Archive for Road Busters
June 8, 2008 at 3:08 pm · Filed under Road Busters
With gas prices sky high most individuals who drive are interested in ways they can make their car more fuel efficient and save as much money as possible. While there are no fuel saving tips that will keep your car full of gas without filling up, there are some tips that really can help you save money on fuel over the long run. All of these tips focus on making your car more fuel efficient.
Fuel Efficiency Tip #1 Drive When You Crank Up
This might seem obvious, but as soon as you crank up your car you should drive off. However, many people crank up and leave the car idling for a while. Instead of this, when you crank up drive off and only keep your car running when it is absolutely necessary.
Fuel Efficiency Tip #2 Don’t Ride the Break
Many drivers hit the break more often than is necessary. Additionally there are quite a few drivers that slow down for a braking car when they could easily switch lanes. Not riding the break can increase your fuel efficiency by up to 30%, so this is a great tip you should follow.
Fuel Efficiency Tip #3 Turn Off Your Car
If you are going to be stopping for more than 10 minutes you should switch off your car to keep fuel efficiency at its peak and not burn more gas than is necessary.
Fuel Efficiency Tip #4 Don’t Turn Off Your Car
If you are only stopping for a brief moment or less than 5 minutes then don’t turn off your car because the amount of gas used to crank up is more than you would burn in that short period of time.
Fuel Efficiency Tip #5 Inflate Tires Properly
Too many drivers never think of their tires, unless one goes flat. However, having tires that are properly inflated can save fuel and make your car more fuel efficient, saving you money. Because of this, you should check your tire pressure on a regular basis.
While gas prices don’t seem like they will be dipping considerably in the next few months every tip to help you make your car more fuel efficient is helpful. So, follow the above fuel tips and you will see that over time your car really is more fuel efficient.
SearchArticles.Net offers articles, tips and information on a variety of subjects including cars and trucks. For more tips for your car visit www.SearchArticles.Net
May 16, 2008 at 1:03 pm · Filed under Road Busters
Every Hummer has been originally built around a military vehicle. This is pretty obvious from a first glance, as it looks like a top of the range kitted up army truck. It originates from the Humvee, which is the shortened more commonly heard of version of the M998 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or abbreviated HMMWV. The Hummer range is manufactured by AM General and marketed by General Motors.
There have been several Hummers to hit the market, including Hummer limousines. Unbelievable, if the Hummer wasn’t beastie enough, they decided to bring out a Hummer limo as well. The limo can be up to 38 feet inside, hold up to 24 passengers, and just simply takes over the road. Many are equipped with Jacuzzi’s, climate control, privacy screen, tinted windows, CD/DVD-players, flat screen TVs , stocked bar’s, and you name it the list goes on, as well as all the other gadgets you could dream of. They are based off the Hummer 2, and are just a stretched version with added extras.
The latest model of the Hummer - the Hummer H3 is the new light weight, smaller sized Hummer, and it has hit the world in style. Build for consumers who need an SUV for everyday life, the Hummer H3 is more of a family Hummer, and therefore for more of an ideal Hummer than the original ones.
Designed by top professionals, it has again been equipped with some of the best off road handling abilities on the market. Great for wading on the dirt track, and fantastic off road, its 37.5 degree angle approach is a tough one to match.
Due to popular demand the Hummer 3 is available in a wide range of 8 different colors, as well as 6 colors for the interior. As always the Hummer is loaded with gadgets and extras available, allowing you to be king or queen of the road.
More information on the Hummer H3 can be found at the authors website at http://www.hummer-h3.info.
April 26, 2008 at 4:58 pm · Filed under Road Busters
Dealing with an Overheated Radiator
Overheating is one of the most common breakdowns that autos
encounter during the summer season. It happens when the
temperature of the coolant exceeds the normal operating
temperature range of the engine. Overheating has many causes.
Idling under hot weather for prolonged periods can wreak havoc
on the cars cooling system, because the water pump doesn’t turn
fast enough. Thus the coolant is not circulated, as it should
be. Sometimes a leak may cause the coolant level to drop thus
causing the radiator to overheat. Here are a few pointers for
dealing with an overheated radiator:
1.Turn off the A/C. If the car is not seriously overheating,
this will reduce the engine’s temperature. The AC evaporator is
located in front of the radiator, and it adds heat to the air
going to your engine. The hotter the incoming air is, the less
efficient the radiator will be.
2.Turn on your heater (set on highest temperature setting, with
blower on highest setting). This will be uncomfortable for you,
but it will cool the engine by transferring the heat to the air.
Roll down the windows, and remember how ‘hot’ you’ll get if your
engine needs replacement!
3.If you’re stuck in traffic, pull over and stop. Unless you’re
moving, very little cool air reaches the radiator. Open the hood
and let the engine cool off. This takes time, so be patient. Use
the time to go get a jug of water or antifreeze.
4.Check the overflow tank coolant level. If it’s empty, the
radiator is probably low on coolant.
5.Check the pressure of the system by wrapping a cloth around
the upper radiator hose and squeezing it. If it’s still under
pressure (hot) it will not squeeze easily. Wait until it does.
6.Place a large cloth over the radiator cap, and carefully
release the pressure. Serious burns can result from the hot
coolant. If in doubt, wait until the engine cools completely.
7.If the coolant is low, start the engine, and slowly add the
water or coolant necessary to fill it up. The engine must be
running. Adding coolant to a warm engine can crack the block. By
running the engine, the coolant keeps moving and reduces the
chances of this type of damage occurring.
Radiators are
indispensable parts of any cooling system. They are designed to
dissipate the heat, which the coolant has absorbed from the
engine. However, like all auto parts, radiators are prone to
damage and corrosion. As it is mostly made of metal and is in
constant contact with liquids, radiators can break down over
time due to corrosive forces. Defective radiators can spell doom
for any engine. Irreparable damage can result if a
malfunctioning radiator is not repaired or replaced immediately.
If your radiator needs to be replaced, you can find aftermarket
radiators that are more affordable but are nonetheless excellent
in quality. Replacement radiators are available from the best
auto parts suppliers online such as Auto Parts Inner. You can find top
quality aftermarket Chevrolet Radiators for
your Chevrolet automobile at very low prices. Not only that,
they also have a wide array of Chevrolet Parts including Chevrolet A/C
condensers, Chevrolet bumpers,
Chevrolet catalytic converters, Chevrolet headlights,
Chevrolet floor mats and other important Chevrolet parts. Auto Parts Inner’s array of top of
the line Chevrolet parts are sourced from the most trusted auto
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Inner pass the stringent quality control standards that the
company, a well-known resource of useful and relevant
information, has set up.
April 13, 2008 at 11:34 pm · Filed under Road Busters
What do sky high fuel prices, flashy cars, whale blubber, and ‘tree-huggers’ have in common? Not sure? Me neither, but they’re the subject of this article.
Crude oil prices have reached an all time high. At the time of writing, a barrel of crude oil cost $42 USD. But we shouldn’t feel too bad, even though gasoline prices here in Canada are fluctuating around the $1 per litre point. In the UK (my home land) they’re handing over about $2.60 for a litre of gas… and we thought we had it rough.
— Ouch!
In fact, the soaring price of gas in the UK might spark a country-wide series of protests similar to those that paralysed the UK in early 2000. I suppose the question we might ask is are we facing a similar threat here in Canada? Somehow I doubt it, we’re just too polite.
In a completely unofficial poll, randomly conducted, I asked a few friends what they thought. Regrettably the responses to the gasoline price increases are unprintable.
— @#$%&*!
Seriously though, all joking aside, while many people didn’t really flinch as prices crept up during the past six months, signs are now evident that some folks are feeling the squeeze. And of course, as you’d expect those in the lower income brackets are the first to feel the pinch.
Ironically the media has been speculating about the impact on the sales of bigger vehicles such as SUV’s. To date there is a general feeling that if you can afford an SUV (or some other monster truck) a few extra dollars for a tank of gas is not your principal concern.
I’m not sure I agree with this. Bigger vehicles often have bigger tanks (100 litre tanks are not unusual), so a price hike of $0.20 is still an extra $20. Add that to a tank of gas that already costs you $80 and it’s getting pricey. I’ve owned small cars and big cars. I still don’t like it when the gas prices jump up. $20 is still $20 - I could have done other things with that money…Like buy lottery tickets or half a dozen Starbucks coffees.
Of course the ‘tree huggers’ (that’s not my terminology - I’ve borrowed it from the media) who are more environmentally conscious and focus on consuming limited resources, well … they’re making quite a lot of noise about it. They’re saying we should conserve fuel, make it last.
— An Energy Crisis
They’re saying that if we continue on this course we’ll undoubtedly face an energy crisis.
Well I have good news. There will NEVER be an energy crisis…and I can prove it. It’s called The First Law of Thermodynamics. Simply put it states that energy cannot be destroyed or created, merely changed from one form into another.
And since crude oil is a form of energy that we transform into another form of energy, then what we really face (if we continuing consuming it) is a format shortage or a ‘crude oil shortage.’
— Whale Blubber
But that was on the cards from the beginning. We knew that crude oil couldn’t last because it was a fossil fuel. Prior to the early 1900’s we were carving up whales for oil, we didn’t have cars to consume it back then so we used it for heating, lighting and other more mundane uses. Rumour has it the whales got upset and decided to stop cooperating and so we went in search of alternatives.
It’s a fact, we’re going to run out of crude oil eventually. And while supply dwindles and demand stays high (or climbs) the prices will reflect that. Until someone develops a new way to synthesize crude oil, or create a new fuel for cars or even a new form of combustion engine. Wouldn’t that be fun!
I don’t know about you, but watching the way it all unfolds is pretty interesting, I just hope it all last longer than 60 seconds.
Author: http://www.JamesBurchill.com
April 8, 2008 at 12:22 am · Filed under Road Busters
Sure, most auto salespersons are honest folks but there are also too many of them who like to cheat their way to profits. Here are the top 5 scams that you absolutely must avoid or you could be paying way too much for your car.
1. The dealer sells you a car and allows you to take it home on the spot. You finance your car through them but a few days later, the dealer calls and tells you that your financing has been rejected. You’re then told to re-apply your financing through them at a much higher cost (meaning a much higher profit to them). Arrange your own finance or if you must do it with them, don’t take the car home immediately. Wait until the financing is completed first.
2. The dealer offers to window etch the VIN in your car window. The cost ranging from $300 to $1,000. When truth is, any decent auto parts store will have the DIY window etching kit and it only costs $20.
3. The dealer charges you a preparation fee, sometimes even as high as $500, just to peel off the plastic protection, test drive and put in the fuses. Most MSRP stickers indicate that these costs have already been covered by the manufacturers. Be sure to point this out to the dealers if you’re asked for the preparation fee.
4. The dealer tells you that your car is a very popular one and so to sell you the car they have to add “Market Adjustment Fees” of thousands dollars. Yes, a car can be popular, but if it’s in stock, it’s not worth paying extra. You should never pay for than the manufacturer’s MSRP.
5. When you take a loan on your car, the dealer will say that you have to purchase an extended warranty as the bank requires it. Avoid it by asking the dealer to write down in papers that it’s required for the loan and in a flash, the dealer will most likely find some excuse to remove it as a requirement. The extended warranty is a great thing to have but you can get a far better deals elsewhere but not from the dealers!
If you are looking to buy a Ford car, I advise you to do your homework. Don’t forget to check out our
Ford Taurus Amarillo. We have the best car buying tips.
verapol chaiyapin
April 5, 2008 at 7:24 pm · Filed under Road Busters
Let’s face it “Bigger is Better” when you’re looking for a grille guard to protect the front of your truck or Sport Utility Vehicle. Go Industries Big Tex Grille Guard, one of the biggest available, has proven itself in the market for a number of years now, and continues to enjoy a devoted following. Not only does the increased diameter tubing used on the Big Tex compliment many of today’s larger pickup trucks and SUVs, it also provides substantially more protection from damage resulting from highway mishaps such as hitting deer or other wild animals.
The Big Tex Grille Guard is constructed of a one-piece tubular frame using massive 1.9″, 14-gauge steel. The uprights are contoured to fit each bumper for maximum strength and are made from die formed heavy-duty 11-gauge steel, with a heavy-duty rubber push pad protecting the full length of each upright. These guards come in either duplex nickel chrome plating or black powder coated finish, and they feature auxiliary light tabs to which you can mount multiple off-road lights. With external welds and a sturdy design the Big Tex is definitely heavy duty, and it also is very easy to install. In fact, installation is pretty straightforward, and by using sturdy factory mounting points this grille guard is not only functional, but you can probably install one in about one hour or less.
You know an installation is going to be pretty easy when the mounting kit only has two brackets and eight bolts. In fact, you can just imagine how easy it is based upon the installation procedure for a Ford Super Duty truck described in the following few paragraphs.
- Looking at the front of the vehicle you will see right and left tow hooks.
- Starting with either side, loosen the two black bumper bolts that are located to the outside of the tow hook. Loosen them just enough to allow you to slide the L-shaped mounting bracket behind the two screws, with the back of the L facing the tow hook.
- Once in place, finger tighten the bolts so the mounting bracket will stay in place.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the other side.
- Because the grille guard bracket holes are already threaded, attaching the uprights is easy. Fasten the uprights to the brackets with the bolts provided - do not fully tighten.
- Attach the cross bars of the grille and brush guard to the rear of the uprights using the bolts provided - again do not overly tighten but provide enough give to allow yourself the ability to align all parts prior to final tightening.
- Adjust all connections so that proper alignment is achieved, and finally tighten all bolts using a socket wrench.
That’s all there is to it. The GO Industries Big Tex Grille Guard not only installs easily, but it also keeps your tow hooks fully accessible - a great benefit when you’re off-roading escapades require a little help to get moving again.
Manufactured in the United States, the chrome version of the Go Industries Big Tex Grille Guard is backed with a six-year warranty, while the black powder coated version comes with a three-year warranty.
The Big Tex Grille Guard by Go Industries is a great package that looks “right” on today’s larger size vehicles. With this grille guard you get protection, ease of installation, great looks and a warranty period that meets or exceeds the industry standard. About the only complaint we have is that there isn’t a winch mounting plate that could be attached to the guard and frame. But still, considering all that this grille guard is, and the fact that you should be able to get the chrome version delivered to your door for less than $500.00, we just don’t see a better value in today’s grille guard market.
For more information about the Big Tex Grille Guard, or any other Go Industries’ products visit their website at http://www.goindustries.com/ or contact Go Industries’ Justin Belter directly at 1.800.527.4345.
This product review may be reprinted or published on a website with full permission, provided it is used in its entirety.
Lou Berkowitz is the chief product evaluator at US Truck Accessories Warehouse, LLC, US Truck Accessories Warehouse. He may also be reached toll-free at 1.800.394.3881
