that you might not have even known about. You may learn something about your car that you never even knew about it. Just go out and find a car club for you.

September 25, 2009
By Gregg Hall
Gregg Hall is an author living with his 18 year old son in Jensen Beach, Florida. Find more about cars as well as car care products at http://www.nsearch.com

What is a Driving School

The use of vehicles is increasing day by day. As a consequence driving schools are mushrooming everywhere. These schools offer classes and programs. The learners come to know about driving as well as the road safety and the public's driving skills are getting improved.

The courses in driving schools may be classified into two categories- the classroom instruction and actual behind the wheel instruction. Generally the classroom instruction consists of 30-35 hours. The classes which are held are interesting. Lively discussions are held. Classes are equipped with thought provoking videos and solution to contemporary problems. You have to have a good present record in the classroom since it is mandatory. Now comes the driving phase. The driving instructor contacts the students to schedule driving sessions. Generally this phase consists of 6-8 hours. During this course, dual-controlled car, a car with brake pedals on both sides, is generally used.

Driving schools aim at developing the right attitude and awareness among the learners. The schools have adept trainers who make the learners conscious about observation and anticipation so that the learners can foresee any adverse situation and avoid accidents. Safe steering and cornering techniques are also emphasized in this school courses.

The learners are learnt to inspect the vehicles at a regular basis. In these driving schools, the learners are made aware of the system of vehicle control. The learners will get a fair idea of placing their cars in a right way. They come to know how to reverse a car. In the driving schools, the learners are made aware of forward driving. They are made familiar with the steering and how to use it. This lesson on forward driving helps them to understand safe stopping distances and avoiding skids.

For the interest of the learners, repairing, rectification, car care are also taught in these schools. So the driving schools are very much useful for the learners. The beginners as well as the experienced driver can attend the schools which offer variety of classes to meet their needs. They aim at teaching you in such a way that you certainly can get your driving license. The schools emphasize on individual coaching and moderate fees.

The schools that offer services possess utmost professional trainers. They train the learners using the up-to-date teaching methods. They also use the scientific method of driving. All the trainers are veteran and well-versed. They follow the syllabus of the Govt. Motor Vehicles Act.

The prospective drivers should not delay. They must get admitted in a driving school. The school will help you to be the safest driver since they always put emphasis on road safety. The schools train a driver safe driving and so the risk of driving reduces. The schools also make the learners familiar with the basics mechanism of driving. They are also taught the rules of the road.

To learn safe driving and get your driver's license, it is very urgent to get admitted in a driving school. Only then you can improve your driving skill and enjoy the pleasure of driving.



September 24, 2009
By James Copper
James Copper is a writer for http://www.propertycareerskills.co.uk

Car Care Basics That Anyone Can Do

Contrary to the popular belief, not all car care tasks take a lot of time and require a lot of car skills. As a matter of fact, basic car care can be done by just about anyone, even those with very minimal knowledge of mechanics.

For example, regular washings are a huge part of basic car care. By keeping the outside of your car clean, you are not only keeping your car shiny and looking like new, you are keeping your car paint from getting scratched. This is because the debris that can accumulate on the outside of a car over time can act as an abrasive, rubbing off the protective clear coat (if your car has one) and digging into your paint. To be sure, car care does not get much easier than taking your vehicle through a car wash!

One of the other easier components to car care involves regularly checking your oil levels. Believe it or not, you are actually supposed to do this every time you fill up your gas tank. Many people do not do this or fail to do it, and by the time they take their vehicles to a professional to have their oil changed, the engine of the car has been damaged already by the lack of oil that was available. Depending on how frequently you fill up your gas tank, you might not really need to check it each time, but you should definitely do it at least once a month as part of your car care routine.

Speaking of routine car care, when is the last time you changed your windshield washer blades? This should be done at least once a year, and it takes less than five minutes to do. Moreover, changing your windshield wiper blades is one of the most affordable and easiest components to car care. Over time, particularly in the cold winter months, the rubber on the blades can get hard and it will soon crack, scratching the glass of your windshield. Before this happens and you have to get your glass repaired, change them out.

Filling up your reservoir with windshield washer fluid is another easy car care basic. All you have to do is buy the fluid and dump it into the right tank. You do not want to fill it up with water, as when the weather gets cold the water can freeze and expand, bursting the plastic reservoir.

(ArticlesBase ID #472124)



September 23, 2009
By Phoenix Delray
Know more about great car care tips by visiting our website.

7 Things to Know when Renting a Car

In today's society, there are a number of reasons why people rent a car. Some of the top reasons are vacations, a car they own is in the shop and renting a nicer car for a special occasion. Whatever the reason that you are considering renting a car; there are some things that you should know first.

1- It is wise to shop around when looking for to rent a car. Always find at least three rental car companies to compare, although more will be better. Be sure to ask all the companies the same questions to get the most accurate answers. Most rental car companies will have websites online to find basic information, but it is best to call as local branches may have deals that are not advertised online.

2- When you call, be sure to ask about price, vehicle availability, as well as any specials that the branch has to offer. It is worth noting here, that many of these companies will have special arrangements with hotels, airlines or even warehouse stores.

3- You will want to ask about any special instructions that are required of you while renting the car, for example, filling up the gas tank or pick up and drop off times. Not adhering to these policies can result in fees.

4- Many companies that will rent a car to you will also be willing to either deliver the car to you or pick you up and take you to your car rental. This service may require a fee, but can be worth asking about if you are flying to your destination.

5- The rental company may offer you insurance to purchase, however, your personal auto insurance may be all you need in the event of an accident with a rental car. Call your auto insurance agent and ask before paying extra at the rental counter.

6- There are a number of choices that are open to you when renting a car. Each class of car will vary in price and gas mileage; consider this when making your decision. While many companies may be willing to upgrade you, this is not always the case. It is wise to choose the car you want and hope for an upgrade than to reserve less of a car and be disappointed when an upgrade is not offered.

7- Have a credit or debit card handy to reserve the rental car with, most companies will only guarantee a car with this assurance.

More information at
http://www.josecarocho.com/car



September 22, 2009
By Jose Luis Carocho
my name is Jose Carocho, I am a factory worker, and I am running a web site where you can get loads of title and information about Finance, Cars, Computers, Shopping and Travel,please feel free to browse my website http://www.josecarocho.com

Car Cleaning Tips

There are basic tips on how to clean your car. There are also important things you can work and take note of starting from the time you wash your car up to maintaining its beauty and shape.

When it comes to cleaning your car, washing is one of the important things to be done. Make sure to wash your vehicle. You can utilize one in the morning and another one in the evening, to keep it away from water spots. Once they appear, it would take one week or more before you would be able to remove this dirt. You can then start washing at the top portion of your car, all the way down. Then, you can dry your vehicle immediately.

Just a cautionary piece of advice, particularly when using micro-fiber in cleaning your car, industrial sealant manufacturers admonishes it already for washing your automobiles. These micro-fibers are made up of 80 to 85% polyester, meaning it is plastic. In case you don’t know, plastic scratches for over a period of time of usage. This will strip off the coating of your vehicle.

Here is step by step process you can work with:

Step 1- Washing your car

• Wash your car thoroughly to be able to remove all kinds of dirt as well as debris from your vehicle.

• Be sure you use quality mitts. First, use only high-quality and “clean wash” mitts. After this, you can use two mitts. One would be for the upper and the other for the bottom part of you car.

• Don’t ever use dish soap or any washing solution due to the fact that this may strip away the wax, which protects your car. It will also dry the paint off your vehicle.

• On your last rinse, use running water. Never spray your vehicle with water using a hose. The end result will be that the water will dry off easily.

• When drying your vehicle, regularly utilize 100 percent cotton terry type of cloth towel. An alternative would be micro-fiber towels of high quality.

• Once you notice that your car is dry, check the direction of your car from both the sunlight as well as an artificial lighting. This is in order for you to check on the uneven tone of you car’s paint. Plus, touch the surface of the car using your palms. This is in order for you to check of any imperfection that may be quite visible to the naked eye. The perfect touch would resemble touching a piece of glass.

• Wash the tires of your vehicle at least four times a year to avoid cracking.

Step 2 - Cleaning your vehicle

• Just in case you forget to clean the upper part of your car and it will show some imperfections, you need to note down that you will have your car cleaned thoroughly. Aside from this, it should be ready for polishing and waxing. To get rid of stubborn dirt, you can use the abrasive method less.

• Be sure to use white coat-safe materials. Regular rubbing compounds can be very damaging to your car and must be avoided at all times.

• If needed, ask for assistance from any professional that has complete materials for getting rid of paint problems.

Step 3 – Polishing your beloved car

• Although polishing is not that important, it should be done frequently, especially with dark vehicles so as to be able to bring out its outstanding shine and beauty.

• To get that expensive looking shines, after polishing of your car, use a wax type of coating.

• A clean polish is excellent for vehicles. This is especially convenient if you want a polish solution that can help your car avoid any building up of dirt.

• Unlike waxes, clean or pure polish is used best for new paint only. This is due to the fact that it can bring out the best from the color of your vehicle.

Step 4 – Waxing your car

• Make sure that you will also work on the dark side and cool surfaces of your car.

• In waxing you car, make sure you apply the wax very thinly. You can then spread the coating so as to get the best color.

• Take note that when you are waxing your car, you need to use dual action products or white foam.

• You should apply the wax entirely. Leave it for a couple of minutes. Then, remove it by polishing it gently in order that the gloss of your car can be maintained.

• Check out the market for quality towels or micro-fiber clothing. This is the best material to use in taking off the wax you placed on your car.

Step 5 – Maintenance of you car

• Once you notice any dangerous agents being applied on your car, you need to have this removed at once. This can also be done if there are any water spots. For animal dirt, you can use an instant detailing agent before this will result to further damaging your car.

• To keep your vehicle always looking good and in best shape, make sure you use quality products available in the market. This is especially with products used for sealing the color and protecting your car regularly.

• If you notice that the products you applied seem very hard to polish, this is a good time to apply new wax on your car.



September 18, 2009
By David H. Urmann
For more information on Car Cleaning Tips please visit our website http://www.AUTO-CLEANING.COM

Deciding on Auto Engine Repair or Replacement

Automotive engine problems cannot be ignored. Don’t just give up on your vehicle, though. Find a reliable mechanic in Tampa and ask for a consultation. A truly professional mechanic will not lead you astray. He should do a thorough auto inspection of all vehicle components, including your car transmission system, and give you a full and honest report on whether you can still profit from auto repair – or truck repair, as the case may be – or if you need replacements for major car parts, even to the extent of engine replacement. To decide between automotive engine repair or replacement, you need to know about the pros and cons of your options.

Would it be more cost effective to repair your engine, to replace it, or to buy a new vehicle altogether? Is your vehicle’s engine still repairable? If you decide to replace it, should you get a new engine, a used engine or a remanufactured engine?

According to our mechanic from Tampa, if the vehicle has already depreciated to the point of having a book value that is less than $2,000.00, or if it is more than ten years old, you should not invest more money in it – whether for engine repair or replacement. That would not raise the vehicle’s resale value commensurate to your expense. It would then make better financial sense to buy a new vehicle instead. Perhaps you can still sell the old vehicle for some petty cash.

On the other hand, engine repair would still be a good investment on a vehicle that is less than ten years old. If the engine is no longer repairable, our mechanic says engine replacement is still more economical than the purchase of a new vehicle.

Engine repair is not also always recommended even if still possible. In some cases, it can turn out to be more expensive. This is so for any engine that has already clocked more than 150,000 miles and is running poorly, burning oil, making strange noises or has locked up.

Replacement engines are either new – called crate engines – or remanufactured engines. Among the advantages are that they usually arrive with a warranty and can be installed immediately whereas repairs can take so long. Some crate engines are almost exact duplicates of original vehicle engines. Others come with various upgrades such as more powerful horsepower or larger displacements. Remanufactured engines are used engines that have been completely rebuilt to attain specifications equivalent to new engines, meeting or even exceeding OEM engine specifications. Remanufactured engines are more ecologically friendly since they recycle engine parts and reduce scrap.

Our mechanic recommends caution in choosing a used engine that has not been remanufactured, especially if it has high mileage or if it comes from a junked vehicle. He says buying a low cost used engine from a salvage yard would only be acceptable if the yard guarantees it and the engine has low mileage of not more than 60,000 miles.

Of course, when you replace your engine with a crate engine, a remanufactured engine or a used engine, you have to make sure that everything is compatible, from the engine management system to sensors and wiring harness. You may need professional help with this because engine designs and calibrations differ from year to year.

The best option, of course, is to avoid engine repair or replacement by keeping your vehicle and its engine in perfect running condition through proper maintenance. Auto oil change, for example, is very important to give your engine longer life. Whenever you need new car parts, make sure to use only brands that have been proven to be of the highest quality.

(ArticlesBase ID #985402)



September 17, 2009
By Business Local Listing
Guy’s Automotive
Contact Name: Guy Skiver
Address: 3049 W.Hillsborough Ave.
Tampa, FL 33614
Phone: 813.353.1537
Fax: 813.353.1568
Email: GUYSAUTOMOTIVE@GMAIL.COM
Website: www.GUYSAUTOMOTIVE.COM

Cargo Van Rental What to Consider When Hiring One

Moving can be quite a challenge. There are so many details – form the colossal to the minuscule, the obvious to the tricky, the important to the petty – to take care of. One of these things is renting a cargo van for carrying your movables to your new home, wherever that may be. Selecting a reliable cargo van for moving is something you definitely should not take for granted since a good deal, if not all, of your belongings’ safety and existence depends on your choice.

In order to decide which cargo van services you should hire, you first need to examine the stuff you plan to take with you on your move. Relocating can be made much easier when you have fewer things to worry about, including the things you need to be relocated with you. You can find several websites that offer tips on what you should consider when you are in the process of deciding on a cargo van rental – and this site is one of them. Read on to find out more.

One of the basic things you should look into is the measurements of the more significant possessions you have. This means that you are going to deal with a little math, with the help of a ruler or a trusty measuring tape.

The first thing you are going to measure is the item you own which seems to be of the longest length. Once you’ve picked out that item from the rest of your belongings and measured it, you can now have an idea or an estimate of the minimum length of the cargo van you should hire. This means that you can have a larger cargo van, if you wish, but not a smaller one. This is because you still have other items to carry, and a smaller cargo van can become easily cramped once the longest item in your list gets joined by your other stuff. The more stuff you have, the bigger the cargo van should be.

In deciding on a cargo van rental, the second thing you should take a look into is the height of the item or items that will be required to stay in a standing position when carried in a cargo van for moving purposes. Such items may include your piano, bulky cabinets and drawers, dining table, divider, and the like. To make sure you hire the right cargo van service for the job, check the clearance of the cargo vans available for your choosing; services such as Budget Truck Rental issue clearances. Bear in mind that the cargo van with the larger clearance is the one you’re looking for because it is of the right height and size.

Finally, if you hate spoiling and wasting food, you can choose to bring your food products on the move with you. Dairy products, such as milk and ice cream, and other items need to be refrigerated in order to avoid spoilage. Compare the features offered by cargo vans in the market, and choose the one that has the right temperature you need.



September 16, 2009
By Thanyarat Thongpae
Take the time to find the cargo van rental that suits your unique needs At http://www.cargovan-rental.com

Used Car Auto Loan Tips On Financing Your Used Car

Used cars are not as easy to finance as new cars. Lenders are more hesitant of financing vehicles with unknown pasts. However, you can find reasonable rates on auto loans by lining up your financing before you go car shopping. A down payment of 10% or more, plus shopping with a car dealer can also improve your rates.

Get Car Financing First, Then Car Shop

Pre-approved auto loans have a number of advantages. First, you find out what you qualify to borrow before you get stuck in a contract. You can also play around with loan terms to find a reasonable monthly payment. And sellers are eager to close a deal with a buyer that has secure financing.

Used cars loans often require a slightly higher rate, usually .6 or more, than new car loans. However, rates vary widely between lending companies, so it pays to shop around. Processing your loan before your car purchase relieves you from the pressure of signing with the first lender you find. It also saves you money in lower rates.

Plan On 10% Down

10% is most often required for a used car loan. It signals to the lender that you are investing in this purchase and are willing to make payments. A larger down payment can improve rates and offset low credit scores.

Another way to save money is to choose a short term loan. Since a used car probably won’t last as long as a new car, five and three year loans make the most financial sense. You save on interest costs and can start saving for your next car.

Shopping With A Dealer

Some lenders also offer better rates when you purchase through a car dealership, even with used cars. You should weigh all your options when applying for this type of car loan.

Dealerships usually provide a partial warranty for their used cars; they also charge more. You may be able to find an excellent deal in the classifieds, but there is a level of risk with that purchase. However, the difference in interest rates between these types of loans is more than 1%.



September 15, 2009
By Carrie Reeder
View our recommended Used Car Loan http://www.abcloanguide.com/newcarloan.shtml lenders.
Source: http://www.bharatbhasha.com/finance-and-business.php/35802

Night Driving Tips

It's been quite some time since we discussed something on driving ways or driving tips. Its needless to say that when we are behind the wheels, we are responsible for our behavior on road. We are not only responsible for our safety but also for others. Therefore, its important to know 'Safe Driving Tips'. Apart from learning our driving lessons well, we ought to know some special tips that vary from place to place or with the hours of driving.

Night driving involves a lot of risk, therefore its important for every driver to know certain night driving tips. Before we begin to discuss what are these tips, lets roll our eyes on the facts that often make night driving difficult, scary and at times fatal.

What Makes Night Driving Difficult ?

Poor Visibility – Obviously and Naturally, there is very less natural light on the road.

People Feel More Sleepy Than During Daytime - It is universal that one tends to feel more sleepy at night.

Silence around Makes One Feel More Drowsy – If your are driving alone and late at night, there ought be few cars around. Silence on the road also makes you feel at easy and consequently sleepy.

Dim Road Lights – Excluding the urban regions and posh areas in most of the countries, the road nights are not sufficient for driving at night.

People Drink Mostly at Night – That's true and implies to people around the world. For some of them its a habit, while for others its a party night.

Cars Lights from Opposite Direction Disturb – The cause for most of the accidents at night. Direct & sharp light from the opposite vehicle hit eyes of the drivers and lead to mishappening.

For Those Who Are Visually Impaired – Those who have problem with their eyesight or suffer from night blindness driving at night is a major challenge

Try Your Hands on These – "Night Driving Tips"

Now that you know the common reasons behind the difficulty in night driving, here is a small list of tips that would surely help you have a better driving experience.

Tip No. 1 – First & Foremost – Check Your Vehicle – You need to check your vehicle to ensure that it is in good working condition. You can avoid 50% of your troubles at night, if your car does not breakdown on road.

Tip No. 2 – A Special Check for Car Lighting System & Car Brakes – In a crisis situation, safety depends on these auto parts. You may avoid dumping into something if your car lights are on and working properly. Applying brakes at the right time also saves you a number of times on road. Therefore, keep the brakes and car lights functioning smoothly.

Tip No. 3 – Keep Your Windshields Clean & Wiped Off – Thats important and for this use the windshield wipers if needed after every few minutes.

Tip No. 4 – Use Dipper Light At Night – This is important as usage of dipper light does not reflect light on the eyes of the other drivers in the opposite direction.

Tip No. 5 – Tune In Your Favorite Radio Station – If you are driving late at night and are all alone in the car, you are likely to feel sleepy. Play your favorite song to avoid falling sleep at the wheels. You may listen to an irritating song that might also wake you up. Try any of these, but don't sleep while driving.

These are not all. There are many more tips for safe driving at night. Do come back again, to find them out in the next post. Till then, Have a Safe, Relaxed and Happy Driving!

(ArticlesBase ID #825495)



September 14, 2009
By Fred Clay
I am Fred Clay, a journalist and an automotive industry expert. Automobiles, automotive parts & components and any & everything related to this industry interests me and is my passion. Over the past eight years, i have covered different automotive industry related news and have been writing on the same. As a professional I have reported on myriad topics, my favorite is the automobile industry. I also write for different web portals and websites. Amongst all, my favorite is Automotive Components & Partsthat is an Automotive industry B2B marketplace. This portal - Automotive-online.com provides detailed information on industry overview, news, trends, professional associations, publications, tenders, product catalogs, international trade leads, trade events, worldwide manufacturers & suppliers related to global automotive components & parts industry. I now blog at: Automobile Hotspot
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/night-driving-tips-825495.html

Cheapest New Cars Cheaper Than Wholesale Prices

If you are looking for the cheapest new cars on the market then without doubt the best place for buying is at government auctions. This applies not only to the USA but anywhere in the world. It is like having a place where all the latest brand new cars are always on sale at the cheapest prices.

When people hear the phrase cheapest new cars they could interpret it in one of two ways. One the new car is of poor quality and that is why it is so cheap. Or it could mean that the car is of high quality in its original new form but is available at the cheapest price. Government auctions provide the latter. Here you will find near new cars with very low miles at the cheapest prices because of the urgency of their sales.

Government auctions provide the only place where you can buy used government related cars which are only 2 to 3 years old with full log books and service history. You will also find thousands of repossessed vehicles most of which are also very young with low miles. The reason why these places create the cheapest new cars is because they will sell these near new cars at nearly any price. While it may seem strange to accept really low offers it ends up being cheaper for the government to rid themselves of these vehicles to avoid paying expensive ongoing storage fees.

Most people will not search for the cheapest new cars when they look for their next car purchase and will happily pay the normal retail value. Many often think it will take too long to find the cheapest price and will settle when they find a comfortable value. To assist them in their purchase they may use a financing option to fund their new car. However if they cannot make payments the lending company will eventually have no other option but to seize and sell their vehicle. This new car will be sold at government auction and due to the urgency of the sale the financing company will accept any reasonable offer. This results in these cars being sold for absolute bargain prices and thus creates a place for the cheapest new cars on the market.

Government auctions can start as low as 100 dollars and you can purchase very young cars for up to 95 percent off their retail value. Your only competition will be others who have attended to bid for your desired car on the auction day. In fact your main competition will be car dealers who realize the bargain potential of these places and understand that these venues are truly the cheapest places to buy cars. By buying your new car ahead of the dealer you can save thousands off your new car purchase. You will still have a standard 3 month warranty on all sales and have the option to extend this length of time giving you total peace of mind with your new car purchase.

To give you better access to the cheapest new cars available at these auctions websites have been created which list every government and police auction nationwide. Using these sites you can search for cars by model and make and may even limit your search to availability in your local area. These sites are very beneficial to their users and you can find customer testimonials with recent sales to prove the value of these venues. I would recommend visiting www.Government-CarAuctions.com to find your new car at the cheapest price available.



September 10, 2009
By Greg Davids
Greg Davids has an interest in many matters and writes on them as he sees fit.
If you would like more information on finding a new car for the cheapest price at a government auction click on the following link:Government Car Auctions
Source: http://www.bharatbhasha.com/automobiles.php/164660

Basics of Car Audio System

Long drive becomes boring and tiring without the in-car entertainment systems. Systems like audio and videos are the leading entertainment channels that are installed in cars. Most of the people fit audio systems to add pleasure and excitement to driving.

A car audio system is one of the most important entertainment systems installed in any car running on Indian roads. The working, operation and performance of a car audio system are completely different from the ones used in homes, restaurants, hotels and pubs. Some of the popular brands of car audio systems and audio accessories available in India are Alpine, Pioneer, Sony, Kicker, Kenwood and Rockford.

A regular car stereo comprises of a head unit, speaker and amplifier that is mostly installed by the car manufacturers. Driven by the increasing demand of style, elegance and class, many people especially youth upgrade the already installed stereo with innovative and advanced car accessories.

The latest innovation in car audio system includes MP3, Ogg, WMA, AAC, USB, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support. These innovations are found in almost all luxury cars launched in India. In many cars the system is also loaded with features like LCD screens, DVD movies, back up cameras, MP3 players, and video touch screen that display output for navigation system, controlling and parking cameras.

Components of Car Audio System

The car audio system is a complete unit comprising of few basic components including head unit, preamp, amplifier, and speaker. If any of these are missing in the system, the driver is unable to enjoy the ecstasy of music.

Head Unit (Source): This is the most vital part that plays the music. The sources that support voice vary in accordance to choice and option. The standard sources are AM/FM tuner, CD player, MP3, WMA/AAC decoding, satellite radio, USB inputs, DVD player, LCD screen, I Pod connection, or even the traditional cassette.

Preamp: This is an electronic device fitted into the system to amplify weak audio signals and make sound adjustments. This section of the system comprises of various controls to adjust volume, balance, source selection, fader, and tone adjustments.

Amplifier: This section helps to boost the weak or low-voltage audio signals received from preamp to drive the speakers. Amplifiers are commonly available in two, four or six channels. These also ensure maximum power handling capacity of the speakers.

Speakers: Speakers emits the final output of the audio signals. Sound travels from the source to the speaker through preamp and amplifier. This is the main component from where the sound is emitted. Speakers are normally located on doors and rear shelves but the modern systems have speakers mounted in kick panels. Different speakers provide different frequencies based on its performance and efficiency.

Innovations in Car Audio Accessories

With the fast pace advancing technology for cars and automotives, the industry is also showcasing advancements and innovations in car audio accessories. Here are some of the common audio accessories that young drivers love to have installed in their cars.

Capacitors: Capacitors are not a compulsion but helps reduce voltage loss to various other car components. These are mainly used for power conditioning without affecting the sound quality. A capacitor transfers the stored power or energy when audio system demands more amps. In absence of a capacitor, the audio system pulls energy from the car’s electrical system or from the car battery.

Subwoofers: These are available in almost all high-end cars. These are used to provide high efficiency of low frequencies. The component used the bass to enhance sound efficiency and makes the car vibrate.

Tweeters: These are used to produce high frequencies of about 3000 Hz and above using very little power. The name ‘tweeter’ comes form the high pitched sounds generated by birds.

Equalizers/Crossovers: These are the latest advancements in car audio accessories. Equalizers help to balance sound and crossovers help to divide up the full range of sound frequencies. Crossovers are beneficial when the driver wishes to use different speakers at different range of frequencies.

(ArticlesBase ID #505268)



September 9, 2009
By Carazoo.com
Buy new cars, sell used or preowned cars from India’s First Interactive Car Portal. Click, Compare, and Choose your car. Get free car price quotes.Carazoocars
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/basics-of-car-audio-system-505268.html

Car Buying? What's Your Budget?

When it comes to affording your next new car (used cars too if they are new to you), how closely do you look at your budget? And from what perspective do you evaluate your budgetary parameters?

Based on my years of experience, I would say that many people only have a mild idea of how much car they can afford.

When you’re in the car shopping mode do you think in terms of bottom line cash price or think only of what your monthly payments will be?

Either way, as you take a look at what you can afford, you have to take into consideration all of the extra costs involved in buying/owning a budget car. Certainly today fuel costs are a major consideration. And there is always going to be your insurance premium, maintenance costs (used cars will be higher), etc.

Once you begin your car shopping, if you only have a ballpark idea of what you can afford… and only a ballpark idea of how much you drive and what your gas expense will be, and if you haven’t nailed down what your insurance premiums will be, you are on a fast path to end paying too much for your vehicle.

You must crunch your budget numbers… and not just your new car price numbers. Start with your take home pay (not gross pay) then start deducting all of your monthly living expenses. If you’ve never worked up a budget before; now is the perfect time to get one started. A simple spreadsheet is a great way to keep track of and illuminate your numbers. If you don’t have one, just stop by my website and download the one there or send me a note and I’ll email one to you.

Everyone’s means to afford their car varies, but by most standards you shouldn’t ear mark more than 15 to 20 percent of your take home income pay for your transportation costs.

It’s important to understand, no matter what your financial means, you’ve got to know your numbers up front and first before you even begin looking for potential vehicles. Don’t even make a preliminary pass at looking at cars before you do this. If you do, you run the risk of ‘falling in love’ with a particular vehicle. As is the case with so many people; when they do this, they begin to justify affording a vehicle they either can’t afford, or have too stretch beyond their comfortable means in order to do so. Doing your budgeting first and knowing what you can afford (and what you can’t) will help take the emotion out of your buying process… in fact, it will probably save you time as well since you won’t be trying to purchase a car that is not within your budget limits. Do your car shopping intelligently and factually. It will save time, money, and quite a bit of stress.

Now once you get your budget all mapped out and ready to go are you now ready to go shopping for your next car?

Nope… Not yet.

Do you know your credit score? Your credit score is a big part of your financing expense; unless of course, you are one of the few people that actually pay cash for their vehicles. So, run your credit score. And you should do this well in advance of getting to the dealership. In fact, you should pull your credit as much as six months in advance. This way if there is outdated or incorrect data on your report, you will have time to get it expunged or corrected. Getting your credit score and your credit in order is whole new continuing topic beyond this article and you can learn more by visiting my website.

In summary, do your kitchen table homework first with your personal financials and the budgeting of them before you even begin considering any type of car. Be sure to consider all the expenses associated with owning a car; especially how many miles you’ll drive each week… fuel expense. Then you can begin narrowing your car search by looking for cars that fit your budget… and not trying to get your budget to fit the car you just picked out.



September 8, 2009
By Jeff Neilan
Jeff Neilan worked for many years in the automotive industry as a salesman, finance manager, new & used car manager. With Jeff's working knowledge of car dealerships you'll find his articles on getting your best car deal insightful and rewarding when buying your next car. Please visit http://www.acarbuyersguide.com for more of Jeff's articles.
Source: http://www.bharatbhasha.com/automobiles.php/49549

Remove Your Driving Test Related Anxiety

As youngsters, you might have dreamed of owning a car and driving away into the sunset. As soon as you are old enough, you will naturally take a licensing exam and pass it before you are allowed on the streets. Some people will pass the practical and written exam with flying colors in driving schools while others will have a difficult time doing so because of anxiety and fear of failing the exam and not being allowed to drive.

Being worried or anxious is actually normal since driving should be considered a serious matter. Driving tests are designed to gauge your road-worthiness. There are people who failed the test because they were really not ready to be out o the other. But what about those people who fail these driving tests? Is it because they were not road-worthy or they were just too nervous to get the answers right?

Surprisingly, many people suffer from anxiety during driving tests. The pressure to pass is just too much for them to handle. Signs and symptoms of a person suffering from driving test anxiety would include inability to start the test, feeling panicky, sweating profusely and even feeling dizzy or nauseous. If you are about to take a driving test and worries that you will have the same panic attack, you should learn how to manage it as quickly as possible.

The first thing you can do is to study well for your driving test. You can ask a family member of a friend about some driving tips to help you out. An effective way is to take a mock exam so that you can determine where your weakness lie. If you are well-prepared, you will feel less anxious since you are confident about your knowledge and skills. You should also try some relaxation techniques that would help you focus on the driving test and distract you from your anxiety. You can try doing some breathing exercises that will make you calm down. Make sure you get a good night's rest before the day of the exam and try to arrive before the appointed hour so you will feel less panicky.

To remove your driving test-related anxiety, you could always try hypnotherapy. It is an effective way of treating fears, phobias and even addiction. If your anxiety is manageable, hypnotherapy can cure it in as short as one session. For more information on the effectiveness and availability of hypnotherapy, you can look at websites over the internet that offer genuine hypnotherapy services for a reasonable cost.




September 2, 2009
By Mark Goodworthy
Pass your driving test easily and free of anxiety. http://drivingtest.y54.com/
Source: http://www.bharatbhasha.com/self_improvement.php/62096

Car Cleaning Tips

There are basic tips on how to clean your car. There are also important things you can work and take note of starting from the time you wash your car up to maintaining its beauty and shape.

When it comes to car cleaning, washing is one of the important things to be done. Make sure to wash your vehicle. You can utilize one in the morning and another one in the evening, to keep it away from water spots. Once they appear, it would take one week or more before you would be able to remove this dirt. You can then start washing at the top portion of your car, all the way down. Then, you can dry your vehicle immediately.

Just a cautionary piece of advice, particularly when using micro-fiber in cleaning your car, industrial sealant manufacturers admonishes it already for washing your automobiles. These micro-fibers are made up of 80 to 85% polyester, meaning it is plastic. In case you don't know, plastic scratches for over a period of time of usage. This will strip off the coating of your vehicle.

Here is step by step process you can work with:

Step 1- Washing your car

- Wash your car thoroughly to be able to remove all kinds of dirt as well as debris from your vehicle.

- Be sure you use quality mitts. First, use only high-quality and "clean wash" mitts. After this, you can use two mitts. One would be for the upper and the other for the bottom part of you car.

- Don't ever use dish soap or any washing solution due to the fact that this may strip away the wax, which protects your car. It will also dry the paint off your vehicle.

- On your last rinse, use running water. Never spray your vehicle with water using a hose. The end result will be that the water will dry off easily.

- When drying your vehicle, regularly utilize 100 percent cotton terry type of cloth towel. An alternative would be micro-fiber towels of high quality.

- Once you notice that your car is dry, check the direction of your car from both the sunlight as well as an artificial lighting. This is in order for you to check on the uneven tone of you car's paint. Plus, touch the surface of the car using your palms. This is in order for you to check of any imperfection that may be quite visible to the naked eye. The perfect touch would resemble touching a piece of glass.

- Wash the tires of your vehicle at least four times a year to avoid cracking.

Step 2 - Cleaning your vehicle

- Just in case you forget to clean the upper part of your car and it will show some imperfections, you need to note down that you will have your car cleaned thoroughly. Aside from this, it should be ready for polishing and waxing. To get rid of stubborn dirt, you can use the abrasive method less.

- Be sure to use white coat-safe materials. Regular rubbing compounds can be very damaging to your car and must be avoided at all times.

- If needed, ask for assistance from any professional that has complete materials for getting rid of paint problems.

Step 3 - Polishing your beloved car

- Although car polishing is not that important, it should be done frequently, especially with dark vehicles so as to be able to bring out its outstanding shine and beauty.

- To get that expensive looking shines, after polishing of your car, use a car wax type of coating.

- A clean polish is excellent for vehicles. This is especially convenient if you want a polish solution that can help your car avoid any building up of dirt.

- Unlike waxes, clean or pure polish is used best for new paint only. This is due to the fact that it can bring out the best from the color of your vehicle.

Step 4 - Waxing your car

- Make sure that you will also work on the dark side and cool surfaces of your car.

- In waxing you car, make sure you apply the wax very thinly. You can then spread the coating so as to get the best color.

- Take note that when you are waxing your car, you need to use dual action products or white foam.

- You should apply the wax entirely. Leave it for a couple of minutes. Then, remove it by polishing it gently in order that the gloss of your car can be maintained.

- Check out the market for quality towels or micro-fiber clothing. This is the best material to use in taking off the wax you placed on your car.

Step 5 - Maintenance of you car

- Once you notice any dangerous agents being applied on your car, you need to have this removed at once. This can also be done if there are any water spots. For animal dirt, you can use an instant detailing agent before this will result to further damaging your car.

- To keep your vehicle always looking good and in best shape, make sure you use quality products available in the market. This is especially with products used for sealing the color and protecting your car regularly.

- If you notice that the products you applied seem very hard to polish, this is a good time to apply new wax on your car.

(ArticlesBase ID #423010)



September 2, 2009
By: David H. Urmann
For more information on Car Cleaning Tips please visit our website.
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/car-cleaning-tips-423010.html

Car Dealer Scams and How to Avoid Them

When you are looking to buy a car with bad or poor credit it doesn't leave buyers with lots of options. Occasionally their only choice for finding a lender for their new car purchase is through a car dealer loan.

Car dealership loan deals are not as bad as a lot of people may think. However, it is certainly true that they may hide a lot of surprises so if you are in fact planning to use a Car Loan you should be extra vigilant.

The first thing that you need to watch out for is if the interest rate happens to be fixed. By fixed I mean that it's clearly stated in your contract and that all of it is written in a way that it wouldn't allow the car dealership to change it at a later date. What lots of car dealerships tend to do is approve your car loan application, have you sign the documents, and hand you over the car. After that later on they just give you a phone call and state that in fact you do not qualify for the loan because you have poor credit (which is something you already knew to begin with) and that you must pay higher interest rates in order to keep the car. If you fall into this situation you should try to either find a loan from another lender or report the scam and fight back.

Another extremely popular scam done by car dealers is to make you look for a cosigner for your loan convincing you that this is the absolutely only way that you can get financing since you have a terrible credit history. It won't be difficult to convince you at all. First of all it sounds pretty reasonable and second of all the car dealer will cause you to believe that this will in fact repair your poor credit profile. Later on you will discover that your name isn't including in the loan documents and that the loan is in the name of the cosigner only even though you are paying it . Not only is this illegal but it also may lead to serious penalties but it's not helping your poor credit at all. If a car dealership offers such a thing you absolutely must refuse.

If you're a poor credit consumer and have difficulties in finding a good loan, it's pretty obvious that you shouldn't overstretch yourself. What this mean is to buy a reasonably priced vehicle and not to buy into all of the extras like the extended warranties for example. However, many different Bad Credit Auto Loan will end up trying to trick you by making you believe that you must buy a warranty that will increase your loan just to qualify. Since you are in a desperate situation you would end up saying Ok. However, if you for one second think about it, you can plain as day see this is simply a trick to increase your loan costs.

(ArticlesBase ID #660696)



September 1, 2009
By Car Loan
CarLoan123.net is car loan company which provides Car Finance and Used Car Loan with bad credit.People with bad credit and very poor credit are being accepted & allowed to drive away in the car of their dreams, because they applied online to get approved by competitive lenders at low interest rates. Get the best Used Car Loan at low prices with easy instant approval basis.
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/loans-articles/car-dealer-scams-and-how-to-avoid-them-660696.html