Auto Technology and Lifestyle » Car Modification

Restyling auto & upgrading customization Your Car Made Easy at Auto Parts Corner can help

admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:54:07 +0000

Because of their affordability, passenger cars are so popular and this means you see so many of them on the road or in a parking lot. For those who are passionate about cars and want to drive a unique vehicle, owning a passenger car may sound unfortunate. But try to look at it from a positive point of view, you would think otherwise. It gives you better opportunity to customize your vehicle and express your personality.

You surely dont want your car to look alike other vehicles but in reality, this is barely possible because your car is not the sole model produced by its particular car manufacturer. Let say you have a Toyota Corolla. This car is very popular; as a matter of fact, about 29 million Toyota Corollas rolled off the production line. But installing additional auto parts and auto accessories can make your car unique so to speak.

Today, customizing your vehicle is so easyso much easier than before. You can buy aftermarket and custom auto parts even online so you dont need to search everywhere or even go to another State to find the auto parts perfectly fit for your vehicle and of course, to your own style.

Now heres the good news for you. Auto Parts Corner, one of the countrys leading car parts dealers online offers greater choices of performance auto parts, restyling auto accessories and safety car parts that makes upgrading and customization a whole lot easier for you. New exciting discount priced products are waiting for youthese include the best Toyota Parts, Toyota Parts, kA parts, Acura parts, Ford Parts, Mazda parts, BMW Parts and Saturn parts.

If you are tired by the way your vehicle looks but do not want to be thousands of dollars poorer, Auto Parts Corner can help you add life and color to your rather boring or typical driving day. You can replace your Toyota Wheel with sportier and more stylish wheels available in this store. Maybe you are an adventurous person and want your vehicle to exude the same personality, you can add Honda Grille Guards and change the way your car looks radically!

Auto lights are also effective ways for you to customize your auto. This store offers you wide variety of lights including well designed and durable BMW Tail Lights and Ford Headlights. If you have an older model, replacing your lights with more stylish lights can make it look years younger and why not–make it more saleable, just in case you want to resell it in the future.

Save yourself from the burden of paying thousands of cash for a new car. You can change the way your car looks and even upgrade its performance and safety features by means of aftermarket and replacement auto parts available at this number one Auto Parts Wholesale store. With its very friendly deals and high quality replacement auto parts, you can get all the advantages of a new vehicle without spending too much.

Its advantageous to get all you need just from one store because you can be sure that all those parts you purchase are compatible with each other. Furthermore, having a single source of replacement parts helps you save time, efforts and money. Getting it from a trusted, experienced and secure online source like this Auto Parts Wholesale dealer adds to your benefits, so why go anywhere else when all that you need is here. Find time to navigate their site, and find out many other ways to improve your car.

Air Deflectors For Your Vehicle

admin — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:13:06 +0000

Placing a new air deflector on your car is a wise decision. Bugs, road debris, and rocks can all macerate your hood or even break your windshield. Within moments your trip upstate has come to a screeching halt because of what was tossed up in the air by the vehicle in front of you while you were cruising down the highway. An air deflector might have sent that stone harmlessly to the side or up and over the roof of your car. Instead, your windshield took a direct hit. Let’s take a look at all of the advantages of an air deflector and how installing one is a cost effective solution.

An air deflector doesn’t have to cost you a bunch of money and when you consider what you save in replacement glass, it pays for itself right away.

Air deflectors also help manage bug splatter the same way. You understand how it is to drive around at dusk in some areas of the back country: you get hit by swarm after swarm of the largest insects. Your wipers work overtime and, yet, still the bugs still come. An air deflector pushes bugs to the side, away from your windshield so you can see clearly.

An air deflector is easy to install; no special tools are needed.
Air deflectors are stylish too.

When purchasing an air deflector for your vehicle, you can order one that will fit your particular make and model. There is no one sized fits all air deflector; they are custom sized to give you the right fit every time.

Deflectors are made of polycarbonate construction to ensure that they last long and can withstand all weather and road conditions.

By: Matthew Keegan

Quality Cadillac Alternator

admin — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:13:06 +0000

Cadillac, one of the finest names in the automobile industry, is known for its high performance vehicles which include features for added comfort and safety to its users. And these features include a car stereo system, car air conditioning system, defogger and various lighting components. All these operate because of a vital car component called the Cadillac alternator.

The Cadillac alternator is a part of the charging system of your Cadillac vehicle that produces electricity for many devices. It is used to charge the battery and to power all the car’s electric systems when its engine is running. The main function of the alternator is to convert power from the gasoline engine to electrical energy in order to keep the battery in superb condition. It creates alternating current rather than direct current. Although it generates electricity by the same principle as DC generators, it is considered to be simpler, lighter, and more rugged because it does not require a commutator, an electrical switch that reverses the current in an electric motor or electrical generator from time to time.

The main function of the alternator contains different components which include mainly the rotor and the stator. The rotor is the rotating field winding which consists of a coil of wire wrapped around an iron core. It is driven by the alternator pulley and rotates when the engine runs. The stator, on the other hand, is a stationary induction winding which consists of another set of coils, particularly three in number. These three stator windings three stator windings are spaced inside the alternator and produce three separate sets, or “phases,” of output voltages. The two remaining components are the rectifier bridge which is also known as the diode assembly and a control device which is the voltage regulator.

Even when a car is idle, an alternator is capable of producing a constant, high voltage because of how it works. But it is rather hard to tell when your alternator has problems because when it dies or malfunctions, the vehicle will not suddenly stop since the battery still has stored power. And once all the battery’s power is consumed, you can expect this to happen.

By: Joe Thompson.

For more information please visit:
http://www.mycarcraze.com/car-accessories

Clutch Kit Essentials

admin — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:13:06 +0000

If your vehicle’s clutch has failed, then you could be faced with an expensive repair bill depending on the make and model of your car and the garage doing the work. Between high parts prices and labor costs, you could easily face a bill of $500, $700, or even $1000 or more. Perhaps you should consider doing the job yourself? If so, let’s take a look at clutch kits and the best way for you to obtain one at a reasonable price.

All clutch kits come with three items standard, with a fourth item included with some kits.

Your clutch kit will contain:
Clutch friction plate
Clutch pressure plate
Release bearing

Some clutch kits also come with pilot bearings or bushings.
For the performance car driver, there are specialty kits available that contain superior friction materials, stronger springs, and more exact engagement than stock clutches. Without a doubt, a stock Acura clutch kit or BMW clutch kit would be adequate as they meet all stringent OEM requirements.

Popular manufacturers of stock and performance clutch kits include: Valeo, Sachs, Centerforce, ACT, and Exedy. Most of these types of kits are what your garage will use for your vehicle and they are available through your dealer’s auto parts department as well.

To save money, you can also purchase clutch kits from wholesalers. A wholesaler deals directly with the manufacturer which ensures that you receive the best price without the mark ups and the parts you receive are genuine.

Wherever you choose to purchase your parts, make sure that you can return them if there is a problem and, that the manufacturer stands by their product. Unfortunately, with counterfeit parts “industry” is a multi-billion dollar per year problem. It goes without saying that you should avoid generic or no name brands when shopping for any automotive replacement parts.

By : Matthew Keegan

For more information please visit:
http://www.mycarcraze.com/car-accessories

Add-on Accessories To Enhance Your Ride

admin — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:13:06 +0000

There are many add-on devices and gizmos for cars that can provide features to make your ride better. A power cord plugged into the cigarette lighter socket will keep your cell phone running without draining its battery. An iceless cooler will conveniently keep a drink cold. A heated mug will keep coffee hot as long as the car is running. There are other useful functions that add-on accessories can provide to make time in your car more enjoyable. Many car accessories are low enough in price so that they may be well worth installing. This article concentrates on accessories priced under $50.

Below is information and comments about each type of accessory. At the end of the article is a link to a web page that provides online sources to purchase each product mentioned in this article. Details on each individual product are given at the purchase sites.

12 volt heated mug
A mug with a plug for getting power from the cigarette lighter socket. It keeps a liquid, such as coffee, hot for as long as the vehicle is running. Some models have a thermostat to set the temperature.

Example models:
Wagan Tech Heated Travel Mug,about $30.NexxTech™ Travel Mug with Thermal Control, about $20.Power Up Thermal Mug, about $20.

Cooler/warmer
These give the choice of keeping food or beverage hot or cold. Some are sized to hold a can of soda or a mug of coffee, larger units might hold a six pack or more.
Wagan Car Cooler/Warmer, about $75Koolatron 8 quart Food Cooler/Warmer, about $80Vector 6-can Portable Food Cooler & Warmer Chest, about $50.

Cell phone charger
Plugs into the cigarette lighter socket to power or charge your cell phone. Example models: Custom Accessories Deluxe Power Cord Charger – Motorola, about $20. Custom Accessories Power Cord Charger – Motorola, about $10. Radio Shack 273-1288 Car Power Adapter for Hitachi SH-P300 Wireless Phone, about $30. Quick Cell 3900 Car Charger Nokia, about $15 12 volt coolers – These range in size to hold 2 soda cans up to full size refrigerators for recreational vehicles.

Example models:
VDP Road Chill 2-pack Cooler, about $30. Multipurpose lights – Can be incandescent, flourescent or led. Some plug into the cigarette lighter socket, some are wired directly into the car’s power circuits, and some are battery operated and portable. If used while the vehicle is not running, a consideration may be that LED models will drain the battery the least (but in general produce less light).

Example models:
Bonatrade International 6-Watt Single Tube 12V Fluorescent Light, about $15.Custom Accessories 10716 Power Lite: Magnet Mount. Plugs into cigarette lighter jack, about $10. Custom Accessories 76665 Utility Light 12v, about $3. Voltec Industries 0800255 Trouble Light: 12 Volt, about $4. Alert HC20 Halogen Worklight 12v, about $20. Compass – Some are mechanical; some are electronic and battery powered with digital displays, some are lighted to read at night, some have additional features such as time, date, and/or temperature.

Example models:
Wayfinder V100 Digital Compass, about $24. NexxTech™ Digital Compass with Calendar, Clock and Temperature, about $30. Radio Shack 63-1221 Digital Vehicle Compass, about $20. Custom Accessories 18100, about $10. Custom Accessories 55558, about $5. Type S Compass, about $5. Flashlight – Dozens of types available including windups that don’t require batteries, solar rechargeables, flourescent tube (bulbs last much longer), and LED models that will run many hours on one set of batteries.

Example models:
Energizer Folding LED Compact Mini Lantern Model # LED4AA1BP, about $15. Dorcy Waterproof LED 4AA Flashlight, about $15. Dorcy Mini LED Zoom Spot or Area Hanging Lantern, for about $15. Himount Windup LED Flashlight, about $20. 4 point safety harness – Has four anchor points with a restraint for each shoulder. These are more likely to get you through a crash with less injury than if you had been using a standard belt (across one shoulder and across the lap). Many are made to attach to a roll bar, so make sure the one you are getting is appropriate for your vehicle. example models: Peak Racing Equipment PEK-507-2, about $75.

Power inverter
Plugs into the cigarette lighter socket, clips to battery, or wire it in. The vehicle’s 12 volts dc is changed to 120 volts ac to power things like laptop computers, coffee makers, cell phones, camcorder battery chargers and other small appliances. Don’t go bigger than 400 watts unless you want to go directly to the battery with heavy wire. Even then, using high power devices will drain your battery quickly and could fry the alternator if the engine is running.

Example models:
Coleman Powermate CMN-PMP400 400 watt, about $60. Motor Trend power inverter HDL-MTI-12-3716, about $60. Xantrex X Power Mobile Plug 75, about $30. Go Power GP 175 Modified Sine Wave Inverter, about $30. Other accessories that can be used to enhance your car include seat covers, floor mats, steering wheel covers, sun shades, head rest covers, litter bags, can and cup holders, inside/outside thermometer, gps/map devices, extra loud or novelty-sound horns. Items to keep in your car for repair, emergency, safety – Jack, lug wrench, trouble light, flares, jumper cables, maps, cell phone and phone numbers, emergency alert radio, coolant for radiator, drinking water, long storage food, empty container for gasoline, various hand tools, gloves, coat, hat, blanket, rain poncho, and a first aid kit.

By :Alan Detwiler

For more information please visit:
http://www.mycarcraze.com/car-accessories

Modern Materials in Hubcaps and Wheel Covers

admin — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:13:06 +0000

Our father’s and grandfathers’ wheel covers were gleaming orbs of chrome plated steel, glittering wire spoke patterns, or flat chrome Frisbee look-alikes. Before 1980, chrome plated steel was the only material light and strong enough to do the job. Unfortunately, plated steel thin and light enough for hubcaps was easily dented, and if scratched or driven in winter, i.e., in salt conditions, was likely to rust.

ABS plastic (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) was introduced as a standard material in plumbing pipe in the 1970s, and became the universal material in hubcaps by the mid 1980s. ABS has the attributes of rigidity, strength, and high resistance to salt, chemicals, heat, cold, pressure, and impact. It has excellent resistance to breaking, scratching and chipping, even at low temperatures.

Parts made of ABS plastic weigh only a fraction of their steel counterparts. They can be painted or chrome plated to produce a range of visual effects. Scratches or dings on the surface of plastic are stable, and look the same years later as they did the day the scratch occurred. Whereas, when chrome plated steel is scratched, it will then rust. These qualities make ABS plastic an ideal material for hubcaps, wheel covers, and many other automotive parts.

Today, nearly all wheel covers for passenger vehicles, including original equipment and aftermarket replicas, are made of ABS plastic. In fact, the majority of non-structural auto trim items, including company logos, lettering, grills, cowlings, bumpers, frames, light reflectors, bezels, etc, have been made of (chromed) plastic for nearly 20 years.

One category of modern hubcaps still made of metal is known as ‘Wheel Simulators’, which are made of highly polished stainless steel. Wheel simulators are designed primarily for the larger wheels supporting heavy utility vehicles, dual wheel trucks and RVs. A few models are available for single wheel trucks and trailers. ‘Simulators’ are so named because they look like, but they are much less expensive than, chrome plated wheels. Further, stainless steel is highly corrosion resistant, which can not be said for chrome plated wheels.

By :Phil Sollecito

For more information please visit:
http://www.mycarcraze.com/car-accessories

Where To Find an Easy Car Loan

admin — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:13:06 +0000

An easy car loan can be found on the internet. Online car financing is actually the most simple, easiest and less time consuming way to get financing for your vehicle purchase and in addition, you are able to do a thorough comparison between the best offers on the market. According to reliable sources (Consumer Federation of America), vehicle buyers are often overcharged by 3% or more on loans they are taking through a dealership. This can mean an extra loan cost of $1,000 or more. The best loan websites are the cheapest, your job is to find those sites and select the loan that fits you best with regard to interest rates, fees and other terms. On these quality sites you don’t have to pay application fees, or down payments and your new or used auto loan is approved in minutes.

Here is how you do it:
You must decide which vehicle you are looking for, what it cost and how much you need to borrow. Also, do some calculations upfront to find out how much you are able to pay on a down payment and what monthly payments can be, along with interest and fees. Then determine how long a period of time you’ll need to pay it back. Use an online car loan payment calculator.

With these figures written down, go to the internet and
either look for a recommended online car finance company or
do a search for ["car loans"+review]. Then you will get a list of loan companies and references from other people that have dealt with these companies before.

Select 3 to 5 of the companies that appear to have the best offers and apply. The application process is very easy; in most cases you only have to fill in 4 to 5 cells of information, that’s all. Then sit down and wait a few minutes and you will receive their offers either by email or directly on the website.

With all the offers in front of you, start the comparison process: You should compare interest rates, fees, and other terms that might affect your loan costs, especially the part in small print.
When this is done select two lenders and contact them over telephone. This will give you a feeling of which people you deal with; whether they are friendly and service minded; ask yourself “would I like to do business with them?”

Then you should have a good platform for choosing your vehicle lender. Choose the one you like best. Give them a feed back either by phone, email or via their website.

Now, sit down and wait for your money to come; it will take only a few days.
In the mean time, go to the dealership and start the price negotiation. When you know you have the money, you are in a much better position for negotiating a really great auto deal.

By: Terje Ellingse

For more information please visit:
http://www.mycarcraze.com/car-loan