AllMyCar.info

Car seats are oftentimes ignored and taken for granted. However, there is an important truth behind car seats: Car seats actually assist much in providing comfort and ease for those who drive or ride in an automobile.

That is why it is important for car owners and car buyers to check about the seats of their vehicles. In fact, automobile experts have already come up with categories for such car seats. There are various types of seats and each has their own distinct design and their own unique feature. There are even car seats made especially for children so as to be able to support them well.

The rear-facing infant-only seat is a good seat for infants who weigh around five to twenty two pounds. Although infants and babies actually grow quickly, it is best to have this kind of car seat during the early months of infanthood. This kind of seat has a handle that allows the parent to take the infant with him or her and then snap the seat into a frame or a stroller. However, to properly protect the baby, this seat should be installed in correctly at the right angle.

A convertible seat can face towards the rear or it could also forward. It is good for toddlers who weight from twenty pounds to some sixty five pounds. Studies from the American Academy of Pediatrics have shown that it is best for children to be kept facing the rear up until he is around a year old. Just like the infant seat, it would work best if the seat is installed correctly.

Combination seats can actually be used with a harness. In fact, this type of seat could also be used as a bolster. They can hold children who are a year old up until they weight some 100 pounds. They are sometimes referred to as toddler seats or as booster seats. They face forward and can change from a five-point harness to a belt-positioning booster seat.

Seats keep your children safe. However, on your part, keeping your vehicle and your car parts in good condition also assist in keeping everybody safe. Meanwhile Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts provide customers with a complete line of the highest quality Mazda 929 parts, Mazda 323 Parts and other Mazda model parts.

Margaret Adams is the present manager of the largest auto manufacturing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This 35 year old maiden is a certified car enthusiast.

The camaro came out in 1967 to do battle against the mustang, which already had a head start by being introduced in 1964, as a spring off from the falcon, it was basically just a falcon with a new look, but the idea to upgrade a platform that they already had was pure genius, laying that aside, let’s talk about the camaro, when it came out Chevrolet was looking for the perfect combination to beat down the mustang, and they hit the nail on the head, a lot of the top Chevrolet dealers took the camaro under their wing, and really made it show it’s potential in the muscle car world.

The Z/28 camaro was brought out to do battle on the “SCCA” circuit or sports car club of America, and it was going to set some records during it’s time in the SCCA, the camaro’s arch enemy on the street and the track, has always been the mustang. The SCCA’S Trans Am series has especially magnified that rivalry, Ford took the championship in 1967 and 1970, Chevy dominated in 1968 and 1969, the driver for Chevrolet Mark Donohue had a stellar racing career, that included 29 career Trans Am victories, 3 championships, and a victory in the 1972 Indianapolis 500, he died in an on track accident in 1975.

The 302 cubic inch engine was added to Chevrolet’s line up, to meet the rules of the SCCA Trans Am series, which stated that your engine could be no larger then 305 cubic inches, the 302 became a mainstay for the Z/28 camaro, which had an option for a 350 CID engine, but the 302 had made a name for itself, in the collector circles, it’s the most sought after engine for the Z/28, a 302 with the cross ram option is worth a lot more cash the a standard 302 with a single four bar manifold, and when you add options like the JL8 four wheel disc brakes the price jumps to incredible proportions.

Then the high production Chevrolet dealers like Yenko Chevrolet, Bladwin Chevrolet, and Nicky Chevrolet would get a hold of these cars and turn them in to a monster, Yenko would create a beast called the “sYc” or Super Yenko Camaro, this car was set to amazing things on the drag strip, Yenko Chevrolet would contract Dick Herrel to drive this beast “Tricky Dick Herrel” as he was known by the racing world, Dick would power this car to a standing quarter mile time of 11.904 @ 115 MPH.

Standing 1/4 Mile Time
* 11.904 @ 115 MPH
0-60 Performance
* 3.8 Seconds
0-100
* 8.9 Seconds
Engine
* 427 CID 425 HP
Price
* $3,895
Transmission
* Muncie M-22 Rock Crusher 4 Speed

The sYc camaro would spawn the worlds fastest quarter mile car for that time era, this car was called the COPO 9560 or the ZL1 camaro, this car would come from the factory with an all aluminum 427 CID engine that was factory rated at 425 HP, but the car was consistently running 11.05’s. That means that you’ve got about 534.68 HP at the rear wheels, and about 695.08 HP at the flywheel, these were documented quarter mile runs, so I’m not just blowing up the truth, The ZL1 Camaro would prove to be an amazing race car, not to mention, it was still a street car also, in street dress Dick Herrel would achieve 1/4 mile times of 11.05 and in full race mode, with the headers uncorked and slicks added he would achieve a 10.35 1/4 mile time on his first run.

So for all of you Chevrolet nay Sayers, there you go.

Tell me of another car that can boast those numbers from the factory.

I’ve been in the automotive business for about 20 or 25 years, I have worked in all facets of the industry, from parts to restoration, all different makes and models, I just want to keep people interested in the old cars because it’s where my heart is.

Recent studies have proposed that most car/motor vehicle accidents take place due to improper car care. Caring for your car in no way means that you would have to make expensive car care product purchases, rather it implies simple preventive measures in accordance with the instructions enlisted in the owner’s manual. The manufacturer recommended car care tips boost the car’s performance and ensure longevity of the vehicle.

Car care stands for routine checking and replacing of the vital components and machineries of the vehicle. The following checks will help you prevent accidents and keep your car going great guns:

Frequent Filter Checking:
The air and oil filters need frequent checking. When the filtration systems are clogged by dirt and dust, they adversely affect the functioning of the engine. The Car Care Council recommends regular change of oil and air filters every 3000 to 4000 miles of drive for the optimum efficiency of a vehicle.

Check the tires:
The tire pressure check is another invaluable car care tip for the peak performance and safety of the vehicle. Under inflated tires are known to reduce the engine and fuel efficiency by nearly 15 percent. Tire pressure should ideally be checked when the tire is cold. Once in a month should suffice, but then if your car care kit has a Digital Gauge, you may do so more frequently. Remember, low tire pressure reduces the life of your tires!

Tuning up your engine:
Keeping the engine in tune is an important part of your car care program. Hence, ensure that there is nothing wrong with the engine - no worn belts, no misfiring spark plugs, no clogging of fuel injectors - to mar the engine’s smooth functioning.

Right Oil for right Cars
Caring for your car is as much about using the right oil. In most cases it happens to be manufacturer-recommended grade of motor oil. Opt for ‘energy conserving’ oils that contain friction-reducing additives.

There are hosts of other car care tips that enhance the efficiency of your motor vehicle. Routine checking of battery-fluid and other fluids is one such necessity. Lubricating the chassis of the vehicle increases the life span of the component parts. Checking the brakes, lighting system and the windshield blades lower the possibilities of accidents.

A full-proof car care plan requires that you park your car in the garage or in some shady area when not in use. Sun-baking a car using gasoline will lead to the fast evaporation of the fuel.

Your car will cherish your loving care in spite of being a lifeless object and will repay you with superior and protracted service. With comparatively fewer mishaps and a relatively controlled emission of pollutants, your car care will leave its impact on the society and the environment as a whole.

David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests. He holds numerous patents including his recently awarded patent for headlight repair, cleaner, and restorer. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: http://www.mdwholesale.com

Carbon Fiber: What exactly is it??

January 2005

Who out there has heard of carbon fiber? Do you even know what it is? It has become apparent to me over the past few months that almost everyone in the sport compact scene is aware of carbon fiber as it explodes in popularity. It is being used to manufacture everything from the popular hoods to even fenders and interior pieces now. But another thing that became apparent is that although many enthusiasts are aware of it, very few actually know what it is. Well in this month’s column we will discuss where carbon fiber came from, the properties of the material, and how it is used.

Carbon fiber has been around for over fifty years with its earliest history in the aerospace and military industries. It was normally reserved to these industries as the costs of manufacturing carbon fiber were sky high, and cost consideration is low in these two industries. Only in recent years has production of carbon fiber climbed, therefore lowering the price and making its use more widespread.

Carbon fiber can be produced in one of two ways. These are “wet” lay-up and pre-impregnated lay-up processes. The “wet” process has been used since the beginning of composites. It creates molded shapes from glass or carbon fiber and resin. Do-it-yourselfers use this practice extensively as it is the least labor intensive and expensive money wise. When manufactured in the “wet” lay-up, dry fibers are laid into a mold and resin is poured onto them. The resin is then brushed over the fibers in a relatively uncontrolled manner. Resin is added in layers and layers until the desired thickness is achieved. If this process is not performed correctly the fibers can become saturated with resin which causes added weight, and reduced strength and stiffness. This method can also create inconsistent products as certain areas are saturated and others are not thick enough.

Pre-impregnated lay-up has been refined over the past 20 years to create better products with more predictable results. In this method the fibers are pre-impregnated with resin at the factory. It is then rolled onto spools and then frozen to prevent the material from curing too quickly. Materials made by this method are typically 20-30% stronger than “wet” laminate of the same thickness. Pre-impregnated lay-up materials can be cured in one of two ways: vacuum bag compaction and also vacuum bag compaction plus an auto clave. The composite is placed under vacuum bag compaction and is placed into an oven. The resin will then solidify or “glass.” When the autoclave is used it essentially pressure cooks the fibers. The maximum allowable temperature of the cured laminate is used and the continuous temperature is lower. It is normally is between 250 and 350 degrees.

Automakers first began experimenting with carbon fiber in the 1970s. Ford even built an entire car out of carbon fiber composites in 1977. In the 1990s GM manufactured a concept car out of carbon fiber that got 100mpg. The motivation for automakers is to produce vehicles with lower emissions, lighter weight, lower cost and better fuel economy. The problem carbon fiber has presented though in the past is its astronomical price compared to other materials. At one point, it cost $100 per pound versus .40 cents for steel. Nowadays though, the prices are hovering somewhere in the $5-$10 price range and it is making many other industries experiment with the material. Many enthusiasts purchase carbon fiber products solely for the looks, but they offer other benefits as well. Carbon fiber reinforced materials perform at higher rates for strength versus steel and aluminum.

So the next time you think about purchasing a carbon fiber hood or other products, you will know how to investigate the manufacturing of the product to make sure you are getting what you are paying for. Carbon fiber is just getting started with a bright future ahead.

_________________

Jason Helferich

www.streetstylecustoms.com

Tip 1 - Pick your time.
If you can possibly help it, don’t sell your car after Christmas, when no one has any money. Consider holiday periods: will the people be in town or away. Sometimes this can work in your favour because if people are not at work they have more time to look for cars, and they are usually cashed up with nothing to do.

On the reverse side, when buyers are busy working, they don’t have the time to do a lot of car shopping, which can make negotiating easier.

Additionally for this reason, if you get a buyer to come on a week-night, it is unlikely he can compare yours to other cars - which can sometimes work in your favour.

Tip 2 - First Impressions are everything Just like you are going on a date - first impressions are everything. Get all the rubbish and junk out of it. Deodorize it. Wash it, clean it.

Tip 3 - As the good boy scout says. Be prepared. Get your paperwork in order. Find the spare keys. You don’t want to be rushing around at the last minute, just when the buyer is ready to go for it. You can’t find something. He may just say, he’ll get back to you. Believe me, it happens. So get organized before hand and you’ll have a much smoother run of it.

See my other articles for more tips.

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

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.

You’ve been bitten by the new car bug. Or perhaps you’re just so tired of your current car; you can hardly stand to drive it anymore.

You’re about to embark on the research phase of the car buying experience (which is the right course of action). But, before you even begin pointing, clicking, and eyeballing these shiny new toys; take a step back and determine just how much car you can afford to own and operate.

The conventional wisdom is not more than 20% of your monthly income your net (take home) pay not your gross pay. And by the way, while you’re doing your figuring on this 20% monthly cash outlay; make sure you include all the cars you own.

Regardless of whether you don’t even pay rent or own your home outright, stand firm on the 20% rule.

On your way to calculating your 20% budget, in addition to the purchase price, be sure to factor in any down payment and/or your trade-in value. The bottom line you’ll finance is the bottom line.

Of course, the more money you put down the more car you can buy and still be under the 20% rule. Keep in mind, the more money you put down doesn’t affect how much you actually pay and cars are severely depreciating assets not investments.

Once you get close to determining your 20% number, you’ll need to know the going interest rates you’ll be paying on your borrowed money. And since we’ve now broached borrowing money and interest rates you should also plan on getting a copy of your credit report while you’re at it.

Another important aspect to consider is the costs of ownership involved with the car. Things such as fuel, maintenance, and insurance premiums can run up some hefty numbers on you in addition to your monthly payment.

Maintenance and insurance costs are somewhat related, because insurance companies take into account the cost to repair a vehicle as part of their premium calculation. So, if you are looking at a car that is expensive or difficult to repair, you’re probably also looking at higher insurance premiums as well.

So, even though you should keep the 20% rule firmly in mind as your are crunching your numbers, don’t overlook all the other monthly expenses associated with the car you are considering.

Taking the time to get all of your financial and budget numbers in place before you seriously begin looking at your intended makes and models will serve as a good financial rudder for you during the car buying process and make for much wiser purchase.

Jeff Neilan’s car dealer experience offers insightful car buying tips that save you time and money. Be sure to visit http://www.acarbuyersguide.com for car financing tips, ownership costs, & more.

Most car leases are designed to completed according to the end-date specified in the lease agreement. Attempting to end a lease early can often be troublesome and expensive.

Many leasing consumers mistakenly believe that, if they want to terminate early, they only have to return their vehicle to the lease finance company and walk away. Unfortunately, this would be a violation of their lease contract and result in collection proceedings against them for balances and fees owed. The consumer’s credit rating would also be damaged by what is considered a repossession.

Although most leases can be terminated early by contacting the lease company and arranging for either a buyout or early return, these options are usually very expensive due to the fact that the balance owed on the lease is typically much greater than the current market value of the vehicle — and much greater than is usually expected.

There is an option, however, that is frequently overlooked. Many lease companies, but not all, allow leases to be transfered to another party who is interested in taking the vehicle and assuming responsibility for the remainder of the lease. This option can only be exercised with the permission and participation of the lease company. To do otherwise is a contract violation.

The advantage of this option to the consumer who wants out of his lease is that it is much less expensive than the above mentioned early buyout or return. The process is easy and there is no impact on credit history.

There may be disadvantages however. First, as we mentioned earier, many lease companies simply don’t allow transfers, which removes this as an option. Second, of those companies who do allow transfers, a large number of them insist on keeping the original lessee responsible for the lease if the new lessee defaults. This is not ideal and presents a risk that many people find objectionable.

Of course, even if the lease company allows transfers and releases the original lessee from future responsibility, there’s the problem of finding someone who is interested in taking over the lease.

There are two ways in which this can be done.

First, you can do it yourself. Find family, friends, or advertise in your local newspaper. When an interested party is found, you’ll contact your lease company for further instructions. Find out first if your lease company allows transfers.

Second, you can use the services of one of the relatively new online lease “swap” or “trade” companies who, for a fee, list your vehicle and help you find “buyers.” They also handle most of the paperwork with the lease company when a transfer is done. Additional discussion of this topic can be found at LeaseGuide.com.

If a lease transfer doesn’t work out in a specific situation, other, more costly options will have to be considered. Unless an early termination is absolutely necessary, the least costly solution may be to simply continue the lease until its normal end.

Al Hearn is owner and operator of LeaseGuide.com, a popular web site for automotive consumers interested in leasing. The site has served thousands of visitors since 1995.

The cost of motoring has risen significantly in recent years, particularly with the rapid rise of petrol prices. There are however a number of ways in which you can reduce the cost of motoring. Try following our Top 10 Tips below and you could be driving further for less.

1. Get the best deal on petrol prices. The price of petrol can vary by as much as 10p a litre in local areas. PetrolPrices.com is a free service allowing people to search for the cheapest petrol in their area. They review 8,000 prices daily to ensure that their information is as up-to-date as possible.
2. Drive in the highest gear. Driving at high speeds in low gears can result in 45% more fuel being consumed than needed.
3. Keep your tyres pumped up to the correct level. Fuel economy can be improved by up to 5% by keeping your tyres inflated to the correct level. The recommended pressure for your tyres can be found in your vehicle handbook and, in some cases, next to the air device at petrol stations.
4. Don’t drive erratically. Constantly accelerating and braking consumes more fuel than smoother driving. Look ahead to anticipate potential road blockages which will reduce the need for sudden breaking. For peak efficiency don’t push the accelerator down further than one-quarter of the total foot travel.
5. Save money on car insurance. Internet comparison sites, such as Confused.com, are an excellent way to find the cheapest quote. Car insurance quotes can vary by hundreds of pounds so huge savings can be made.
6. Find cheaper parking. Many people now rent out their driveway or garage to commuters on a long-term basis. YourParkingSpace.co.uk is a site where cheaper long-term parking can be found.
7. Don’t overuse the air conditioning or heater. Overheating the car and then having to open the windows is a waste of energy and lowers your fuel economy.
8. Avoid short journeys. Driving short distances is significantly less fuel efficient than longer journeys. For example, every time your car engine is turned on it is equivalent to idling your engine for one minute. Instead set time aside to walk short distances.
9. Share a journey. Sharing a lift into work with one other person slashes your fuel bill by half by allowing you to share the cost of driving. Liftshare.org has over 130,000 members and provides a way of finding someone traveling in your direction.
10. Close your windows. Having windows open at high speeds creates significant drag meaning that more fuel is used. Even if closing your windows means the air conditioning is required it is still more fuel efficient.

For information about long-term parking visit http://www.yourparkingspace.co.uk/, where you can earn money through renting out your private parking space, or find convenient and affordable long-term parking.

Each day, someone in the United States makes the decision to donate one of their vehicles. Although a relatively small number of individuals make the decision to donate their cars, many more think about doing so, but end up not. One of the reasons for this is because many individuals think a car donation is too much work, despite the good that could from it. The reality is that car donations are only difficult if you make them. There are a number of ways that you can go about making your next car donation a smooth and easy one.

Perhaps, one of the reasons why many individuals assume that a car donation is too much work is because they try and donate their car on their own. With this, you must find and contact local charities or non-profit organizations. This could be extremely time consuming and there is even a chance that you will not find anyone who wants to accept your car donation. However, there is a way that you could make your next car donation count, a much easier way.

Instead of trying to donate your car on your own, you are advised to seek professional assistance. That assistance should come from a car donation program. Car donation programs exist all across the United States. Their goal is to make sure that non-profit organizations are given cars or, at least, the money for those cars. They do this by, personally, collecting the cars themselves. Then, they will spend their own time trying to find a non-profit organization for your car donation. Essentially, this makes donating a car as easy as it could possibly be.

As previously mentioned, most car donation programs will arrange for the pick up of your car donation, but not all will. For car donation at its easiest, you are advised to request a pickup. If one is not available, you will want to find a program that offers this additional feature. You will find that it will not only save you time, but even gas money. A well-known and reputable car donation program or center should be more than willing to pickup your donation for you, even if they do not outright advertise that they will.

If you plan on using your car donation as a deduction on your taxes, you will need to get the proper documentation. When using a car donation program, you will not always be provided with these documents upfront; they will often be sent to you after your vehicle has “officially,” been donated. To ensure that you do get the proper credit for your car donation, you are advised to request a small certificate of donation or pickup. This will ensure that you will be protected, in the event that anything should go wrong with the car donation program that you used. Although it is almost guaranteed that everything will go right, you are advised against taking any unnecessary risks.

By keeping the above mentioned points in mind, you should be able to donate your unused or unwanted vehicles with little or no hassle. It is likely that your donation will be greatly appreciated, by whoever gets it.

Mariah Cruz is a writer for Car Angel . com where you will see abundant amounts of information on things such as a Car donation and other related information.

The battle in the market place for the term; detailing is a hot debate amongst various practicianers in the auto detailing a professional carwash industry. This is merely a reflection of the serious competition for the higher end consumer with the expensive well-maintained automobile. Everyone wants to cater to them and collect their money. Meanwhile as car washes go for low costs and high volumes they inadvertently catch a big fish with plenty to spend and sell them “the works” including an “Express” detail.

Many auto detailers say that the car washes with their quicken version of the complete auto detail; the Express Detail; has cheapened the auto detailing profession and is ruining the artistic value of today’s professional auto detailing experts. Having been on both sides of the Industry, franchising car washes, detail shops and mobile detail units for some 27-years, I take a more observational and rational view. Let’s discuss business and free market philosophy for a moment.

Some of the communication problems come into play when a customer is convinced that the $50.00-$60.00 (sometimes as low as $35.00) he or she paid for an express detail is the same service they will get when they pay a $100.00+ complete detailing service. The problems are compounded when you throw the mobile detailer into the loop. Usually charging $60.00-$80.00 and then calling his detailing services a ‘full detail’. This market player is fiercely competitive for price as he attempts to establish his new business and has the advantage of on-site service.

Many of these new small companies will be in business for a summer or two, or at most a couple of years. Many opt later to establish fixed sites and raise their prices due to increased capital expenditures such as a phone system, fixtures, electrical work, reclaim devises and work benches and increased overhead or rent, electricity, office supplies, water, and reclaim waste water removal. Established mobile detailers who last over two years generally develop a larger clientele and raise their prices simply because of supply and demand economics. Their prices will usually be $100.00+ for a complete detail. Many also offer a monthly program including washes, detailing services and monthly billing. Most mobile operations have not adopted the term Express Detailing because they believe they do a better job than the car washes with regard to quality.

Many mobile operations will continue the low price of their original full detail of $60.00-$80.00 but now use the term ‘mini-detail’. This allows them to charge a full detail price to new customers but still offer previous customers and those original customers’ word of mouth referrals a low price without giving away services. It also allows them to tap into the customers that may not be able to afford a real detail but still wish to have detailing services for ego reasons, being able to tell friends, “I had my car detailed.” Why own a BMW if you can’t have it detailed. This appeals to the young executive on his way up the ladder.

You see it is all sound and fury of many types of competitors vying for the same groups of customers. The important thing to remember is that in most markets there are more cars than people and this means plenty of business for everyone. Think on it.

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