Clean Air Throughout The System

Breathing clean air is vital to a person's health. And in a place where air pollution is becoming a problem, extra efforts are being done to fight this problem. Clean air is very important to everybody. In a vehicle, air filters make sure that passengers are getting enough clean air. Whether inside or outside a vehicle, air contains various elements that can cause irritations or allergic reactions to anyone. A Saturn vehicle is equipped with the Saturn cabin filter to keep a clean ventilation.

A car's air conditioning system takes in massive quantity of air. Most of the time it contains pollen and dust. To avoid passengers from inhaling these elements, Saturn cabin filter filters the air that comes in the car's air conditioning condenser and compressor. Saturn cabin filter is tasked to clean the fresh air that enters a car's air conditioning unit as well as the heating system. It prevents molds, bacteria, pollen, spores and other coarse particles from getting in the car's system. Because they could cause some damage or even eat up the car's functional engine components. Cabin filters are especially helpful when the car is regularly driven in dusty and polluted surroundings.


Without an efficient cabin filter, the condenser and evaporator on a car's air conditioning unit will be immediately exposed to rust and corrosion. That is why it is important to keep the cabin filter changed regularly. For a dirty cabin filter can cause a vehicle's air conditioning and heating system to over work as it tries to circulate air through restricted cabin filters.

It is very easy to replace the Saturn cabin filter. First, the windshield wipers must be removed. Then, lift the plastic cap above the bolt. When both windshield wipers are removed, the bulkhead or false bulkhead can already be detached. Once all obstructions have been taken out, installation of the car's cabin filter is very easy.

By: Anthony Fontanelle

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For more information about your parts needs like Saturn cabin filter , visit your trusted online source. Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Engine Know-how: Cylinders, Torque, And Pistons

by Joe Guntherson

Everyone knows that if you want to pack a punch, the 8-cylinder engine is the way to go. You know it, I know it, the car dealer knows it, and if you check with your insurance agent to see if your premiums will increase when you trade in that 4- for an 8-, you can be sure he/she knows it too. But it's not quite that simple. Which engines really do perform the best? Well, to answer that, we need to look at a few engine basics.

In an engine, pistons (which thrust the fuel into forward motion so to speak) travel down cylinder sleeves allowing valves in the engine to open. These valves are called "intake valves" because once in the open position, they let fuel and air enter the cylinders. When the pistons rise, the amount of space inside the cylinder decreases, causing the fuel and air to compress. As we all know, compressed gases are more flammable. A spark, thanks to the spark plug, ignites the gases in the cylinder causing explosions that send the pistons back down. What goes down, must come back up, right? So when the pistons push back up the second time, a different valve opens -- the exhaust valve -- which pushes the combusted fuel/air mixture out of the chamber. The pistons in an engine come in even numbers (hence, the 4-cylinder, 6-cylinder, and 8-cylinder options). The reason for this is because for every piston that's up, there's a partnering piston that's down. These pistons are connected to rocker arms that turn the crankshaft, which causes the wheels to turn. The constant switching of up-and-down pistons (two up while the other two are down in a 4-cylinder engine) is what causes fluid, forward motion of the vehicle.

Once we understand the function of the pistons, it's easy to see how a 6-cylinder engine produces more power than a 4-cylinder engine. Two extra cylinders, two extra pistons. More fuel being burned with each turn of the crankshaft, more money spent on replacing the amount of fuel you burn.

For the most part, 4-cylinder engines provide adequate power for small, light cars. However, the 6-cylinder engines are more responsive and fairly standard on small trucks, mid-size cars, and SUVs. Larger, heavier SUVs and larger trucks, designed for towing or hauling, often feature the 8-cylinder engine. But is bigger always better?

This is where 'torque' comes into play. Take for example, the Isuzu Ascender, the popular five-passenger SUV. Designed to be able to haul your whole family, plus tow those wave runners you bought with last year's Christmas bonus, the Ascender only features a 6-cylinder engine. Why not eight? The answer: torque. The design of the Ascender's 4.2-liter Inline 6-cylinder engine actually generates 285 horsepower and 276 lbs.-foot of torque -- more power than some 8-cylinder engines.

Torque and horsepower are significantly more complicated than simply understanding how pistons and cylinders affect power. But the basic principle is that every car's drive train (the system that converts the fuel to power and the method of getting that power to the vehicle's wheels) is slightly different, and some are more efficient than others. So a 6-cylinder engine which operates more efficiently can, in reality, provide more horsepower while burning less fuel than an 8-cylinder engine with a less stellar design.

About the Author

Test drive the new 2008 isuzu trucks at a local dealer. You can also do a suv comparison to see how the Isuzu line of trucks and SUV's lead the competition!

Seasonal Car Care

by Evander Klum

Car maintenance is always the corresponding responsibility when you decide to own a vehicle. It is a very tough responsibility sometimes, not to mention that it takes a lot from our funds. But since a car gives us more benefits than disadvantages, we choose to carry this responsibility on our shoulders. It is always the best advice for vehicle owners to regularly bring their cars to auto shops for early detection of car problems and thus provide early solutions before the damage becomes worse and you'll be needing to replace your car with a new one.

Although the year gives our cars four seasons to drive, the extremes are not car friendly. The cold winter and the warm summer poses high risk for car damage. But not to cars prepared for them. These two seasons may require very special car care, and sometimes car parts replacement. It follows that everything should be in moderation including the temperature.

Before the winter, Car care specialists advices car owners to check the anti freeze system. With faulty anti freeze system, your car's engine, radiator and hoses will go with the freezing season. You also have to be ready with emergency car kits, your Car batteries must be heavy duty, and you also must replace your car wipers. "You're risking a breakdown if you don't take the time to prepare your vehicle for the winter, even if you don't have your own pit crew." Says Danica Patrick.

The extremes of temperature also include the summer. In this time, we should avoid parking the cars in extremely hot areas. Extreme heat causes damage to the car engines. The car's air intake system needs more air to produce more power; it is prone to be damaged during this time. If replacements may be needed, AFE cold air intakes are just around the block. Because Car batteries are also easily drained, Car batteries must always be regularly checked and replaced if needed. This warm season is also the time to provide your cars with proper tinting. Clear car windows would definitely give us a tan right? Although car check up must be anytime through out the year, it is most necessary at this time.

Vehicles are meant to take us to places regardless of the time, the way and the season of the year. Technology had been very good to us. As time goes by, new methods continue to develop and provide us more information on how to care for our cars both professionally and personally. We just need to be conscious on the health of our cars so that it will give us the ride quality we deserve.

Whether its winter, summer, spring or fall, a responsible car owner need not to worry.

About the Author

Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car racing fanatic. At present, he works as a marketing manager at an advertising agency in Cleveland.

Preparing For Vehicular Breakdowns

by Ajeet Khurana

It is horrible to have your car break down. Not only do they catch you at the worst of times -- just when you are rushing off to an important meeting -- but they also land you with an enormous bill. That is why increasing numbers of car owners have begun to appreciate the value of car insurance. I agree that it is slightly irritating to have to keep paying certain amounts as premium for the insurance. However, at least we know that later on, if major repairs have to be made, the insurance will cover for it. That can often be a source of great comfort.

These days, insurance companies are bending over backwards to match the needs of various classes. Just the other day, I saw a particular car insurance that offered coverage to car owners up to seventy-nine years of age. I suppose, once you are retired and almost entirely dependent on your pension plans, a financial support like this must be a great advantage. Elderly people are not the only group that is gaining from special car insurance plans.

Women are also being targeted as a specific class that has a set of requirements that are different from the men of the world. Moreover, women in general are reputed to drive more safely than the male species. Quite a number of ladies have been availing of women-specific car insurance plans.

In some countries such as the United Kingdom, it is mandatory to have car insurance before you take your new vehicle on the roads. You could be of the opinion that car insurance is a headache. Many people might just keep paying car insurance without ever being in any sort of accident that demands major repairs. That may be as true as can be. However, what about the times when your new wheels just won't start? What about the times when rain water seeps into your engine. What about the time when the annoying boy from next door makes a huge scratch on your car's side? It is at those times that you feel thankful for having got your car an insurance plan.

Insurance plans also vary from company to company and from time to time. They vary depending on the make of your car. If you have a top-end car, you will have no choice but to pay a higher insurance premium than somebody else. Your claim history will also determine your interest rate, just as when a bad credit history forces you to turn to bad credit car loans. Try sifting through at least half a dozen great plans and then select your favorite.

About the Author
Avail of car insurance but only after you compare car insurance. Also get bad credit car loans.

The basics of Oil change

The oil in your car is designated to lubricate all the moving auto parts. It is therefore very important to change it whenever needed so that all the moving parts would function with no hassle, as in well and smoothly. Moreover, it is also important so your Bertone catalytic converter would also properly do its task.

First things first; you need to gather the tools needed. Aside from purchasing the approved motor oil and filter for your vehicle, inexpensive specialized tools such as an oil-filter wrench along with a large oil-drain pan is required equipment. Other than these, you will also need a funnel, a pair of latex gloves, some shop rags, and a socket to fit on the oil-drain plug to complete your oil-changing tool metal works.

Purchasing the motor oil for your car is not like buying your favorite food that you can have whenever you want regardless if it fits your health or not. You really need to buy the appropriate motor oil for your vehicle; and this means not your favorite brand.

Oil weight is categorized using viscosity ranges. It relates to a behavior for motor oil flowing through an engine. Low viscosity oil which is preferred during cold-weather driving, has a thinner consistency as compared to higher viscosity ratings. Typical vehicles, depending on the engine, and sometimes geography, will run on 5W30 or 10W30 grade motor oils.

The next thing to consider when buying the motor oil is its type. Distilled from a refinery by-product of crude oil is inexpensive and widely available, conventional motor oil. For many engines, this continues to be a popular choice, while synthetic motor oil is chemically produced for extremely high performance. There have been several performance myths on the disadvantages of synthetic oil. But the truth is that the downside is the doubled cost as compared to conventional blends. However, the additional cost does have an impact on the avoidance of synthetic usage in new high-performance vehicles.

Now the question is: "When do you have to change your oil?"

Do not adhere to the commonly held beliefs. The appearance of the motor oil is not a reliable criterion for determining when oil changes should take place. The proper method to change oil is through engine oil service time of three months or every 3,000 miles. Auto makers such as Ford and Toyota now specify that you can wait longer that is 5,000 miles or 6 months between oil changes for newer vehicles; but routine changes is a cost saving measure to guarantee long-lasting engine health.

As we continuously witness the further improvements of the present technologies, many of today's high-end car models are equipped with onboard computers that specify on the dash when an oil-change is necessary. It is actually a light that is attached to a sophisticated internal computer that has calculated your mileage and engine performance and is merely letting you know the right time for a scheduled oil change.

By: Evander Klum

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com


For more information about your parts needs like Bertone catalytic converter, visit your trusted online source. ### Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car racing fanatic. At present, he works as a marketing manager at an advertising agency in Cleveland.

 

7 Ways To Protect Your Car Audio Equipment

By: Chimezirim Odimba

A lot of People lose their car audio equipment to thieving rats. This can be easily prevented or reduced if you'll do the following...

1) Get a good car security system. And when you do, make sure you activate it always. A lot of people are funny. They'll buy a good car security system but will often forget to use it.

2) Buy car audio units that have theft-deterrence systems. These come in different designs. There is certainly one out there that will suit your taste.

3) Pack your car in well-lit areas.

4) Avoid flashy stickers. They attract attention. You don't want to give thieves such "steal me" signals.

5) Remember to lock your car always.

6) While installing your car audio equipment, try to use screws that have uncommon heads. If you use standard screws, you make it easy for thieves. If you use, say, a hex-head, you make it much more difficult for thieves for the simple reason that they're less likely to have such bits.

7) In spite of all these you may still lose your stuff. That's why you need to get a car insurance policy that also takes care of your car audio equipment completely. It's not just about getting a comprehensive plan. How comprehensive is your comprehensive policy? Read the fine lines and make sure you are truly covered. It's painful to discover later that your comprehensive policy does not cover your custom stereo.

Before I drop my pen I think you should know that getting a policy that covers your car stereo completely doesn't necessarily mean you have to spend much more than otherwise. There is a process that guarantees massive savings in car insurance. If you employ it you can save up to $1000. All you'll then do is use part of it for a rider to cover your car audio equipment if your policy doesn't cater for it.

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Back to Basics: Mercedes Benz Spark Plugs

by John Garett

When Karl Benz has been credited for being the first to released the very first "official" automobile that ran on the internal combustion engine, the German-born engineer was most likely unaware that his creation, and name for that matter, would soon become a global phenomenon. A century and three decades after its official start in 1871, Mercedes Benz is now one of the premier car makers in the world, continuing the pioneering spirit of its founder with its successive models throughout its lifespan. Garnering a reputation of never compromising quality and durability, Mercedes Benz has survived two World Wars, in which, the aftermath of both campaigns crippled the local German economy. Despite the adversity, the original vision of Karl Benz persisted, making the Mercedes Benz name famous among the current generation's celebrities by providing sports cars and limousines, all of which have kept the inventive spirit of its creator, changing the automotive industry several times throughout the industry's history. Despite numerous innovations in engineering and car electronics, such as the crumple zones, anti-lock brake system (ABS), PRE SAFE, fuel injection, just to name a few, the Mercedes Benz brand has yet to forget the bare basics of automotive technology. After all, as the company that supposedly started it all, no one understands the importance of the basics of the internal combustion engine like Mercedes Benz.The fact of the matter is, for an engine to work, you need compressed fuel that is combusted and turned into mechanical energy. The key proponent that makes this procedure possible is arguable, but one can never ignore the importance of spark plugs when discussing fuel combustion. Mercedes Benz spark plugs aren't anything fancy compared to the other car manufacturer spark plugs, its still screwed into the combustion chamber, made up of a conductive core inserted in a ceramic insulator. However, their necessity can never be overlooked. Operationally speaking, a Mercedes spark plug ignites the air and fuel mixture via creating an electrical spark coming from the ignition coil or magneto (from older models), which generates an electrical current once one starts the car. The timing of the sparks are controlled by a distributor, since the timing in this case, is critical, considering that the detonation of the sparks must be synchronized with the movement of the engine's pistons and valves. Misfiring spark plugs means that the engine is not operating on optimal levels, which in turn greatly effect the car's power and fuel efficiency. Returning to car maintenance basics, it is imperative that once routinely checks the spark plugs to ensure that optimum performances levels are kept. Checking the spark plug's tip is one way of checking the plug's current condition, however, if unsure, it is best to ask the advice of a professional in order to avoid missing out on malfunctions or replacing a still-viable plug. Should the worst case scenario i.e. a defective spark plug become evident, a trip to the local dealership might be in order. Otherwise, if one is confident of their mechanical aptitude, spare parts are easily available from the internet which is arguably a cheaper alternative.

About the Author
John Garret is an automobile mechanic who knows every crook and cranny of his truck. He's also a vintage car enthusiast, and he's dedicated to fixing and restoring them. He is a motorist who believes in continuous research and improvement.

Mercedes Thermostat - Key to Smooth Performance

by John Garett

With their founder being the first person to officially release a "true" automobile, Mercedes Benz has always been about coming up with many firsts in their line of work. Founded by Karl Benz in 1871, the Mercedes Benz company has made a name mainly for their limousines and sports cars. Mercedes Benz also made some notable contributions in automotive technology, this would include, but not limited to fuel injection, anti-lock brakes, stability control, and brake assists, most of which are now incorporated by their competitors' own designs. Since being one of the oldest car automakers still operational today, it can be argued that Mercedes Benz has a better understanding of what makes a car tick. Internal combustion engines have been the industry standard for more than a century, and is projected to retain that status for a few more years. While most of the innovations that Mercedes has pioneered steers (no pun intended) more to the safety side, the German automaker has kept the quality up on the engine side, as evident in the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (fastest automatic road car), BRABUS W211 (fastest street-legal saloon), or the Mercedes-AMG 6208cc M156 (most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine). Producing engines that perform on those levels requires an effective cooling system, as the heat coming produced by the engine can be quite damaging to numerous parts including the engine itself. Earlier automobiles were produced with air-cooled engines, but nowadays, most engines use fluid-cooled systems which normally uses a mixture of water or antifreeze. Equipped with a radiator fastened behind the car's grill to hold the coolant, the process generally means circulating the fluid to absorb the heat and disperse it through to the air that passes through the grill as the car moves forward. Of course a cooling system does lower the temperature generated of the engine, but in reality a certain heat is still needed for the engine to work on optimal levels, hence there is as a need to control the flow of the coolant. Mercedes Benz and other car makers have always relied on the use of thermostats to get the job done. A Mercedes Benz thermostat is standard to all models and product lines, which is normally a wax pellet sealed inside a chamber. An expansion provision is located in the same chamber which operates a rod that opens the valve which regulates the flow of the coolant. As the engine hits operating temperature, the wax melts and expands to the provision, thus toggling the rod and opening the valves to let the coolant flow freely into the engine. The composition of the wax is matched to the operating temperature of the particular engine, since engines have different operational levels. Worn out thermostats could prove problematic, causing overheating in worst case scenarios. Most modern engines are also susceptible to increase emissions since they need to run in particularly high temperatures to decrease the amount of pollutants. A replacement for Mercedes thermostats are easy enough to find, either with a local dealership or through the Internet.

About the Author
John Garret is an automobile mechanic who knows every crook and cranny of his truck. He's also a vintage car enthusiast, and he's dedicated to fixing and restoring them. He is a motorist who believes in continuous research and improvement.

Women And Car Care

by Wendy Mitchell

Take a look around the customer waiting area of any auto shop and you're as likely to see women as men. As a service to female motorists, the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence offers the following advice on how to find the right repair shop and how to effectively communicate with technicians and service advisers.

• Start shopping for a repair shop before you need one.
• Ask friends and associates for recommendations.
• Look for a well-organized facility with vehicles equal in value to your own on the lot and professional technicians in the service bays.
• Start with a minor job. If satisfactory, return with more complicated repairs.
• Be prepared to describe your vehicle's symptoms and supply a written list of recent problems.
• Ask as many questions as you need. Request everyday explanations of terms and procedures. Avoid establishments where you feel ignored, patronized or rushed.
• Do not expect an immediate diagnosis.
• Before leaving, be sure you understand all shop policies regarding fees, guarantees, and methods of payment.

ASE was founded to improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. ASE-certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia; their employers often display the blue and white ASE sign.

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Visit www.ase.com for seasonal car care tips.

Add Extra Space to Your Car with Roof Boxes

by Alexus Devon

Roof boxes are among the most important accessories that one needs to add to his car. They provide him with extra space and make room for the luggage that the boot of the car cannot accommodate. So, they come in good stead during the time when carrying extra suitcases or other accessory is exigent. They are largely used when one goes out on a journey to far off place.

Another accessory that one can affix on the top of the car is roof racks. People fond of adventure sports like biking or mountaineering need to carry some kits that they cannot squeeze inside the trunk of a car. Simple pastime like fishing also necessitates carrying some such apparatus that the boot falls short to house. The very physical structure of these things also does not allow them to be accommodated inside a roof box.

So, there occurs the necessity of one new accessory, roof racks. Unlike roof boxes, this item has no limitation of space. It can take the load of bikes, fishing rods and other such kits that are not collapsible. Physically challenged people use the roof racks for the purpose of carrying their wheel chair. Specially crafted racks are there that help such people put their chairs on the racks by themselves, without the help of anyone else.

Like all other car accessories, roof boxes are also made by a number of manufacturers. Some of them are less known while others are of high reputation. MOMO Corse is one of the famous brands in the field of car accessories. Boxes of this brand are flashy, chic and durable. They are available on the internet. The virtual shops on the internet have almost all the car accessories in their store. One can buy roof boxes or roof racks from these shops minus the hassles of physical movement.

About the Author
Alexus Devon is a automobile product writer specializes in roof boxes with all automobile products and has written many articles on the car accessories industries. He has done his Master in Business Administration and is currently assisting directcaraccessories as a car accessories specialist.

Turn Your Environmental Protest Into Action

by Robert Holland

It seems a little odd that oil can help the environment and save you dollars at the same time. Imagine going 25,000 miles on one oil change, better protection for your engine, and eliminating eight trips to the Oil Change Guy. These facts are clearly documented for your verification. The best Synthetic Oils and their associated Filter Systems can get you there now.

Let's first look at the economics of the oil change business. In some cases the auto repair and quick lube businesses use the oil change as a lost leader to be able to sell you the higher margin products they carry, such as; fan belts, air filters, PVC valves, windshield wipers, fuel filters, transmission oil changes, etc. They want you to come back every 3,000 miles to give your contributions to their cash flow. They take advantage of women, in particular, by selling them items that they could probably do without. The following will give you an idea of the direct savings by using premium synthetic oils. Driving 25,000 miles with petroleum based oils that require oil changes every 3,000 miles will cost $148.00 (8 changes per year). The 25,000 mile oil change with high grade Synthetic Oil over a one year period will cost you only $51.55.

Right away your saving, $96.45 per year on your oil change, 7 trips to the quick lube (your time and inconvenience), improved gas mileage, and reduced vehicle maintenance. 25000milemotoroil.com has further information on the synthetic oil products.

Most people do not want to change because they have been thoroughly indoctrinated to the 3,000-mile oil change interval. Let's change this falsehood because it is not good for our pocketbooks, the environment, or our dependence on foreign oil. The lubricating oil consumption in the US is estimated to be approximately 2.7 billion gallons by 2008. If everyone used premium synthetic oil, the US could save 2.315 billion gallons or 42 million 55 gallon drums of lubricating oil per year. If the 42 million drums were stacked end to end they would go for 23,863 miles or almost completely around the earth.

There is still another used and proven technology available to us today where we can eliminate oil changes altogether. This technology is the By-Pass Oil Filtration System that can be installed in all vehicles. This filtration system incorporates a by-pass filter as well as a full flow filter. These are high quality nano-fiber filters that can eliminate particles below one micron in diameter and water from your engine's oil. Standard filters only remove particles down to 25 microns in size, but studies have shown that over 60% of all engine wear is caused by particles in the 5 to 20 micron range. This system is set up so the full flow filter provides the unrestricted flow that the engines needs, while 10% of the flow goes through the by-pass filter that removes the fine particles down to the one micron range. The oil capacity of the engine flows through the by-pass filter every five minutes while driving at approximately 45 miles per hour. Your engine oil is thoroughly and continuously cleaned every five minutes. A Mack truck with an E7-400 engine was driven over 400,000 miles without an oil change (only the oil filters were changed every 25,000 to 60,000 miles), the engine was torn down for inspection, and the engine wear was moderate and equivalent to the wear of an engine that had it's oil changed every 15,000 miles with conventional oil. This is some testimony to the performance of premium synthetic oil.

The environmental impact of reducing our country's lubricating oil consumption by 2.315 billion gallons is beyond our imagination and this environmental abatement can begin today if every one becomes aware of their ability to contribute by using premium synthetic oil and filtration products. The EPA estimates that 200,000,000 gallons of used oil are not disposed of properly each year. The cost of reclaiming and processing used oil is significant and affects all of us by higher prices and increased taxes. One gallon of improperly disposed of oil can render one million gallons of fresh water undrinkable.

The United States accounts for 26% of the world's consumption of lubricating oils. The economic growth in China and other parts of the world will spike the requirement for lubricating oils which will greatly contribute to the contamination of the earth's environment unless we make strides in using the most effective and efficient ways to keep our wheels in motion.

The United States uses an average of 385,000,000 gallons of gasoline each day. This amounts to 140,525,000,000 gallons of gasoline per year. Using Premium Synthetic Oils that will increase gas mileage on an average of four percent, which if used across the board, could save the US 5.6 billion gallons of gasoline a year. These are steps we can take now before we need to take bigger steps, such as going to a hydrogen infrastructure. Even with hydrogen replacing the gasoline, we will still need the lubricating oils to keep all the parts of our cars, trucks and equipment in motion without abrasion.

We can also do a better job of recycling our used oil. Do you know where our used oil goes now? Look at the following data.

40% is dumped on the ground or poured down the sewer. 21% is disposed of in our trash and goes to the landfills. 19% is reused for other purposes. 14% is recycled. 6% is burned.

With only 14% of our waste oil being recycled, there is a big opportunity to do more. It's a total neglect to have 61% of our used and contaminated oil seeping back into our water ways and aquifers. You can help by using premium synthetic lubricating oils and having them properly disposed of when they are replenished. Reducing your oil consumption by a factor of 8 times is a tremendous help to the environment, your vehicle, and your wallet.

About the Author
Find out how you can take full advantage of Synthetic Oils, Filters, and By-Pass Filters for all you Automotive Lubrication needs. 25,000MileMotorOil.Com has the answers.

A Woman's Guide to Basic Tire Care

 A Woman's Guide to Basic Tire Care

Women certainly are not helpless.  But sometimes we are a little overwhelmed working a 40-hour week, taking care of the children, cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry.  The car is just another added burden when there isn't a man around to tinker with it.

For the woman who finds herself in this situation, this is a short primer on routine tire care that will extend the life of your tires and hopefully make your life a little bit easier.

Check Tire Pressure Regularly:

Tire pressure should be checked whenever you suspect a problem or at a minimum, seasonally.
Symptoms of improper tire pressure include excess wear and squeeling when going around a corner (for under-inflated tires) and reduced traction (for over-inflated tires).

Even the temperature can affect your tire pressure.  Check your owner's manual to find where they've posted the proper tire pressure (usually on one of the doors) and be sure to keep it at that level. An improperly inflated tire not only wears quicker, it can also be dangerous when stopping and can cause tread separation.

You can purchase a tire-pressure gauge at your local auto parts store, use a gauge at the gas station or ask your tire dealer to check it for you.

Have Your Tires Rotated:

Tires should be rotated every 5000 - 6000 miles.  For various reasons, all four tires on a car do not wear the same.  The purpose of the tire rotation is to allow for even wear and an extended life for your tires.

Some manufacturers recommend "cross-rotation" (moving the right-front tire to the left-rear, etc.).  Check your owner's manual for it's recommendations.  Have your tire dealer rotate your tires regularly.

Check Your Wheel Alignment:

If you've hit a pothole or scraped your tire on a curb, your wheels may have been thrown out of alignment.   Symptoms of wheels that are out of alignment are excessive wear (one tire may wear more than the others) and steering problems.  You may notice that your car veers to the side when you're on a straight road or the car doesn't steer properly in a turn.

Unless you notice any of these symptons, you should have your alignment checked annually.

Have Your Wheels Balanced at the Same Time They're Rotated:

An improperly balanced wheel will cause a vibration at higher speeds (50-70 MPH) which is noticable in the steering wheel (if a front tire is out of balance) or in the seat (if a rear tire is out of balance).  It will also increase wear of shock absorbers, struts and suspensions.

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should have your tire dealer take a look.  He will need to locate the heavier part of the tire and attach a lead weight opposite it to counter-balance it.  

Unless you notice any of these symptoms, you should have your wheel balanced every time you have them rotated (every 5000 - 6000 miles).

In this time

In this time of holiday cheer, and the spirit of giving, please remember to give a little back to your old classic car or muscle car, by making it what it used to be again. We need to keep the old American cars on the road, if for nothing more then the whole history of the American car, the car has had a lot to do with the history of this country, and it can still have a lot more to do with it.

That is if we keep our focus on build our old classic cars back to what they once were, cars are an American icon, from when Henry Ford built the first gas powered car, up to now, people always say that newer is better, but just stand back and take a look at just how many new cars will be around in say 60 years, just think about it, not to many, but the old classics are still kicking around.

Over the years we have had a lot of good times in our cars, so why can�t we give them some back, just think about it, if you don�t want to fix up your car, there�s a person out there that�s looking for just the car you�ve got, so why not sell it and give another person a chance to restore it pride and dignity.

It would make you feel good, and you would certainly be doing something good for the person that you sell it to, if you love your car, think about it for a moment, how much joy did it give you, if you don�t have the time or the money to fix it up, make somebody else as happy as you were when you first bought it, and give them a chance.

Of course before you sell it, make sure that this person has the right intensions with your car, tell them that you won�t sell it if they don�t plan to fix it up, tell them to send you pictures of the restoration process or whatever you have to do, just don�t let it go to waste.

Get Your Car Ready for Winter

Driving in winter conditions tests your car to the limit. If something isn't working properly under the best conditions it certainly isn't going to work when it's cold and stormy. Here are some tips to keep your car running well in the winter.

The first thing to check before the weather gets cold is the anti freeze level. Not only how much fluid is in the radiator, but also the ratio of antifreeze/water content. Have a tune up done. Have your spark plugs cleaned and re-gapped or replaced.

Change to a lighter oil which will help protect your engine from excessive wear when starting a cold car. Heavier oil takes longer to circulate into the motor and internal damage can occur.

Change to winter wiper blades are a must for icy driving.

Whenever starting your car, make sure that there is nothing obstructing the tailpipe. Never warm up your car in a closed garage. If your car gets stuck out on the road run the heater every 10 minutes but never fall asleep with the car running.

Have the battery serviced and load-tested. Replace the battery if it's over 4 years old.

Check the lights, heater and defroster.

Inspect the belts and hoses to be sure they are free from frays, cracks, leaks or rotted rubber. Make sure that radiator hose clamps are tight to prevent leaks at the connections.

Because of winter's lower temperatures, the air pressure in tires will drop. Check tires after driving short distance to warm them up for an accurate reading. Adding air to cold tires can result in overinflated tires when they warm up.

Place sandbags in the trunk over the rear axle for better traction in rear wheel vehicles.

An winter emergency kit for the trunk should include: blanket, hats, boots, gloves, change of clothing, ice scraper, small snow shovel, flashlight, batteries, kitty litter for traction, jumper cables, a tool kit, tire chains, a properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod-type jack.

Additional items for the trunk include: A Help sign to put in your window, brightly-colored cloth, a compass, first aid kit, wooden matches in a waterproof container, scissors, string, and canned food along with a can opener.

Always carry a cell phone or small change or a calling card for a payphone.

Lastly keep the gas tank as full as possible.

For more on how to protect your car in the winter visit:

http://www.apluswriting.net/gasmiles/5starshine.htm

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney
Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the
environment.
Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.
Website: http://www.apluswriting.net
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Repowering utility carts makes Green Sense, But does it make financial sense?

Golfers at the Hindman Park Golf Course in Little Rock, Arkansa have something to brag about � they have the greenest greens in the state. Not the color green � green as in environmentally friendly. Environmentally friendly golf courses came to national attention about ten years ago, when the Environmental Protection Agency, the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), the United States Golf Association (USGA), Audubon International and the National Wildlife Federation came together and created a set of guidelines for developing greener golf courses.

According to the Audubon Society, golf courses are a natural place (no pun intended) to turn for wildlife shelters and habitats. The guidelines, published in 1997, offer tips and suggestions for golf course owners and municipalities that keep the greens even greener environmentally. Hindman Park�s Supervisor took their suggestions to heart. He and his crew have put up over 40 nesting boxes around the course, and planted 100 fruit trees to encourage and attract wildlife. The intent is to add another 100 trees each of the next four years � all of which will grow without the aid of pesticides or fertilizers.

The relationship between golf courses and environmentalists is a new one � but it shouldn�t be a surprising one. After all, part of the pleasure of golfing is in being a part of the natural outdoor world. Preserving that world so that golfers can continue to enjoy it should be part of taking care of the golf course. Across the country, municipal and private golf courses are taking their stewardship of the land seriously by instilling new methods of irrigation and greens keeping.

While most of the attention has been focused on designing environmentally friendly golf courses, the decisions that the grounds service makes every day can also affect how green a golf course is � and not by picking a new fertilizer. The engines that power grounds keeping and grooming equipment are one of the targets of environmentalist concern. The NOx emissions of diesel and gas powered equipment � particularly older equipment � are often well above the new emissions standards. Replacing older engines on machines like lawnmowers, sand groomers, utility carts and tractors can go a long way toward cutting down on the noxious fumes that tend to pollute the atmosphere.

New equipment must meet the new EPA standards for emissions control � but the price is often out of reach, especially for a small private course or a municipal course struggling to stay within the Parks & Rec budget. The solution is easy � don�t replace. Repower the equipment with new, cleaner engines. For the cost of a new Toro'>http://www.repower.com">Toro Sand Pro, you can repower your old Toro Sand Pro with a new Kohler Engine, and have enough left to repower four Toro Greensmaster lawnmowers. If you choose to repower a Rake-o-Vac instead of replacing it with a new one for $31,000, you can practically repower your entire fleet!

Choosing to repower doesn�t only make financial sense. It makes green sense. By replacing old engines with new kohler repower engines, you reduce the NOx emissions of your fleet by as much as 70%. In addition, since you�re not scrapping your old machine, it won�t be sitting in a landfill challenging the Earth to break it down and deal with it.

Green is a label that golf courses have always worn with pride, and now it�s more of a badge than ever before. Make your golf course a greener place to be � choose to repower your old machines with more efficient, more powerful and more environmentally friendly Kohler engines.

� Ben Anton, 2006
http://www.repower.com/utility-carts.htm

Why you should always use the correct motor oil in your car

Motor oil, coolant, clutch, transmission, power steering, and brake fluids are all vital parts of all cars. They need to be regularly checked, topped up or changed whenever required to ensure that the vehicle operates properly. The car owner�s manual will show what the manufacturer believes to be the best regular maintenance schedule for the particular model. Making sure that the advised service intervals are maintained may sometimes seem like an unnecessary expense, but it will help protect the car, preserve efficiency, increase the vehicles lifespan and reduce the risk of future unexpected bills.

Taking the correct care of a vehicle will not only help to ensure that it will run correctly and efficiently, but will also help to make sure that it is running safely. It is also important to note that many vehicles� warranties will become invalid if the manufacturer�s service requirements are not scrupulously followed.

The engine oil that is made for use in cars ensures that all the moving parts of an engine are properly lubricated and protects them against the wear and tear caused by the friction of everyday operation. Additives which are put into the base oil also provide additional engine protection, helping to prevent the car engine oil from deteriorating under the engine�s extreme operating temperature conditions.

Like all fluids, motor oil will thin out when it is subjected to increased temperatures, and thicken when cooled. In order for the motor oil to properly protect the engine, the oil must be able to remain at the correct viscosity level at all engine operating temperatures. If the viscosity becomes too thin then the oil will lose the strength to protect the engine, if it is too thick then the oil may not pump to the proper parts of the engine, and damage may be caused as the engine revs.

Multigrade car engine oils use a base oil (usually 5W, 10W or 20W) which maintains the correct viscosity at low temperatures, along with polymers which keep viscosity levels acceptable at higher temperatures. These levels are indicated by SAE grades. When choosing appropriate engine oil, refer to the manufacturer guides and always use a multi grade that has the narrowest span of viscosity possible which is appropriate for the temperatures the vehicle will encounter. This is because the wider viscosity range oils can be slightly more prone towards breaking down due to the high polymer content.

As well as checking every couple of weeks that the engine has the appropriate levels of the correct type of motor oil, it is also important to frequently check the transmission and power steering fluid dipsticks to preserve the proper working fluid levels, and make certain the brake fluid and coolant are filled to the top. If a car is leaking fluids, it can mean serious trouble. Keep an eye on the condition of any parking spaces which are regularly used, looking for stains or spots that can warn of possible leaks.

For legal, mechanical and safety reasons always use the correct fluids and never cut corners. Do not follow the lead of David Wyn Williams from Wales who the BBC reported was recently arrested for using cooking oil instead of brake fluid.

The prosecutor, Sarah Lambert, said that although the brake fluid reservoir was full, the liquid inside was a strange colour and had congealed into �a globular, jelly-like substance.� Miss Lambert went on to say that Mr Williams had pumped the foot brake 10 times but with, �no effect whatsoever�. He had relied on the handbrake and the gears to slow the car instead.

The judge ordered the �death-trap� car to be confiscated, saying, �You are very lucky not to be here on a far more serious charge. You posed a very serious risk to yourself, your passengers and to other road users.�

The defence lawyer in the case said that his client would be getting the bus in future.

Cheap Car Accessories? You Will Find Them Online!

For young people it's hard to believe it. But in the older days, you had to actually go to the dealership whenever you needed some car accessories?

Some years back, there were specialized shops and mail order catalogs where you could find stuff. Even when vehicle accessories became more readily available, the prices remained high. Something had to be wrong, or what?

Factories that produce car parts and accessories know they will sell whatever they make. They know that lots of people need it. Even automotive resellers raised the prices, knowing that those who needed the stuff would certainly buy it. So, for us ordinary car owners, it ends up that the accessories and things we need are inordinately expensive.

A few years back, along came the internet. BOOM! Things suddenly changed, and the changes were good for you and me, the consumers. Now, all over the web there are dealers selling the exact same things for a fraction of what you would pay at a dealership or reseller.

For a reasonable price you can get everything from engine parts to quality windshield covers and save money.
You don't even have to leave the comfort of your own home. The time you had to load your trunk with heavy, expensive stuff is over. Now you can sit down and relax with your cup of coffee and the TV on and shop and order what you want online. It will be delivered straight to your door in matter of days.

Here are some tips for taking advantage of these great deals:

-Scour the web for good deals on all the car parts you need. You will find loads of amazing deals that leave your local store in the dust.

-You don't have to toss and turn at night anymore, worrying about how you are going pay for all those parts and accessories you need for your car.

-In comparison with the old days, You will have your mind blown by these prices. Keep looking and expect nothing but low prices, and you will find things so dirt cheap you won't believe it!

Terry Bolton is an internet publisher. He runs the website http://www.cheap-used-cars.w-eland.com. He gives advice and helps people with automotive issues.