Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Auto Repairs Should Be Left to Professionals


When it comes to auto repairs, some people opt to take the cheap way out. In other words, they get assistance from people who aren't certified professionals. This may seem like a good idea, especially when they find someone who will charge them half of what a professional would. Little do they know, taking the cheap route isn't always the best decision.

One reason it's best to go to a professional for auto repairs is that they have all of the proper equipment. When working on a vehicle, it takes more than a wrench and a few screws. There are certain pieces of equipment that are needed for particular issues. In other words, what's needed to replace tires is totally different from what's needed to fix a dent. An amateur most likely doesn't have direct access to all of the different specialized tools that are needed. This could severely compromise the quality of their work.

Now, some may say all the person has to do is go and purchase the parts if they don't have them handy. This is a true statement. However, even with all of the right parts, this doesn't make them professionals all of a sudden. So, they could have the best parts in the world, but that doesn't automatically increase their skill level and ability. Their inexperience and limited knowledge could even cause them to use some of the parts incorrectly. So, it's best to go to someone with the proper equipment as well as the right amount of experience.

Another reason it's best to go to a specialist for auto repairs is that they offer a warranty. This is extremely important because it ensures that the vehicle owner is protected in the unfortunate case that something goes wrong with the repair. No matter how great and skillful a mechanic may be, they might still make mistakes. So, it's always best to have some type of protection.

On the other hand, an uncertified person usually doesn't offer a warranty. Therefore, if the repair goes wrong prematurely, there's really nothing the owner can do to be compensated for the issue.

Contrary to what some people may believe, auto repairs should be completed by certified professionals. This helps to give the vehicle owner a better chance of getting high quality work done on their automobile. It also gives them an opportunity to be protected if something prematurely goes wrong with the repair. Although it may not be an attractive idea financially, it is the best route to take when all is said and done.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7342147

Saturday, October 27, 2012

H2O International 2012 | Volkswagen


Once again this year, Ocean City was taken over by hundreds of VW owners and enthusiasts from around the world for a fun event to celebrate creativity and comradery.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Best Tips for Driving in the Rain



While many of us would like to stay in the comfort of our home, the truth is that we have to get out and take on the world. Driving to or from work in the rain changes the daily commute.
Road Conditions Change in the Rain
There are more problems than most people consider.
  • The water on the road creates a thin film between your tires and the asphalt.
  • Your perception is impaired by reduced visibility because it's difficult to see through the rain. It often gets darker, too.
  • Oil builds up on roads during dry weather. When it mixes with a fresh rain, road conditions become exceptionally slick.
  • Your windows may fog up. We have a lot of humidity and the temperatures change rapidly during a storm - fogging your windows.
  • Hidden obstacles can give you a jolt. When that pothole fills up with water, you may not even know it's there until your car bounces from the impact.
  • Other drivers are still distracted. Let's face it - we're surrounded by distracted drivers.
Tips for Driving in the Rain
This may seem like common sense advice, but pay attention the next time you're driving in the rain and you may find it's not so common after all.
  • Slow Down - You have less friction on the road and therefore you have less traction. It's easy to lose traction and hydroplane out of control.
  • Increase Space Between Cars - With less traction, you need to give yourself more time to brake. If the car in front of you suddenly stops, you can't expect to stop in the same amount of space if you were on a dry road.
  • Daytime Running Lights Are Not Headlights - Turn on your headlights so other cars can see you. Daytime Running Lights do not illuminate the rear of your car, making you much less visible than cars who turn on their headlights.
  • Don't Use Hazard Lights - Driving in the rain with your hazard lights blinking is a distraction to other drives. Besides, it's illegal to use them while driving in some states.
  • Put the Phone Down - Eliminate your distractions. Not only do you have to compensate for the reduced visibility and poor road conditions, but you also have to watch out for the other drivers who aren't paying attention.
  • Don't Use Cruise Control - It may cause your engine to suddenly accelerate to maintain speed, which in turn may cause you to lose traction.
  • Avoid Puddles - Remember that pothole I mentioned before? Plenty of them that get formed by the heat & rain every summer.
  • Drive in the Tracks of the Car In Front of You - That car is leaving a path with less water, so take advantage of it. Put your wheels in its tracks.
  • Check Your Tires - If you don't have any tread, you can't channel water out of the way and your car is more prone to hydroplane.
If You Start Sliding
Despite your precautions, you may run into a situation where you lose traction and your car starts sliding. Here's what you need to remember.
  • Don't Panic - It won't help. It may kill you. Keep calm and think.
  • Turn Into the Slide - If you turn away from the slide, your tires aren't in position to channel the water out of the way. Worse, you'll likely flip your car over when your tires regain traction. Go with the force moving your car.
  • Don't Slam the Brakes - You're sliding. The brakes stop the tires from rotating during the slide. That means you've actually reduced friction that could stop your slide.
  • Hit the Gas - Moving tires create friction. By applying acceleration, you're increasing the odds of creating friction and recovering traction.
  • Avoid the Grass - If you think the road is slick, wait until you try sliding on wet grass. Do your best to stay on the asphalt. It's designed to increase friction.
  • Pull Over After You Recover - Once you've recovered traction, find a safe place to pull over. Now you can freak out if you want. Compose yourself. Check your car for damage. Once you're ready, find a safe opportunity to get back on the road and keep going. The excitement is over.
Don't let yourself fall into complacency when the road conditions change. Slowing down and remaining alert is a small price to pay to get home without incident.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7108819

Sunday, October 21, 2012

BMW 3200 CS "Bertone". History.


Presented in 1961, the BMW 3200 CS introduced numerous design elements found in later BMW models such as the famous Hofmeister kink and became one of the most prestigious coupés of its time.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Maintaining Your Vehicle During Winter Driving Conditions


Winter driving is often feared by many because of the increased dangers associated with changing weather conditions and increased traffic on the roads associated with holiday driving. Preparing both yourself and your vehicle for winter driving can not only keep you safe but can also save you money.
Preparing your vehicle for winter driving can help you avoid costly repairs and breakdowns that may leave you stranded on the side of the road in freezing temperatures. Taking a few minutes to do a quick visual inspection of your vehicle prior to driving can help you find and prevent things that can lead to troubles along the way.
Taking time to perform some preventative maintenance not only prepares your car for winter driving but increases the life of your vehicle.
Here are some preventative maintenance tips to help you prepare your vehicle for winter driving:
  1. Inspect your antifreeze while your engine is cold. This can be done quickly with an inexpensive antifreeze tester by even the novice driver. It takes only seconds to remove the radiator cap and perform the test. Ensuring you have adequate levels of antifreeze can prevent your engine from freezing and causing damage.
  2. Visually inspect all lights. Making sure your headlights, signal lights, brake lights and park lights are operating is essential to being seen on the road, especially if it is snowing. The more visible you are to other drivers the better.
  3. Visually inspect your tires. Inspecting both the tread and tire pressure regularly is crucial to safe winter driving where good traction on both snow and ice is required.
  4. Check your wiper blades. During winter driving it is more likely your windshield will become obscured by snow and salt as you drive. Having your wiper blades in top working condition means increased visibility while you drive.
  5. Visually inspect your engine's belt and hoses. Cracked or worn belts and hoses are likely to break during cold temperatures associated with winter driving. Ensuring these are in good condition prior to driving will reduce the likelihood of a breakdown associated with a failure in one of these components.
  6. Have your oil changed regularly. Winter means more cold starts for your engine. Having both clean motor oil and a clean oil filter will reduce wear on your engine during those cold morning starts. This will increase the life of your engine.
  7. Have your battery inspected. Cold weather makes your battery work harder and nothing is worst than having a dead battery during those cold winter days. Ensure your battery and charging system are functioning correctly by having it inspected.
  8. Have your brakes inspected. Stopping on icy or snow covered roads is often difficult and it is important to ensure your brakes are working properly. Having your brakes inspected and replaced when required will provide you with more braking power when needed during those slippery days of winter.
While these preventative maintenance tips will give you the advantage during winter driving, it is always important to be prepared for the worst. Invest in a roadside emergency kit that includes a flashlight with fresh batteries, a blanket, energy bars, bottled water, jumper cables, flares and a first aid kit.
The dangers associated with winter driving can be minimized by following these tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6709105

Monday, October 15, 2012

The All-New Volvo V40 - Active TFT Display


The V40 is available with a new, fully graphic instrument cluster. This active TFT (Thin Film Transistor) crystal display brings the interaction between car and driver into a new dimension.The instrument cluster expresses emotional functionality, always displaying the most important information in any given situation right in front of the driver.

The driver can choose between three graphic themes.The Elegance theme has amber illumination that creates a traditional and calm aura.The Eco theme features green background illumination, designed to create an environmentally inspired look. An Eco meter is displayed on the left. The current and accumulated fuel consumption figures are displayed - and the driver is rewarded with a green light when eco-driving is optimal.
The Performance theme has red background illumination, creating a sporty atmosphere.

Friday, October 12, 2012

How to Save Gas - 8 Great Tips


When money is tight we often look for simple ways to save cash. Cutting your gas bill down is a great way to start. But where to begin? Follow the simple steps below.

1. When out on the roads, avoid staying to close to the car in front of you. When they hit the breaks or slow down this will force you to hit the breaks too. My point? Accelerating uses much more gas than when you are driving at a constant speed.

2. When you park your car, try not to park in the sun. If possible, find some shade to park under. The reason for doing so is to prevent the car from heating up. When the car heats up the gas evaporates quicker. This means even when you are not driving you can lose quite a lot of fuel.

3. The more the car weighs, the more fuel it needs to accelerate. Try to empty your car as much as possible by getting rid of things that are not required like golf clubs and football equipment.

4. You should always plan your journeys in advance. Plenty of people take longer routes than needed. You can find the most fuel efficient routes using a sat-nav or an online route planner.

5. Make sure your tires are inflated correctly. You can find the correct tire pressure levels in the car owners manual. By doing so, you can increase your gas mileage by over 3%. This may not seem like much but when you add it up over a year you can see why it is worthwhile.

6. You can also buy a new, fuel efficient car. There are plenty of hybrid cars which can save you a heap load of cash on gas each month. Of course, this may not seem like the cheapest of options at first. However, over the period of a year or two the amount you save on your gas bill allows the new car to pay for itself.

7. Avoid idling as much as possible. Whenever you get out of your car to drop something off or post something, make sure you turn the cars engine off. It only takes a few seconds to turn it back on again so what is the point of wasting fuel idling?

8. Finally, make sure you use cruise control to your advantage. By maintaining a consistent level of speed you are saving a lot of money.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7292321

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Mercedes-Benz TV: The SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive


The supersports car equipped with Formula 1 high-tech produces no local emissions and represents electro-mobility in its most exclusive form. Generating a massive 552 kW, the world's most powerful electro-sports car accelerates from 0 to 100 in only 3.9 seconds.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

How To Maximize Your Car's Performance


Because a car is a depreciating asset, people are more likely to hold onto their car for longer periods of time. Instead of trading their car in for a new one, people are holding onto their cars and maintaining them so they last longer. To make a car last longer and maximize its performance, there are certain things you can do. This will increase the life of your car and decrease the costs that could come along unexpectedly.
Fluids
By keeping up with the fluids in your car such as oil, you will extend the life of your car. This means changing the oil when it is recommended. The oil needs to be checked and changed regularly for optimum performance. As fluids are being used, they can get low. This is why it is important to check the levels and top off as needed.
You know your car better than anyone because you drive it daily, so listen to the sounds your car makes and any abnormalities. By catching a problem early, you could avoid costly repairs. This could include sputtering, overheating, atypical noises or leaks. If you notice any of these, you should get your car in right away to have it checked and remedied.
Engine
One of the most important things you want to avoid with your engine is overheating. If this occurs, even once, it can cause problems. When overheating occurs, gaskets, seals or cylinders can be damaged. Make sure to watch the engine cooling system gauge on your car. Also, if your 'check engine' light goes on, have your car looked at right away. There is a reason why that light goes on and you do not want to drive with that light on for an extended period of time. Any warning light that goes on should be checked immediately. If the problem is caught early, it can be fixed for a lower cost than if you wait.
Repairs
If you do need repairs, you need to find a trustworthy mechanic. Unless you know a lot about cars, you will be looking to your mechanic for answers. When repairs are necessary, you should use good, quality parts to ensure their effectiveness and longevity. There should be a maintenance schedule for your car and it should be followed, even if they seem unnecessary.
Driving
Sometimes mechanical problems are out of your control, while others are in your control. For instance, you should not accelerate too quickly on a frequent basis. This means breaking it in easily when it is brand new. And when you drive it in harsh conditions, it is important to let it warm up. The more you do these things, the more likely your car will last longer and need fewer repairs. Keeping your car clean is another good way to maintain your car.
No matter how long you plan to keep your car, you should do all of these things in order to maintain it. This should be done not only for yourself, but for the next owner of your car. Since a car can run for a decade or longer, you want to keep your car maintained so it runs its best.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7304223

Thursday, October 4, 2012

For The Child In All Of Us: Vacaville Kid Fest, Sat Oct 6th, Andrews Park


Vacaville Kid Fest was started in 1999, when an idea was born to create a "Children's Festival", a place where families could come and have a day of activities with their children at very little or no cost, and also have the opportunity to learn about many of the services and resources that were available to children and families. We adopted the theme "For the Child in all of us".

A group of City of Vacaville representatives, ranging from business owners and managers, nonprofit groups and media people were approached with the idea and met it with enthusiasm. And thus, Kid Fest was born.

The first Kid Fest Core Committee consisted of Shauna Manina, Meaghan O'Neill from Vacaville Police Dept., Linnea Dischinger from Vacaville Fire Dept., Todd Grames and Suzanne Green from Community Services Dept., and Reggie Hubbard from Housing & Redevelopment Dept. Other business people from The Reporter, Downtown Vacaville Business Improvement District, and others all committed to the vision of a day of low cost or no cost activities, free resources, and fun.

Our first event in 1999 had 1 stage and 40 booths, with everything from food, crafters and merchandise vendors, a wide range of social service and community nonprofit groups, free children's games and entertainment, bounce houses, and a very strong focus on child safety and health. From the beginning, a large component of the event has been the presence of Vacaville Fire and Police Depts., with their equipment displays, children's fire muster, and safety information.

By 2001, there were 2 stages of entertainment and over 120 booths participating in the event. The committee members have changed over the years, but the event has continued, and become part of the fabric of what makes Vacaville a family oriented community. The focus remains on child and family safety and health.

See more about this wonderful organization at www.VacavilleKidFest.org

See you there!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Paris Motorshow 2012. BMW Highlights.


A look into the future with three fascinating concept models and several premieres of current models -- this is BMW at the Paris Motorshow 2012. New BMW ConnectedDrive features round off the experience at one of the most popular motor shows worldwide.