AUTOMOTIVE ARTICLES FOR JANUARY 2012
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Changing the Oil on Your Own:
The main concern of any car owner is how to change the oil and how much does the oil change cost. Obviously it is the cheapest to do it by yourself, however unless you are a very experienced gearhead it might be a bit problematic. All in all it will be around $20, but make sure you know what you are doing, as you will need things like latex gloves, funnels, drains, wrenches and so on. For one thing you will be going under the car and probably spend another twenty minutes trying to pry of the oil filter. Even if you were successful with everything you have to dispose of the used oil and you cannot just chuck it into the sewer system. It needs to be taken to the nearest service station, where they accept old oil.
Other Ways of Changing Oil:
Most people choose the nearby garage, where the local mechanic can take care of you issues. If you are a regular, he will remember you and won't rip you off and will provide superb services including the oil change, which will cost you around $35 to $40. Another alternative is your car dealership, where you will be paying the most. They do make the finest maintenance for the price of $50 or so, however all of the repairs and changes are recorded, so whenever you have a claim of warranty, it will come in handy. The last method would be getting your oil changed with the specialized chain store like Midas or Aamco. They do a good work, charge approximately $25-$30 and have a bad habit of upselling.
How Often One Must Change Oil:
It heavily depends on the oil you use. If you have conventional oil than to be on the safe side oil must be changed every six months or 3000 miles, even though it might say that it should be changed every year or 8000 miles. With the synthetic oil you should not concern yourself, since this kind of oil is used in cars that have an automatic reminder of when to change the oil.
Oil Change Deals:
You will be able to find countless coupons online not only for just oil change but for transmissions and tires. Currently Firestone, Midas, Jiffi Blue, Pennzoil and many more chain stores have deals. You can find printable coupons of $5 to $10 off or the percentage deduction with those stores. Make sure to take advantage of them as soon as possible as they normally expire quite quickly.
For more information on how to do an oil change and how you can save on oil change coupons 2012, for the detailed information follow to AutoInsuranceMonitor.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Austin_Jason_Cooper
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It's very unpleasant to sit in a car that has a bad odor, for the driver as well as the passenger. It's not difficult to remove odor from your car. There are many things you can do to keep your car smelling new and fresh all the time. Get into the habit of keeping your car clean and smelling fresh by following a few of the basic ideas below.
car seat covers not only protect your car but also give it a signature look. Go to http://www.thecarcover.com for car seat covers and other car accessories.
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By Mark Etinger
When cars were first introduced in the market, seatbelts weren't even mandatory. It's hard to believe people didn't worry so much about safety in their cars. Nowadays, you will be given a ticket if someone in your vehicle isn't wearing a seatbelt. But it always takes awhile before luxury features soon become the norm in every car. There are currently features out right now that are offered to those who can afford it, but I hope some of them become mandatory soon, for our own sake.
Cruise control does more than just give your foot a break from a long drive. Coupled with sensors and the use of radar, cruise control also adjusts the throttle and brakes to keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you when there are changes in traffic speed. Once any congestion has cleared up, the car will return to its original speed.
A wonderful feature that's been popping up on many luxury cars are blind spot and collision warnings. The car will immediately alert you of other cars or objects that are in your blind spot if you are trying to change lanes or to park. The system will either flash a light, cause the steering wheel or seat to vibrate, or sound an alarm to warn you. We all know how dangerous the blind spot can be and there would be far less accidents if everyone could afford this system in his or her car.
Similar to this system is a lane departure warning. Based on the car's speed and distance, the system will warn you of any danger when changing lanes. It can even determine if you are meandering between lanes, such as when you have fallen asleep at the wheel. Some can detect if you are falling asleep based on a change in posture and head position. It can then slow down the car.
A backup camera system is not new technology. It has been around for quite some time. However, when backup camera systems were first created, they were only available in more expensive cars. Now it is much easier and cheaper to create them and they are offered for just about every vehicle. However, a backup camera system is still not a mandatory feature already built into every vehicle.
Finally, there are occupant-sensitive airbags. Not every human is the same size or weight. Airbags can actually be very damaging to smaller and thinner adults. Sometimes the airbag does more damage than the crash itself. Occupant-sensitive airbags will deploy with the passenger in mind.
RearViewSafety.com is your source for commercial truck, trailer, and RV back up camera systems - we even do boats! Our vehicle backup camera technology has already helped thousands of autos reverse safely, including school buses, emergency vehicles, charter buses, cargo trucks, houseboats, and forklifts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Etinger
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Sometimes, it is inevitable to lose things which may look little but are actually important in our everyday lives such as keys. It is very easy to lose your car keys. You can be a responsible person and still manage to lose your own car key. It is very frustrating and nerve wracking experience. Fortunately there are few steps and reminders to be able to retrieve your car key.
First of all do not panic, panicking triggers the mind to be confused and you may find it hard to concentrate. Trying to remember the last place you saw your keys might do the trick. If you will not remember where the keys are you will have to find a professional auto locksmith company.
There are a lot of automobile locksmith who specializes in replacement car keys locally. The best way to find them is to go to google.com and just type automobile locksmith in combination with your local town where you live. Years ago locksmith had it easy, keys were cut out right there on the spot. Nowadays, some cars contain an encoded computer chip which makes your car key unique. Locksmiths nowadays are equipped with special hardware and software that will reprogram a replacement key to imitate that of the original key so that it will work. They are knowledgeable about the designs of most, if not all types and brands of vehicles and they simply cut the pattern on a replacement key and input a reprograms computer chip so that your car will think that the replacement key is original. It is important to choose a company with a lot of reviews to make sure they are professionals and know what they are doing customer service wise.
A replacement key can cost between 100-400 dollars and so there are monetary consequences to think about.
Another avenue you can take is to contact your car dealer. This is not the best option it can get pricey and cause inconvenience. This is because car dealers will make you tow the car to their place of business. Once the dealer receives your car, they require for you to prove your ownership over the car and you have to present documents to the car dealer. Finally it might take couple of weeks to receive your key, and sometime couple more days to reprogram it.
Normally, automobile locksmiths charge much cheaper than car dealers. Locksmiths are experts when it comes to car key replacements. They deal with those problems all day long and usually very good at key replacing services. However, couple of precautions when choosing a locksmith service. Automobile locksmiths should be equipped with training and skills and they must be well trained about automobile security. With the aid of security decoding machinery, automobile locksmiths are able to give assistance to car owners who are in trouble for losing car keys. A Car Key Locksmith not only helps with lost or stolen car keys, but can also take care of broken car keys, faulty locks, transponder key problems and lockouts.
For ore info go to Auto Locksmith Service Phoenix, AZ
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Evgeni_Goldin
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By Trey Dawson
Wiper blades are used to increase visibility while driving in extreme weather. If you do not have the right style, your visibility can be reduced which can be dangerous especially if you are driving in the rain or snow. There are very many types of wipers out there, but not all of them can function well on your car. Similarly, there are some which are more expensive than others. Below are some tips which will guide you in finding the best fit.
Determine the Best Type for your Vehicle
Before you begin shopping for wiper blades, you need to determine the type used on your car. You can do this by removing the wiper blades already installed and carry them to the store. That way, you will be able to get the exact blades you need. If you can't get the blades you need, you can always ask for help from the store owner.
Keep in Mind the Weather in Your Local Area
The weather should have an impact on the type of blades you choose. If you live in a place that is mostly warm throughout the year, you will need different blades as compared to a person who lives in a place that rains a lot or a place that snows a lot. Will you primarily be wiping rain, snow, or sleet?
Shop the Internet
This is the best and easiest way to get a good deal on windshield wipers. You can compare multiple stores with a few clicks without the pressure of a salesman. You can find several pairs of blades for under $10 on the net. You also have the benefit of reading customer review
Choose Standard Wiper Blades
Standard windshield wipers are also known as the all-weather kind. These are cost effective and get the job done under most circumstances. If you have little to spend and live in a mild climate, premium styles are probably not necessary.
Fins and Aerodynamic Arm
If you mostly travel at highway speeds in a rainy climate, it is advisable to choose a style that has fins and an aerodynamic arm, which provide down force that allows the blade to always be in contact with the glass.
Conclusion
These are just a few suggestions that can help you get the best windshield wipers for the money. Remember that technology has improved tremendously over the years so even the cheapest styles will work for most drivers. Don't fall for slick marketing campaigns!
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 Wipers, an interactive tool for helping people find the correct wiper size for their vehicles.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trey_Dawson
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By J Labens
As anyone who drives knows, a windshield wiper is a device that removes rain, snow, and other obstructions from your windshield. The device was originally invented in 1903 by a woman named Mary Anderson. Anderson rigged up the wipers so that they were operated by a lever that was controlled from inside the car.
Soon after, an Irishman named James Apjohn created a similar device that employed brushes that moved up and down over a windshield. The first automatic windshield wipers were invented by William M. Folberth. He applied for the patent in 1919 and received the patent in 1922. Trico Products, which is still around today, bought Folberth's company and proceeded to mass manufacturer windshield wipers.
Up until 1963, automatic windshield wipers worked constantly. If they were on, they were wiping. In 1963 a man named Robert Kearns came up with the idea of intermittent wipers. The idea was very popular, though Kearns was notoriously cheated out of the patent, as seen in the 2008 film Flash of Genius. Kearns sued Ford Motor Company in the late 1970's and he sued the Chrysler Corporation in 1982. The Ford case went to trial in 1990, the Chrysler case in 1992. Kearns won both. Because of his efforts, the modern windshield wiper was born.
In mild months, one can plan to replace their windshield wipers about every 6-10 months. In winter weather, more extreme measures need to be taken. Ever ran your windshield wipers over a windshield covered with ice and snow? The next time a regular rain hits your windshield wipers show you how damaged they are. There are streaks on your windshield, and the wipers don't get all the rain off.
The best way to handle winter months wiper-wise is to invest in winter windshield wiper blades. They are made of heavy steel in the arm part, and the squeegee is made of tough rubber, so that the wiper can withstand the strain of wiping off heavy snow, ice, and slush.
Another option is the heated windshield wiper blade. The rubber actually contains a heating element that melts ice and snow. This heating element is turned off and on by a switch, as the squeegee is actually wired up to a car's 12 volt electrical system. These handy wiper blades don't come cheap - you'll pay over $100 per set rather than the standard price of $30 per set for the standard non-heated silicone blades.
If you live in an area that has harsh, long winters, heated wiper blades might be a good investment. One fell swoop of a standard wiper blade over a sheet of ice can ruin a perfectly good, brand-new set of silicone blades, so why not have a set of heated ones on hand for those frigid months? The newer heated blades are fairly easy to install, so if you're in a situation where you'd normally buy winter tires, you may as well buy some winter wiper blades as well. You can never be too safe in the winter months.
Jack Labens works for Empire Covers, a leading provider of car covers and accessories such as truck covers and truck bed covers. Empire Covers can be found online at: EmpireCovers.com or at their blog EmpireCovers-Blog.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_Labens
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That’s All For This Monthj…
Hope these helped!
Davy