Starting a car with a cold engine can be very difficult sometimes and it can become a real obstacle for those who live surrounded by extremely cold weathers. This way, for all those who might experience this problem it is not only important to learn how to overcome it but also why it happens in order to be able to prevent it as much as possible as well.
Cold engines might experience problems at the time to start due to different reasons. One of these reasons can be based on the effect which cold has on liquids evaporation. When it is cold, gasoline evaporates less and this cause it to be more difficult to burn due to the fact that it is burnt when it is evaporated.
Another reason by which a cold engine might have problems to start is caused by the fact that oil becomes much thicker in cold than the way it is in hot. Oil, like any other liquid changes its consistency when it is exposed to very low temperatures as well as it changes back when it is in a very hot weather, and this might cause oil to have problems at the time of circulating in the car engine.
Besides the engine, car batteries might experience problems while being in cold weathers as well and this could affect the engine. Batteries function through chemical reactions which loose agility while being cold and therefore, in such circumstances, batteries don't function properly. When this happens, the car energy becomes affected and this causes problems for the engine start.
If these three problems happen together, starting an engine might become a really hard task to achieve. In order to overcome the lack of gasoline evaporation problem, you can spray ether into the engine which would evaporate quickly and help the engine start. Besides this, you can also to prevent having oil too thick which wouldn't circulate properly by using thin synthetic oils. You should also try to maintain the car isolated from cold as much as possible, but by using the two last mentioned methods you would experience much less problems at the time of staring the car in cold weather.
read more "What to do when a cold engine is hard to start"
Your car may be the second largest purchase you make in your lifetime. You must take your time and not let it become an impulse decision. Before you go out browsing dealer lots consider the following:
How will I use my new car, truck or sport utility vehicle? A mini-van will fit fine in a large family but might be out of place in a singles life. Do you go off-road a lot but still like to carry more than 2 passengers, go for the SUV. Trucks have come a long way with most comforts available in today's truck rivaling luxury cars. But do you really need that to carry construction equipment to the job site? If you do not go off-road, do not buy a 4 wheel drive truck. The extra weight will only decrease gas mileage and increase maintenance costs. Afraid of the snow? Look to the variety of AWD vehicles on the market which provide excellent traction in the snow and also more economical operation. Take a serious look at your life and find the vehicle that most compliments your lifestyle.
Color choices. This is a personal preference but rational can come into play. In warmer climates, a lighter colored car will stay cooler. Certain cars are easier to keep clean. White and black are the worst while tan, silver, and brown hide dirt quite well.
Interior options. Do you need the heated seats? Well that depends on where you live and how much winter driving you do. Leather seats can be unbearable in the summer months and generally harder to maintain. Do you listen to music often? The premium sound system might be a great idea if you do, however if you only listen to talk radio then the standard system will be more than enough.
Insurance rates. Take into consideration the insurance rates before you start your car buying quest. A Honda may be significantly cheaper to insure than the Ferrari that caught your eye last week. Talk with your insurance agent to find out about how cars are classified. Sports cars generally raise premiums while family cars tend to lower them.
Who will service the vehicle? Having a dealership close by can be a blessing. If there are no dealerships nearby, buy a domestic car which most mechanics can work on. It is also important to examine the warranty offered before making a decision.
I hope the few comments and suggestions above have given you some things to think about. Never rush into a new or used car purchase. Always take some time to think it over. If it helps, get out a piece of paper and write down the pros and cons of all the vehicle you are considering. Writing down this information is often all you need to get you thinking practically and on your way to making a good selection.
Good luck!
read more "Finding The Perfect Car For You"
Has your family started to cram into the old sedan like a pack of sardines? Have members of the neighborhood car pool begun to look suspiciously at your battered station wagon? Perhaps it’s time to retire the old family car and move up to a bigger vehicle. Often, the choice for a more spacious family vehicle is a toss-up between a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and a minivan. Both offer flexible passenger and cargo areas, comfortable seating for five to eight persons, and rear-seat entertainment systems. Although the SUV has a slightly higher risk for rollovers than minivans do, both are equipped with similar safety features, such as air bags and anti-lock brake systems. So, which one deserves to park in your family garage? To come up with the right choice, you need to look at how the vehicle’s styling, fuel economy, passenger and cargo space, towing capacity, and safety will suit your family’s needs and lifestyle.
Styling
More than a matter of need, a vehicle’s styling is a matter of personal preference. The SUV usually wins out over the minivan when it comes to appearance. With its rugged, sporty styling, an SUV oozes urban cool, unlike the minivan, which is perpetually associated with soccer moms and suburban neighborhood carpools. Most men would recoil at the thought of driving a minivan, so if your husband would be sharing driving duties, you might have to talk it out with him. Likewise, many teenagers wouldn’t be caught dead stepping out of a minivan, so if you’d be using the vehicle mainly to drop off and pick up your adolescent children from school, you’d have to consider their preferences, too.
Fuel economy
Minivans give better mileage than SUVs, which have a reputation for being gas guzzlers. If you want to squeeze more miles out of the gasoline tank, then a minivan would make a more economic choice than an SUV. Other ownership costs, such as maintenance and insurance, also tend to be higher for SUVs than minivans. Unless you’re willing to pay the price for being cool and stylish, the practical minivan is the way to go.
Passenger and cargo space
Sport utility vehicles and minivans have comparable passenger and cargo space, but the roomy interiors of a minivan can be a delight to young kids. Unlike SUVs, minivans also have a low step-in height, so they’re easier for kids to climb into. Minivans’ large picture windows afford young passengers a better view of the passing scenery, therefore keeping your impatient young ones amused for a good part of the ride.
Towing capacity
If you own a boat and like to take the entire brood for weekend sailing retreats, then an SUV would make an appropriate choice. SUVs have superior towing capacities, enabling them to pull practically anything between a trailer and a small boat. Otherwise, if you’re only schlepping groceries and your kid’s soccer team, then there’s no reason to overlook the minivan.
Safety
Although both have comparable safety features, SUVs have a higher rollover risk than minivans. SUV devotees counter this by pointing out that rollovers account for only three percent of all traffic accidents and claiming that SUVs offer excellent passenger protection in two-car collisions. It remains to be seen whether this supposed collision safety factor outweighs the risk of rollovers. If the threat of rollover accidents keeps you awake at night, then a minivan could give you a little peace of mind.
read more "SUVs vs. Minivans: Making The Right Choice"
You don't think much about your car do you? Your car sits outside 24/7, 365 days a year in all extremes of weather. You routinely drive it at speeds that exceed 70 mph. You stop, start, stop, start through city traffic. You sit idling in traffic jams day after day. Yet, you expect your car to start every time you get into it and turn the key.
The best thing that you can do to extend the life of your car, and to potentially save yourself a bundle of money, is to have your car serviced on a routine basis. All car manufacturers have a schedule of recommended services for each vehicle they sell. Follow this schedule. The best place to have work done on a new vehicle that is still under warranty is the dealership.
It's a bit different when you have an older, out of warranty car. At this point you can make a decision to continue to use the dealer for service, or find yourself a local mechanic.
The first rule of thumb is to have the oil in your car changed every 3,000 miles. This is the simplest and most important part of routine maintenance for your car. At that time, whether you go to a "speedy" oil change business or to your mechanic, the technician will take a look at the overall condition of your engine. They'll check belts and hoses and fluid levels of your transmission and brakes. They'll check your air cleaner and the condition of your tires. Some of these drives through services also offer add-on such as engine cleaning and radiator flushes. If they think they see something that could become potentially serious they will tell you about it and suggest you take your car to a mechanic.
Cars have really changed over the years and most technicians use computers to diagnose problems. You'll need to be able to describe the problem to the mechanic. They'll need to know things such as when you first noticed the problem and exactly under what condition it happens. Does it happen when the car is cold, or after it warms up? Does it happen when you're at an idle or when your accelerating? If you don't use the same mechanic have a copy of your car's service record with you so that the new mechanic can see what maintenance been done in the past. It's best to find a mechanic you're comfortable with and stay with him. Knowing your car's history can go a long way towards helping him diagnose and fix a problem.
Learn to listen to your car. If you hear an unusual noise, notice a change in its performance or handling takes it to your mechanic.
read more "Extend The Life Of Your New Or Used Car"
We all love and take full care of our cars. When someone looks and praises our car, we feel extremely happy and obliged. But a small scratch on them and the pain can be actually seen on our face. And what if your new car suffers from a dent on its bumper? The whole beauty and the charisma of the car is lost to that single dent on the bumper. But, don't be tensed if your car suffers from a dent as it can be easily repaired within no time.
Here are a few important and easy ways by which you can fix the dent from your bumper and make it look new again.
1. Firstly, try out your hands on the dent. Push the dent with your hands if the bumper is made from plastic. If it is made of metal, use a plunger and place it at the center of the dent and then push it in. You can also use dry ice to repair the dent. Just place it on top of the dent until the dent is repaired by itself.
2. If it is a bit stronger and you are not able to push the dent back with your hands then use a hairdryer and set it on the hottest value and place it at the point of the dent for some time in a sweeping motion.
3. When the dented region has become comparatively hot, wear gloves and then try push the dent outside to its right place using a wooden block.
4. In case the dent is still visible, use a dent fixing tool or a kit such as the Car Body Repairs Dorset, the bumper repair Dorset, etc. that are easily available in all auto parts stores.
5. You can also consider using the hot air guns to fix the dent. Place this hot air gun about one foot away from the dented area and then slowly bring the gun closer to the dent. Also keep in mind that you should not move the gun closer than or away from the 12cm of the bumper.
6. The dented area should be visibly hot. To check I it is hot enough for repairing the dent, place a spatula on the dent and if it leaves a mark, the dent is hot enough.
7. When the area gets heated properly, take a cloth and place it on the outer side of the dent and then push the dent to its original place using a wooden plank. Keep the wooden plank at that position for a minimum of two minutes.
8. Once this is done, place a fan near the bumper to cool off the bumper. To cool it faster, you can also use compressed air on the dented area.
9. Recheck the dented area and then again repeat the process if required.
10. Clean up the dented region properly and leave the car for further cooling.
Thus, now you can fix the dents on your bumper by yourself without taking the help of any mechanic.
Gas Scooters are starting to show up more and more on our city streets. A favorite of Europe and Asia for many years, there is trend beginning where gas scooters are starting to fly off the shelves in America. When you consider their advantages, it is easy to see why:
1. Scooters get into less accidents.
The percentages and statistics show that scooter drivers get into less accidents than cars and motorcyclists. This is due in part because of the design of scooters. Since they are smaller vehicles, it is easy for them to maneuver and avoid accidents. In addition, most scooters are not made for highway driving where accidents are the highest. Finally, while riding a scooter, a scooter driver is required to have both hands on the wheel and is less likely to be distracted than say a car driving who is talking on their cell phone.
2. Scooters are cheaper to buy.
The cost of a new car or motorcycle is easily 3 to 5 times as much as a scooter. This means not only do you save money on gas mileage benefits, but you also save money at the very start with the purchase.
3. Scooters have cheaper repair bills.
Scooters have a basic straight-forward design which means that scooter repairs are uncomplicated and fairly easy to get corrected. This translates into cheaper repair bills compared to expensive bills you might pay on a sophisticated car.
4. Scooter get better gas mileage.
This fact is the draw for most motorists who make the switch from car to scooter is this great gas mileage savings. This is easy to see why when a scooter gets 60 to 80 mpg and a car gets 15 to 25 mpg.
5. Scooters can have cheaper insurance premiums.
Since scooters get into less accidents, you can often get cheaper insurance premiums. This is more great news for those who are trying to save their hard earned money.
6. Scooters are better for the environment than cars.
Scooters actually emit less emissions into the air. This means you know that you are creating a smaller carbon footprint when you ride your scooter.
With all of these advantages, it is easy to see why gas scooters have become the new “it” item. One additional piece of advice I would give when looking at gas scooters if you are a new scooter owner is to start with the Top Brands. The top brands include: Yamaha, Buddy, Vespa, Honday, and Aprilla. These brands have established quality reputations with past customers and have a sold parts and labor network in the US. Going with other brands can be somewhat dicey as they do not have the same reputation and it can be difficult to get parts for them. Therefore, unless you are a mechanic, I would stick with the top brands. However, regardless of which brand you choose, I think you will find that gas scooters are great for saving some cash and are a fun ride as well.
The new BMW 7-Series has just stepped out from behind the curtain, and it's taken the stage to a house only half full. Demand for BMW's big engines has dropped so low that the house of the roundel says it can make enough 8-bangers to satisfy the world's demand using just one shift for four days.
A member of BMW's supervisory board put it plainly: "We are producing the wrong engines here." Even the sixes, the center of BMW's engine constellation, are being taken out of production in Munich to be replaced by those with two fewer cylinders in 2011. When the phase-out is complete, the company will be able to build 560,000 4-cylinders per annum. Care for a BMW 716i, anyone?
Car enthusiasts agree that one of the most pleasurable automobiles available is the BMW. Known for their distinctive kidney-shaped grills, four headlights, and a sleek aerodynamic shape, drivers know BMWs offer a reliable ride every time you sit behind the wheel. There are so many models to choose from, and body styles range from sedans, sports wagons, coupe, convertible, roadster and sport activity vehicles, so you will be sure to find exactly the right car to meet your specific desires as well as needs. When it comes to your car's audio system, there is nothing like listening to your music from your iPod. With a BMW iPod kit, you can always have the exact tunes or podcasts that you want to listen to, anytime you want to go for a drive.
There are iPod car audio adapters, as well as iPod holders for use in your vehicle. Excellent integration kits offer great sound and flexible control for the iPod. You can direct its actions from the iPod unit itself, the steering wheel or your car's radio. Some of the best adaptors will also charge your iPod so that it is always ready to play. Some BMW iPod kits also come with a cradle that allows for a video out function, so you can watch video on your iPod. A good cradle will allow you to rotate, tilt and angle your iPod for the best position.
Some kits can be installed fairly quickly as well. A cable connects to the iPod on one end and the adapter on the other. The adapter then is connected to your car's radio through the vehicle's CD changer connection. That's it. Whether you have a 3G, 4G with color and monochrome, a 5G with photo and video, a mini or a Nano, you will find it a simple matter to connect your iPod to your BMW's existing audio system.
You will be pleased to know that many bmw ipod kits run very well on the factory radio already installed in your BMW. The bmw ipod kit makes it easy to browse your song list from your car's radio.
You will also have the capability of fine-tuning the treble, mid and bass to the levels you most prefer for the type of music you listen to in your vehicle. It is important to note that if the equalizer and bass boost are turned on on your iPod, this can distort the sound that it produces when it is played through your car's audio system, so it is best to turn both off, and experience the clean sounds that you have come to expect from your digital music on your iPod.
Drives in your BMW just got more fun when you bring your iPod along for the ride.
Bose speakers are considered one of the best kinds of speakers on the market. Their sound quality is difficult to surpass and their manufactured quality is exceptional. Bose as a company is about 48 years old. The company was established in 1964 in the United States and in particular in Based in Framingham, Massachusetts. The company was founded by Dr Amar G Bose an electrical engineering professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. The company is considered one of the best manufacturers and a specialist in high-end audio systems and speakers. Bose was making home theatre speakers way before they became popular in the market and established itself as a leader in this home theatre speaker market from early on. The company makes a variety of home theatre systems as well complete with amplifiers and speakers. Due to the high quality of Bose products and speakers in particular, the brand name Bose is widely recognized. Specifically for the US, Bose is considered the best brand name for audio speakers and high end stereo systems as well as for home theatres. Bose has a rich product line and makes top-notch speakers, amplifiers, acoustic headphones, wireless headphones and all kinds of high end technology speakers. They even make professional equipment for musicians and audio professionals; Bose has a complete line of amplifiers and loudspeakers.
If you love music, if you appreciate listening to music in all the detail if you enjoy sitting back and listening to your favourite track in the best possible way then you will love Bose speakers, headphones and stereo systems. However, on some occasions buyers who purchase the sets because of how clear the sound is, when they listen to speakers on display in the shop complain that when they buy the Bose speakers the quality is not the same. Many complain that it is difficult to reproduce the same sound quality at home than they do at the retailer. What music lovers look for from a set of Bose speakers is clear sound, excellent dispersion and low distortion. Whoever buys a Bose speaker they are looking for extremely accurate reproduction of sound. What usually happens is that people get disappointed when they buy the speakers because the lack the right amplifiers. In order to get the most out of your Bose speakers you need to make sure that your amplifier receiver is in the correct power range. It is not because of the speaker that sound quality is decreased but because there is a lack of compatibility between amplifier and speaker. Another factor to get the most out of your set of Bose speakers is positioning. Make sure you know exactly where the best place to place them. Buying a good quality speaker like a Bose speaker will not necessarily guarantee best sound quality results. Even though Bose speakers a probably the best in terms of quality out there on the market if you are considering buying a set you ought to read up on speaker position and amplifiers to guarantee the best possible results.
