Archive for the 'Automotive' Category

Emergency Survival Kits for Your Car

You never know what predicaments you’ll get into when you’re out in your car, so it’s a good idea to keep several survival kits in your trunk. Each should contain supplies for a specific purpose so you can easily find what you need should something goes wrong. Put together several emergency survival kits for your car now so you have them when you need them.

Flat Tire Repair Kit

Flat tires happen and you should be equipped with the necessary items to get back on the road without having to call or wait for emergency assistance. You’ll need to have a jack to lift your car (new cars will include this accessory; pre-owned vehicles may not), a full-size spare tire and a torque wrench to get the lug nuts off the flat. Consider as well important items like a tarp or some type of ground cover so you don’t get… Read more »

Motorcycle Safety Tips

Riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous due to the fact that motorcycles only have two wheels and must be balanced or you’ll fall over. You are subject to changing weather conditions while on a motorcycle, and if you’re in an accident you stand a substantially better chance of being injured than if you were in a four-wheeled vehicle. That doesn’t mean you can’t be safe while on your bike, but you must exercise caution. Here are a few motorcycle safety tips you should follow every time you ride.

Wear a Helmet

Although it’s not mandatory in some states, wearing a helmet is encouraged for safety purposes while riding a motorcycle. Some riders feel that having a helmet on their head diminishes their ability to be at one with nature. They feel that a helmet keeps out important noises, such as a vehicle blowing their horn or the approach of a… Read more »

How to Save Money on Gas

Driving a car is the primary means of transportation for the majority of us. Whether we drive to get to work or simply to take a relaxing drive on the weekend, an automobile is something we don’t want to be without. However, it costs money to operate a vehicle. With gas prices in a continual state of flux, you never know when filling the tank is going to take a larger chunk of your weekly paycheck than you’ve budgeted for. These tips can help you save money on gas each week.

Drive Slower

A proven method of saving on fuel expenses is to drive slower. Gasoline engines are designed to perform smoother at slower speeds, and they’re also more fuel-efficient when you reduce your speed and drive at or below the posted speed limit. The number of miles per gallon your car gets depends a lot on operating… Read more »

Understanding Cold Air Intake Systems

When we want to spend some money to improve our car ownership experience we are faced with the task of choosing which products to buy. For some easy-to-understand products we can easily find enough information to make an informed choice. But for technical enhancements to the car, understanding them may not be easy. It is difficult to find information that a lay person can understand. I will describe one such product in an easy-to-understand manner; this product is a cold air intake system.

A cold air intake is usually mounted on the hood of the car and takes cold air directly to the engine via a very short path. This prevents the air from heating up in the engine compartment as it travels to the car’s engine. But why is cold air better? Well, you may remember a time when you were exercising, how cool, fresh air feels better than… Read more »

How to Find the Right Motorcycle

If an exhilarating life on two wheels is calling your name, you’re probably thinking about buying a motorcycle. The decision to invest in a motorcycle is a big one, and it’s one that should be made with care. Before you rush out and buy the first bike that catches your eye, there are a few things you should take into consideration. Here are some things to think about if you want to find a motorcycle that’s just right for you.

Skill Level

If you don’t have much experience riding motorcycles, be open and honest with yourself about what you can and cannot handle. A high performance bike is typically not recommended for beginners. Safety should be of the utmost importance, and if you’re not completely comfortable riding, a motorcycle with a powerful engine probably isn’t the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you’ve ridden for a long… Read more »

Are Automatic Car Washes Bad for Your Car?

Father's Day Car Wash Bucket
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Man has had a love affair with cars since their inception. Curious people brought their entire families to see the horseless marvel and would dream of riding into the sunset in their own car, never knowing how this would soon change their life. The fondness continued as cars evolved and more thought went into the design to incorporate sleek lines and stunning accessories, which resulted in more beautiful, convenient, faster autos.

If you were lucky enough to own a car you wanted it to look beautiful at all times. This was sometimes difficult, as there were no paved roads, so cars drove on streets of dirt, which caused the cars to get covered with dust and mud. People took great pains to make sure the car always looked spiffy.  The car was washed frequently—a bucket of soap water, some rags and a lot of work: scrubbing, rinsing, drying… Read more »

Essential Tips for Summer Car Care

Griot's Garage 11131 Starter Car Care Kit
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Your vehicle needs extra care with the change of seasons. Excessive heat is dangerous for cars and you need to take special care of your vehicles during summer. Summer can be harsh on cars. During high temperatures, heat can destroy the batteries and can put pressure on the cooling system and tires. So, take precautions by regularly checking your vehicle’s components to avoid breakdowns and other car problems.

During the onset of the summer season and before heading out for vacation, you should follow the summer car care tips below to ensure a safe journey with your vehicle.

Summer Car Care Tips

Clean your Car: Regularly clean your car to remove sand and dust accumulated on it. Wash your car once in a week and clean it under the hood, wash the wheels well. Wax and Polish your car after every six months to preserve its paint. Tires: It is… Read more »

A Brief History of Volkswagen Camper Vans

The greatest selling camper van in all the world just so happens to be by the same manufacturer that started it all. That company is Volkswagen. Volkswagen is the biggest auto manufacturer in all of Europe and its Volkswagen Transporter series has been selling for 60 years strong. From refrigerators, to sinks, to stoves and beds, Volkswagen camper vans have shuttled more friends and family around the world’s roads and highways than any other make or model of camper van ever made and there just seems to be no end in sight for this legendary vehicle.

It all began in about 1950 with a freshly developed bread loaf shaped van that was designed for the German people as a low cost form of transportation. It was called the T1 or Minibus. Not too many years after its introduction, they gained a great following of people because 3rd party manufacturers began making add-ons… Read more »

The High Performing Toyota Tarago

The Toyota Tarago is a 7 seater SUV from Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan. The vehicle has gained popularity as a top transporter of man and material and still continues to be a top seller in Australia.

Versions:

The seven passenger Toyota Tarago comes in two models – the GLi and the GLX. The common equipments in both the versions are balance-shaft-equipped engine, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and ABS anti-skid brakes. The GLi version has an additional Enhanced Safety Pack system which consists of Vehicle Stability Control, Toyota Pre-Crash Seatbelt System, Traction Control, front-seat side airbags, driver’s knee airbag, electronic Brake Assist and full-length side curtain-shield airbags.

1996–2000 Toyota Tarago (TCR10R) GLi van, phot...

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The GLX version has several other enhanced features like Vehicle Stability Control, full-length side curtain-shield airbags, roof rails, six-CD multi-changer, front and rear parking sonar, 17-inch alloy wheels, rear seat climate-controlled air conditioner and electronic Brake Assist.

Features:

One peek into… Read more »

Three Possible Uses for 7 Passenger Vehicles

When it comes to buying cars, more and more people are opting to go with 7 passenger vehicles, rather than the traditional 4-5 seater vehicles. A question comes up as to what use these people who buy 7 passenger vehicles put them to. That is the question we will proceed to find possible answers to, as we look at the three possible uses for 7 passenger vehicles. And as it turns out, the three possible uses for 7 seater cars include: Family transport: There are people with bigger families who would find the ordinary 4-5 passenger vehicles (which seem to have been designed with the needs of a two-kid two-parent family in mind) unsuitable for their usage. These are the people who will find the 7 passenger vehicles highly adorable. Worth noting here is that the term ‘family’ is increasingly expanding, to include the domestic helpers and visitors who may be staying with a given… Read more »