Car Wax | Automotive Care

If you are frustrated with the high prices of replacement parts for your car, you haven’t been looking in the right places. When you search online, you will find many websites that offer automotive products at prices that are much lower than if you went to the auto parts store.

Whether you drive an Audi, Honda, Lexus or Lincoln, you can find exactly what you need when you shop for parts and accessories online. Many websites don’t just offer low prices; they offer articles and how-to so that you can fix your car yourself and learn how to protect yourself from unsavory mechanics.

It is often cheaper to take care of minor repairs before a more expensive job is needed. Many times people let their small problems go until the car no longer will. This often costs lots and lots of money and can throw your financial budget into a tailspin. If you take care of the minor problems immediately, you can avoid this upsetting scenario.

When you visit automotive parts and accessories websites, you can find out just when you should do routine maintenance. You can find out at how many miles the oil and filters should be changed, when the tires should be rotated, as well as many other tips about how to keep your car running at optimum levels.

If you have a foreign car, this can make the situation worse. If you have an estimate done on your car, see if you can buy your own parts. Oftentimes the labor costs far exceed the price of the parts, so if you can bring your own part at a cheaper price, it may take the sting out of the final bill.

For simple repairs like replacing windshield wipers, keeping the fluid levels for antifreeze, water and transmission at their proper places, you should be able to do that yourself. You can find many of these automotive parts that are made by big name companies for a fraction of the cost you would pay in the store. You can take the time to comparison shop so that you can find the best price for the part or accessory that your car needs.

If you are handy with tools and don’t mind getting under the hood, you will be able to save even more money when you search online. You can find warehouses where you can buy oil and transmission fluid, not to mention plugs and filters in bulk and this will save you more money than you could imagine. Before the next time you visit the auto parts store to pick up some things for a repair, check online and see what prices and what deals you will be offered. Many times when you search on the internet, you can find deals with prices that can only be found on the internet.

Maintaining your car can get expensive if you keep buying from traditional stores. Get online and find out where you can find the hot deals on automotive parts and accessories that will keep your car running smoothly.

By: Jim Brown

(ARA)- Drivers, why not make every day Earth Day?

According to officials with the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), motorists can help the environment and their own finances by changing a few habits. This may come as surprise to those who think they must wait for hybrid or alternate-fueled vehicles to become popular.

ASE recommends regular vehicle maintenance and better driving habits as two can’t-fail action plans. Here are a few specific, easy-to-implement tips from ASE.

– Keep the engine running at peak performance — a misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent. Replace filters and fluids as recommended in your owner’s manual. A well tuned engine pollutes less and uses less gasoline than a neglected vehicle. Moreover, engine performance problems only get worse if neglected.

– If you do your own repairs, be a good citizen. Dispose of engine fluids and batteries properly. A single quart of used motor oil can pollute thousands of gallons of water. Anti-freeze poured on the ground can poison wildlife and household pets. Some repair facilities accept used fluids and parts. Or call your local government for more information.

– Keep tires properly inflated and aligned. If your air pressure is just a few pounds low, you force the engine to work harder (read: burn more gasoline) just to move the vehicle. Tires that are misaligned also make your vehicle work harder. Consider, too, that poorly maintained tires wear out faster, which means more discards have to be scraped, recycled or sent to the landfill.

– If you are not much of a do-it-yourselfer, find a good technician. Ask friends for recommendations. Check the reputation of the repair shop with your local consumer group. Check out the technicians’ credentials. ASE-certified auto technicians have passed one or more national exams in specialties such as engine performance and air conditioning.

– Have your vehicle’s air conditioner serviced only by a technician certified to handle and recycle refrigerants. Older air conditioners contain ozone-depleting chemicals, which could be released into the atmosphere through improper service.

– Avoid speeding and sudden accelerations. Both habits guzzle gas and put extra wear and tear on your vehicle’s engine, transmission, steering and suspension system, and other components. Use cruise control and anticipate traffic patterns ahead. As a side benefit, your brakes will last longer.

– When waiting for friends or family, shut off the engine. Consolidate daily errands to eliminate unnecessary driving. And, yes, walk more often.

– Remove excess items from the vehicle’s truck, since less weight means better mileage. Remove that roof-top luggage carrier after vacations to reduce air drag.

If appeals to save the environment are not enough, consider this: A poll of ASE-certified auto technicians indicated that a well-maintained vehicle should last 50 percent longer than a neglected one. Good car care saves you money and helps the environment — a win-win situation.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was founded in 1972 as a non-profit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive professionals. ASE-certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact areas of certification. Their employers often display the ASE sign.

For a free brochure with earth-friendly automotive tips, send a self-addressed, stamped long envelope to: ASE Environment Brochure, Dept. ARA-2, 101 Blue Seal Dr., S.E., Suite 101, Leesburg, Va., 20175, or visit www.asecert.org for more information.

By: statracing

If you had been thinking about the different hot and cool cars at SEMA 2008, the most happening automotive trade show, you don’t need to go searching the webpages now. SEMA 2008 that was held between Nov 04 to Nov 07 was organized at Las Vegas Convention Center, las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

There were a number of vehicles on show at this auto trade show. This post gives a glimpse of different cars with unique features and attractive looks that were exhibited at SEMA.

Chrysler “Hollywood”

Chrysler came up with this eye catching car at SEMA. This Chrysler’s “Hollywood” has 300 rides and a 136-inch wheelbase & 18-inches over the stock dimensions. With the look of 1920’s cars, this Chrysler display had suicide-style rear doors.

Rice Fink

Aren’t You awe struck with this amazing design. This one from Ed “Big Daddy” Roth definitely turned the heads on because of the cartoons and wild cars design. Completely original in look, this car had cartoon created by Roth’s signature character CRat Fink”.

Superlift Jeep

Now that is something ‘Super’. This Jeep displayed at SEMA has the unusual look. With huge wheels & tires and attractive olive drab green color, this jeep did manage to steal limelight at the auto trade show. One of the best looking and toughest jeep at SEMA 2008, this Superlift Jeep has a diesel engine swap. The other features of this Superlift Jeep are beefier drivetrain components and AEV Brute pickup conversion body. Don’t you get the feel to try a hands on the steering of this Superlift Jeep?

These cars with unique looks kept attracting a huge number of visitors. Obviously the reason remained their cool designs, unique features, amusing colors or color combination. And, if you are a big car or auto fan, I will bring some more car snaps and their features that are sure to set your pulse racing. Till then, take care.

By: Fredclay