As summer approaches, parents are once again thinking about buying their teenagers their first cars for that summer job or for those who will be going to college. In choosing the best first car for teens, it is typical that parents should opt for easy to drive vehicles as well as units that come having a good fuel economy.
Consumer Reports, one of the leading consumer watchdogs, lists some of the wisest choice for teens. What the cars in the list have in common is reliability, driver friendliness, fuel economy, safety and the price, of course. Parents are warned against buying high performance cars for their teens since they are commonly harder to drive and consume more fuel.
Since the car will be for teens, it is of utmost importance that parents should take into consideration the aesthetic value of the car they will purchase for their teens. One of the cars in the list published by Consumer Reports is the Ford Focus. Any Focus from the 2002 model year to the present model year is recommended except for the two-door models. Consumer Reports also recommend the Honda Accord EX with the four-cylinder engine. The Accords from 1998 model year to present are highly recommended. The Honda Civic EX and the Mazda 3 are also suggested by Consumer Reports. The 1999 to 2003 models of the Mazda Protégé ES is also recommended as a good buy for your teen.
Another recommended first car is the Nissan Altima 2.5 S four-cylinder. For this model, Consumer Reports recommend those produced for the 2003 model year onwards. The Subaru Forester 2.5X is also included in the list. The Toyota Camry XLE V6 and LE with the four-cylinder engine is also recommended. For the Toyota Corolla, Consumer Reports recommend the 1999 model year release onwards. Number ten on the list is the Toyota RAV4 from the 2001 model year to the present.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Nissan Increases Recycling Effort
Car manufacturers in recent years have become more environment friendly than they were before. This is because of the growing awareness in the global community which urges every sector to contribute to the protection of the environment. That is why clean cars have been developed to reduce the damage they caused to the environment.
Aside from developing these so-called green cars, car companies such as the Nissan Motor Company are looking for other ways to help the environment. In the case of the Japanese car manufacturer, they have created the Nissan Green Program 2010 which includes the steps that they are going to take to help the environment. The said program involves the production of fuel-efficient cars such as a three-liter car or a car that can run for a hundred kilometers on only three liters of gasoline. Aside from steps such as that, the program also includes the recycling of used cars.
Recently, the third largest Japanese car manufacturer disclosed information to the public of their progress in vehicle recycling. While the Nissan Green Program sets objectives to be accomplished by the year 2010, the company announced that they have already met one of their goals as early as the current year 2007. This is in the recycling of used cars. The recycling effort exerted by Nissan is in connection with the Japan Automobile Recycling Law which was enacted on January 1, 2005. The report made public by Nissan covered three different aspects of vehicle recycling. These three aspects are in the recycling of ASRs or Automobile Shredder Residues; airbag-related components; and fluorocarbons.
In the Nissan Green Program 2010, it is the company’s goal to recycle 95 percent of the used vehicles by the year 2010. The company is ahead of the legislation in Japan which will enforce the 85 percent recovery rate of used cars in terms of recycling by the year 2015. This shows how the company is concerned about the state of the environment. For the past year, Nissan reported that they have recycled 95,240.3 tons from 128,827.9 tons of ASR recovered. That amount of ASR is the product of shredding 635,440 vehicles. The figures show a recovery rate of 73.9 percent and that is higher than the 70 percent enforced by the law. In fact, this means that the company is already meeting government standards nine years before it will be enforced.
Meanwhile, the effective recycling recovery rate that Nissan reported is at 95.2 percent. This is a bit higher than the 95 percent that they have set to accomplish by the year 2010. Four years before the deadline, Nissan has already achieved one of their goals and it is a matter of refining the technologies they use to bring the effective recycling recovery rate to higher levels. This means that the residues from shredding various auto components such as Nissan fenders, hood, door panels, and other metallic and plastic parts are used by Nissan on new cars eliminating the need to deplete natural resources to create new components. Aside from these auto parts shredded, ASR also includes potentially harmful substances such as lead, cadmium and PCBs or Polychlorinated biphenyls. The proper recovery, handling and possible recycling of these substances is of utmost importance to protect the environment.
In terms of recycling airbag related components, Nissan reported that they have received 439,526 airbag related components from 229,048 vehicles. The recovery of these components involves the use of ELV or End of Life Vehicle recovery process as well as on-board deployment. The company reported that their recycling ratio for airbag related components reached a high of 94.3 percent. This means that they have far exceeded the 85 percent that they have set in the Nissan Green Program 2010.
As far as taking care of the fluorocarbons which are commonly found on the air conditioning unit of their vehicles is concerned, Nissan reported that they have collected 160,200 kilograms of fluorocarbons from 507,037 vehicles. These are then processed properly to ensure that it will not harm the environment.
All these recycling and recovery efforts cost Nissan 5,523,193,204 yen. While this may seem to be a big loss for the company, it is actually lower than the income generated which Nissan reported to be 5,642,113,359 yen. That means that the company is left with a net surplus of 118,920,115 yen.
With the current achievements by the car company, they have already exceeded the set standards by the government with time to spare. The company reported that they will continue their advances in recycling to reach 100 percent recycling. This means that 100 percent of the recovered ASR, airbag related components and fluorocarbons are utilized on new products. The Japanese car manufacturer also announced that they will be developing new technologies which will enable them to use recycled materials from End of Life Vehicles to new vehicles. The company is also aiming to make zero-landfill a possibility in Japan. The company will also be looking for ways to develop engineering steps to make vehicles easy to disassemble making easier to recycle them. This should be done in a way that the vehicle remains safe for everyday driving and especially safe from car thieves who are preying on any cars by stripping off various components.
With the increase in popularity of green cars such as gasoline-hybrid, plug-in and fully electric, and fuel cell vehicles, Nissan will be developing technologies to recycle these types of vehicles efficiently and effectively.
Aside from developing these so-called green cars, car companies such as the Nissan Motor Company are looking for other ways to help the environment. In the case of the Japanese car manufacturer, they have created the Nissan Green Program 2010 which includes the steps that they are going to take to help the environment. The said program involves the production of fuel-efficient cars such as a three-liter car or a car that can run for a hundred kilometers on only three liters of gasoline. Aside from steps such as that, the program also includes the recycling of used cars.
Recently, the third largest Japanese car manufacturer disclosed information to the public of their progress in vehicle recycling. While the Nissan Green Program sets objectives to be accomplished by the year 2010, the company announced that they have already met one of their goals as early as the current year 2007. This is in the recycling of used cars. The recycling effort exerted by Nissan is in connection with the Japan Automobile Recycling Law which was enacted on January 1, 2005. The report made public by Nissan covered three different aspects of vehicle recycling. These three aspects are in the recycling of ASRs or Automobile Shredder Residues; airbag-related components; and fluorocarbons.
In the Nissan Green Program 2010, it is the company’s goal to recycle 95 percent of the used vehicles by the year 2010. The company is ahead of the legislation in Japan which will enforce the 85 percent recovery rate of used cars in terms of recycling by the year 2015. This shows how the company is concerned about the state of the environment. For the past year, Nissan reported that they have recycled 95,240.3 tons from 128,827.9 tons of ASR recovered. That amount of ASR is the product of shredding 635,440 vehicles. The figures show a recovery rate of 73.9 percent and that is higher than the 70 percent enforced by the law. In fact, this means that the company is already meeting government standards nine years before it will be enforced.
Meanwhile, the effective recycling recovery rate that Nissan reported is at 95.2 percent. This is a bit higher than the 95 percent that they have set to accomplish by the year 2010. Four years before the deadline, Nissan has already achieved one of their goals and it is a matter of refining the technologies they use to bring the effective recycling recovery rate to higher levels. This means that the residues from shredding various auto components such as Nissan fenders, hood, door panels, and other metallic and plastic parts are used by Nissan on new cars eliminating the need to deplete natural resources to create new components. Aside from these auto parts shredded, ASR also includes potentially harmful substances such as lead, cadmium and PCBs or Polychlorinated biphenyls. The proper recovery, handling and possible recycling of these substances is of utmost importance to protect the environment.
In terms of recycling airbag related components, Nissan reported that they have received 439,526 airbag related components from 229,048 vehicles. The recovery of these components involves the use of ELV or End of Life Vehicle recovery process as well as on-board deployment. The company reported that their recycling ratio for airbag related components reached a high of 94.3 percent. This means that they have far exceeded the 85 percent that they have set in the Nissan Green Program 2010.
As far as taking care of the fluorocarbons which are commonly found on the air conditioning unit of their vehicles is concerned, Nissan reported that they have collected 160,200 kilograms of fluorocarbons from 507,037 vehicles. These are then processed properly to ensure that it will not harm the environment.
All these recycling and recovery efforts cost Nissan 5,523,193,204 yen. While this may seem to be a big loss for the company, it is actually lower than the income generated which Nissan reported to be 5,642,113,359 yen. That means that the company is left with a net surplus of 118,920,115 yen.
With the current achievements by the car company, they have already exceeded the set standards by the government with time to spare. The company reported that they will continue their advances in recycling to reach 100 percent recycling. This means that 100 percent of the recovered ASR, airbag related components and fluorocarbons are utilized on new products. The Japanese car manufacturer also announced that they will be developing new technologies which will enable them to use recycled materials from End of Life Vehicles to new vehicles. The company is also aiming to make zero-landfill a possibility in Japan. The company will also be looking for ways to develop engineering steps to make vehicles easy to disassemble making easier to recycle them. This should be done in a way that the vehicle remains safe for everyday driving and especially safe from car thieves who are preying on any cars by stripping off various components.
With the increase in popularity of green cars such as gasoline-hybrid, plug-in and fully electric, and fuel cell vehicles, Nissan will be developing technologies to recycle these types of vehicles efficiently and effectively.
10 Must Know Tips For Hassle Free Car Rental
Renting a car for personal or business trips has become easy with the advent of the World Wide Web. There are many car rental agencies and directories online, and so one can rent a car of choice without blinking an eye.
For many of us renting a car can be a hassle and cause tensions if things go haywire at the last minute. Here are a few tips that can make car rental hassle free:
1. Try and firm up travel plans and make your reservation at least a week in advance. If you book early you will get better rates. And, many car rental companies offer discounts for bookings made online.
2. Choose the car rental company carefully. Use comparison tools available on several websites to compare rates, service, and different vehicles.
3. Read through the contract and make sure you find out what the terms and conditions of cancelling a booking are. Also determine who is responsible for filling gas and what happens if there is a break down.
4. Protect your own interest by insisting on a thorough check before you get into the car and one when you return it. This way you will not be charged for dents and such when you return the car.
5. Try and use the same company whenever you need to rent a car. Most car rental online sites have loyalty programs and offer great discounts as well as quick service to repeat customers.
6. Determine when the car was last serviced and whether the car insurance and other permits are all in order.
7. If your auto insurance does not cover rental cars consider taking car rental insurance. Before you take an auto insurance policy try and review the plan with regard to provisions, limitations, and exclusions. Find out the extent of liability coverage.
8. When filling the form give all relevant details: how many travelers will there be; are there any children; where you will be going; when you will return the car and where and so on.
9. Keep documentation is proof of ID, credit card, and driver’s license handy. Find out whether you need any further permissions or permits where you intend to drive. Different states within the US and different countries abroad have their own unique set of rules.
10. Find out whether vehicles picked up at an airport incur extra costs; ask if the company you are renting the car from offers free pick up and drop options; find out what the company’s 24?7 emergency contact numbers are; ask about roadside assistance and what the working hours of the company’s offices are.
Be a knowledgeable car renter and read the many articles and tips on the internet devoted to car rental. If you are organized and systematic car rental will not be a problem and soon you will be a pro!
For many of us renting a car can be a hassle and cause tensions if things go haywire at the last minute. Here are a few tips that can make car rental hassle free:
1. Try and firm up travel plans and make your reservation at least a week in advance. If you book early you will get better rates. And, many car rental companies offer discounts for bookings made online.
2. Choose the car rental company carefully. Use comparison tools available on several websites to compare rates, service, and different vehicles.
3. Read through the contract and make sure you find out what the terms and conditions of cancelling a booking are. Also determine who is responsible for filling gas and what happens if there is a break down.
4. Protect your own interest by insisting on a thorough check before you get into the car and one when you return it. This way you will not be charged for dents and such when you return the car.
5. Try and use the same company whenever you need to rent a car. Most car rental online sites have loyalty programs and offer great discounts as well as quick service to repeat customers.
6. Determine when the car was last serviced and whether the car insurance and other permits are all in order.
7. If your auto insurance does not cover rental cars consider taking car rental insurance. Before you take an auto insurance policy try and review the plan with regard to provisions, limitations, and exclusions. Find out the extent of liability coverage.
8. When filling the form give all relevant details: how many travelers will there be; are there any children; where you will be going; when you will return the car and where and so on.
9. Keep documentation is proof of ID, credit card, and driver’s license handy. Find out whether you need any further permissions or permits where you intend to drive. Different states within the US and different countries abroad have their own unique set of rules.
10. Find out whether vehicles picked up at an airport incur extra costs; ask if the company you are renting the car from offers free pick up and drop options; find out what the company’s 24?7 emergency contact numbers are; ask about roadside assistance and what the working hours of the company’s offices are.
Be a knowledgeable car renter and read the many articles and tips on the internet devoted to car rental. If you are organized and systematic car rental will not be a problem and soon you will be a pro!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
The Most Important Parts and Attention Your Car Needs
A pro’s opinion
1. OIL CHANGE: Engine oil coats the moving parts of your engine to reduce friction and it collects dirt that enters the engine mostly from air intake. After time, the oil becomes thinner as additives break down and become ineffective. Dirt collected in oil begins to stick to the moving parts and gets pushed into crevices creating sludge in the engine. This build up causes the engine to work harder to move its parts while creating insulation that does not allow your engine to cool effectively. This greatly adds to premature engine failure. Check all fluid levels with every oil change (power steering, brake fluid, coolant, etc.) Be sure to check the owner’s manual before adding any parts or fluid and use what is recommended.
2. TUNE UPS: Today’s cars do not need new plugs, points and rotors as often as in the past. Modern vehicles with today’s better parts need only have spark plugs changed about every 100,000 miles. They should be inspected more often to ensure that all is running well. Personally, I inspect my vehicles every other oil change for fouled plugs, build up on the cap or rotor (points are no longer used). I also use this inspection time to check the plug wires, air filter, PVC valve and breather and the cabin filters and replace as needed (always replace with parts recommended by the manufacturer)..
3. WASH AND WAX: A dirty car will create wind resistance and use more fuel. A good wax coating will not only keep your paint looking new longer it also causes less wind resistance and better fuel economy. Washing your vehicle yourself is not only good exercise but allows you to take a good look at your investment: tire wear, loose molding or mirrors, missing parts , cracked light covers or split wiper blades.
This is also a good time to check the engine compartment: the engine should be clean (dirt insulates and the engine will run hotter), worn belts or hoses?, loose cables?, leaks? Look under your car regularly for oil or coolant leaks.
4. LISTEN FOR NOISES. Sometimes you have to turn the radio down. Strange and different noises can mean that a part is about to fail. Listen for where the noise is coming from. A squealing belt could be a worn belt, a bad pulley or other worn parts-all could mean sitting on the of the side of the road. Noises are warnings. Most things are more convenient and cheaper to fix at the first warning (a noise) than after you are waiting for the tow truck.
1. OIL CHANGE: Engine oil coats the moving parts of your engine to reduce friction and it collects dirt that enters the engine mostly from air intake. After time, the oil becomes thinner as additives break down and become ineffective. Dirt collected in oil begins to stick to the moving parts and gets pushed into crevices creating sludge in the engine. This build up causes the engine to work harder to move its parts while creating insulation that does not allow your engine to cool effectively. This greatly adds to premature engine failure. Check all fluid levels with every oil change (power steering, brake fluid, coolant, etc.) Be sure to check the owner’s manual before adding any parts or fluid and use what is recommended.
2. TUNE UPS: Today’s cars do not need new plugs, points and rotors as often as in the past. Modern vehicles with today’s better parts need only have spark plugs changed about every 100,000 miles. They should be inspected more often to ensure that all is running well. Personally, I inspect my vehicles every other oil change for fouled plugs, build up on the cap or rotor (points are no longer used). I also use this inspection time to check the plug wires, air filter, PVC valve and breather and the cabin filters and replace as needed (always replace with parts recommended by the manufacturer)..
3. WASH AND WAX: A dirty car will create wind resistance and use more fuel. A good wax coating will not only keep your paint looking new longer it also causes less wind resistance and better fuel economy. Washing your vehicle yourself is not only good exercise but allows you to take a good look at your investment: tire wear, loose molding or mirrors, missing parts , cracked light covers or split wiper blades.
This is also a good time to check the engine compartment: the engine should be clean (dirt insulates and the engine will run hotter), worn belts or hoses?, loose cables?, leaks? Look under your car regularly for oil or coolant leaks.
4. LISTEN FOR NOISES. Sometimes you have to turn the radio down. Strange and different noises can mean that a part is about to fail. Listen for where the noise is coming from. A squealing belt could be a worn belt, a bad pulley or other worn parts-all could mean sitting on the of the side of the road. Noises are warnings. Most things are more convenient and cheaper to fix at the first warning (a noise) than after you are waiting for the tow truck.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
How To Buy A Car Cheap!
Well the old car is has just about had it. Time to trade it in on a newer model. But what kind of car should you buy? Were can I find a good car cheap? Which models are good cars and which are going to be lemons.
I am going to let you in on a secret most cars on used vehicle dealer lots are not paid for. So which car should you buy? The one that is close to pay off time. Once the car has been in the dealers inventory for a month or more the price will usually start to fall. The price falls because the dealer wants to sell the vehicle and use the customers funds to pay it off rather than have to pay for the vehicle themselves.
So now you know which cars to buy. What you don"t know which cars are due for pay off! Ok time to do your home work. Find some old ads for the vehicle dealer you wish to buy from if worse comes to worse you can get old ads from the newspaper or sheet ad publisher. Look for the vehicles that are in those papers if they are on the lot they are getting close to pay off time.
Another way to get a good deal on a vehicle is to look for the one with something simple wrong with it. Flat tires ,dead battery, missing ash trey,etc. If there is something wrong with the car you can use this to argue down the price. Also look for the car at the back of the lot that is just ugly,nothing really wrong with the car just not a popular color. Do not even think about something red or silver these cars draw eyes and are not going to be cheap cars. If you can find a white car or tan these cars are usually cheaper because they are not good drawing cards. A flashy Red car draws the customers in the door. They may mind up leaving in something else but it catches the eye of the public when driving by.
Ok what will be a good car for you to buy? Check out some websites that offer car reviews in other words do you home work.
I am going to let you in on a secret most cars on used vehicle dealer lots are not paid for. So which car should you buy? The one that is close to pay off time. Once the car has been in the dealers inventory for a month or more the price will usually start to fall. The price falls because the dealer wants to sell the vehicle and use the customers funds to pay it off rather than have to pay for the vehicle themselves.
So now you know which cars to buy. What you don"t know which cars are due for pay off! Ok time to do your home work. Find some old ads for the vehicle dealer you wish to buy from if worse comes to worse you can get old ads from the newspaper or sheet ad publisher. Look for the vehicles that are in those papers if they are on the lot they are getting close to pay off time.
Another way to get a good deal on a vehicle is to look for the one with something simple wrong with it. Flat tires ,dead battery, missing ash trey,etc. If there is something wrong with the car you can use this to argue down the price. Also look for the car at the back of the lot that is just ugly,nothing really wrong with the car just not a popular color. Do not even think about something red or silver these cars draw eyes and are not going to be cheap cars. If you can find a white car or tan these cars are usually cheaper because they are not good drawing cards. A flashy Red car draws the customers in the door. They may mind up leaving in something else but it catches the eye of the public when driving by.
Ok what will be a good car for you to buy? Check out some websites that offer car reviews in other words do you home work.
How To Change A Flat Tire
This is basic stuff. Everyone knows how to do this… right? Well, I recently came to the aid of a thirty-two year old guy who was clueless how to change his flat tire. He never had to do this in his entire life—amazing! This fellow’s not mentally challenged either. He’s a successful, talented photographer. Just proves what I’ve always said— “you never know what other people don’t know.” (hey, my ex-wife thought all the stars were illuminated by the sun.)
Anyway, here’s how it’s done. First, you need to locate the tools you’ll need ( hopefully sometime before you need to ). Look in your auto’s manual to find where the JACK, LUG WRENCH and SPARE TIRE are located. A word of caution before you start: Make sure you are well out of traffic on a flat, level area. You can drive, really slowly, on a flat for a little while until you find a safe area.
Step 1:While your car is still on the ground, use your LUG WRENCH to loosen the LUG NUTS (usually 4-5 or 6) that hold the tire on. Turn them to the left, counter-clockwise. Remember, “lefty-loosey - righty-tighty.” Loosen them until they turn easily, but do not remove them yet. If you try to loosen them when the wheel is up off the ground, the tire spins and that makes it really hard to loosen them.
Step 2: Make sure your manual, emergency brake is engaged. Brace your other tires with a rock or piece of wood as an added precaution so the car doesn’t roll. Position the JACK under the stress point on the frame of the car nearest the tire you want to change. If you look and feel with you hand along the very bottom edge of your vehicle, you'll find an indent or a turn in the metal. That’s a stress point, and that is where the weight of your car is designed to be balanced on. Expand the JACK either by cranking the handle or by ratcheting the gear (depending on the type of jack you have), and do this until it is snug between the car and the ground.
Step 3: Start lifting the car by continuing to expand the JACK. Go slowly and check that the car isn’t going to shift as you raise it. Keep raising the car until you have enough clearance to accommodate the size of the SPARE TIRE.
Step 4: Now you can remove the already loosened LUG NUTS, keeping those little buggers safe and together (they’ll roll away if you don’t). Take off the flat tire, and replace it with the SPARE TIRE. Thread the LUG NUTS ( all of them!) back onto the bolts the were on. They don’t have to be on the same bolts, but one thing you must do correctly is to make sure they go back on with their beveled edges facing in, towards the car. This keeps the wheel firmly on the hub. Using your LUG WRENCH, tighten them until they are snug, but don’t try to tighten them too hard.
Step 5: Gently lower the car by reversing the JACK’s action until all four tires are on the ground. Now tighten the LUG NUTS as hard as you can! Really hard! Until you hear them squeak! All of them. Gather up your old flat tire, all your tools, and put them back in your car. Remember to remove anything you used to brace the other tires.
Step 6: Get thee to a service station! Now! Today! First thing! You’re now driving without a spare tire, and if it happens again, you're up a creek without a paddle! Get your flat fixed (or get a new tire) and have it put back on. Have them check to make sure your spare is in good condition too—for the next time.
Final thoughts:
A. Most spare tires these days are small,”doughnut” type tires that are not meant to be used for a long time. Get the real one
B. Don’t panic! If you must drive on a flat tire to get to a safe area, you can— for a few miles. Just go slowly. Put on your emergency flasher. Remember, it is better to buy a new tire or a new wheel than to get hurt or killed in an accident.
C. Check your tire pressure often. Once a month. The main cause of tire failure is not having enough air in them.
Anyway, here’s how it’s done. First, you need to locate the tools you’ll need ( hopefully sometime before you need to ). Look in your auto’s manual to find where the JACK, LUG WRENCH and SPARE TIRE are located. A word of caution before you start: Make sure you are well out of traffic on a flat, level area. You can drive, really slowly, on a flat for a little while until you find a safe area.
Step 1:While your car is still on the ground, use your LUG WRENCH to loosen the LUG NUTS (usually 4-5 or 6) that hold the tire on. Turn them to the left, counter-clockwise. Remember, “lefty-loosey - righty-tighty.” Loosen them until they turn easily, but do not remove them yet. If you try to loosen them when the wheel is up off the ground, the tire spins and that makes it really hard to loosen them.
Step 2: Make sure your manual, emergency brake is engaged. Brace your other tires with a rock or piece of wood as an added precaution so the car doesn’t roll. Position the JACK under the stress point on the frame of the car nearest the tire you want to change. If you look and feel with you hand along the very bottom edge of your vehicle, you'll find an indent or a turn in the metal. That’s a stress point, and that is where the weight of your car is designed to be balanced on. Expand the JACK either by cranking the handle or by ratcheting the gear (depending on the type of jack you have), and do this until it is snug between the car and the ground.
Step 3: Start lifting the car by continuing to expand the JACK. Go slowly and check that the car isn’t going to shift as you raise it. Keep raising the car until you have enough clearance to accommodate the size of the SPARE TIRE.
Step 4: Now you can remove the already loosened LUG NUTS, keeping those little buggers safe and together (they’ll roll away if you don’t). Take off the flat tire, and replace it with the SPARE TIRE. Thread the LUG NUTS ( all of them!) back onto the bolts the were on. They don’t have to be on the same bolts, but one thing you must do correctly is to make sure they go back on with their beveled edges facing in, towards the car. This keeps the wheel firmly on the hub. Using your LUG WRENCH, tighten them until they are snug, but don’t try to tighten them too hard.
Step 5: Gently lower the car by reversing the JACK’s action until all four tires are on the ground. Now tighten the LUG NUTS as hard as you can! Really hard! Until you hear them squeak! All of them. Gather up your old flat tire, all your tools, and put them back in your car. Remember to remove anything you used to brace the other tires.
Step 6: Get thee to a service station! Now! Today! First thing! You’re now driving without a spare tire, and if it happens again, you're up a creek without a paddle! Get your flat fixed (or get a new tire) and have it put back on. Have them check to make sure your spare is in good condition too—for the next time.
Final thoughts:
A. Most spare tires these days are small,”doughnut” type tires that are not meant to be used for a long time. Get the real one
B. Don’t panic! If you must drive on a flat tire to get to a safe area, you can— for a few miles. Just go slowly. Put on your emergency flasher. Remember, it is better to buy a new tire or a new wheel than to get hurt or killed in an accident.
C. Check your tire pressure often. Once a month. The main cause of tire failure is not having enough air in them.
How To Change A Flat Tire
This is basic stuff. Everyone knows how to do this… right? Well, I recently came to the aid of a thirty-two year old guy who was clueless how to change his flat tire. He never had to do this in his entire life—amazing! This fellow’s not mentally challenged either. He’s a successful, talented photographer. Just proves what I’ve always said— “you never know what other people don’t know.” (hey, my ex-wife thought all the stars were illuminated by the sun.)
Anyway, here’s how it’s done. First, you need to locate the tools you’ll need ( hopefully sometime before you need to ). Look in your auto’s manual to find where the JACK, LUG WRENCH and SPARE TIRE are located. A word of caution before you start: Make sure you are well out of traffic on a flat, level area. You can drive, really slowly, on a flat for a little while until you find a safe area.
Step 1:While your car is still on the ground, use your LUG WRENCH to loosen the LUG NUTS (usually 4-5 or 6) that hold the tire on. Turn them to the left, counter-clockwise. Remember, “lefty-loosey - righty-tighty.” Loosen them until they turn easily, but do not remove them yet. If you try to loosen them when the wheel is up off the ground, the tire spins and that makes it really hard to loosen them.
Step 2: Make sure your manual, emergency brake is engaged. Brace your other tires with a rock or piece of wood as an added precaution so the car doesn’t roll. Position the JACK under the stress point on the frame of the car nearest the tire you want to change. If you look and feel with you hand along the very bottom edge of your vehicle, you'll find an indent or a turn in the metal. That’s a stress point, and that is where the weight of your car is designed to be balanced on. Expand the JACK either by cranking the handle or by ratcheting the gear (depending on the type of jack you have), and do this until it is snug between the car and the ground.
Step 3: Start lifting the car by continuing to expand the JACK. Go slowly and check that the car isn’t going to shift as you raise it. Keep raising the car until you have enough clearance to accommodate the size of the SPARE TIRE.
Step 4: Now you can remove the already loosened LUG NUTS, keeping those little buggers safe and together (they’ll roll away if you don’t). Take off the flat tire, and replace it with the SPARE TIRE. Thread the LUG NUTS ( all of them!) back onto the bolts the were on. They don’t have to be on the same bolts, but one thing you must do correctly is to make sure they go back on with their beveled edges facing in, towards the car. This keeps the wheel firmly on the hub. Using your LUG WRENCH, tighten them until they are snug, but don’t try to tighten them too hard.
Step 5: Gently lower the car by reversing the JACK’s action until all four tires are on the ground. Now tighten the LUG NUTS as hard as you can! Really hard! Until you hear them squeak! All of them. Gather up your old flat tire, all your tools, and put them back in your car. Remember to remove anything you used to brace the other tires.
Step 6: Get thee to a service station! Now! Today! First thing! You’re now driving without a spare tire, and if it happens again, you're up a creek without a paddle! Get your flat fixed (or get a new tire) and have it put back on. Have them check to make sure your spare is in good condition too—for the next time.
Anyway, here’s how it’s done. First, you need to locate the tools you’ll need ( hopefully sometime before you need to ). Look in your auto’s manual to find where the JACK, LUG WRENCH and SPARE TIRE are located. A word of caution before you start: Make sure you are well out of traffic on a flat, level area. You can drive, really slowly, on a flat for a little while until you find a safe area.
Step 1:While your car is still on the ground, use your LUG WRENCH to loosen the LUG NUTS (usually 4-5 or 6) that hold the tire on. Turn them to the left, counter-clockwise. Remember, “lefty-loosey - righty-tighty.” Loosen them until they turn easily, but do not remove them yet. If you try to loosen them when the wheel is up off the ground, the tire spins and that makes it really hard to loosen them.
Step 2: Make sure your manual, emergency brake is engaged. Brace your other tires with a rock or piece of wood as an added precaution so the car doesn’t roll. Position the JACK under the stress point on the frame of the car nearest the tire you want to change. If you look and feel with you hand along the very bottom edge of your vehicle, you'll find an indent or a turn in the metal. That’s a stress point, and that is where the weight of your car is designed to be balanced on. Expand the JACK either by cranking the handle or by ratcheting the gear (depending on the type of jack you have), and do this until it is snug between the car and the ground.
Step 3: Start lifting the car by continuing to expand the JACK. Go slowly and check that the car isn’t going to shift as you raise it. Keep raising the car until you have enough clearance to accommodate the size of the SPARE TIRE.
Step 4: Now you can remove the already loosened LUG NUTS, keeping those little buggers safe and together (they’ll roll away if you don’t). Take off the flat tire, and replace it with the SPARE TIRE. Thread the LUG NUTS ( all of them!) back onto the bolts the were on. They don’t have to be on the same bolts, but one thing you must do correctly is to make sure they go back on with their beveled edges facing in, towards the car. This keeps the wheel firmly on the hub. Using your LUG WRENCH, tighten them until they are snug, but don’t try to tighten them too hard.
Step 5: Gently lower the car by reversing the JACK’s action until all four tires are on the ground. Now tighten the LUG NUTS as hard as you can! Really hard! Until you hear them squeak! All of them. Gather up your old flat tire, all your tools, and put them back in your car. Remember to remove anything you used to brace the other tires.
Step 6: Get thee to a service station! Now! Today! First thing! You’re now driving without a spare tire, and if it happens again, you're up a creek without a paddle! Get your flat fixed (or get a new tire) and have it put back on. Have them check to make sure your spare is in good condition too—for the next time.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Buick Guide
Buick enjoys a rich history of more than a century—in 1903, The Buick Motor Car Company was formed, and in 1904 appeared the first model of Buick. Right from the start of the production, Buick gained popularity with its design, features, and technology that the company always looked to improve. Buick is now GM's only US-based semi-luxury brand, and is the fourth oldest marque in the world.
Buick during the 50s and 60s
1950s mark the era of super cars in the production of Buick. Buick gained a unique style and size with plenty of room, even in the 2-door models. The characteristic form of the Buick tail lamps during 1950s was a tier of small circular bullet-shapes. Buick La saber (Buick Lesabre) is one of the best-selling full-size cars, and it was launched in 1959. Before the discontinuation of this model in 2005, Buick La Saber enjoyed history of refined elegance that made it America's best selling full-size sedan for more than 12 consecutive years!
In the early 1960s, the design of Buick became more streamlined. The famous sports-looking Buick Riviera was launched in 1963. The engine used for Buick, the V8 engine, became very popular among hot-rodders in the 1950s and 1960s, because the vertical attachment of the valve-covers enabled the engine to fit into smaller spaces while maintaining easy access for maintenance. Buick models always enjoyed special Buick accessories and Buick parts, which made them unique it for the use of hot-rodders, and also for the general public.
Buick gave precisely what American market wanted at that time—it delivered, it conquered the hearts, and it triumphed! Buick has written a golden chapter in the car history of America and Buick-owners must feel proud that they bought one of the finest cars of their times!
Buick during the 50s and 60s
1950s mark the era of super cars in the production of Buick. Buick gained a unique style and size with plenty of room, even in the 2-door models. The characteristic form of the Buick tail lamps during 1950s was a tier of small circular bullet-shapes. Buick La saber (Buick Lesabre) is one of the best-selling full-size cars, and it was launched in 1959. Before the discontinuation of this model in 2005, Buick La Saber enjoyed history of refined elegance that made it America's best selling full-size sedan for more than 12 consecutive years!
In the early 1960s, the design of Buick became more streamlined. The famous sports-looking Buick Riviera was launched in 1963. The engine used for Buick, the V8 engine, became very popular among hot-rodders in the 1950s and 1960s, because the vertical attachment of the valve-covers enabled the engine to fit into smaller spaces while maintaining easy access for maintenance. Buick models always enjoyed special Buick accessories and Buick parts, which made them unique it for the use of hot-rodders, and also for the general public.
Buick gave precisely what American market wanted at that time—it delivered, it conquered the hearts, and it triumphed! Buick has written a golden chapter in the car history of America and Buick-owners must feel proud that they bought one of the finest cars of their times!
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