Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Vehicle Background Check- When Buying

If you are looking around for guidance for the type of vehicle that will suit your needs to purchase, go through automobile guides.

Automotive Directory

Automotive Directory is a guide, explaining all nuances regarding the vehicle, its maintenance, auto repairs, automotive parts and even automotive supplies cleansing. Besides, Automotive Directory is a whole information bank/Encyclopedia, where you can get accurate information about any brand, buying/selling choices, details about engine system, suspension and steering system, brake system, exterior and body, fuel system, electrical system, cooling system and A/c heat system.

Procuring Automotive Parts

When you are in need of auto parts, look in Automotive Parts Directory or purchase them from Auto Parts Warehouse. You can avail site features like OEM extensive list, browse catalogues featuring car model, car type, replacement parts and its performance, benefit from quick efficient order processing, enquire about shipping expenses.

How to do Vehicle Background Check

After complete research, you have opted for a vehicle, do vehicle background check for getting all vehicular information. This process involves:

- Getting details of the owner from information sheet fastened inside the vehicle and directly contact the owner. Have a detailed consultation to get all information from the owner.
- Arranging to test drive. If you do cold start of the vehicle yourself, you can identify if there are any problems during start-up. Take note of engine sounds and confirm there are no odd sounds.
- Ensuring that the vehicle can run properly and idle well to make sure of no problems arising in future.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Make Concrete Block Products--Make Money

Manufacturing concrete blocks and other concrete products is a great business opportunity. It can be started part time while you work at your job.

You can start with very little investment and grow the business till it becomes a full time very profitable enterprise. When you start out as a cement block manufacturer you will concentrate on making standard blocks as used for building block walls or a block concrete foundation for a building.

As you get further into the concrete products business you will expand into making a number of different types of concrete block products. Concrete bricks of standard brick size are quite widely used and can be easily made. Many other types of concrete products are in constant strong demand.

Decorative cinder blocks of various styles are in strong demand for building block concrete walls and dividers. These can be made with various designs incorporated into the style of the block. They can also be made in colors by adding coloring to the concrete mix.

Concrete patio slabs are always a strong seller. They are used not only for patios but for pathways and driveways also.

You can wholesale your concrete blocks and other products to building supply stores or retail them directly to the consumer. You sell in quantity to the commercial outlets at,of course,a discount from the retail price. You sell directly to the consumer in smaller amounts at full retail price. Either way you will do very well with your low overhead costs.

Homes and commercial buildings with block concrete foundations are very common and this is a great market for your concrete precast blocks. This is a very good alternative to poured concrete foundations and is quite popular.

Another way to go is to build your own machine which will save you a lot of money. A really good machine can be built from auto parts and sheet metal with a few odds and ends. This machine will produce 100 cement blocks per hour and is every bit as good as the commercial machines. It won't cost you an arm and a leg either so it will pay off very quickly.

A concrete block machine is your best asset for volume production which keeps labor costs down. This enables you to quote the best concrete block prices.

You can buy a cement block making machine from a number of manufacturers. They are quite expensive but will pay for themselves with increased production. Most of them will turn out about 100 concrete blocks per hour.

As demand for your products grows you will find it necessary eventually to have a bigger space in order to accomodate the drying racks for large numbers of blocks. At this point your business will be a full time enterprise and will bring you rich rewards.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Vehicle Overhauling: Tips and Tricks for Success

Popular TV shows like Pimp My Ride and Overhaulin' have reaped popularity because of the shows' overhauling and vehicle restoration professionals' knack for transforming every aspect of their guests' battered and dilapidated vehicles into customized rides, from wheels and engines down to their custom seat covers.

Yet most of the time, giving a car an overhaul is a serious issue, especially if the vehicle in question has a sentimental value to the owner. Replacing car seat covers and old truck floor mats that hold memories can be difficult for the car's owner. But then, if the vehicle has to keep on rolling, better do the necessary changes and have its seats furnished with custom seat covers, its sound system upgraded, and its hydraulics oiled.

First things first: overhauling means checking the vehicle for necessary replacement or repairs, like damaged body work. Though major repairs almost always lead to the customization of the vehicle, overhauling is not customized modification in the strict sense of the word.

Most of the time, a major overhaul is done when a vehicle has serviced its owner for a long time yet has undergone insufficient maintenance checks over the years. Sometimes, simply checking the car daily for minor details like oil level, leaking tubes, and testing electrical systems like lights can lead to overhauling and some customizations.

It may also be needed if a person purchases a used vehicle. Most overhauls are done when a car owner spots the irregularities of his second-hand car's performance at an early phase. When one buys a used car or truck, it is best that the purchase be made with an expert mechanic to guide the buyer on the things that might need some major overhauling, such as rusty carburetors, stained truck floor mats, and shredded seat covers.

Vehicles getting totaled in accidents are also subject to overhauls if the engines can be restored or are kept intact, but most of the time, serious body work is necessary.

So how does one start with the whole overhauling process? For starters, the vehicle in question must be subjected to a total check-up, to expose what problems it may have, such as faulty braking systems, coolant mechanisms, and rubber linings. Accessories like soiled and heavily damaged truck floor mats and cracked pedals can also be slated for overhauling.

When deciding to give an aspect of the vehicle an overhaul, whether it is the body or the engine, it is prudent that such matters be left to professionals --- unless, of course, one is an expert mechanic or a vehicle customization wizard. The TV shows mentioned earlier also give out names of companies and individuals that offer services, such as SUV seat cover customization, interior designing, and engine modifications. Car shows, rallies, and other auto events are also venues where you can get information on companies offering such services.

If one is adamant on overhauling a vehicle all by his lonesome, the best move he could do before he does anything on his auto is look for companies that offer replacement parts as well as customized accessories that would give his SUV or truck a custom vibe, like a personalized truck floor mat or car paint and such.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Car Rental Tips : Making Your Tour memorable

Need wheels on your next trip? Renting a car can give you freedom and flexibility when you're traveling, and in some parts of the world it's the only feasible way to get around. But a rental car can sometimes add complications to your trip -- like trying to find the best deal or sorting out exactly which insurance options you need. Read on for our practical tips on saving money, understanding your rental agreement and avoiding problems with your car rental.

Choosing a Vehicle
Think carefully about what kind of vehicle you'll need. If you're traveling with children or with a lot of gear, you may want a large sedan or SUV. If you're simply looking to save money on rental rates and gas, you'll want to reserve the smallest available model.

But size isn't the only factor. Looking for something environmentally friendly? Check out our Green Travel Resources. Can't drive a stick shift? Be sure to reserve a car with automatic transmission. (In many countries, a manual transmission is the norm -- so read the fine print before booking. Learn more in Renting a Car Abroad.) Also, be sure that the company offers any extras you might need or want, such as a ski rack, car seat or GPS system.

Understanding Your Rental
If you're booking online, read the terms and conditions carefully before confirming your reservation. If you're booking on the phone, ask the agent about restrictions. Be sure you understand the conditions of your reservation. Is there a penalty for no-shows? How long will the car be held if you're stuck in traffic on the way to the pickup station? Is there a fee for additional drivers and must their names be listed in the contract? Is your 20-year-old daughter old enough to drive the car? (For liability reasons, this is important.)

If pertinent, ask about any restrictions on interstate travel. For your own protection in case of breakdown, be sure the company has offices in all the states on your itinerary.For one-way rentals, ask about drop-off charges. They can be exorbitant.Always get a confirmation number. For airport rentals, be sure to give the customer service representative your flight number and scheduled arrival time. This will usually protect your reservation if the flight is delayed.

The True Cost of Car Rentals
Buyer beware: The rate you see advertised in big print may become so inflated with state and local taxes, airport surcharges, additional driver fees, insurance, gasoline bills and drop-off charges that you end up paying more than double what you expected. Learn more about these extra charges in Car Rental Hidden Costs.

Also, the advertised rate may be valid only in off-season Florida or California, when many cars are idle there, but not where you want to rent. Finally, the rate may be only for a car size that you would find unsuitable.In recent years, the major booking engines have become more transparent about rental car rates, and they now usually show you the total cost of your rental, including estimated taxes and fees, early on in the booking process. Travelocity offers total pricing, which guarantees that the company's estimated amount will be within one percent of the actual rate.

Like the airlines, the major auto rental companies have adopted "yield management." That means that their computers can quickly readjust prices according to changes in the supply of cars available, and so the rental rate you are quoted is valid only at that moment. Unless you reserve immediately, the rate is likely to change.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

How to Change a Car Tyre

There is a good chance everyone will experience a puncture at sometime in their driving lives. But it's amazing how many people still don't know how to change a car tyre and rely on the help of a passer-by.

There is one place you should not attempt to change a tyre yourself- on the hard shoulder of a busy road. In this instance call the emergency services and retreat to safe distance until they arrive.

In all other situations changing a car tyre bumpers is not as difficult as it may seem. This article is a guide to how it is done:

1) Find a safe place to stop, on flat ground. If it's dark look for somewhere with adequate lighting. Park as far away from traffic as possible and put your hazard lights on.

2) Turn the engine off, pull the handbrake on and put the car into first gear or 'park' if it's an automatic.

3) Find the tools for the job. These will include a jack, wheel wrench and the spare tyre. All are usually located in the boot of a car.

4) Remove the hubcap or plastic wheel cover using the flat end of the wheel wrench or a screw driver.

5) Loosen the wheel nuts by turning half a turn in an anti clockwise direction. Do NOT remove them. That happens at a later stage.

Tight wheel nuts can be the hardest part is Bumpers of changing a car tyre. If the wheel nuts are proving stubborn use a metal tube to extend the wheel wrench's handle and provide extra leverage. Alternatively place one foot on the handle of the wheel wrench and carefully use your body weight until the nut is loosened.

Many cars have a locking wheel nut to prevent theft. This requires a special attachment which is often found in a car's glove compartment.

6) Consult the vehicle's handbook to find where to place the jack. This is important because if it's put in the wrong place the car could slip off the jack and cause serious injury.

Look for a reinforced lip on the underside of the vehicle close to the wheel arch.

When the jack is securely attached raise the car until there is enough room to remove the punctured tyre and replace it with the fully inflated spare.

7) Now continue to remove all of the wheel nuts and place them somewhere safe nearby- not near an open drain! Remove the punctured car tyre and replace with the spare tyre.

8) Replace and tighten the wheel nuts. Don't try to hard to tighten them until the car is off the jack.

9) Slowly lower the car down off the jack. Now tighten the nuts again. Remember to return the jack and the wheel wrench to the boot of the car.

10) Replace the hubcap or plastic wheel cover and continue with your journey.

At the first opportunity stop at a petrol station and check the new tyre is inflated to the correct pressure, the same as the other car tyres.

If in any doubt about your tyre changing ability, call into to your nearest garage or car tyre specialist.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Bumper information

A bumper is a part of an automobile designed to allow one vehicle to impact with another and to withstand that collision without severe damage to the vehicle's frame. Brush guards; push bars, etc. were added "after-market" to bumpers of automobiles, pickups, trucks, and utility vehicles since at least the 1920s to provide additional protection to the vehicle. While bumpers were originally made of heavy steel, in later years they have been constructed of rubber, plastic, or painted light metal leaving them susceptible to damage from even minimal contact.

Early bumpers were little more than a strap or flat iron. They later swelled out to chromed bumpers, especially in the 1960s with dagmars and other decorations. In the early 1970s self repairing bumpers was introduced and after a while they became mandatory (thus killing the Opel GT). Towards the end of the 1980s the self repairing bumpers went out of style and were replaced with fiberglass "bumpers" that cracked at impact.

In many jurisdictions, bumpers are legally required on all vehicles for safety reasons. The height and placement of bumpers may be legally specified as well, to ensure that when vehicles of different heights are in an accident that the smaller vehicle will not slide under the larger vehicle, particularly in collisions with semi-trailer trucks.

For the most part, these vehicles cannot push, or be pushed by, another vehicle. An entire after-market industry has developed which now produces various guards to protect these vulnerable modern bumpers. The fun of bumping one car into another led to the creation of bumper cars at amusement parks and carnivals. These small cars are designed to fit one or at most two people and crashed into each other consistently.

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Friday, December 5, 2008

Bumper

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