April 3, 2008

Essential Benefits To Having A Car Alarm Installed In Corporate Fleet Vehicles

Every fleet manager aspires to reduce the cost of fleet operation to improve the bottom line. Car alarms and vehicle security is an important part of this mandate. Company personnel depend on having access to reliable transport to be able to meet new clients, deliver products and attend important business events. Cars that end up stolen diminish productivity, can result in a loss of business opportunity and can necessitate costly replacement or retrieval costs. Fitting cars with a vehicle monitoring alarm makes good business and security sense to deter theft and protect company vehicle assets. The following article looks further into some of the advantages to having a car alarm installed.

It's no secret that a car thief prefers to choose an easy target. Cars that do not have any form of vehicle security are much easier targets than cars that have either an alarm or immobilizer installed. Whilst a car alarm won't necessarily prevent a thief from smashing a car window to lift valuable property from the inside of the vehicle, many thieves will do a runner if they are startled by the sudden noise created by an alarm siren going off. Even if the thief does choose to proceed with car theft the crime could be short lived when the noise arouses sufficient attention. Many cars come pre-fitted with factory installed alarms but with the cost of alarms now very affordable, cars that are not sufficiently protected may be entitled to an insurance premium reduction should you decide to install an alarm in the vehicle.

Have you ever been unable to locate your vehicle in bad weather or been presented with the challenge of locating your vehicle in a sprawling car park? Many car alarms allow you to setoff the alarm manually from the push of a button. This is a cheeky way to locate your car. Whilst I am sure that passing pedestrians won't be overly impressed it can be a lifesaver if a blizzard impairs your visibility or you simply can't find the location of your vehicle in the car park.

Do you live in an unsavory neighborhood or have to resort to using street parking late at night? Besides acting as a theft deterrent, car alarms are also a great personal security aid. Many females who feel vulnerable to this type of situation can greatly benefit from knowing they have the option to set off an alarm if there personal security is threatened. There is nothing more disconcerting to a potential offender than being startled in the middle of trying to perpetrate a crime. It could be just what you need to take your personal safety to the next level.

Technology advancements in car alarms now result in several additional security features. With built in vehicle tracking, some alarms now posses GPS capability which permits an almost instantaneous pinpointing of a stolen vehicle. This not only aids quick recovery but can result in the capture of the offender. More advanced alarms now have mobile capability which allows the end user to exercise certain controls over the vehicles capability. This can include immobilizing a moving vehicle whilst it is in a stationary position.

A car alarm is a precautionary measure that is often difficult to put a value on. You never know when you could be a victim of crime and whether the act will take place at a crucial point in your career. By having an alarm installed you put your best efforts forward to protect your property. When it comes to disposing of the vehicle, an alarm is a feature that will also allow you to realize greater vehicle resale value.

By Andrew Winthorp

Car Safety Tips for a Safe Journey

Before you use your vehicle, it is best to observe some car safety tips before starting out. Your diligence in making sure of standard automobile safety checks before traveling is the best preventive measure to avoid motor accidents.

Check the radiator water level of the car as a first step. Some car owners just assume that there is enough water in their radiators, only to be surprised when the temperature gauge in the car's dashboard starts shooting up. Do not wait for an accident like this to come your way; it is not easy to open the hood of the car and the radiator cap, once the engine is overheated. Some nasty accidents of scalding with boiling water can hit you, if you do not take precaution in opening that radiator cap! Things could be worse if you have no backup container in the car with some water, and you are in the middle of a highway in the desert!

When starting your car's engine, do not forget to put the transmission gear to neutral. This ensures that as the engine comes to life it functions normally, avoiding any unusual "jumping" or abrupt movement, as what happens if the transmission is on first or second gear, that may cause unnecessary accidents.

After the car's engine is started and you forgot to do a task back in the house that will require you to get out of the car to attend to it, be sure to put the hand brakes on, if you leave the engine running.

If there are small children with you in the car, it is best to put the engine off even if the car is on neutral, before leaving the vehicle to return to the house. This is to avoid incidents of the kids unknowingly pulling the transmission lever, as kids are wont to do, active and restless as they normally are. An innocent hand's pull on the lever might cause the car to move abruptly, if the transmission is suddenly in first or second gear without the presence of the adult driving the car.

Before you move out of the garage to start your trip on the road, see to it that everybody with you in the car fastened the seat belts properly. Adults should supervise strictly the fastening of the seat belts for the children.

Make sure in locking the doors properly especially if kids are traveling with you in the car. This is to prevent the accidental opening of the car doors while the vehicle is in motion. Keep away the kids from the doors as much as possible.

Ensure positioning the rear view mirrors of your car correctly to enable you to have a good view of the rear of your car, especially the vehicular traffic following you. Before picking up some speed, make it a habit to check if the car brakes are working well, by testing them as you move slowly forward.

There is one other thing to re-check before you proceed with that trip. See if the fuel gauge does not indicate a need to pass by the gasoline station for some refill of your tank. That, finally, should complete your list of mandatory things to do for your journey.

Find the best deal on the auto insurance coverage you need. Visit us today for money-saving tips and receive free quotes for cheap car insurance for young drivers from respected insurance companies.


By Levi Quinn

April 2, 2008

Essential Benefits To Having A Car Alarm Installed In Corporate Fleet Vehicles

Every fleet manager aspires to reduce the cost of fleet operation to improve the bottom line. Car alarms and vehicle security is an important part of this mandate. Company personnel depend on having access to reliable transport to be able to meet new clients, deliver products and attend important business events. Cars that end up stolen diminish productivity, can result in a loss of business opportunity and can necessitate costly replacement or retrieval costs. Fitting cars with a vehicle monitoring alarm makes good business and security sense to deter theft and protect company vehicle assets. The following article looks further into some of the advantages to having a car alarm installed.

It's no secret that a car thief prefers to choose an easy target. Cars that do not have any form of vehicle security are much easier targets than cars that have either an alarm or immobilizer installed. Whilst a car alarm won't necessarily prevent a thief from smashing a car window to lift valuable property from the inside of the vehicle, many thieves will do a runner if they are startled by the sudden noise created by an alarm siren going off. Even if the thief does choose to proceed with car theft the crime could be short lived when the noise arouses sufficient attention. Many cars come pre-fitted with factory installed alarms but with the cost of alarms now very affordable, cars that are not sufficiently protected may be entitled to an insurance premium reduction should you decide to install an alarm in the vehicle.

Have you ever been unable to locate your vehicle in bad weather or been presented with the challenge of locating your vehicle in a sprawling car park? Many car alarms allow you to setoff the alarm manually from the push of a button. This is a cheeky way to locate your car. Whilst I am sure that passing pedestrians won't be overly impressed it can be a lifesaver if a blizzard impairs your visibility or you simply can't find the location of your vehicle in the car park.

Do you live in an unsavory neighborhood or have to resort to using street parking late at night? Besides acting as a theft deterrent, car alarms are also a great personal security aid. Many females who feel vulnerable to this type of situation can greatly benefit from knowing they have the option to set off an alarm if there personal security is threatened. There is nothing more disconcerting to a potential offender than being startled in the middle of trying to perpetrate a crime. It could be just what you need to take your personal safety to the next level.

Technology advancements in car alarms now result in several additional security features. With built in vehicle tracking, some alarms now posses GPS capability which permits an almost instantaneous pinpointing of a stolen vehicle. This not only aids quick recovery but can result in the capture of the offender. More advanced alarms now have mobile capability which allows the end user to exercise certain controls over the vehicles capability. This can include immobilizing a moving vehicle whilst it is in a stationary position.

A car alarm is a precautionary measure that is often difficult to put a value on. You never know when you could be a victim of crime and whether the act will take place at a crucial point in your career. By having an alarm installed you put your best efforts forward to protect your property. When it comes to disposing of the vehicle, an alarm is a feature that will also allow you to realize greater vehicle resale value.

Andrew Winthorp owns and operates http://www.autoalarmsystemonline.com - Automotive Alarm System. Learn more about vehicle monitoring alarms and their benefits.


By Andrew Winthorp

Accidental Airbag Deployment

Airbags are one of the most important inventions when it comes to car safety in case of an accident. These inflatable bags are meant to prevent the driver's and the passenger's bodies from hitting the dashboard and the steering when an accident occurs.

Nevertheless, even if airbags have saved many lives over the years, the system is not perfect and there have been numerous cases in which accidental airbag deployment has caused more harm than good and injured severely the passengers.

Modern cars are more and more complex and have tens or even hundreds or onboard computers. However, with the increase of the number of electronic devices inside a car, the chances that something might go wrong increase greatly.

The main causes for accidental airbag deployment are human error or problems within the system, but in both cases the results can be quite severe. There are several ways to deactivate the airbags. You need to disconnect the battery for 10 to 20 minutes so the airbag's back-up battery is depleted too.

Airbag manufacturers include a back-up battery with their systems so the airbag would deploy even if the car's battery is damaged in a crash. The situation is more complicated with hybrid cars, that store great amounts of electricity on board and deactivating the airbags in a hybrid car should only be done in specialized shops.

When airbags are developed, they are meant to deploy after the on board computer calculates a series of forces, such as the inertial and gravitational force as well as decelerating speeds.

If any of the pre-established conditions are not met, the airbags will not deploy. Installing after market equipment on your car can interfere with the airbag's proper deployment method. Al the cars' buyer's guides will tell you to leave free the zone in front of the airbag, but there are people that install other objects in this area, such as mobile phone chargers and supports, i-pod docking stations or other such objects that will be in the airbag's way in case of an accident.

In more rare cases, the owner has performed a series of electrical modifications to the car's system that have interfered with the airbag's deployment mechanism. These are the main reasons that are cataloged as human involvement to accidental airbag deployment. There can also be manufacturer defects that can prevent the airbags from deploying correctly. Any serious repair shops can tell you after a computerized test if the airbag system is working correctly.

Finally, an airbag can deploy accidentally due to environmental conditions, such as operating the car in very wet or very dusty conditions for a long time. There are a series of tips that should be respected if you want to maintain your car's airbag system. First, if you need to do any kind of electrical operation, never work on the car unless you have disconnected the battery. If you ever need to deactivate the airbags, follow exactly the manufacturer's indications or go to a specialized shop. They will be able to re-connect it again and to assure you the airbag system will work properly in the future. When replacing any parts on the car, always use new and sealed factory parts. These parts have a warranty and you can be sure they are not old, rusted or defective.

Dennis runs Car Dealer Check which has reviews on Missouri Car Dealers including St. Louis Car Dealers.

By Dennis J James

April 1, 2008

The Secret of Salvage Car Sales

How can you get a car?

If you need a vehicle, certainly, then you purchase it. Nevertheless, there is a great deal of various methods how and where you can buy a vehicle. You have an opportunity to purchase a brand new model right from a showroom. Then you will buy an absolutely unused vehicle. You can have it used, if you don't have enough money to buy a new one. Then you go to dealers or straight to car-owners. You can also turn to government auctions where they sell used vehicles. Or the last but least, you have a great possibility to purchase a car online at salvage car sales. And that is the quickest way to get a car. So it's up to you to choose from various alternatives. Tastes differ and every person will prefer something which really suits him. Let me give you some pieces of interviews where people say how they obtain their vehicles.

Different choices of different people.

"I prefer a car to be absolutely new, even brand new. I am afraid just of a thought that some person could have driven my car before. So I claim that my only choice is a new car. Since I don't change vehicles very frequently (if it satisfies me), I can enjoy an absolutely new car of a high quality."

"For many years already I have been buying used vehicles at salvage car sales. The reason for it is quite simple: I'm fond of making different things with my own hands. And my new passion is rebuilding of cars. How does it happen? I buy a used vehicle and reconstruct it modifying a car in a new way. I really like it. And my modified cars seem to me much better than those new "beauties" right from a showroom."

"I like to change cars every often. When I am all beat up of one and the same car and when I wish something new, I have my car sold and then I purchase another car. Unfortunately, I am always in shortage of money, so after selling my old car I can't buy a new one. However, I have found the solution of the problem. I purchase used vehicles at salvage car sales. The prices at these sales are quite affordable. And condition of cars is rather good. I have never seen broken-down vehicles or completely worn-up jalopies. So buying a car there gives me an opportunity to enjoy myself with a nice and cheap vehicle."

http://www.theseizedcar.info

By Septimus Smith

Choosing The Right Wheels And Tires For Your Vehicle

Choosing the right set of wheels and tires is more than just making your vehicle look cool. More importantly, they help in improving the performance of your vehicle. And although you might not appreciate that fact during your normal everyday driving, you will when you drive your car out in extreme conditions.

This article will help you decide on which wheels and tires to choose for your particular driving condition. Again, it's all about helping your vehicle achieve its maximum performance. So read on and be informed!

1. If you wish to replace your vehicle's set of wheels, you have two options. One, there's the trusty old steel wheels and then there's the alloy wheels. Steel wheels are the cheaper because they are easier manufactured than alloy wheels. But the heftier price tag of alloy wheels is due to the fact that they help your car perform better since they are lighter and far stronger than steel ones.

2. Another thing you should consider when buying a set of wheels is the size. Most cars come in with 15" wheels. It is your choice, however, if you wish to stick with it or go for larger ones like 16" and 17" wheels.

Larger wheels are preferred by aftermarket parts enthusiasts because they look better. But more than that, larger wheels provide more traction to your vehicle when cornering. The downside, however, is that larger wheels can be easily damaged in rough roads compared to smaller ones.

3. As for the tires, the size of your tire will depend of course on the size of your wheel. But more than the issue of size, there are other things that you need to consider when buying a tire for your vehicle.

At the top of the list of your consideration should be on what kind of condition you are planning to drive your vehicle. There are wheels that are designed for particular weather conditions like winter and those in heavy rain. It would help if you know the typical weather conditions in your area so that it will be easier to find the right set of tires for your particular needs.

4. Tire manufacturers would advice you to rotate your tires every so often so that your tires will wear out evenly. Somewhere between 3,000 to 5,000 miles would be a good distance travelled before you rotate your tires.

For vehicles with tires that all have the same size, there's what's called four-wheel and five-wheel rotation patterns, wherein the latter also includes the spare tire in the rotation. Evenly-worn tires help your vehicle's performance a lot especially in terms of traction.

All in all, it's more than just the looks you need to consider when it comes to buying the right wheels and tires for your vehicle. Keep in mind that getting the right wheels is all about improving your vehicle's performance.

Visit our new wheels and tires blog to learn everything you need to know about getting your car to be a real looker!


By Travis K

March 31, 2008

Buying Cheap Cars At Online Public Auto Auctions

We all want to get a good deal on our next car but most of us dread the idea of going to the local dealership and playing the car price haggling game. The problem is that no matter how great a deal you think you got your still paying to much because car dealers are not in the business of losing money. If you want to truly save money then you might want to try one of the many online public auto auctions taking place near you.

The beauty of the online car auction is the choice of vehicles available. You will find all makes, models, and model years being sold at prices well below their stated Blue Book value. Cars, trucks, SUVs, boats, RVs, motorcycles, ATVs, and just about anything else with wheels can be had at these free public auctions for a fraction of their marketable price.

So what's the first thing you need to do if you want to buy a car at an auction? You need to find an auction that's relatively close to you. It comes down to how far do you want to travel to get the car you want. This is what makes the online auction portals so valuable.

By going online you can not only determine when and where the nearest auto auction is you can also search for and find the kind of car, truck, or SUV you are interested in buying. Not only can you find that vehicle you can also do background research on it to see if it has ever been in an accident, where it came from, and how well it appears to have been taken care of. You can also run a VIN check to make sure there is not a problem with the title.

The internet auctions sites will also provide you with tips and tricks for successfully navigating your way through an actual auction. For first timers it can be quite intimidating until you get the hang of what you need to do. There are also certain guidelines or rules that need to be adhered to when attending an auction. Knowing what to expect and how to go about the business of finding and bidding on a new car makes the experience that much more enjoyable.

There are really good deals on cars out there, you just have to put in some time to find and research the car you've been looking for. Online public auto auctions can help you find that car with a minimum of hassle and a great chance of success.

To learn more about buying cheap cars at online public auto auctions near you please Click Here for more information about online car auctions

By Andrew Bicknell

Saving Gas And Increasing MPG With Some Tips and Accessories

Gas prices, as everyone knows, continue to climb higher and higher, with no end in sight. In California, it is common to see the lowest grade gasoline reach above $3.50 per gallon, with premium grade reaching over $3.80! Diesel is already above $4! This is clearly insanity and can be blamed on a number of factors, but the fact remains that the average joe has to get back and forth from work. If you live in a highway dominant state such as California, this pinch at the pump is tough to bear. One of my friends drives a ford f-350, which is a fine truck to be sure, but not the best when it comes to mpg. He didn't take care of the vehicle and on its worst day, got only 11 mpg! He was extremely jealous of my tiny Honda civic which got around 30 mpg and while not the coolest vehicle around, still only had to be filled every two weeks.

I remember when I used to live in Las Vegas, the story was very different. There, the city was smaller and there was only one main freeway, the 215, which encircled the city. This freeway was far from stressful, and combined with surface streets was sufficient to reach anywhere on west of the strip quickly and easily. When I moved to San Diego, the story was very different. Though far from the nightmare driving of LA, I was still quickly introduced to such things as carpool lanes, ramp lights, and hopping on three freeways to get to work. Freeway driving burns fuel efficiently when compared to regular city driving, but driving these longer distances made me want to increase efficiency further. So here are a few tips:

- Use cruise control - If you're going to be driving a long distance at a constant speed, using cruise control will allow your car to maintain a speed and feed fuel at an efficient rate.

- Change your air filter. Changing your air filter has can increase your car's mpg by up to 10%. This is a quick and easy change which can be done by anyone, usually for under $20. Generally, it is good to perform this change about once a year. Often your mechanic will remind you of this during an oil change.

- Use your car's momentum - This one may sound obvious, but the less you press your gas pedal, the less gas you will use! It is beneficial allow your car to pick up speed when rolling down a hill and use the momentum. You can also pump the pedal to increase speed, rather than flooring the gas. Let those other guys pass you! They'll feel it when its time to fill up...

- Purchase parts which add mpg. There is a whole industry devoted to selling parts which will enhance both performance and mpg. For example, adding a truck tuner has the potential to increase horsepower, torque and mileage.

- Keep your tires inflated to the right pressure. This is a minor change, but has the potential to slightly increase mpg.

So the moral of the story: take time to care for your vehicle and your wallet will thank you!

If you're planning on investing in some new mods, it is important to invest in Brand Name Accessories, brands such as K&N and Thule

By Andrew Bernhardt

March 30, 2008

Fulfill Your Dream of Owning a Luxury Car With Infiniti Used Car

We often consider a car to be a boy's toy but with the emerging trend of economically independent and successful women being on the rise, this may not be true for too long. After all, who would not desire a stylishly designed, comfortable and luxurious car and hence gender definitely does not have a role to play in this fascination with luxury cars. In this category of luxury cars, the manufacturers at Nissan have already made a name for themselves and now just their name is sufficient to assure any customer about the quality, style, standard, comfort of the car and it is one of the most preferred names in the category of luxury cars. However, like any other item that has a high demand and caters to a certain segment of society, the luxury cars also have a high price tag attached to them and beyond the reach of everyone. Infiniti used, therefore, makes it possible for anyone to fulfill their dream of owning a luxury car and that too, without burning a hole in their pocket.

Infiniti used, although it is the category of second hand cars, does not reduce the prestige of owning this branded car in any way. In fact, it gives the owner the best of both the worlds, superior quality but at a cost much lesser than the original price of the car. The financial benefit for you, when you opt for an Infiniti used, is that the dealer providing this luxury car will also have a number of financial schemes to help you purchase the car of your dreams without a financial constraint on your household budget. The installment schemes offered by the dealer enable you to select a car according to your preference, style, color, design and features as you need not pay for the car at one go but through monthly installments over a fixed period of time.

When you opt for an Infiniti used, you can have the assurance that the car which you are purchasing will be of a high quality and standard and must have been maintained well by the previous owner as it belongs to the luxury car segment. Most people buying a car of this manufacturer treat it as a cherished possession hence when you buy a second hand car from this dealer; you get value for money on your purchase. So, in the bargain you get the latest gadgets, high level of comfort and a luxurious driving experience overall when you opt for a luxury car.

Once you have decided on purchasing an Infiniti used car, then the very first requirement would be to locate a reputable dealer who has a wide range in his collection. The best ways to locate such a dealer would be through the yellow pages or through the online websites on the internet. Also, buying a luxury car should be a well thought out decision as the car is going to be your possession for quite some time to come so make sure you have carefully examined the car, available accessories in case you need future replacements and every other detail. If chosen carefully, a luxury car from this manufacturer can bring you much satisfaction and status.

Tim Johrer has a special interest towards luxury cars and knows that the level of class defines luxury cars.He provides information to customers about different range of Infiniti cars. For more information related to Infiniti, Infiniti used, Infiniti Nassau, Infiniti part, Infiniti Bronx, Infinti QX56, Long island infiniti visit http://www.infinitiofmanhasset.com


By Tim Johrer

Getting Better Gas Mileage

With the continuous increase in gas prices these days, finding ways to increase gas mileage and save an extra dollar in the pocket has become top priority. If you want to increase your fuel efficiency, here are some items to take into consideration:




Tires: If your tires are underinflated, you could be losing up to one mile per gallon of gasoline. Tires should be inflated according to the pressure specified by your car manufacturer and should be checked often, when the tires are cold. If the wear on your tires is irregular, have the wheel alignment checked. Radial tires are preferable to bias-ply tires because they improve mileage by 3 to 6 percent.


Tune-Up: Poorly running engines consume gas. A tune-up can increase your mileage by as much as 20 percent.


Speed: Most cars get the best mileage at a cruising speed between 35 and 45 mph. Also driving at 55 mph instead of 65 mph can increase the mileage by three to five miles per gallon.


Extra weight: Unnecessary items carried around in your trunk and back seat or on top of your car (e.g., a luggage rack), are costing you miles. Get rid of heavy items; a weight loss of 100 pounds can result in a mileage gain of up to one mile per gallon.


Air Conditioning: When you don't need it, don't use it. Your gas consumption increases 5 to 20 percent with the air conditioner on.


Driving Techniques: Frequent starts and stops waste gas. Gentle acceleration is better than rapid acceleration. Excessive engine idling is also a gas guzzler.


New Car: If gas mileage is a major concern, remember that smaller engines are more fuel efficient. Manual transmissions usually get better mileage than automatic transmissions; an overdrive gear on either type of transmission will save gas. Power options like power steering and brakes as well as trim options like undercoating add weight to the car and will decrease your gas mileage.


Octane Ratings: Using gasoline with a higher octane rating will not improve your gas mileage. Use the octane level recommended in your car owner's manual.

KiyaSama is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers.

By Kiya Sama