AllMyCar.info

How do I know if the products I’m using are safe for the environment? That’s a good question. The answer is they aren’t and no product is allowed in the storm drain. So your next question is, “If I use the waste wash water to water the grass in front of the school or a flower bed near a gas station, how do I know if it will kill the grass or plants?” How do I know the products will be safe for our children?

This question we can answer. Every product has a Material Safety And Data Sheet (MSDS). Read through the sheet and see if the diamond at the top of the sheet has a number higher than one in the box on the left. If it does, it will affect organic life. Look for products that have only ones or zeroes in the boxes in the diamond code at the top.

Material Safety and Data Sheets (MSDS sheets) contain nine sections. These sections are:

I. General Information

II. Ingredients

III. Physical Data

IV. Fire and Explosion Hazard Data

V. Health Hazard Information

VI. Reactivity Data

VII. Spill, Leak and Disposal Procedures

VIII. Special Handling Information

IX. User’s Responsibility

At the top of each sheet is a square on end. It looks like a diamond shape. It is broken into four squares inside this diamond shape. The squares mean:

Top Square (Fire)

Left Square (Toxic)

Right Square (Reaction)

Bottom Square (Special)

In each square there is a number from zero to four. The numbers equal:

Four = Extreme

Three = High

Two = Moderate

One = Slight

Zero = Insignificant

This indicates how safe or volatile the product is. It also gives you an indication of whether the fumes are dangerous, if it is flammable, if it will react adversely with other chemical or if it is radioactive or biologically unsafe.

Section I, the general information section, contains information such as:

Who prepared the MSDS Sheet

The product’s trade name and type of chemical

Which chemical family the product belongs to

Basic formula

Name and address of manufacturer

DOT shipping classification

DOT Hazard classification

Section II contains ingredients. Generally only hazardous ingredients will be listed. It will normally be in chart form:

Name of component

CAS number

Percentage of hazardous chemicals

Concentration in parts per million

Section III contains physical data, things that you probably learned in chemistry class:

Boiling point

Vapor pressure

Vapor density

Solubility in water

Odor

Appearance and color

Gravity in terms of water

Percentage which is or could be volatile

Reactivity, if any, in water

Ph Level

Section IV contains fire and explosion data such as:

Flash point

What will extinguish it if it catches fire

Flammable limits

Any special fire fighting procedures

Any unusual hazards regarding fire and explosion

Section V contains health hazard information and what happens when:

Product vapor is inhaled

Product comes in contact with skin, eyes, etc.

Product is swallowed

It tells you what symptoms to expect and what should be done including any first aid or emergency procedures.

Section VI contains information regarding the product’s reactivity with other elements and common compounds. It discusses conditions to avoid, the product’s stability or instability and it’s decomposition.

Section VII contains information regarding spill response procedures including any special state, federal or local laws to be met.

Section VIII contains information regarding special handling. It is basically a catch-all section for anything not covered by other sections. Items such as:

Respiratory Protection

Eye Protection

Gloves

Ventilation

Engineering Controls

are not uncommon in this section. Sometimes you will find equipment discussed here. Special equipment that the manufacturer recommends for CYA purposes in case something goes wrong.

Section IX contains information regarding the user’s responsibility. It is a disclaimer section that manufacturers generally use to avoid lawsuits. Usually they pass the buck by saying people using this product should maintain a safe work place at all times and have in written form a safety manual for employees, workers and independent contractors.

Following all these sections is a blown out of proportion disclaimer usually written in plain English by an attorney releasing the product manufacturer from any responsibility what so ever and further more disavows the manufacturers from any mistakes in the MSDS sheet therein.

If all this sounds too complicated, go find some coconut soap, citrus cleaner or Liquid Organic Cleaner (L.O.C.) from Amway and use those. You can actually drink them if you had to and still wake up the next morning. You might get the runs but they definitely won’t kill you. As a matter of fact, I’ve seen nice bright green spots in the grass where we’ve discharged our waste wash water. But you will need to be careful of the products you use and realize none of the soapy dirty water is allowed into the storm drains. Think about it.

Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

If you’re like most people you have a credit card or two and you probably use it on a regular basis. Paying it off every month to avoid the interest charges, right?

Do you purchase gas with a credit card? Most gas stations now have the pay at the pump option making it quick and easy to stop, pump and pay.

The Key To Gas Card Savings At The Pump . . . . . Use a gas rewards card.

Use it on a gas saving days - Many gas stations offer a discount on certain days with a fill up, this adds to even more savings for you. One gas station where I live offers $.06 off per gallon on tuesday’s. Combine that with a 5% - 10% gas card savings - Nice savings!

Find other items on sale at the gas station - Many gas stations run good sales on various grocery type items, why not pick them up while your there to save even more (if you use the item anyway).

After you fill up, shut the pump down, pull the trigger and tip the hose up -There is gas left in the hose. You are paying for it -get it all.

Fill-up the gas tank in the morning. Some experts say a driver will get a little more gasoline per gallon if the gas tank is filled when temperatures are cooler. Over time, the extra fuel adds up.

Choosing The Gas Card That Is Right For You . . . . . There are many types of cards to choose from. A type of card issued by Visa or Mastercard through major banks offers gas rebates at any gas station along with other benefits. For example, not only do they offer 5% cash back on purchase at gas stations, supermarkets, and drug stores, but they also gives you 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Another type of gas reward card is specific to a particular chain of gas stations. For example, some gas chain specific cards let you earn a discount of 5% on all of their participating location purchases and also can be used anywhere Visa cards are accepted. Cards like this from the SpeedWay and Marathon gas station chains are great ways for saving on your gas purchases.

Closing Notes . . . . . Many of you have read my other articles and are probably wandering just why I am writing about gas savings when I am a heavy supporter of e85 Flex Fuel Vehicles.

I understand that not everyone has access to e85 or can go out and get a new Flex Fuel Vehicle, so the next best thing is to inform people as to how to save gas and “Stick It To The Oil Companies - While Getting Cash Back Too!”

Frederick Musser is the owner of e85 Tips. A site dedicated to informing the world about e85 and it’s benefits.

For more information on gas cards and their benefits please visit e85Tips.com/gas_cards.html

The first question you must ask when selling your car is, ‘How much is my car worth?’ Well, this question is actually incomplete. You really need to ask three questions and you get three different answers….

The questions you must get answered depend on where you want to sell it. They are:

How much is it worth when I sell it to a:

1. Dealer?

2. Private individual?

3. Dealer as a trade-in?

There is one more place you can sell your car but I would not recommend it unless it is has major problems, and that is an auction.

You can answer these 3 questions by going to online valuation web sites such as: Kelley Blue Book in the United States or The Red Book in Australia. You can get these prices for free.

The other way to value your car is to see how much they are going for in the classifieds.

Neither one of these ways is entirely accurate for the following reasons.

1. Classifieds may have only one or two cars of your type and they could be overpriced or underpriced. The quality of your estimate depends on getting a good range. It’s a good idea to check the prices over several weeks if you can.

2. Online Valuation services may have inaccuracies for particular models and should not be relied on exclusively, just because they seem to be the authorities. Their valuation is only as good as the data they have to go on. Since a large number of transactions bypass their data collection you can only consider it an estimate. It could be out by as much as $1000 easily.

3. Seasonal demands influence the prices of cars. Convertibles sell for higher prices in the summer time. These swings can exceed the ranges given in valuations.

There is one more factor that overides all the above. The final price you get is not it’s worth. It’s worth is it’s value. A good, reliable car with no rust, that has been maintained can be sold for more money. It is worth more than a newer car that has been poorly maintained. If you have such a car then you absolutely can sell it for a good price because you are giving value for money.

For more articles on selling your car you can visit.
http://www.sellmycarforcash.com

Graeme Sprigge is the webmaster of SellMyCarForCash.Com, a website dedicated to enlightening you on how to get the most for your car in a private sale. The site is is constantly expanding and includes more great articles, some of which are available for reprinting in your ezine. There is a lack of unbiased information on the net in this are so this site aims to fill the gap.

For more cool articles, cool car selling tips, car finance tips visit http://www.sellmycarforcash.com

For his recommendation on the best online car finance there is more info
here

Copyright 2005 Graeme Sprigge. Please feel free to pass this
article on to your friends, or use it in your ezine or
newsletter. It’s a shareware article.

When a new entrepreneur sets out into the mobile car wash business they often wonder how they should go about arranging exclusivity to wash at large corporations or office buildings. One question that is often asked is; “Do I have to pay for the rights to provide your car wash service there?” truly you would be advised to do this as a last resort you should attempt to shy away from this really. In fact you would be well advised to not mention such things. Although it is not totally uncommon in the industry, you will find that the amenities you provide for their employees far surpasses their small earnings from a percentage of your gross take or a few dollars per car.

Now with that said, there are some instances it does make a lot of sense for instance it the Corporation or building gives you something in return. For instance if they provide you Assigned stalls to work in, water outlets, reclaim clarifier area, email alerts to tell people we are there, collects money for us and takes their percentage out. Then it could make sense. Also if you are in markets where lots of payola goes on such as CT, NJ, PA, TX, NV it might be required, but generally if this is the case you will know soon enough up front, as the owner or controller of such properties will say straight up; “What is in it for us or What is in it for me?

Sometimes if a parking garage company or a valet service is involved then it does make sense to use their ability to sign up your customers and pay them a commission. Think on this.

Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

New York is one of the premiere locations for auto auctions in the country. Auctions draw from the near-countless governmental agencies that exist in New York. They include cars, trucks, and SUV’s that have been seized from criminals, cars that are being taken out of service in police departments, and vehicles that have been repossessed due to failed loans or other debts. There are thousands of vehicles available throughout the state, and it is not difficult to find a public auto auction near your location.

Vehicles found at public auction can serve a variety of purposes. There are a number of cars that are not in running order. However, they do provide an opportunity for re-servicing and resale or for the salvaging of parts. This has made it possible for New Yorkers as well as those from out-of-state to find a vehicle that serves their needs.

Steps to Take Before a Public Auto Auction in New York

There are number of things you need to do before you enter into a public auto auction in New York. Once the auction begins it is easy, especially for first-timers, to get caught up in the action. You can quickly find yourself overpaying for a vehicle. That is why you should have a set price that you are willing to pay. When you are the highest bidder, you have to pay for the car, so don’t offer more than you can afford.

It is also important for you to take a good look at the condition of the car or cars you are interested in. Most public auto auction New York sites offer a time when you can come in and look at the vehicles available. This will give you a clearer picture of what you are actually bidding on.

To find public auto auctions near your location, please visit http://www.auto-car-auctions.info/

When individuals are looking into the purchase of an automobile, they may feel that they will be safe from being taken advantage of if they are buying a car from a car dealership as opposed to a used car sales lot or private individual. This is not entirely true. Although many automobile dealerships will do business in a fair manner, there are always some which may succumb to the pressure of using various dealership scams in order to sell the vehicles or get a higher priced sale. The following paragraphs will highlight a few of these car dealership scams which do occur from time to time.

Multiple Advertising Fees

One type of dealership scam which consumers need to be on the lookout for relates to advertising fees. Most car manufacturers add these onto the factory invoice when they ship them to the dealership; however, at times individuals have been known to have to pay for advertising fees twice as dealerships will add the fees onto the vehicle contract as well.

The best way to beat this type of scam is to inquire about any advertising fees which are added onto the total price which the consumer has to pay. If there is an advertising fee on the price that is paid by the purchaser, one should ask the dealership whether or not this fee was already charged on the factory invoice. It is not good enough to accept the dealerships response and one should ask to see the factory invoice to verify that the advertising fee had not already been included on the primary invoice.

Market Adjustment Fees

Market adjustment fees are extra fees which car dealerships add onto the price of certain types of popular vehicles. This usually occurs with vehicles that go out of stock quickly and since they are such a hot item, car dealerships feel justified in adding this extra fee onto the vehicle purchase price. In reality, no matter how popular a vehicle is at the moment, there is no reason for the consumer to have to pay above the MSRP.

The best way in which to avoid this type of dealer scam is to never pay over the MSRP. By paying more than the MSRP, the vehicle purchaser is in reality saying that this type of dealer scam is okay and this should not be the case.

Quote and Actual Price Differ Greatly

Another dealership scam which consumers need to be aware of deals with the total amount that an individual pays for an automobile. There have been instances where prospective car purchasers have been quoted a set price for the total purchase yet when it came time to sit down and sign the paperwork, there was a large discrepancy between what was quoted and what is being charged in the end.

An individual can prevent this from occurring by ensuring that what is being quoted is the exact figure that will be on the paperwork when it comes time to the sign. This will let the car dealership employee know that you mean business and will not pay a penny more than the quoted price. Making a statement of this kind to the sales associate will set the tone and make it known that you will not be taken advantage of in this manner.

Buying vs. Leasing Scams

When individuals walk into a car dealership, they will most likely know whether they wish to lease a vehicle or purchase it outright. When one leases a vehicle they are using it for a period of time, usually two years, and will then return the vehicle once the time limit is up. Alternatively, when an individual purchases a vehicle, they will pay for the car on a monthly basis usually and will then own the vehicle outright once the payments have all been made. However, there are times when an individual goes through the car selection process wanting to buy the vehicle and will ultimately find out when it comes to signing the paperwork that the prices which were quoted are for leasing a vehicle. In the worst case scenario, some individuals sign the paperwork without thoroughly reading the contract and later determine that they have just signed leasing documents as opposed to purchase documents due to a scam perpetrated by the dealership when that entity had knowledge that the consumer wanted to pursue one vehicle acquisition over the other.

The best way to prevent being a victim of this type of dealership scam is to thoroughly read all documents being put before them. It is crucial to make sure that the documents are purchase documents as opposed to lease, or vice versa, depending on the desire of the consumer. This will help to curtail any scams of this type from occurring.

It is important to reiterate that most car dealerships do business in a fair manner; however, it is always important to be on guard when it comes to possible dealership scams that can occur. This will help to make the car buying experience as good and fair as it possibly can be.

Chris Contessa is an automotive enthusiast that runs several automotive forums and websites. You can find Dealer reviews and ratings at his website: http://www.DealershipRatings.com

If you have read the previous articles in this series you should now have a clear idea of what brochures you are trying to obtain for your collection.

Now for the fun bit! Starting, maintaining and increasing your collection.

As you are collecting second-hand items, the condition of an item you are after can vary dramatically. Also, it does not help that sellers regularly either omit or misdescribe items.

Therefore, it is paramount that you ask the right questions and look for what the seller hasn’t said as much as what he has in his advert description.

Having been disappointed on more than a few occasions when a “pristine” item has arrived through my letterbox, I have a checklist that I consult before committing to buying. The list is as follows:

1) What is the size of the item in centimetres? Pictures can be deceptive and what looks like a 21cm x 29cm item, may be much smaller in size.

2) How many pages long is it? Beware that on smaller brochures, there can be confusion between seller and buyer with what represents a page. My firm only uses the term “pages” for items that are 6 pages long or more. Otherwise, we use the term number of “sides”. As a reputable seller, this avoids any confusion and disappointment.

3) What is the reference number of the brochure? Most manufacturers have a code system for their brochures that you will become familiar with very quickly. By keeping a note of the references, you will avoid duplicates in your collection.

4) What is the condition of the brochure? Amazingly, very few sellers have a condition scale attached to the advert (we do). One person’s “pristine” may be fit only for the bin in other collectors eyes! I therefore ignore vague words like the above and ask direct questions - Has it any creases or tears and if so how many and how bad? Any fading? Any foxing (A term used to describe stains, specks, spots and blotches in paper)? Any water or damp damage?

5) How will the item be delivered to you? On auction sites especially, it is natural to go for the cheapest posting method. However, if the item is being sent for the cost of the stamp, can you really expect anything more than for it to be delivered in a flimsy envelope? Probably not. The only way that a collectable paper item should be sent is in a card-backed envelope preferably marked “do not bend” with the item wrapped in plastic to prevent water damage and a return address inside, just in case the postal system loses it. I also insist on a proof of posting, again just in case the item goes missing. For any item over a preset limit, in my case

There are many things that you don’t want to see a dealership do to you as a buyer, but there are some things that you should not do as well, if you don’t want to alienate the dealer.

Here is a list of “don’ts” that you should abide by if you are really looking to get a good deal.

Don’t try to pull one over on the dealer by lying about the condition of your trade in vehicle. It is just a lie that you can’t get away with, and could cause many cost increases later. The dealer will find out about the condition of your car soon or later. You might at well be upfront at the get go. It will save you alot of future wasted time and energy on both parties involved.

Don’t bother looking for a car if you have had a recent bankruptcy because you will not get approved anyway. Don’t lie to yourself if you’ve had recent financial issues that’ll prevent you from getting an automobile. You’re only setting yourself up for a let down.

Don’t give the dealership a deposit and then try to take it back for no reason because you should have researched the car before making the purchase. You can also lose money on the return. Before you put any money down on your car purchase, make absolutely sure that you are ready for the financial committment.

Don’t bother lying about your debt load and credit rating because they will check it anyway. Again, this comes down to be honest from the ready very start. It’ll save you a lot time and energy and embarrassment.

Don’t offer any money for a car unless you already know the dealer cost because you are setting yourself up to get ripped off.

Following these simple rules will help you avoid many costly mistakes that’ll will ultimately save you money and help you get the car you really want.

Mia LeCron is the founder of How-To-Buy-A-Car.info - http://www.how-to-buy-a-car.info - devoted to helping individuals buy the right car for them at the absoulute best possible prices.

Worn brake pads can adversely impact your ability to bring your car to a halt. This can be especially dangerous in an emergency situation when adequately working brakes are a must to help you stop your car promptly. There are some telltale signs of pending brake problems; do you know what they are? Awareness of a problem is the key to avoiding potential harmful consequences; let’s examine some well known warning signs.

Signs of pending brake trouble include the following:

Squealing brakes

Pulling of the car from one side to the other

Wheel grabs

Brake pedal pumping

Sudden and hard brake pedal

Spongy brake pedals

Grinding of the brakes

While some of these problems may necessitate you replacing other brake components, an inspection of your brake pads should reveal that they are worn and are in need of immediate replacement.

Your next course of action depends on your expertise, your time, and on your wallet. Most garages offer a free brake inspection and this can be a wonderful opportunity to have someone else inspect your system to confirm your findings.

Ask your mechanic for a complete diagnosis of your brake system and an estimate on what parts and repairs will cost you. A good garage will give you a print out showing a fairly close estimate of what your costs will be. Throw in your local taxes and the price quoted should be within 95% of the final cost, barring an unforeseen additional problem being detected [for example, brake master cylinder failure].

If you feel reasonably confident that you can do the work yourself, you stand to save yourself plenty of money, at least in labor costs. You can save money with parts, too, by shopping around; the highest prices you pay will likely be through your dealer’s parts department. Prices at a national auto parts supply store should be lower, while prices through an online wholesaler should be about the lowest available as they purchase directly from the manufacturer.

If you decide to purchase online, only obtain parts from a reputable dealer selling parts from trusted manufacturers. Be careful of those sites selling generic parts from overseas merchants. Make sure that you can return what you purchase, if needed, to address in based in the U.S.

Copyright 2005 — Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for the Auto Parts Warehouse, a wholesaler of fine automobile parts and accessories.

When it’s time to buy car parts, you may be overlooking a potential source of quality parts at reduced prices. Salvage yards are sometimes the place to get exactly what you need without paying the high prices of dealer items and parts warehouses.

If you’re one of those handy people who can do your own tune-ups, change your own oil and handle minor repairs, congratulations. You have the skills to save thousands of dollars over the life of your car. But you also know that you can spend hundreds on car parts with a single trip to the auto supply house. And if you need an item that’s classified as a dealer-only part, you could easily be looking at thousands of dollars for the replacement.

So what’s the answer? Almost since the invention of the automobile, people have recognized the value of used car parts. When it’s time to work on your vehicle, used car parts can solve several problems, including cost and availability.

Especially for older cars or antique vehicles being restored, used car parts may very well be the only answer to your parts needs. You may not find any auto supply outlet with access to car parts for a ‘49 Studebaker pickup or a ‘32 Ford, but you may very well find salvage yards with cars that are being sold for parts.

Most salvage companies have “hot lines” that connect them with other companies. These are used to transfer information, such as requests for specific car parts. That means that you don’t have to hop from salvage yard to salvage yard in search of your car parts. You can simply check out a single salvage yard. If they don’t have what you’re looking for, they’re likely to find it from another dealer via the hot line.

You can often remove the car parts yourself to save even more money.

Newer models are especially difficult to find, but not impossible. Wrecked vehicles are often sold to salvage yards by the insurance companies where the autos are sold for parts. That means that you might find vehicles that are only a year old, or less.

Finding used car parts may take a bit of time, but you’ll may find rare parts and dealer parts at incredibly reduced cost.

Jeff Lakie is the founder of Car Parts Information a website providing information on Car Parts