Archive for May, 2009
Rental Car Insurance – You May Not Need it
Rental car insurance read this because you may not need it depending on the type of insurance you have on the car you own. Many times people will buy expensive rental automobile insurance when they do not even need it. I did, but not anymore.
Fact: Rental car agencies would like to sell you car insurance because it adds to their profit.
Fact: You may not need it.
There are benefits to buying these policies under the right circumstances but you should make sure that it is something that you need before agreeing to it.
Make sure you understand that when the car rental agency quotes you a price for rental insurance the price they are quoting means per day and not per length of the time you have the car.
This happened to me. The car agency told me what the cost would be, somewhere in the neighborhood of $22 for car insurance. I kept the car a week and when I got back I had over $150 added to my bill. Jimmy was a very unhappy boy and when I told them that this practice was not fair, they just told me that I had agreed to it, which I had. I said OK but I guarantee you that this is the last time this will ever happen to me and I have never purchased insurance from a rental agency company again.
I have a very good car insurance policy and because I have an expensive car I carry comprehensive insurance which also transfers to any car I drive, including rental cars.
The only problem with using my personal insurance to cover rental cars is the high deductible, which I do not mind paying if I ever did cause an accident which I will not because I am a safe driver.
The good thing about buying insurance from the rental car agency is that if you do have an accident there would be no deductible and the company will immediately take care of everything.
If you do not have insurance from the rental car company they will put all charges on your credit card and allow your personal insurance company to reimburse you.
Jimmy says if you have good comprehensive coverage with your auto insurance company you may not need insurance from the rental car agency. However, this is your decision alone to make and you need to do what you feel good about doing in this situation.
Rental car insurance may or may not be necessary, it depends on the type of insurance that you have on your personal car so make sure you are not spending money unnecessarily when renting a car.
Electric Car Motor – Why People Prefer Electric Motors
People are now thinking about converting their cars in electric vehicle for several reasons and they are always confused about what to do and what they need to purchase but, once they get involved in the project, they find out that it is so simple and all you just need to do is to follow the step by step instructions in order to install your electric car motor and its accessories.
People prefer this type of motors because it will save them a lot of money they pay for gas. Those who live in small cities and towns do not need to travel a long distance every day so, they knew that using an electric car would save them a lot when it comes down to running costs. In addition to this, the electric car motor is very cheap compared to gas engines. You can get them from everywhere and you can get them for very good prices from the surplus merchandise. Those who are trying their luck with EV for the first time can go for an aircraft generator as a motor for their cars. Although this solution does not provide much power for your car but it is a very good chance to get the feeling of an electric car before you invest in purchasing a new electric motor.
Using an electric vehicle for your city commuting will not only decrease your daily costs but it will also help the environment to survive the effect of other carbon emitting sources. Electricity is a very clean energy that you can use for a better environment.
One of the best things about the electric car motor is that you can do the installation and the replacement all by yourself. It could be your next garage project where you proudly change an old car into a modern electric vehicle.
Buying and Leasing a Van Compared
From time to to time a business may need the use of a new van. One way of acquiring one is to buy it, either with the money up front or through a loan. Another way to acquire the new van is to sign a leasing deal with a business contract hire company.
The problem with buying a vehicle outright is the cost as it will a put hole in most businesses budgets. Even taking out a loan to purchase the van may be expensive. A more cost effective way of securing the vehicle may be through leasing it. Unlike when buying, you would not actually own the van, that would remain the property of the contract hire company from which you leased the vehicle. But there are certain advantages with leasing that may appeal to a company.
Because a leased vehicle remains the property of the leasing company, the business will not have to worry about depreciation. They sign a lease, anything between 12 to 60 months and receive the van. Once the lease is over they can hand back the van and then sign a lease for a new one. This means that a business can afford to regularly change their fleet of vehicles, something that might be unaffordable for those who who choose outright.
Because leasing is generally cheaper than buying – either outright or by taking out a loan – businesses may be able to afford a better model of van should they sign a a deal with a business contract hire company. The way leasing deals are structured it may prove more advantageous to lease rather than actually buy the vehicle.
When deciding whether to buy or lease a new van, it is worth comparing the advantages and disadvantages. The best way to do to do this and work out the running costs of the van and what your business can afford. That will help you compare the expense of buying the van with leasing it.
Come Together Right Now Over Trailer Hitches
f you got, camping gear. If you got, boats and jet skis. If you got, U-hauls loaded down to the axle, forget about the bumper…or it’s likely to fly free. Come together, right now…over trailer hitches.
Bad Beatles impression notwithstanding, the bumper of your truck may work great for hauling a stump out of the ground or even towing another car over short distances, but it’s definitely not intended to support the weight often associated with recreational gear, heavy equipment and anything else you may need to take along with you. That’s why the automotive-powers-that-be invented trailer hitches.
Trailer hitches, like a Toyota Tacoma trailer hitch or a F150 tow hitch, are available in two styles: receiver and fixed-drawbar. A receiver hitch mounts directly onto the frame of your rig and accepts removable ball mounts, trailers or any other hitch-mounted accessories. Fixed-drawbar hitches usually feature one-piece construction with a built-in hole for the trailer ball and are therefore typically not compatible with aftermarket hitch accessories.
Some models, like those produced by Hidden Hitch, mount discreetly under your bumper and provide a seamless fit with removable drawbars and a low-profile design. Able to tow everything from Airstream travel trailers to horse carriers, Hidden Hitch manufactures hitches that are barely noticeable until something gets saddled to them.
Also known as a tow hitch, there are five unique types of trailer hitches here in the US. Numbered simply as class 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Classes 1 and 2 are designed to accommodate lighter loads of no more than 3,500 lbs while classes 3, 4 and 5 can handle up to 10,000 lbs, making them ideally-suited for larger items like boats and campers. Since the weight of that gear adds up pretty quick, you might consider hitch locks. Locking hitch pins and trailer hitch locks stop thieves from making off with your gear and tack on an additional level of safety by further preventing runaway trailers.
Designed uniquely for your make, model and year, Draw Tite hitches and similar models provide the perfect fit onto your frame for heavy-duty reliability no matter what you’ve got behind you. Most heavy-duty trailer hitches are designed using cutting-edge computer-aided models and fatigue stress testing to ensure optimal strength. Plus, the solid, all-weld build and black powder coating provide additional toughness and protect again rust, corrosion and oxidation
How to Change the Oil in Your Motorcycle
What is perhaps the most important fluid that every motorcycle needs? The answer is oil. Every motorcycle needs oil in order to function properly for a number of reasons.
Motorcycle oil helps all of the parts of the engine move and perform the functions that they are designed to perform. Without oil, your engine will seize up and no longer run. Oil is also used to flush debris from within the engine parts into the filter where it can be collected and later disposed of.
The activity that needs to take place with every motorcycle is an regular oil change, regular being once a year, twice a year, or however often is appropriate for your riding style. The following steps will guide you through the process of changing your motorcycle oil. If you’re not exactly familiar with the following, then it would be a good idea to consult your manual for exact steps.
First Step
The first activity that needs to take place is draining the existing oil. One way that you can speed up the process of draining the oil is to let the engine warm up slightly, which will cause the oil to become thinner. This will help the oil drain faster.
Second Step
Once you have completely drained all of the oil, then you can proceed to the next step which is removing the current oil filter and replacing it with a new one. A good idea would be to spread a little clean oil around the rim of the new filter to ensure a well sealed fit. Replace all bolts and make sure the fit is snug on the filter as well as the drain plug.
Third Step
All that is left now is to replace the old oil that you removed in the previous steps. If you’re not sure about what amount you should add, then check your owner manual. Also consult your manual for the type of oil that you should be using. When you have added the proper amount of oil to your motorcycle, then you’re all finished. You can start up the motorcycle and let it run to ensure even distribution through the motorcycle.
Car Parts For Recycling
It is both possible and desirable to recycle those parts of your car that you have no more practical use of. The alternative is to destroy them in ways that may not be environmentally friendly. Clearly this is not something that can be considered to be a good idea. The scrap yard can also play its role as depository for unwanted aluminum parts. The spare remainders that can still be used by other car owners could safely be distributed to the local shop and then sent back to be resold under a different agreement. Most things on the car can be recycled including the rubber parts. Therefore you should never automatically assume that something is incapable of being recycled.
The good thing about recycling is that you can get some money for your efforts. The scrap yards can be persuaded to sell at a percentage of the original price. This will obviously be less than what you paid for the car but it will be some money nevertheless. Because of government interest in maintaining a good environment, they might also be willing to pay your some money for the efforts that you are making. In fact there are new car scrap schemes that will offer discounts on the purchase of your new vehicle or will pay you some money for not buying reconditioned cars.
Simple steps to an essential activity
Initially you will need to determine the parts that are capable of being effectively recycled. Some schemes will have fairly strict rules as to what you can and cannot recycle. They will describe the circumstances in which certain parts can be recycled for a benefit. You should check with your local environment office and follow the rules that have been agreed with the local environmental body. There is some clever advice that is give for recycler to the effect that you need to clean up the parts that you intend to recycle. This is to ensure that they look as new as possible and will attract takers in the shortest time possible.
If you cannot find a buyer then you might want to consider donating your excess spare parts. This might not bring you economic benefit but it is after all the sensible thing to do. The environment is the responsibility of all car owners and the more contribution that you can make, the greater the overall impact on the globe. You might be surprised to know that there could be tax benefits for donating those parts that you do not intend to use. That is all part of the community contribution to sustainable development.
Funding the Parts For Your Classic Cars Passion
If you’re keen collector or investor of classic cars, your hobby no doubt makes quite a dent in your wallet because the upkeep of just one of these cars can be very costly. It’s easier to keep it in the garage or only drive it for special events, so as to keep the wear and tear on the car minimal. But it is important that you get maximum pleasure from your classic car or cars. To keep your hobby going, consider finding cheaper options for the classic car parts and extra accessories you need and that will help you cut costs.
Investigate Online Options
The Internet allows you to access so many different options and in a variety of places. This really counts when shopping for accessories or parts for your classic car as they are rare, so it is best to scout out a supplier before you actually need a specific classic auto part.
Normally on the Web, there are many well stocked retailers or distributors of regular car parts for every possible brand of car, but when it comes to classic cars this is not always the case. Often you will need to do some investigating into whether they can get hold of the part you need and have that information early on. It could well be the online stores that stock major brands might actually stock second hand classic car parts, which will save you on the cost.
Some Useful Pointers
There’s always some risk involved with shopping online, especially in proving authenticity and there are some necessary steps you should take to safeguard your personal and financial information. If you can, it’s better to buy from an online store that’s already well-known among other classic car enthusiasts, and they will more likely be able to prove the authenticity of the part. This way, you will have more options to get your money back if something goes wrong.
Do your investigating before you commit to buying any classic auto part; it can be that you think you’re getting a bargain only to discover it was cheaper because the shipping is ridiculously high. Before you commit to the purchase, find out all you need to know and request a warranty too, as the price for classic car parts can be very steep.
Free to Enjoy
As long as you put in the effort to dig around so you know as much as possible about different classic car parts and the options available to you, you’ll certainly find a good supplier and perhaps a company that can help with the service needs you will have too. This will free you up to get the most enjoyment out of your car. You can take it out for a drive whenever you desire because you can be confident you can continue to fund your hobby and keep your cars in the best possible condition.
Car Engine Does Not Crank Over – Auto Repair Tips
I remember years ago a customer of mine called because she was stranded at McDonalds. Her car wouldn’t start, it wouldn’t even crank over. Luckily I was only about five minutes away and was able to drop by to check her car for her. The battery terminals were after-market, the type that has two 7/16″ bolts that clamp over the bare cable end. These are a quick easy repair for the battery cable but sometimes they do loosen over time. That was exactly what had happened in this case. I was able to just tighten the terminals where they clamped to the bare cable ends and she was on her way.
A car that doesn’t turn over at all, usually has a battery related problem. Many cars are towed to auto repair shops every year due to loose or corroded battery terminals. If the car engine doesn’t crank over at all, the first thing to check is the battery and terminal connections. Here’s a quick auto repair tip, turn the lights on and try the horn. If the battery is any good at all this will be a quick preliminary check. If there’s no horn and no lights, try wiggling the battery connections. I leave the lights on while trying this so I can tell if I’m making a better connection when moving the battery terminals.
Still no luck? A load test with a battery tester is the next step after checking the connections at the battery. Many times a battery will show signs of failure by turning the engine over slowly when it’s beginning to fail, this is an early warning to have the battery tested. Unfortunately other times batteries will just fail with no prior warning. Temperature changes can sometimes reveal a problem with a battery that otherwise may go unnoticed. An increase or decrease of temperature will typically send cars in droves to the repair shop or parts stores with sluggishly starting cars. Batteries will need to have a good charge before they can be properly tested. Modern battery testers will indicate if the battery has a sufficient charge to be checked.
Alternators that are not charging properly can cause a car to have similar symptoms. It’s always a good idea to check the alternator to make sure the output is within the manufacturer’s specifications. The parts store or auto repair shops have the test equipment to check the alternator output for you. They will check the amperage, volts, diode pattern and check to see if the alternator has a draw or short that may be excessively draining the battery.
Starters can draw excessive amps or have an open circuit completely. After checking to make sure a good battery is installed, check the big cable connection at the starter which is the 12v one that comes directly from the battery. Then check at the starter solenoid (the small wire) to see if it is getting power when the ignition is turned to the start position. If power is going to the starter solenoid but the starter is not engaging, more than likely the starter has an open circuit or is binding. Sometimes the starter can be tapped with a hammer while the ignition is in the start position to get the car to start. This is basically to get the car into the shop for starter replacement. I’ve used this trick many times over the years to keep from having to push the car into my service bay. The starter can also be tested to see if it is creating too much of a draw on the battery. This can happen when the starter begins to to drag or bind and puts too much of a toll on the battery. The amp draw is measured with a battery and electrical system tester to see if it is excessive.
My tips and tricks have been picked up over the years with real hands on experience. Many auto techs don’t like to share their techniques, but I’ve been selling tools since 2005 and it’s time to share what I’ve learned during my time as a Master Automotive Technician. I hope my article helps many people to figure out what’s going on with their car and just maybe help prevent them from being stranded.
Factors That Help in Getting a Cheap Car Insurance
Getting cheap car insurance is a cumulative effort of many factors. Many people smart enough to understand the dynamics of all these factors often pay less in terms of insurance than others. However, this involves knowing what you can afford to pay and what you cannot and what is the probability of having to cough up large sums of money for damage repairs of your car or someone else’s that you have hit on the road.
How old is your car and what is the average mileage?
You can get cheap car insurance if you can show that the average number of miles you commute every day is less than expected. This is one reason why housewives who drive a car not so regularly pay less than working men who have to commute a lot. This is one reason why you should avoid driving whenever possible because that means the usage of car and hence the probability of accidents is less.
The age of your car is important too. If it is older, you can care less about some of the repairs. In fact, some people completely do away with collision coverage for old cars as there is no point trying to restore the. This will save money too.
Your Category
A few things like the age group you belong to, your credit scores and your driving style will decide whether you can get cheap car insurance. Senior citizens often get some discount but it again depends on how you negotiate the terms. You can also find out if as a group or union, association etc. you can negotiate for a cheap car insurance. You must also try to keep your risk profile low as that will affect the amount of insurance premium you pay most of the time. How much risk averse you are is also portrayed in the safety equipment of your car or the number of speeding tickets against your name.
Added Tips
Some people get cheap car insurance by clubbing all their insurances with one company. In fact, some add their house insurance to the stack too, and even a minor 10% discount can make a big difference to your overall cost. But, it is not foolish to walk away from your insurance if the terms are worse than what the market is offering at a given point of time.
Another thing you must remember is to renew your auto insurance quotes policy as soon as you have repaid the loan for your car. Many people forget to do that paying extra sums of money because of that. Similarly, depreciation and hence the relative value of the care should also be taken into account every time you renew your car. Similarly, comparing the quotes of many companies for the same coverage will give you an idea of which policy is cheaper and which one is more expensive.
Custom Chrome Wheels, Racing Wheels, or Racing Rims Instead of Standard Car Rims
People seem to have a love affair with their cars. They do everything that they can to make them not only run great, they do what they can to make them look great too. When it comes to the looks of a car there really isn’t anything that you can do more than adding a custom set of car rims. It sets a car off and really makes it stand out in a crowd.
Adding custom car rims is something that has been done for many years but has certainly gained popularity in recent times. They come all kinds of styles and sizes that are sure to please anyone that is in the market. Most people try to pick a car rim that suits their own individual style and lets their personality and the personality of their car really shine through.
If you are in the market for a custom set of car rims, you may find yourself overwhelmed by all of the choices. If you are having a hard time deciding, then it is often best to break your decision down into smaller groups. Pick a style group that you like so that you can narrow your search down to a smaller number of choices. Then decide on the size that you want. There certainly are a lot of choices when it comes to custom ones, but don’t let that fool you. There is a perfect match out there for you and your car, one that will let your own unique style shine through and will help your car to stand out in a crowd.
The choices that are available when you are looking for them are almost endless. I know that when I was choosing the rims for my car I spent a lot of time searching through the different catalogs and magazines just seeing what the different options were. Perhaps you are finding yourself in a similar situation. It is a lot of fun to look at all of the different ones, but when it comes time to decide on which ones you are going to put on your car, it isn’t always the easiest choice. There is one option that I wouldn’t do without, and that is choosing chrome rims for my car.
As far as I’m concerned chrome rims set a car off like nothing else. Because of the fact that they are polished with a chrome finish, they shine and reflect light in a much different way than a regular aluminum. They also get the attention that your car deserves, and nothing will top off any custom work that you may have done like a great set of chrome rims. Once you put a set on your car you will know exactly what I am talking about, nothing will make your car look better.
Although there are differences of opinion when it comes to these styles, I’ll choose the chrome ones any day. The only problem is that even when you narrow it down to chrome you will still have hundreds of rims to choose from.
So start shopping and searching, the perfect set of them is out there for you somewhere. Give yourself as many options as possible and consider getting used car rims instead of new ones, and you could save a little money as well. Look for sites that give you both new and used options and a huge selection to view.