How To Find a Mechanic In Your Area That You Can Trust

Everyone hears horror stories about people who took their car to a mechanic who charged them a huge sum of money for a repair, only to have the problem return within weeks (or even days). While not all mechanics are this way, hearing stories like this usually raise some concerns, especially in those who are not particularly car savvy. If you are unsure of how to find a mechanic who will be honest and offer you the best deals, don't despair. You can find a mechanic who will do you right, as long as you follow a few tips.

First of all, you should talk to other people who have cars, especially if they have had their cars for quite some time. Most "seasoned" automotive owners have found someone that they can count on to repair their car at a fair and reasonable price. Ask around and see what you find. While you may not get the same answer from everyone, you will definitely have an idea of where to start, and hopefully someone you trust will be able to get you in contact with a mechanic who has kept their cars running for years.

There are also some auto organizations which will include some mechanics, including Triple A and Triple B. If a mechanic has the skills and reputation to be a part of one of these organizations, they will most likely advertise that to both their current and their potential customers. If you see a Triple A sticker in a mechanic's window, you can be reassured that you are most likely in good hands. Many auto mechanics also have another way to prove their reliability. Often, you can find someone who will offer you a warrantee on most (or all) types of repairs. While this does not always mean that the repair will last, it does mean that as long as you haven't broken any of the conditions of the warrantee, if the repair needs to be made again, you will not have to pay for it twice. This way you can be sure that your mechanic is not purposefully or neglectfully making poor repairs, as they will lose money on a free repair, and will almost always do their best work the first time.

Something that you can do either instead of either of the above, or do in addition to them, is to compare mechanics yourself, face to face. Instead of having your car repaired by the first mechanic who sees your car, take it in and ask them to not make any repairs. Ask them to tell you what is wrong with your car, what they would do to fix it, and how much it would cost. Advice such as this will either be free or will cost much less than repair. You can then take your car into other auto mechanics and ask them similar questions. This way, even if you were to get four different opinions (or supposed opinions) on your car's conditions, you may be able to get an idea of what needs to be done. If the four opinions only match on one point, such as a damaged radiator, then you will know that this is the repair that should be done first, and may be the only repair you should worry about.

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Why Carwashes Need WiFi or a Larger Escape Lane in the Information Age

The other day, I was sitting in the local Starbucks - it is a couple of buildings away from a very popular carwash in town. This particular carwash happens to do hand washing, and also has quick detail services which they call; Express Detail Service. Anyway, I was talking to one of the customers who happened to leave their car for the express detail, and run over to Starbucks so she could use the WiFi for their iPad, and their smart phone.

The lady I was talking to was concerned because the carwash to not have WiFi available, and when she tried to use the WiFi system they would not give her the password so she could get her e-mails. They gave her some sort of an excuse;

"If we let you use it, we have to let everyone use it, and they would tie up all the bandwidth, and we would be able to run our computer system,"

and the service manager at the carwash also made a statement;

"We never know if someone comes in to get a carwash, wants to use our WiFi system so they can hack us."

The lady was rather miffed, why would she come to a carwash and pay $45 to get her car detailed, and actually, every week for a $10-$19 carwash and suddenly become a hacker to break into their computer system? After all, she considers herself a very good paying customer, and after being in the carwash business for over 27 years before retirement, I would certainly agree that are regular customer like that is very valuable, and she didn't deserve getting the runaround from the carwash manager when she asked a simple question about using the WiFi system.

Now then, as a carwash consultant in my early retirement I can tell you that all carwashes in this day and age, in our information age, need to have WiFi available for all of their customers. If they don't have that available, especially on the weekends when the lines get very long, they need a Larger escape Lane so customers that have important things to do can get out of the line, so they don't have to wait to text message their friends, pick up their e-mails, or get online. Let's face it - we now live in a connected world.

All automotive service companies would be wise to have WiFi access available. And if these companies are worried about someone breaking into the computer system, then they should have a separate standalone WiFi system for their customers to use. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it. If you don't keep your customers happy, I bet your competition would be glad to.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on the Carwash Business. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net

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Getting Your Vehicle Prepared For the Cold Snap

ByPaul Croft

The time to fit winter tyres is when the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius - it's important to make sure that you don't wait until snow is on the ground to sort out your tyres. In no circumstances should you be keeping your summer tyres on over the winter period as this could potentially put you in a lot of danger.

A lot of people do not know what to do with their summer tyres once they have taken them off in preparation for fitting winter tyres. It's important to make sure that prior to storing your tyres away, you give them a good clean and ensure that they're dirt free; you can do this by simply using water - you should make sure that your tyres are completely dry before putting them away too. Also, another point to remember is that you can either hang or stack them; if you decide on stacking them, then the tyres can be placed on top of each other. Any materials such as chemicals, sharp items or petroleum products can prove damaging for the tyres.

If you're keen to improve your safety on the winter roads (they can become very dangerous in extreme weather!) then your best option is to ensure that your vehicle has suitable tyres fitted and that they're going to work well with the climate that they're being used in. It's becoming more common for people to realise the benefits of having winter tyres and more and more people are choosing to recommend them to their friends. Everybody wants to improve their car's performance and safety, especially at times in the year where you need to pay close attention. You may have spotted that there are a lot of warnings out about driving safely in winter and there are currently lots of advents on the television that are promoting this as well.

Your vehicle handbook has a great deal of information stored inside it including size options for wheels, often you'll find that your handbook will advise you to choose smaller wheels over winter as they'll help to keep your vehicle safe.

Making certain that you're fitting the correct tyres to suit roads and weather conditions is imperative; you must make sure that you've got the right type of winter tyres. You should also try to drive more safely throughout the winter months by leaving longer lengths of times for journeys and increasing the distance you leave from the car in front.

If you want to find out more about winter tyres then you should research winter tyres on the internet.

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Can Small Compact Cars Be Safer?

With high gas prices, slow economy, and environmental emissions becoming an increasingly pressing issue, the automobile market has been saturated with small compact vehicles. Whether they are sedans, smart cars, hybrids, or crossovers, new compact models rise up to the challenge of fuel economy standards and lowering emission levels. But what about safety concerns? Are smaller compact cars safer? Read on to find out.

Some researchers and engineers would say that smaller cars have low safety capabilities due to so many other large cars on the road. No matter how much safety features are loaded in the car, it will still not have much of chance in comparison to full sized SUV's during car crashes.

Regardless, compact hybrid vehicles are new featuring innovative features to combat the notion that smaller cars are not as safe as full sized vehicles. For example, four different kinds of steel are embedded into the body of one compact car, while an ACE safety system channels energy throughout the car, distributing a balanced energy output, making the car more stable and yielding high performance functionalities.

Another feature is a system called Blind Spot Identifications, which has an adaptive cruise control feature that auto brakes for u in the situation that you have to slam on the brakes. The system also provides for greater roll stability control, and automatically controls your speed to low speeds when it senses that your driving habits have changed to avoid an accident. With small cars, some customers may value the low costs of a car too much to car to add this safety feature, because it does add on an additional 30% of the overall cost of the vehicle.

Features like additional steel structures to absorb the energy of collisions are also expensive to add on. It all comes down to your priorities and specific needs. If buying a safe and economic car is your intention, buying a compact vehicle may not be such a great idea. On the other hand, if fuel efficiency and economic cars are what you are looking for, without so much concern for safety issues, then it's almost a perfect match for you to consider a compact vehicle as your next car purchase.

If safety is something you want but don't want to spend additional money on add-ons and safety features, then perhaps you should go ahead and buy a car without the features, but be sure to get an all inclusive car insurance policy. Insurance will cover the costs and give you greater peace in mind in the case that you do get in a collision. In that case, since your car is compact, there may be great damages done on your vehicle. So, be sure you are covered against liability, body shop work, parts repair, and other important things that will keep your car in great condition.

You may also consider a top notch warranty plan as a safeguard to anything that can go wrong. Most cars go with a service plan free of charge for a number of years. Coupled with a great auto insurance policy, you should be good to go. Always, safe driving over everything else.

Free-lance writer with a passion for Writing and Research.
Amanda Rodriguez
Definitive Guide to Car Insurance.

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Who Can Benefit From Diesel Fuel Treatment?

ByRick K Gill

Diesel fuel is used for all kinds of industries, be it construction or transport, power generation or agriculture, drilling and exploration or refineries. Every mechanical body seems to be running with the power of petroleum. And this is one reason why Earth's atmosphere is no longer healthy and refreshing.

Although there is no way yet to fully control the usage of gasoline or to completely eliminate its existence there are some technologies that can effectively prevent major harm. This technology is known as additives and it's main role is to dilute petroleum. This reduces consumption rates while also improving its combustion, thus preventing dangerous emissions. If diesel fuel treatment is taken on a wide scale, the following industries may greatly benefit from it.

School Buses and other Vehicles

School buses are heavy vehicles that needs high amount of fuel and according to statistics these buses emit dangerous gases four times more than a car. The exhaust levels on school buses are 46% higher than levels deemed as threatening to human health. With the level of dangerous gases emitted by school buses, there is a very high chance for school going kids to develop cancer and other health problems. If gasoline used for these buses is treated, fuel consumption will be greatly reduced. If consumption is reduced, there will also be limited emission of dangerous gases in the air.

Agricultural Machinery

Agricultural yields have been reported to have diminished greatly due to excessive pollution. An estimated loss of nearly five hundred million has been reported in crop reproduction. In order to enhance crop production, it's important to reduce pollution levels and that is only possible if vehicles traveling around rural areas are treated with a fuel additive.

Transportation

The transport industry uses the highest percentage of petroleum and therefore is the main cause of pollution and global warming. With millions of diesel powered vehicles running around, ions of dangerous gases are let out into the atmosphere creating global disasters. Applying diesel fuel treatment to transportation industries worldwide will drastically cut down in fuel expenditure, reducing dangerous smoke emission and lead to improved health. This is especially necessary for developing countries where pollution and gasoline induced health problems are a major issue.

Additives may not completely eliminate gas emissions but it does strive to reduce consumption rates considerably. Cutting down half the costs of consumption and improving combustion is one way we can use fossil fuels while still being able to protect planet Earth.

Diesel Fuel Treatment

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Detroit Auto Show 2012

Another year is coming soon and that indicates all the new concept and model unveilings that come with it. At this time, all the breaking news, live photos, original video will also be provided by the High Gear Media team in Detroit. Now, let's take a preview look at some cars and models.

2012 Honda Accord Coupe Concept: There hasn't been any other details unveiled besides that the car version will come to showrooms next fall. As far as we know, Honda will preview its 2013 Accord, we're estimating both the sedan and the coupe, with a new coupe concept in Detroit. The launch of the ninth-generation Accord will indicate 30 years of U.S. manufacturing of the model at Honda's factory in Marysville where is the first Japanese car assembly plant in the U.S. It will also indicate the introduction of Honda's first plug-in hybrid model, which offers up to 15 miles of electric only driving.

2012 Lexus Design Concept: With the brand new GS four door putting on some eye-catching sheet metal, it may be the right time for a brand new IS range, and quickly, Lexus has just teased an approaching design concept that previews the long run direction of the business's design. Written by the artists at the company's Calty studio in Newport Beach, regardless of what it is, it will be uncovered in full on January 9.

2012 Nissan Pathfinder: Nissan will be providing more than one concept auto to Detroit, in its scenario a preview of the next-generation Pathfinder SUV, which we just spied testing, along with a battery-electric business van. It will be losing its truck-based ladder frame for a more car-like unibody style assimilated from the 2013 Infiniti JX. Nissan has not presented any information on the electric van concept, but we assume the concept of the Nissan NV200 will be the battery-powered version.

2012 Lincoln MKZ: The new 2013 Lincoln MKZ, which will reveal a system with the next-generation the European Ford Mondeo and Ford Fusion, while will be considerably differentiated for an excellent and superior look and feel. On top of that, the piano wire grille to remain, there are horizontal slats instead of Lincoln's latest straight design.

2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS: When it comes with Chevrolet Sonic RS, we may feel impressive by its 148 pound-feet of torque and 138 horsepower and a trim line. Obviously, we hope see more about Chevrolet since it has a potential to become a new and good performance deal.

If you want to know more information about latest cars or car parts, I'd like suggest you visit carpart4u.

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Using A Car Valeting Service To Get An Old Car Ready For Selling

Your car is now three years old and you're thinking of selling it and buying a new ride. Question: who's interested in a beat-up vehicle that has seen some abuse and use for three years? Sure, somebody out there might want it, but there's a good chance they'll low ball you and offer a price way lower than what you're asking. This is bound to hurt, especially since you know your car is worth your specified price tag, and lowering the price just isn't reasonable.

Then again, you can't really blame the buyers. The car has seen better days. It's a bit old, the paint is turning dull and the interior is dirty. The car paint is likewise stained with squashed bugs, grease, tar and other nasty stuff you wouldn't want in the paint.

In order for a used car to fetch a decent price, you need to have it cleaned. Cleaning doesn't stop with washing the outside with water and drying it with a chamois. The goal is to have it so clean it looks spanking new when you start showing it to people. This is how you do it:

Consider car detailing and valeting services. Aside from the regular car wash, your vehicle gets treated to professional cleaning services. You probably never thought this type of thing existed, but it does, so why not avail of it?

These days, car valeting and detailing services is considered an art. These guys not only clean the car, but they make it appear as if it's brand new. All these are done minus spending a bundle in paint refinish or leather seat cover replacements. They're experts on car paint jobs, utilizing techniques that bring out the car's true shade even when it has dulled out.

Car valeting and detailing services are staffed with professionals that know all about leather. So if you've got worn leather in the vehicle, they're the people to call. They can handle reconditioning work and make the car look new.

Essentially, car valeting and detailing pros are tasked with making cars look like they're fresh off a showroom. It might interest you to know, most people who enjoy taking part in car shows and displaying their vehicles enlist the services of car valeting and detailing pros to prepare their car for the event.

Keep in mind, having professionals clean the car calls for time and several equipment. However, with car detailing and valet services, you're assured of getting a used car that's ready for showroom display.

In making a car look brand new, potential buyers will definitely give your car a second (even third!) look. The way the vehicle looks, nobody would have the nerve to haggle and drive the price down. They may even think your price offer for the car is a steal.

The key is to not view the situation as fooling people into purchasing your old vehicle. Rather, look at it as a way of making the car look better so people will be persuaded to buy. After all, what you're offering for the car is only fair.

For those contemplating selling their old automobile and getting a new one, give it some sort of makeover and additional appeal. Hire a car valeting and detailing services firm to take care of what you want. Before you know it, people will be lining up to inquire about your old auto.

Dan Annweiler is a successful internet marketer and freelance writer who owns a variety of themed cyberstores and blogs offering information and products on Automotive Accessories, Harley Davidson Products & Accessories, Internet Marketing, Weight Loss Plans, Foreclosure Rights, Digital Cameras & Accessories, iPads, iPhones & Accessories and Urban Survival. For more information on cars and car accessories, visit Dan's Auto Accessory News Blog and his cyberstore: Auto Accessory Market. Feel free to republish this article in it's original form provided you adhere to all Ezine Articles Publisher Guidelines.

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Finding A Unique Car For You

How mobile you are will depend on whether or not your own your own a car. Finding the right car to suit your needs requires some forethought. But if you take your time and do your research you should be able to find a car that suits both your needs and budget.

If you are single you may choose to go for something less practical and more fun. A sports car could be a lot of fun; and now days you don't have to know how to drive a stick to get one. Most sports cars now have the option of an automatic transmission.

You may need a car that will seat more than two people; in that case a coupe may be a better choice. If you still want a sports car or at least a sporty looking car, there are plenty to fit your desires. Though coupes can seat more than two people, they only have two doors. If this is going to be an inconvenience then you may want to consider a sedan that has four doors. You can still find sporty models among the sedans. And within the coupes and sedans there are compact cars, mid-sized cars, and full size cars. You may base your choice on gas mileage and the comfort of the other riders in your car. You will have to decide what features are most important to you. In general compacts have the best gas mileage.

If you have a family and transport children and their friends then a mini-van or SUV may be a better choice. There are many of the newer mini-vans and SUVs that get decent gas mileage as this has become an important issue for consumers. A lot of the mini-vans and SUVs have interiors that can be manipulated so that the vehicle can be used for more than transporting people. This will make your car more versatile.

After you have decided which type of vehicle will best suit your needs you need to decide if buying new or used will make the most sense for you. In years past it the wisdom was to buy used because once you drove off the dealers lot you lost a large chunk the car's worth. But now, people are keeping their cars longer. It may be worth the incentives that the manufacturers give to buy new. Sometimes there is not much difference between the price of new and used cars. And if the manufacturer is will to provide regular maintenance for free for several years, in the long run you may be ahead buying new.

Another contributing factor to buying new and used will be how much you will be able to finance. It is a good idea to get qualified for a loan before you start seriously looking for a car. This will let you know the price range in which you can look. The more money you have for a down payment will also impact the car you will be able to purchase.

If possible take your time in making your decision on which car to purchase. It will be a decision you will be living with for a while.

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Choosing the Right Aftermarket Headlights for Your Car - Halo Projector, Euro, OEM or LED Headlights

ByDee Saini

There are many different types of custom headlight styles on the market such as projector headlights, LED headlights and euro headlights. No matter what reason you have for replacing your headlights you can't go wrong with projector head lights as far as functionality and style goes. Projector headlights are designed to illuminate the road better allowing the driver to see more of the road and to drive more safely at night. As a bonus, just about all the aftermarket headlights out there have cool new designs to update the appearance of your vehicle and if paired with the right HID headlight kit your car will definitely turn heads.

A lot of the aftermarket projector headlights come equipped with LED halos but not all of them are made with CCFL halos. The halo can be wired into the parking lights, into a separate switch, or just about anywhere else. The halo or angel eyes originally found on high-end cars such as BMWs became very popular due to their distinctive look and now they are available for just about any make and model out there. The difference between the LED and CCFL halos is fairly simple, the Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp is a newer technology and is said to be around three times brighter.

Euro style headlights are one of the other options that is designed to look more like the factory headlights but with an updated, modern look to them. Although the euro head lights do not come equipped with the projector housing they still do a very good job at lighting up the road, combined with the right bulb or HID kit of course. They are also the cheaper option if you're on a tight budget but still want to improve your car's lighting.

Another trend starting up in headlight industry driven by the Audi R8 model is what is now being called the R8 style LED strip on the bottom of the headlight. Like the halo or the LED options already available this LED strip comes installed inside the headlight assembly usually with the power and the ground wires coming out from the headlight in order for you to wire the LED strip into the parking lights or any other switch of your choice. This is a great new feature that will definitely turn heads.

Some aftermarket headlights are also compatible with factory HID systems. This is something you should definitely check before purchasing a set of headlights for your car. Typically this is the case with higher end cars such as Audi or Mercedes but there are several others out there.

No matter what style headlight you're looking for, most sets are available in a black or chrome housing and some even in a titanium or smoke housing. Installation is usually simple enough to the point where just about anyone can do it but some applications may require professional installation.

For more information on CCFL Halo Projector Headlights please visit http://www.octanemotorsports.com

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Modern Racing in America

ByAiden Jefferson

Once they were invented, it didn't take long for people to stat racing cars. Once that began it was just a matter of time before organized racing developed. In America there are two dominant racing institutions. The first is Formula 1, or F1 (Indy cars) that race under the care of the FIA, or Federation International de Automobile. It is a billion dollar industry that has its main popularity outside of the United States. The second group is NASCAR.

While scientists remain clueless as to the cause, NASCAR is huge in America. It is a 3 billion dollar a year industry that boasts over 75 million fans. NASCAR racing is one of the highest rated television events, behind only football for watching popularity. People have favorite drivers, favorite cars and even favorite sponsors. There are endless debates over who is the best.

NASCAR is a cleverly disguised acronym for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. The biggest difference between it and other sports is that is a family owned and operated business. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948 and currently his grandson, Brian, is the CEO of the company.

Another huge difference in NASCAR is the way they run the championship. They use a complex scoring system. Each race every driver wins a number of points based on his finishing position in the race. At the end of the series the points are added up and the person with the most points wins.

While NASCAR runs several races that act as sort of a "minor league," they also run three large, sanctioned series. The most popular and most lucrative series is the Nextel Sprint Cup Series. Consisting of 36 races over a 10 months season it easily has the most popular drivers. From 1972-2003 the series was known as the Winston Cup, but that all changed when Sprint took over in 2004. The Winston/Sprint Cup has had such famous drivers as Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart and of course Dale Earnhardt.

The second tier series is known as the Nationwide Cup. Founded in 1982 it was originally sponsored by Budweiser and known as the Busch Grand National Series. However, in 2007 Nationwide Insurance took over as the official sponsor. The money and prestige is significantly lower the Sprint Series but it still remains fairly popular.

Finally there is the Camping World Truck Series. Created in 1994 and sponsored by Craftsmen tools, it was originally seen as "final tour" for senior NASCAR drivers. The last few years have seen it grow in popularity and since then is has produced several Sprint drivers who skipped the Nationwide circuit all together.

Yes, it is true that NASCAR has been privy to many jokes but despite that it has continually expanded its market and every year grows more and more in popularity. Something many other sports, like Tennis or even the NHL, wish they could do.

Aiden Jefferson lives in sunny Southern California but his heart is in Middle Earth. He geeks out over cars, writes about education and occasionally tries his hand at comedy. If you are looking for a used car or find a sed car dealers here as well.

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Are Paid to Drive Ad Programs Legit?

ByMaureen Winters

Most likely you've seen ads that claim to pay you to drive your car or offer to provide you with a car at no cost to you. Are these companies legitimate or are they a scam? Actually, there is some truth to it but it is a bit more complicated than just joining a program and driving away in a car.

Consider the following before you agree to a car ad program or car wrapping for cash because you should know how the program works first.

Sponsor advertisers express a desire to promote their service or product using the car ad method. The advertisers often don't have the time or employee resources to implement this marketing method themselves, so they enlist companies to handle it for them.

These companies match advertisers to drivers for a particular area. The ads are in the form of magnetic signs placed on the sides of the car or as "car wrap" ads. The types of autos used are trucks, autos, or SUVs and the ads are usually very eye catching and colorful and made of vinyl paint-safe film. Typical ads might be the promotion of a newly released cell phone, a current arts exhibit, or release of an upcoming movie.

The ads are most often designed professionally and appealing visually so drivers don't mind driving the ad car. Also, the driver does have a say on what type of ad goes on their auto. So how does the driver benefit from this type of promotional advertising?

Well, the monthly pay can range from $400 up to $800, the amount depending on things such as mileage you travel per day or month, the age of your car, and how much ad exposure your auto gets daily. Depending on the product being promoted, some companies are prepared to pay handsomely for the service, such as for promoting a new movie release. So even claim you can get paid more during Holiday seasons such as Christmas.

The concept is not a new one, as it has been around for over a decade. The idea went public when a mom decided to link up with a local business to earn funds for her daughter's Girl Scout troop. It really isn't any different than a taxi or bus running mini-billboard advertisements or the promotional ads placed on sponsored racing vehicles.

The magnetic sign ads are easy to place on your auto yourself, while the car "wraps" require a professional to install. The number of drivers wanting to participate in the ads program continues to increase as more people are looking for ways to supplement their income to help pay their monthly bills.

You stand to make more ad revenue if you live in a very populated area or one that gets good ad exposure for specific target markets, such as a university town. Because there are multiple sponsors in the program, there are often many people in one large city participating in the same type of ad program, just showing ads for different companies.

It's hard to imagine but you can get paid for sitting in traffic, which is why the paid to drive concept has continued to grow worldwide giving many people the chance to get paid to drive without having to make any substantial investment other than what they already have; their car and their time.

The paid2drive program has grown to become the No.1 way drivers can get paid to drive their cars.

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New or Used Car - Which Is Best?

Everyone loves a brand new car, there's nothing better than driving it away from the dealership gleaming. There are also a lot of people that refuse to take delivery of their new car if it's raining; they prefer to wait for a nice day, after all it really isn't fun getting your new car dirty in the first few miles.

The interior of new cars have a particular smell; you can even get car fresheners that purport to give off a new car smell. Every single part of your new car is spotlessly clean. Take a quick look under the hood and you have a sparkling engine. Make the most of it all though, because it doesn't take long for your new car to no longer have that just out of the dealership look and smell.

Another consideration is the depreciation that occurs as you drive out of the dealership. You may as well tear up $100 dollar bills, if you live in a state with sales tax. Just think, if you have to pay 8 percent sales tax on a $30,000 car, it's $2,400 that you say goodbye to instantly. There is also the depreciation that occurs simply because once you leave the dealership your car becomes a used car. You could never sell it for the same price you paid, even if you turned around and took the car back to the dealer having driven a few hundred yards.

However, there is something about a new car and that's why, despite the initial depreciation, so many people chose this option.

If you are not quite so concerned that your car comes with zero on the milometer and doesn't have the tag calling it brand new attached, then why not consider a nearly new car. You will be pleasantly surprised at the difference in the price; in fact many people are now choosing this option to save on the initial depreciation. You have the option of spending less for effectively the same car, or you can pay the same price as you would have done for a new car, but get a few more extras for the same price.

There are many cars around that are classed as used cars, because they are, but actually only have a few miles on the milometer. Some are only a few weeks old, so they are practically new, but don't have same price tag. There are many reasons that these cars are available to buy. One of the main reasons if because they were ex-demonstration cars. These are the cars the dealership uses when people want a test drive, but they can't sell them as new so the price drops considerably, even though they may have only been driven a hundred miles or so.

Sometimes people just make a mistake and find they really can't get on with the car, so they take it back and get something else. Other instances are where someone purchases a car on finance and, due to a sudden change in personal circumstances, can no longer afford the repayments. The finance company take possession of the car and then sells it at a reduced price.

Ultimately it's up to personal choice, but it's always worth considering the options, before making a final decision.

Lawrence Reaves writes about Used Auto Parts and Used Ford Engines for Woodfins.com

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How to Avoid a Tire Blow-Out and How to Act When It Happens

ByTrey Dawson

If you ever have the unfortunate experience of having a tire blow out while you are driving your vehicle, you need to act fast to avoid having a serious accident. No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, there are some simple steps to follow to make sure you safely come to a stop. There are also some important tips you should follow to lower the risk that you will have tire failure in the first place.

When a tire fails, you will know it. You will hear a loud noise and the car will become harder to steer. As soon as the tire blows, let off the gas pedal as soon as possible, but do not slam on the brakes as this could make you lose control. Be firm but smooth on the steering while guiding your vehicle to the side of the road, away from the traffic lanes. It is extremely important not to jerk on the wheel, as this too can make you lose control and crash.

If it is a front tire that fails, the vehicle will normally want to pull in that direction, but you should still have ample control to stop safely. A rear tire is a bit trickier though. If a rear tire fails, the vehicle can be very difficult to control and can dart unpredictably. Be gentle on the steering, and do not apply the brakes at all until you are going under 25 mph to minimize your risk of an accident.

While some tire failures are simply unavoidable, there are some things you can do to reduce the chance this happens to you. First, make sure your tires are properly inflated by checking them regularly with a tire pressure gauge, which you can buy at an auto parts store. When checking the pressure, make sure you do it before you drive the car and that the air temperature is mild. Checking the pressure on a day which is abnormally hot or cold, as well as checking them after you have driven the vehicle, can lead to an inaccurate reading, making you think that the tires are properly inflated when they actually are not.

Another way to prevent tire failure is to replace your tires every five to six years even if they are not worn out, especially if your car sits out in the sun a lot. The sun will rot and dry out the rubber, making it brittle. If this happens, the tire can fail even if there is plenty of tread left on it. To prevent this, visually inspect your tires once every couple of months. Look at where the tread meets the sidewall of the tire and check the area for cracking. A few tiny cracks are alright and nothing to worry about, but if there are many cracks, or very deep ones, replace the tires as soon as possible.

One final cause of tire failure comes from hitting curbs too hard. This can be especially damaging since the wheel normally gets bent as well. However, this situation is easy to avoid. Simply be careful and drive slowly if you think you might come in contact with a curb, and try to avoid all contact with curbs in general. Note that having cracked tires may increase the chance of a blow out when coming in contact with a curb.As you can see, with a little time and effort now, you can save yourself a big headache later on. Remember, take care of your tires and they will take care of you.

When Trey is not online, he's usually getting his hands greasy in his auto repair shop. In addition to his 12 years of experience working as a mechanic, Trey enjoys learning about computer programming. He is the creator of Size My Tires, an interactive tool for helping people find the correct tire size for their vehicle.

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7 Reasons to Choose the 2009 Dodge Challenger for Real Power and Performance

ByJim Maxwell

The 2009 Dodge Challenger represents the perfect marriage of timeless American muscle car styling with today's automotive technology. The result is a roadster that conveys a true image of toughness and power, while negotiating roads with a finesse and level of comfort that is the equal of any luxury vehicle that is offered for many times its reasonable price. Seven main reasons stand out among the many factors that make the 2009 Dodge Challenger a truly sporty and truly practical driving machine:

1) Styling

The Dodge Challenger for 2009 gets noticed - and it gets respect. Its muscularly striking presence stands out among practically any other vehicles with which it shares city, country, or highway roads. The Challenger is a reminder of the best of America's automotive heyday, when designers blended sporty lines with solid materials to create the great American muscle cars.

2) Performance

The 2009 Dodge Challenger boasts a level of performance that matches its formidable silhouette. Its most advanced power plant option is a ferocious 425-horsepower 6.1 liter V8 Hemi engine that accelerates from zero to 60 mph in a mere five-and-a-half seconds. Yet, the suspension and transmission of the Challenger ensure nimble turning and a smooth ride. Indeed, while the Challenger is wild enough for negotiating high-speed highways and more, it is just as much at home on city or suburban streets.

3) Comfort

Drivers and passengers feel the exhilaration of high-speed highway driving, but not the bumps of driving through pothole-pocked city streets. In addition, seating is extremely comfortable even for larger drivers and passengers, thanks to a telescoping steering wheel and generously sized seats.

4) Versatility

While the 2009 Dodge Challenger is just perfect for enjoying a long drive to a favorite vacation spot, it is just as suitable for a driver who heads for the freeway in order to hit the electronics store or home improvement center sales and return with a big load of goods. Its trunk is as large as that of any typical family vehicle, and its folding rear seat adds to the available storage space.

5) Safety

The 2009 Dodge Challenger's commitment to practicality and versatility includes attention to safety features. Its brakes and tires allow for fast, safe stopping. It achieved the highest possible marks in side, front and rollover crash protection for front and rear passengers alike. Front and side airbags are bolstered by advanced safety features such as traction control.

6) Quality

The materials used in the construction of the 2009 Dodge Challenger are of the highest quality. Its interior and exterior finish show an appreciation for detail. It shares a base with Chrysler's luxury sedans, which are renowned for their craftsmanship.

7) Collectability

The 2009 Dodge Challenger is a design and performance classic. It is already appreciated by collectors, and its value will only increase as it continues to attract a loyal and growing base of fans. This car is an investment that can be enjoyed on a regular basis, thanks to its practicality and toughness.

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