Sunday, February 27, 2011

How to change a tire without help by: Jakob Jelling

Learning how to change a tire can be one of the most useful things you could learn regarding your car. Having a flat tire in the middle of a route or on your way to an appointment can be a big problem if you do not know how to change it and have to wait for help, and therefore, it would be great if you can do it without having to wait for someone else. 

In order to change a tire you should make sure you have parked your car at the side of the road and following all the safety rules that correspond to the case. You must apply the parking brake and place the shift in first gear. Then, you should look for the spare tire, the lug wrench and the jack. If you do not know where the spare tire is, you can look for it in the car owner's manual. 

Once you have found all you need, you should start by taking off the hubcap of the tire you wish to remove. You should do this with the help of a screwdriver or the end of the lug wrench. Then you should loosen the lug nuts with only one turn, do not completely loosen them until you have lifted the car. 

Next you should lift the car with the jack. If you do not know how to do this, you can find instructions in your car owner's manual on where to place the jack as well as the jack itself might bring some directions too. You should lift the car until the tire you wish to change is some inches away from the ground. Then finish removing the lug nuts and remove the tire. 

Once you have removed the old tire, you should place the spare one in the correct place aligning the holes. Then, you should place the lug nuts and tighten them until they feel secure. Once you have done this, you must lower the car back to the ground and take the jack away from it. Then, you should have the flat tire repaired and change it back as soon as you can. 


About the author:

Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.autorized.comPlease visit his website to learn about auto maintenance, auto insurance, auto safety and much more!

Do You Want to Increase Your Car’s Resale Value? Here’s How! by: Sarah McBride

If you are planning to resell your car in the future and buy a new and more advanced model, then you have to exert more effort in keeping it in good shape and excellent driving condition. Even if it’s already old, you can sell it at high price if it looks and performs like new. Anyway, let’s go straight to the question: how do you improve its resale value?

The truth is, you have a lot of options in preserving its good shape and condition, but there’s one store that can completely answer your question, Auto Parts Deal. Here, a great variety of replacement and aftermarket auto parts is available for your car’s proper maintenance and upgrading. Yes, there are thousands of other online auto parts stores that provide various kinds of aftermarket products, but there are few, which meet your needs and wants and help you save at the same time. This online store definitely does both.

Aside from regular check up like most of us do to safeguard our health, you need to replace some of your car’s parts and mechanical components even if they are still working to upgrade its performance and style. If you have an old Ford F-150 truck for example, which you frequently use to haul and transport heavy cargoes, you have to continuously upgrade its performance parts so it can always perform highly challenging tasks. Ford truck parts are known to be exceptionally tough but it doesn’t mean they don’t require much attention and care.

Among the auto parts that require your utmost care are the car wheels and tires. These parts are closest to the road and their quality affects significantly your vehicle’s ride quality and handling. Replace your worn out tires and wheels with top quality replacement wheels offered at Auto Parts Deal. Here you can find the most dependable line of replacement Ford wheelsNissan wheelsJeep wheels andChevrolet wheels.

For your added safety, this one-stop auto parts store also offers durable and high quality auto parts like Chevrolet bumpersMazda mirrorsToyota tail lightsBMW headlights, and Dodge fog lights. All these parts are helpful in keeping you away from accidents, which of course excuses no one and no vehicle. It’s always better to be on guard and prepared for any road accidents that might happen. Also, check out the store’s top quality safety Ford truck partsGMC truck partsDodge truck parts and Toyota truck parts.

Simple things like accessorizing your vehicle can go along way. This can help you sell your car with a worthy price tag in the future. But more than this, it makes your ride more comfortable, more fashionable, more convenient and safer, which in effect reduces a lot of stress in driving. So be wise, get replacement parts only from a dependable dealer like Auto Parts Deal.


About the author:
As a manager of one of the largest auto stores in Springfield,Massachussets, Sarah has extensive expertise on auto parts and automotives in general. This 42 year old is a certified car enthusiast. 

Buying new vs. used cars. by: Mantius Cazaubon

New vs used. Which car is right for you? Consider the following. 

Owning a brand new car is exciting. But financially speaking, it makes more sense to buy a used car. As soon as you drive a new car off the lot, it loses a great portion of its value. This is because your car is no longer “new”. 

New cars lose about 40% of their value within 3 years, then depreciation starts to slow down. Why not buy a used car and allow someone else to take that depreciation hit? 

The previous owner will have absorbed the steepest part of the depreciation cycle. At that point the costs of owning and operating the car will be reduced. The money you save on depreciation will surely go a long way. 

Another benefit of buying used is lower cost. By buying used you pay less. You will also save on financing costs, insurance premiums, registration and licensing fees. You don’t have to worry about paying sales tax. 

As with everything else there are a few downsides to buying a used car. There are greater chances for costly unwarranted repairs. You may very soon have to do major maintenance on your car, including replacing tires, battery, brakes, muffler, and perhaps even the transmission. 

A used car is usually less reliable. You don’t know exactly what you’re getting into and how the previous owner treated the car. However, every situation is different and some used models may actually be far more reliable than some new ones. 

If you can pay cash, go the new car way. Enjoy the feeling of knowing you're the original owner of a new car in mint condition. Nothing can replace that feeling. 

Otherwise do not hang your hat higher than you can reach. Practice financial prudence. Save your money and comfort yourself knowing that one day you will be able to afford that dream car. One day when money is no object. 


About the author:
Mantius Cazaubon offers a guide geared towards helping you find the best deals on reliable parts and accessories for your automobile at http://www.toyota-parts-guide.comVisit http://www.toyota-parts-guide.comfor auto parts savings.

Buying a New Sports Car – Twelve Tips To Avoid Financial Sticker Shock by: Valerie Mills

Nothing (well, almost nothing) can compare to the thrill of driving a road-hugging high performance sports car. Instant steering response. Power at the exact nanosecond you ask for it. 

Then, if you have one of the sexier models, you’ll attract attention on the road, filling up, and in the shopping mall parking lot. 

Yes, you can pretend you’re driving the Autobahn with the wind blowing your hair. But beware of state troopers just waiting for an “arrest me red” entry on their ticket issuing track record. 

Before You Fall In Love . . . 

Before you step into that showroom and fall in love, consider the following practicalities: 

1) How much do you want to spend? $20,000? $30,000? Or more? 

2) What’s the tradeoff between performance (power) and gas mileage? Higher performance usually equals less gas mileage. 

Does the vehicle use premium gas? Right now, the difference between premium and regular is 20 cents per gallon. At 20 miles per gallon and 15,000 miles per year, the cost differential is $150. 

3) What about reliability? Some upscale models cost considerably more to maintain and have a higher incidence of repair costs. Would you appreciate paying $125 just to diagnose the problem when the check engine light comes on? Or paying $70 for an oil change? 

4) In a climate where snow and ice are winter realities, do you want to drive it year round? Or store it over the winter? 

A rear wheel drive sports car is impractical for winter driving. A front, all-wheel, or 4-wheel drive sport car can be driven in snow and ice, if you use all-season tires. If the little devil comes with performance tires, you will want to buy all-season tires (and possibly rims) for winter driving. Add another $1500 to the price of the car for the right tires and rims. 

Do Your Homework . . . 

5) Once you’ve decided price, performance, gas mileage, reliability, and practicality for all-season driving, get on the Internet. Here you can compare models and pricing and read reviews. Google “buying a new car” or “new car prices” and several sites will pop up. 

Another source is Consumer Report (the new car issue) where your criteria will be easy to find. Red dots are good. Black dots are not. Most American car dealers consider this issue of Consumer Report a nightmare because it favors foreign car models, especially Asian cars. However, as explained in the newest version of this report, American car manufacturers are catching up. 

6) Find out what you should pay before stepping into a showroom. Dealers will offer below invoice prices even on some sports cars because of rebates, dealer incentives, and dealer returns when they make a sale. 

7) Remember the incidentals. Yes, you have to pay to transport the vehicle from the manufacturer. Yes, you have to pay for options. And remember the sales (and sometimes luxury) tax. 

The Driving Experience . . . 

8) Unless you have driven the exact model and year you want to purchase, step into the showroom and test drive the car. Driving the previous year’s model is unacceptable. If the dealer lures you into his web and asks you to test drive an earlier model, RUN out of the show room. You’re wasting your time. 

9) Pick at least 2 different road types for test driving. The winding, hilly road is one road type. Road hugging capabilities are tested here. If the car is standard, smooth-shifting is another test. A car that cuts back after you release the clutch is NOT smooth shifting. 

The highway is another road type. Make sure power is sufficient to handle entrance ramps and merging with traffic. If you get an instant response at highway speeds, the car is a possible winner. 

Closing the Deal . . . 

10) If you like the car, get the dealer’s best quote. Then, find at least one other dealer to give you another quote ON THE SAME CAR. If you don’t like the car in the test drive, you probably won’t like the car – ever. Move on to the next model. 

11) When you decide on a car, call your insurance company and find out what the vehicle will cost per year. And don’t choke on your coffee when you hear the amount – you can shop around. 

12) Estimate how much the real estate taxes will be on the car, especially if it’s a high-priced model. This could be another financial shocker! 

As you can see, sports car buying is a process. Do you need to do all this stuff? Nope, you don’t. But consider the financial sticker shock when you’re paying an extraordinary amount for maintenance, repairs, gas, insurance, and taxes! Just for that Autobahnesque experience! 



About the author:

Valerie Mills,a copywriter/designer specializing in direct mail and web advertising, has written sales letters, web sites, and brochures for the finance, self-help, and technology areas. She also audits sites for usability, sales appeal, structural integrity, and readability. In addition, using her experience as an educator and corporate trainer, Valerie has written several articles and a parents' guide to coach kids of all ages about money and personal finance. Refer to web siteshttp://v.mills.home.att.netand http://teachyourkidsaboutmoney.com

Buying a New Sports Car – Twelve Tips To Avoid Financial Sticker Shock by: Valerie Mills

Nothing (well, almost nothing) can compare to the thrill of driving a road-hugging high performance sports car. Instant steering response. Power at the exact nanosecond you ask for it. 

Then, if you have one of the sexier models, you’ll attract attention on the road, filling up, and in the shopping mall parking lot. 

Yes, you can pretend you’re driving the Autobahn with the wind blowing your hair. But beware of state troopers just waiting for an “arrest me red” entry on their ticket issuing track record. 

Before You Fall In Love . . . 

Before you step into that showroom and fall in love, consider the following practicalities: 

1) How much do you want to spend? $20,000? $30,000? Or more? 

2) What’s the tradeoff between performance (power) and gas mileage? Higher performance usually equals less gas mileage. 

Does the vehicle use premium gas? Right now, the difference between premium and regular is 20 cents per gallon. At 20 miles per gallon and 15,000 miles per year, the cost differential is $150. 

3) What about reliability? Some upscale models cost considerably more to maintain and have a higher incidence of repair costs. Would you appreciate paying $125 just to diagnose the problem when the check engine light comes on? Or paying $70 for an oil change? 

4) In a climate where snow and ice are winter realities, do you want to drive it year round? Or store it over the winter? 

A rear wheel drive sports car is impractical for winter driving. A front, all-wheel, or 4-wheel drive sport car can be driven in snow and ice, if you use all-season tires. If the little devil comes with performance tires, you will want to buy all-season tires (and possibly rims) for winter driving. Add another $1500 to the price of the car for the right tires and rims. 

Do Your Homework . . . 

5) Once you’ve decided price, performance, gas mileage, reliability, and practicality for all-season driving, get on the Internet. Here you can compare models and pricing and read reviews. Google “buying a new car” or “new car prices” and several sites will pop up. 

Another source is Consumer Report (the new car issue) where your criteria will be easy to find. Red dots are good. Black dots are not. Most American car dealers consider this issue of Consumer Report a nightmare because it favors foreign car models, especially Asian cars. However, as explained in the newest version of this report, American car manufacturers are catching up. 

6) Find out what you should pay before stepping into a showroom. Dealers will offer below invoice prices even on some sports cars because of rebates, dealer incentives, and dealer returns when they make a sale. 

7) Remember the incidentals. Yes, you have to pay to transport the vehicle from the manufacturer. Yes, you have to pay for options. And remember the sales (and sometimes luxury) tax. 

The Driving Experience . . . 

8) Unless you have driven the exact model and year you want to purchase, step into the showroom and test drive the car. Driving the previous year’s model is unacceptable. If the dealer lures you into his web and asks you to test drive an earlier model, RUN out of the show room. You’re wasting your time. 

9) Pick at least 2 different road types for test driving. The winding, hilly road is one road type. Road hugging capabilities are tested here. If the car is standard, smooth-shifting is another test. A car that cuts back after you release the clutch is NOT smooth shifting. 

The highway is another road type. Make sure power is sufficient to handle entrance ramps and merging with traffic. If you get an instant response at highway speeds, the car is a possible winner. 

Closing the Deal . . . 

10) If you like the car, get the dealer’s best quote. Then, find at least one other dealer to give you another quote ON THE SAME CAR. If you don’t like the car in the test drive, you probably won’t like the car – ever. Move on to the next model. 

11) When you decide on a car, call your insurance company and find out what the vehicle will cost per year. And don’t choke on your coffee when you hear the amount – you can shop around. 

12) Estimate how much the real estate taxes will be on the car, especially if it’s a high-priced model. This could be another financial shocker! 

As you can see, sports car buying is a process. Do you need to do all this stuff? Nope, you don’t. But consider the financial sticker shock when you’re paying an extraordinary amount for maintenance, repairs, gas, insurance, and taxes! Just for that Autobahnesque experience! 



About the author:

Valerie Mills,a copywriter/designer specializing in direct mail and web advertising, has written sales letters, web sites, and brochures for the finance, self-help, and technology areas. She also audits sites for usability, sales appeal, structural integrity, and readability. In addition, using her experience as an educator and corporate trainer, Valerie has written several articles and a parents' guide to coach kids of all ages about money and personal finance. Refer to web siteshttp://v.mills.home.att.netand http://teachyourkidsaboutmoney.com

Are You Tired of Trite Tips on Fuel Savings by: Dee Scrip

In these days of record high fuel prices affecting already stretched budgets, many of us are looking for tips on fuel savings. Unfortunately, most tips are “no-brainers”. 

Some suggest staying within posted speed limits because “…the faster you drive, the more fuel you use.” Daah !!! Explain that to a teenager! 

Oh, here’s one – “combine errands”. Come on, anyone who runs a household figured that one out eons ago, just to maintain sanity. 

Here’s another I just love – remove excess weight. Hmm… let me think, I can make the kids walk to their sports events or mall, and meet them when they arrive. And, of course, ban any friends from catching a ride. But then again, when the riot occurs, the police will have to use their fuel instead. 

After much research, here’s a few fuel savings tips I found that actually make sense: 

1. Depending on a vehicle’s condition, you can increase fuel savings simply by keeping your engine tuned. 
2. Maintaining proper inflation of tires can increase fuel savings by up to 6%. 
3. Replace air, oil, and fuel filters regularly. Clogged filters decrease fuel savings. 

But the best tip to date is this simple fuel savings solution: 

A small Power Pill, the size of a penny, that can be dropped into the tank at fill up. Here’s what the PowerPill does: 

· Provides fuel savings averaging 15% on cars and 20% on diesel trucks 
· Conditions the engine by cleaning it, resulting in eliminating and preventing what is known as “carbon deposits”, the culprit behind decreased fuel savings. 
· Lowering octane requirements, thus saving an additional 5¢ to 10¢ per gallon. 
· More savings on maintenance by extending the life of spark plugs, valves, engine, and frequent oil changes. 
· Environmental benefits by significantly reducing toxic pollutants, which in essence allows us to breathe cleaner air and live longer. 

N.A.S.A. engineered and SAE tested over a decade ago, global results can be found at http://www.thepowerpill.com/tests including the most recent unsolicited tests performed by Dial-A-Cab taxi drivers in London. 

For more information, visit http://www.helpwithfuelprices.com 



About the author:
Dee Scrip is a well known and respected published expert author of numerous articles on PowerPill Fe-3, Home Business, Business Opportunities, Fundraising, VoIP, VoIP Security, and other related VoIP issues. 
http://www.ubpill.com
http://www.free-pc-phone.com
Fuel Savings Tips 

A Review of the Most Popular Garage Door Openers - by: Richard Romando

Genie, Chamberlain, Sears, Wayne-Dalton, Linear, and Universal (SkyLink) make some of the best garage door openers on the market. The following product reviews should be useful for those in the market for a garage door opener. 

The Genie® Company is one of the most well-known and trusted companies in the US. Founded in 1923 under the name of the Alliance Manufacturing company, Genie manufactures consumer, industrial as well as military products. The Genie® brand of garage door openers are very popular for their high power remote-controlled garage door opening systems. 

Genie produces a wide range of garage door openers and the most popular brands from Genie are: the Excelerator, the Screw Drive and the Chain Glide. Other brands include the Alliance, the Blue Max, the Crusader, Python, Pro-Max, Lift-a-door, OverHead Door, Norelco, Code-Dodger and Intellicode. 

Genie uses state-of-the-art technology in its garage door openers. The Intellicode® remote access security system changes the security code to one of billions of combinations each time the transmitter is used, thus making it one of the safest systems in the world. Its Sate-T-Beam™ infrared beam system can sense the presence of objects in the door’s path and can thus prevent damage to equipment. Genie garage door openers can be installed on both single as well as double doors. They use ˝ horsepower and can work on doors that are up to 8 feet high. Genie garage door openers open twice as fast as other garage door openers but close at normal speeds. They are very quiet, have a bright, wide-angle lighting and powerful motor design and can work in any weather conditions. Such advanced technologies make the Genie brand of garage door openers most popular in the world. 

Chamberlain GmbH based in Saarwellingen, Germany is a principal supplier of residential garage door openers, commercial and residential gate operators, and remote controls in the world. The company has offices in France, England, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovak Republic and Singapore. Chamberlain products are available almost across the whole world. 

Chamberlain offers garage door openers in commercial as well as residential varieties. Chamberlain®, Whisper Drive® and Power Drive® Garage Door Openers are the most popular brands from Chamberlain. 

LiftMaster® is the most popular brand from Chamberlain. This range also includes the Liftmaster garage door opener remotes, replacement parts, mini transmitters, keychain remotes and other accessories. LiftMaster garage door openers are available in different drive and horsepower modes and are combined with a wide range of accessories and options. The LiftMaster range contains: the Estate Series, the Premium series and the Contractor series. These are available in the belt drive; screw drive as well as in chain drive models. 

Chamberlain’s Power Drive® and Whisper Drive® belong to the residential garage door opener category in the do-it-yourself range. The Elite™ range contains premier residential and commercial gate operators and access control systems. The Sentex® range is for secure residential and commercial garages. 

Sears Holdings Corporation, parent of Kmart and Sears, Roebuck and Co., is the third largest broad line retailer in the US. Sears Holdings is a leading supplier of tools, lawn and garden, home electronics, and automotive repair and maintenance. It supplies the Craftsman range of garage door openers. 

Craftsman supplies power tools, storage chests and cabinets, bench power tools, mechanics tools, power tool accessories, general hand tools, compressor tools, carpentry tools and home security and garage door openers and accessories. The Craftsman range of garage door openers consist of simple ˝ hp garage door opener, ΔΎ hp garage door opener in chain drive models. Other products include the universal remote control conversion kit with 1 remote, the 10ft chain drive extension kit, the 10ft extension kit for garage door opener, the 8ft extension kit for garage door opener, the 8ft rail extension kit, the Remote control, 3-function security, keyless entry pad, plug-in light control for garage door opener, the wireless garage door monitor and the extension kit (screw drive). 

Wayne Dalton, established in 1954, is the producer and supplier of the safest residential and commercial garage doors and garage door openers in the US. Wayne Dalton supplies two kinds of garage door openers: wall mount and ceiling mount. The wall mount openers, an exclusive product from Wayne Dalton, can be mounted on the wall beside the door. This helps to eliminate the chains, belts, screw drive and tract that usually clutter the garage ceiling. This model also helps to eliminate noise and vibration to a large extent. 

The Linear Corporate is a major producer of security systems like garage door and garage door openers. Linear produces garage door openers accessories like the Linear Act 21 key chain transmitter, Linear DR3A Linear Moore-O-Matic gate or garage opener receiver, Linear DT2A gate or garage door opener replacement transmitter, Linear DTC Moore-O-Matic Delta 3 Remote (same as DTD or DT) gate or garage door opener replacement transmitter, Linear DTKP wireless keypad, Linear MDR Megacode System single channel receiver, Linear MDT-1 and MDT-2 Megacode gate or garage door openers, Linear MDTK wireless keypad model, Linear MT-1B channel visor block coded transmitter, Linear MT-2B channel visor block coded transmitter etc. 

Linear also makes the Stanley range of garage door opener parts and accessories like Vemco, Quiet Glide, LightMaker, Home Innovative, Whistler, Popular Mechanics, SecureCode. 

About the author:
Garage Door Openers Info provides detailed information about best garage door openers, as well as garage door opener parts and repair Garage Door Openers Info is affiliated with Business Plans by Growthink.

18 Simple Ways To Save Money On Your Car by: Jeff Slokum

The upkeep of your vehicle can be quite an expense - from initial purchase to insurance to maintenance. And sometimes we get the sinking feeling that every time we need a car repair, we’re going to get taken for a ride. (pardon the pun!) Actually there are some ways to make sure you don’t get a raw deal when dealing with a local body shop. 

After you get recommendations for honest mechanics, call around to check out the prices for certain jobs. It’s always smart to get a second opinion. 

How about some preventative medicine? Keep your gas tank filled. This will help you avoid the gas line freezing up in cold weather. Also, driving on “fumes” allows little pieces of dirt at the bottom of your gas tank to run through the fuel lines with the last drops of gas. This debris clogs up the fuel filter and can cause carburetor damage as well. 

Sometimes a problem with your car’s electrical system results from a simple blown fuse. Check to see if you have any blown fuses before investing in a tow truck! 

Keep track of how much oil your car uses. A sudden change in oil consumption means you need to see a technician. 

Save your brakes by having your brake fluid changed every 30,000 miles. 

Check your tire pressure once a month. This simple maintenance check can add up savings at the gas pump! 

Stop and go traffic causes excess wear and tear on your vehicle. Go ahead and give your car a nice twenty minute ride at 55 mph on the highway every couple weeks if you “major” in short trips. 

There are other ways to save money on car expenses. Let’s look at the insurance payments. 

If you’ve budgeted for possible out-of-pocket expenses in case of a car accident, you might want to consider increasing your insurance deductible to $500. This will lower the cost of your insurance. 

Talk to your insurance agent. If your car is as old as the hills, you might want to drop collision coverage to save money. 

Car insurance companies offer a variety of discounts. Ask your agent if the company offers reductions for driver training courses, anti-lock brakes, car alarms, air bags, mature drivers, good students or maintaining a good driving record. 

Before you purchase from a dealer, ask about the dealer's return policy, get it in writing and read it carefully. Dealers are not required by law to give used car buyers a three-day right to cancel. 

Visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov to find cars that are fuel efficient. 

Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.10 per gallon for gas. 

In most cases, using cruise control on the highway will save gas. 

Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. This isn’t going to cost you an arm or leg either. 

Do your homework when buying a car from an auction. Many vehicles that have been damaged by floods and hurricanes are going on the market. These won’t last long – leaving you with a flood of bills. Be a little concerned if the carpet looks too new, and check carefully for signs of rust. 

Carfax.com shares info on inspecting a used car to make sure you get the best deal. 

If you use your car for business, keep track of miles traveled so that you can use this for a tax deduction. Get more info at irs.gov. 

When you consider all the ways you can save money on your current vehicle, you might be persuaded to put away the extra each month for a new car down the road!

About the author:
This article provided courtesy of http://www.car-alarm-guide.net