Same Cars, Different Brands

Twinned vehicles are basically the same under the skin, but are sold under different brand names and marketed as unique vehicles. Manufacturers see this as a way of killing two birds with one stone: expanding their reach in various market segments while avoiding the higher costs of engineering a new vehicle. This practice is also referred to as "badge engineering," since an automaker can create the illusion of an "all-new" model simply by changing the badges, the grille and other superficial styling details.

Twinned vehicles are built on the same chassis and share most of their under-hood and interior components, but often have different sheet metal, amenities and interior design. This idea extends as well to "triplet" and "quadruplet" vehicles, as in the case of the Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook/ Chevrolet Traverse quads.

Note that twinned vehicles are different from vehicles that only share platforms. Vehicles that share platforms can straddle vehicle types and sizes, such as the Ford Fusion sedan and the Ford Edge SUV, whereas twinned vehicles cannot. There are far more vehicles that share platforms (Ford and Mazda vehicles, for example) than are twins.

Not Like It Used To Be

Because it has so many brands under one corporate parent, General Motors is the classic example of a company that found efficiencies by issuing virtual carbon copies of its cars across numerous brands. At one point in its history, GM even had sextuplets. But in today's world of customization and target marketing, the company is tailoring its vehicles to appeal to different customers.

"In recent times we've placed much more focus on the type of customer for a particular brand, to what type of features and styling appeals to a Buick Enclave customer versus that of our new Chevrolet Traverse," says GM spokesman Jim Burke. "While it's true that the vehicles share common chassis and powertrain attributes, really the customer doesn't see or touch these 'black metal' attributes. We've really worked to differentiate and distinguish the models from the standpoint of exterior and interior design."

So, for example, the Traverse's sheet metal is mostly unique, sharing only its roof and liftgate with its siblings. Its dual-cockpit design — the way the dashboard arches up from the center stack on both sides — is unique to Chevrolet and harkens back to Corvettes of 50 years ago. The instrumentation and door pads are also unique to the Traverse.

But design isn't the only feature that distinguishes the quads. According to Burke, customers are also attuned to the driving characteristics a particular brand is known for. So Chevy customers expect tighter steering and suspension, whereas Buick customers expect a softer, more luxurious ride.

It also held true in the past that twinned vehicles could be distinguished by the packaging of standard features and options: An item buried in an options package on one twin might be standard equipment on the other twin. That's far less true today than just a few years ago, but it's still worth reading those features and options lists carefully. In the case of the GM quads, whether a rearview camera, memory seats, Bluetooth or power rear liftgate is available as either standard or optional depends on which of the quads — and which of the trim levels — you choose.

More important may be the differences that exist in warranty coverage. This happens largely because vehicle twins exist today not only across brands within a company, but across different companies that share their engineering. A Pontiac Vibe, for example, is backed by GM's five-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty; whereas its twin, the Toyota Matrix, has five-year/60,000-mile drivetrain coverage. Even bigger warranty discrepancies can exist if one twin is from a luxury brand and another is not, such as the Lexus ES 350 and the Toyota Camry.

One last thing to consider when comparing twins is resale value; mechanically identical cars can still have differences when you try to sell them. For example, as of this writing, the GMC Yukon Denali depreciates $31,643 in five years. Its twin, the Cadillac Escalade, depreciates by almost $10,000 more. While this kind of discrepancy isn't common, it's a good idea to use our True Cost to OwnSM (TCO) tool to compare the full five-year costs of owning the vehicles you're comparing.

So How Does This Help Me?

Many people don't realize the strong similarity between cars of different brands. Knowing which vehicles are twins allows you to see through the marketing spin. More importantly, it gives you flexibility and bargaining leverage at the dealership (in terms of equipment, trim level and color). For example, if you like the seating capacity and general performance of the GMC Acadia but the dealer isn't giving you a good price, you can suggest that you'd be just as happy with the Outlook at the Saturn dealership a few miles away. It's a pretty sure bet he'll work harder to keep you at his dealership instead.

Some, like the Chevrolet Cobalt and the Pontiac G5, are close to identical; many others are more like fraternal twins. When car shopping, remember to compare not only whole vehicles, but specific trim levels and standard features as well.

Source: www.Edmunds.com

Auto Tools For The DIY'er

If you are a car owner who occasionally works on his or her own car, please don't go out and spend thousands of dollars on high priced tools. Professional mechanics make a living with their tools and need the best. If you are doing minor repairs on your own vehicles a lower cost tool set will do just fine. We have teamed up with AutoBarn.com to bring you the best price on tools for the DIYer. Keep in mind you can find most of these tools at your local parts store, but probably not at these prices. Let's look at the basics you will need for most common jobs.
The oil change:
Lifting tools: To gain access to the oil pan you need to get the front wheels off of the ground safely. Never leave the car supported only by a jack. A good set of jack stands or ramps are the safest way to go. Also don't forget to chock up the rear wheels to keep the car from sliding back. Even though you may have the emergency brake set, they can fail.
Oil filter wrench: Nothing is more frustrating than trying to get an oil filter off without the right wrench. I have gone to the extent of poking a screwdriver through the filter to spin it off..... this is not the cleanest way to change an oil filter.
Funnel: You have to get the new oil into the engine, and the less you spill, the less will burn off later while driving. Any funnel will do, but look for one with a long flexible neck, which will help getting into those tight places.
The brake job:
Disc brakes: You will need some special hex or torx sockets to get the caliper loose. Do not try using the wrong tool like a vise-grips or filed down bit.... you will damage the bolts. You will also need to retract the brake pistons once you have the old pads out. Using a C-clamp does work, but you have to be careful not to damage the pistons.
Drum brakes: There are special tools, which allow you to remove the clips, which hold the shoes to the backing plate. Also you will need an adjuster to adjust the shoes once you have everything back together.
Bleeding the brakes: Get a good kit, which includes a sealed container to collect the expelled brake fluid.
General tools:
A good Quality Tool Set: Make sure you have metric wrenches as all import cars have metric fasteners and most if not all-new domestic cars do also. If you plan on doing advanced work, or plan on eventually working as a professional mechanic consider buying a set of Craftsman tools. I have found them to be the best value and you cannot beat the lifetime guarantee. Plus wherever you are, there is a Sears store to take your broken tools in for replacement.
Auto Repair Manual: You wouldn't bake a cake without a recipe.... would you?? Make sure you have a manual by your side before you start working on your car. I can only give you general guidelines, but the manual will give you all of the specifics for your car, truck or SUV.

By: Kevin Schappell

Lifted from This Source: http://www.leemyles.com

About the Author: Kevin Schappell maintains http://www.carbuyersclub.com where he gives advice on buying, selling, insurance, and financing. A mechanical engineer and car guy, Kevin has decided to spend his online time helping others learn about automobiles. To learn more about how your car works, Kevin has createdhttp://www.mycarwizard.com.

What Type of Auto Insurance Covers Vandalism and Damage to a Car?

Insurance needs can be confusing. That is why you must sit down with the agent representing the insurance company that you are considering. Find out everything about the policy before you purchase it. The time to find out that you are not covered for something is not when you file a claim. Know what your insurance policy is going to pay for should something happen and what is not covered, because you can add items that you want covered.

Comprehensive insurance is one type that many people do not understand. It is not typically covered under a general liability insurance policy. This is the insurance that will cover damage to your vehicle whether it is caused by fire, theft, weather, or animal collisions. Many people have this type in the area where deer are commonly found. Vandalism is another type of damage that comprehensive insurance covers.

If you have full coverage insurance due to your vehicle being financed or just because it is a newer vehicle and it makes sense, the comprehensive insurance is part of your policy. If you do not have full coverage, comprehensive will have to be purchased separately.

Many people choose to purchase this insurance because the chances of theft or some unforeseen incident can be high in certain areas. If something happens to total your car and you do not have coverage, you are left without transportation. Not to mention there will be no money coming to purchase another vehicle.

The type of coverage you have will actually depend on the insurance policy that you have purchased. If you are in doubt as to what your policy covers, look at the 'Extras' page which will tell you what ones are available and what ones you have or do not have.

If your policy is the type that only offers third party protection, you will not have coverage if you car is stolen or damaged by fire. However, it does not cost that much more than a third party plan to get the third party fire and theft included so that you will be covered in the event that this happens.

Some insurance policies that you have comprehensive insurance with may provide you with a courtesy car if repairs are being done on your vehicle. Read your policy to make sure this is an option. Most people do not know this but if your car is under a year old and gets damages that are going to be over 60% of the value of the car to repair, your car can be totaled. If it is totaled by the insurance company, they will pay you the current market value of your car.

The best thing you can do is to read your policy and know what it covers. If you have any doubts, call your insurance agent and find out about certain aspects. They will be happy to let you know what your insurance policy includes and excludes. It may benefit you to know what options are available from different companies and the price difference between the premiums before you make a choice as to which company you will go with.

By Kian Chew Chong

Lifted from this source: http://ezinearticles.com

About the Author:

Kian Chew is a car insurance expert and owner of Car Insurance Hot Zone. Car Insurance Hot Zone helps those who wish to lower their car insurance cost for life by using a few basic rules and some strategies which few people know. You can instantly view the secrets by visiting http://www.CarInsuranceHotZone.com.

Kian Chew Chong
Level: Platinum

Kian Chew is a car insurance expert and owner of Car Insurance Hot Zone. Car Insurance Hot Zone helps those who wish to lower their ... ...

Simple Steps to Insure Your Transmission Doesn't Fall Out!

The red transmission fluid bleeds out them like blood from a hospital patient. It is terrifying for many technicians. Have you experienced this? You call your local mechanic with a story of your check engine light on and your vehicle won't go over 30 mph without screaming at you. That's your transmission.

Chances are your mechanic shuddered and said better call the tranny shop. Don't fret though people, transmission repair is a simple and easy thing. There's this wonderful thing in your glovebox called your owners manual. Pull that bad boy out, dust it off, and get ready to read. There's knowledge in there and power that can save you thousands of dollars.

Every vehicle has a designated maintenance schedule that you are supposed to follow but almost no one ever does. It's fast and simple and a lot times can save you money. Most vehicles 10 years or older require your to change the transmission fluid every 12- 24000 miles. That's maybe once every year or two. Compared to the every 3000 miles your engine needs it's a very long time. That's why it's important to check your transmission fluid every time you change your engine oil.

To check your transmission fluid you need to have your car running and in either park or neutral depending on the make. Again open your magical owners manual and check to see what it says. The fluid should be between the hashes. The fluid should also be red in color and not smell burnt at all. There also should not be any metal or other contaminates in the fluid. If by chance you do find some horrible smell or some shinny chunks of metal in the fluid it's time to call your friendly neighborhood transmission shop.

Check to make sure that they are BBB, ATRA certified, and that they have a clean nice shop area. Call and ask them if they offer a free diagnostic or road-test. Make an appointment don't just show up. How would you like it if your friends just showed up at your house and wanted you to make them dinner or something. Same basic idea.

Drop your car off if you can that way they have lots of time to look into things. You may be asked if it's ok if they drop your transmission pan. Tell them yes this is the only way they can get a look inside your transmission. there's probably a minimal fee for it so don't worry about it. You should get a call in a couple hours after that and they will let you know what's happening.

Good luck, from there you are on your own!

By: Chris L. Jensen
Lifted from this source: http://ezinearticles.com

About the Author:

Chris Jensen is a contributing author of Jetfly Blog. For more related articles and views visit Jetfly Automotive Blog now. Also, for the best up-to-date related online products, check out Jetfly Automobile Collectibles Shop for today's current online deals.

Why You Should Have a Good Exhaust System

Capitalism is all about giving the people what they want. Well, selling the people what they want may be a better way of stating it. This is basic notion is the very reason we have hybrid vehicles today.

Any type of trend soon grows attributes that are often not exactly accurate. These can be both positive and negative attributes, depending on who is pushing the point. Two false ones have surrounded the hybrid vehicle.

The first myth is that you will get a major tax break if you buy a hybrid vehicle. This is generally true, but not absolutely. Just to make you groan, you should know the agency that controls the issue. Yes, the IRS. So, when can you get a tax credit?

Well, there are a few rules. First, you have to buy a new hybrid from a dealer. Second, you can only claim a tax credit if you buy an IRS approved hybrid. Third, you need to figure out the tax credit amount available when you actually buy the hybrid.

Many people want to know the amount of the hybrid tax credit, but it is an impossible question to answer. The IRS sets a different amount for each and every car. It then has the option of reducing this amount each quarter of the year.

The hybrid tax credit was designed to get people interested in hybrids. Given this fact, it should be no surprise the credit is phased out after a certain number of vehiles are sold. The beloved Prius, in fact, is about to lose its credit.

Many people are outraged by the phasing out of the tax credit available for hybrids, particularly the manufacturers. Talk about a selling point! The credit, however, was never meant to support an industry, only generate interest in it.

Batteries. Who would have thought we would discuss them in this article, but a myth exists regarding their use in hybrids. The myth is they don’t last very long. This is suggested to be a big negative because replacement costs are high.

The great hybrid conspiracy is truly funny once you look at a key fact. Each new hybrid comes with a battery warranty between 80,000 and 100,000 miles. This would suggest that they last a long time, no?

Should you make your next vehicle a hybrid? If you want to cut your driving costs and help the environment, then the answer is definitely yes. Just make sure to buy it new and check with the IRS on your tax credit amount.

By: Ricardo d Argence
Lifted from this source: http://feeds.feedburner.com

The Origination, Truth And Facts About Concept Cars

Concept cars, or cars designed according to a certain theme or older model, are by and large prototypes introduced at car and motor shows to estimate consumer response and appeal.

Combining the best of modern technology with the sleek lines of tried and time-tested cars from the past, concept cars are often tentative feelers put out by automobile companies to test the waters before "diving" into serious production.

The automobile industry being a multi billion dollar industry, car manufactures alike see the benefit of these widely attended car shows. The manufactures have an opportunity to glean a great deal of valuable information from these shows at a relatively low cost.

Concept cars were first introduced by designer Harley Earl of General Motors in the 1950s. It was for the concept of a car that offered buyers state-of-the-art motor car engineering in a new design which was really a version of a senior theme. This gained almost instant popularity with the universal public.

Recognizing a winning horse when they saw one, General Motors further publicized the concept and their car, through its traveling Motorama shows of that period. Beautiful to behold, concept cars show off radical, futuristic designs, powerful engines and sometimes even controversial technology.

However, alluring as these concept cars may appear under the spotlight, many of them often obtain changes before being put on the production line by their manufacturers, and all of them are subjected to alterations that make them more suitable, and affordable, to their target markets.

An from the eyes of the public these changes to the car are often very drastic changes. This of course, is after the study of the data from these shows. Which again as become a valuable asset to the car manufacturers. These car shows alone save the manufacturer several million dollars. Just knowing that a car is not deemed acceptable or needs a few modifications before going to production.

The majority of concept cars seen at auto exhibitions such as the Geneva Motor Show are the dream rides of automobile fans and racing enthusiasts, but are more often than not only show models made of wax, clay, metal, fiberglass and plastic. In fact many concept cars never even reach this phase due to impractical design glitches and price factors.

An interesting example of an old, functional concept car being brought back into service would be the 1954 Ford Lincoln Futura, which after having been stored in the North Hollywood car shop of George Barris came out of storage to stand up to stardom as the Batmobile of the 1966 Batman series on the ABC TV Network.

On the same note, current examples for concept cars would be the Mercedes-Benz bionic car (this is said to mix the best of nature, engineering and the ever popular DaimlerCrysler engine), the 2006 BMW Mille Miglia concept coupe (based on the earlier BMW 328 Traveling coupe and the BMW Z4 M coupe), the Camaro Concept sports coupe (which follows the lines of the first Camaros) and the Chrysler Imperial Concept 2006 (a direct descendant of classic Imperial and Chrysler designs).

Sadly, the bulk of concept cars are destroyed once their use has been served. However, some do escape the crusher and continue to live their lives in storage or on exhibit in automobile museums.

The information that is gathered by manufacturers from these car shows is proven to be a method of great value.

By: Bowe Packer

Lifted from this source: http://www.myowncarshow.com

About the Author:
Bowe Packer provides free online information to the public. He has written many articles on Cool Cars - such as concept cars, exotic cars and tricked out cars. Visit his Cool Cars site and learn about exotic and hot cars for free.

Sell More!-Stand Out in the Crowd

Hey, To make more money as a sales consultant you have to separate yourself from the other guy. Everybody is selling your type of vehicle. So why should customers buy from you? Because your price is better... I doubt it. Your vehicle is special... Yeah sure. Your trade-in appraisals are higher... Duh.

Why should they buy from you is a great question when your vehicles can be purchased almost around the corner.

To sell more you have to stand out in this crowd. Do you? I don't mean that you are the tallest or the shortest or widest. I mean does your sales process create a positive difference about you personally in the mind of your buyer?

Some sales consultants are predictably boring. Blah, blah sales pitch. Pull the plug on this sales approach. It is deadly.

What's your brand as a sales consultant? Does it sell?

I am not talking about your manufacturer's name, I mean your image. You will sell more if you work on separating yourself you're your competitor's salespeople. You aren't them, why act like them?

The AUTOMOTIVATOR'S Keys to Successful Branding.

1. Treat yourself as the product not your vehicle.

You have to focus on your sales process to be different and better than the other guy-care more-be more FUN-be more knowledgeable-be more skilled-be more useful to your client in their time of need than the other guy or gal.

Become the expert. People buy expertise. Customers respond to competency and are repelled by inadequacy or mediocrity.

2. You brand yourself by treating yourself as a business person not a salesperson.

You are in business for self. As a commission-based earner you are self-employed. Nobody is paying your mortgage or putting the food on your family table.

So treat yourself as the business person you are. Become the most qualified sales professional your client will ever meet buying a vehicle. Your attitude will raise you above the competition in the mind of your client. You will stand out as the person they will want to do business with.

It is about branding. Get ahead of the pact and set the standard for professionalism. If you want to sell more you have to stand out more.

Sell with passion - customers are bored with most sales presentations.

- Power up your 'sales' presentation. WOW them not bore them!

- Drive your vehicle first, present with passion-don't flip keys

- Sell the value in your price presentation.

- Give more reasons to buy from your dealership than the competition.

- Go out of your way to impress your clients while they are in the dealership.

- Follow-up better than your competition.

Follow-up

If you can't sell them today, then give them the most effective follow-up they will ever get anywhere. Be the leader in follow-up at your dealership and you will lead the pack in sales. People return and buy from sales professionals who care enough to keep in touch when they need help making their decisions.

Brand yourself as the expert who follows-up people. You will gain professional stature in the mind of the buyer. You will sell more. You will be talked about by your customers as a positive influence in their decision making. (Trackstar is the professional's choice for follow-up. www.Trackstar.ca )

Don't remain mediocre-be the best.

Don't do anything once and expect results. Results come to the committed professional who consistently does the steps to success that are required.

Improve Your Sales Process - It is your brand.

You will be recognized as the best. That is what selling is all about. Make money and have FUN!

Have a great selling day!

By: David Kemp
Lifted from this source: http://ezinearticles.com

David Kemp is president of Automotivator Sales Training and Leadership Development.

How To Get An Unsecured Car Loan

Unsecured car loans do not require any security or collateral. These loans are usually issued based on your financial standing, your credit history and your current employment and income statements, which determine your potential to repay the loans. Since no form of collateral is being provided, these loans are a little difficult to get approved. Unsecured car loans are considered riskier by the lender as they don't have anything to sell if they need to recover their loan amount in case of default. To compensate for this added risk, lenders issue unsecured loans at a higher rate of interest.

Unsecured car loans do have some benefits, especially if you do not own your own home. People who are renters can finance their car using an unsecured car loan, as long as their credit score is high enough. Also, if you are a home owner like myself who is not comfortable pledging my house for a car loan, you can use an unsecured car loan. The processing for these loan applications is faster as there is no need for appraisal of the property being pledged.

The interest rate and the term of unsecured car loans are fixed. So you get to plan out the monthly installments and make necessary preparations. Unsecured loans are also provided to people on a pension or people on some type of income support. But there are certain criteria which the borrower needs to fulfill to be eligible for an unsecured car loan. The borrower must be over 18 years of age and should have full-time employment. Normally, there are also minimum criteria for monthly income. In case you are trying to purchae a used automobile, unsecured loans are normally not given for cars which are over five years of age.

Even if you don't have a perfect credit history, you can still get car loan financing. Actually, a few car dealers specialize in handling loan inquiries for people with bad credit histories. If you want to take out a car loan, then investigate the specialist car dealers and lenders who will conduct a market search on your behalf and provide you the quotes of the lowest available loan rates.

How To Get The Best Unsecured Car Loan

So how to get the best unsecured car loans? The first thing to do is search for lenders who issue unsecured loans. Information about them can be found in auto showrooms or, more easily, over the internet. A good idea could be to speak to friends and family to find out if they have taken a loan in the recent past. They might be able to lead you to good lenders. Once you have found out about them, it is advisable that you invite quotes on the rates and the terms for which they are willing to extend a loan to you. It is only after you are satisfied with the best rate should you decide to go with a particular lender for unsecured car loans.

Before you apply for your loan you should get a copy of your credit report and scrutinize it very carefully for any kind of errors. It is in your best interest to get the errors corrected prior to purchasing your car, as errors may affect your interest rate. The approval of your car loan application will depend a lot on your credit report and credit score. An accurate credit report will help the lender judge your past repayment ability correctly and thus approve the loan if you meet his requirements.

Remember that when you apply for your credit report you should get it from one of the three major credit bureaus. You are able to get a free credit report each year from all three credit agencies. This government agency link can give you more information on the process. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre34.shtm

Before you approach the lender for an unsecured car loan, you should make sure that you are not paying more than 30% of your income towards your debts. If a higher amount is going towards your debt, lenders become reluctant to finance your purchase because they are worried that you will have a difficult time making your loan payment. If you are paying more that 30% of your income towards your debt service, not including your mortgage, then it is advisable to pay off the smaller debts so as to reduce the debt to income ratio.

Unsecured car loans usually provide 90-100% of the total amount required to purchase your car. You can use the loan amount to purchase a car of any make or model. It can also be used to purchase a used car, but the intended car should not be more than 5 years old. An unsecured car loan makes sense for many people, so as not to tie up collateral uselessly.

By: Pat Morgan
Lifted from this source: http://www.articlecube.com

About the Author: Pat Morgan is a retired auto dealer finance manager from Austin, Texas, who has started a blog to help people with bad credit obtain car loans. To learn more about the different types of bad credit car loans visit my blog, where you'll find out what's available now, including bad credit car refinancing.

Volkswagen Launches “Future of the Car”

Volkswagen has launched a new micro-site which looks at what people may be driving in the future - or whether they will be driving at all.

Revolving around a short film set in the year 2028, in which a father tells his son about the automobile world of 20 years ago, the website showcases the Wolfsburg-based automaker's vision of the automotive world 20 years from now.

These 'visions of the future', which take shape in the form of three autonomous concept cars called the 'One', 'Ego' and 'Room', offer an insight into the automotive world of tomorrow as seen through the tinted spectacles of Volkswagen developers and designers.

The One is a single passenger car which can tilt forwards for parking and link to other like vehicles for train-like traveling at peak times. The two-passenger Ego features an exterior that can be personalized through holograms, and the Room family vehicle has rotating front seats for face to face user interaction.

The Webspecial "demonstrates how the cars of the future can communicate with traffic lights, how holographic displays in the cockpit can assist the driver and how we can generate even more driving pleasure and still keep our cars emission-free," said Jochen Sengpiehl, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Head of Marketing.

The interactive site allows users to select individual links to take a look at the automotive future. Intuitive navigation guides the user through the website, which combines classical film sequences with 3D effects, while a 'talk to us' feature gives users the opportunity to share their comments and create their own individual information packages for downloading.

Have a look for yourself by clicking the link below:
Volkswagen 2028 micro-site

By: Eric Gallina

Lifted from this Source: http://www.cardesignnews.com

Basic Principles Behind Using Water for Gas

Are you joking? Can water be used for gas? Did you know that water is the cheapest resource of energy that can be used to run your car? Gasoline is getting expensive by each passing day and is getting out of reach of the common man. Therefore, in these times it is necesary to find some alternative which is easily available in the market as fuel. If you would like your car to run on water and save thousands each year then read on.

To start things with, we all recognize how priceless a source of energy water is. At the time when water is wrecked down with the assistance of an spark of electricity, it comes up with a compound of the HHO. This mix is tremendously flammable but safer than free of charge hydrogen. It has been experienced in hundreds of vehicles over past few years beneath extremely unsympathetic circumstances, and it is considered to be amongst the safest of all option fuel technologies accessible in the market.

We can say however, that the water driven cars are not completely fueled on water. They still require a definite quantity of gasoline all along with water. This technology may sooner or later pave the way for a hundred percent water driven cars. The Most important thing is that the technology is extremely secure and poses no security hazards. The release from this car consists for the most part of water, which is harmless. The hybrid cars clean un the carbon deposits in the motor formed due to unburned fuel. This is beneficial for the car and can help them last longer.

This new technology isn't all that fresh; it was created in the 90's by Sir Stanley Meyer. Despite the fact that it was brought into full manufacturing due to the premature death of Mr. Meyer a lot of other inventors and scientists have tried the wonderful system to allow the vehicles of today to run solely on water. Then of course, was a lot of opposition to the progress of this technology because of the blow it would have on the oil and gas industry. Nevertheless, nowadays with the expansion of the Internet and the viral environment of information it provides more and more people are having access to this system and have begun converting their current vehicle to run on water.

Like water, the search for alternative and renewable sources of energy is becoming prevalet as an option to decrease the pollution of the environment and as a choice for more economical fuel. We are aproaching an era where we must be careful of the world we live in because our past actions have begun to catch up with us and that reality requires the use of subsitute fuels. It's about time that the automotive industry start following suit.

By: Julius Moltgen
Lifted from this source: http://www.articlealley.com

Comeback Of A Sportscar Legend, 2009 Volkswagen Scirocco

The new Scirocco is one of the most attractive sports cars in terms of price. It is the right choice as an affordable sports car for every day of the year16 June 2008; the countdown is running for the new era Scirocco: the third generation of the sports car will already be arriving on the market in August. And yet its standard features place it on the same level as far more expensive coupés. Volkswagen is staging the comeback of a legend with the debut of the two-door car – Scirocco generations I and II wrote history as the most successful Volkswagen coupé of all time with about 800,000 units sold. Car parts involved are 17-inch alloy wheels, height-adjustable driver and front passenger seats, leather steering wheel, parking brake handle and shifting lever grip, sport seats, split folding rear seatbacks, power windows, air conditioning, ESP, braking assistant, six airbags, power steering and of course a sport chassis. . On the top 200 PS model, standard equipment also includes chrome tailpipes, a "Titanium black" roof liner and a sound generator.

The new Scirocco is extending this tradition. It offers pure driving pleasure, a new powerful design, high-end technologies such as DCC adaptive chassis control and the new 7-speed DSG dual clutch transmission. Plus: exclusive use of efficient turbo engines with up to 147 kW / 200 PS power, space for four adults despite its sporty lines, an extremely high level of safety and the everyday utility that is typical of every Volkswagen. This mix of passion and logic costs far less than one might guess based on the car’s key data. Although the third generation of the Scirocco follows exactly the same positioning as the first one, Volks¬wagen very intentionally avoided retro elements. In this regard too, the Scirocco of the year 2008 is a conceptually counterpart to the original version: because in the mid-1970s the successor to the Karmann Ghia also set out on new paths, both technically and visually.

Based on the on flawless sports car fundamentals, the Volkswagen design team created a wagon-coupé. This resulted in a side profile that had the potential to imbue this new Volkswagen too with a status that goes beyond class distinctions. Car parts has sweeping roofline and near-vertical rear window, it also frees up space for variability and up to 755 liters of cargo capacity. Benchmark figures of the new sports car also speak a clear language. With its short overhangs, the Scirocco efficiently utilizes its 2,578 millimeter wheelbase to offer ample space. The Volkswagen is 1,404 millimeters tall, exactly 4,256 millimeters long and its width measures 1,810 millimeters.

The new Scirocco has a transparent roof. Supplying vast amounts of light to the interior is an optional large panorama vent sunroof that extends from the A-pillars to the B-pillars. The transparent roof opens up to 39 millimeters when the sun is intense. A sunshade can be driven into place. The glass of the panorama vent sunroof only transmits 8.2 percent of the UV radiation, 2.8 percent of the infrared radiation (heat) and 6.9 percent of the visible light.

For more information about your parts needs like a Car parts visit your trusted online source.

By: Anthony Fontanelle
Lifted from this source: http://www.articlebiz.com

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.

7 Steps to Filing Your Car Insurance Claim

Having even a teeny-tiny car accident can be one of life's least enjoyable moments. However, accidents happen, and sooner or later, we all have the experience of meeting one of our fellow road travelers up close and personal. Using the following seven steps to filing your claim will help you get over this speed bump as smoothly as possible.

Step 1: Understand your policy
Before a loss, sit down and carefully read your insurance policy. Call your agent or company if you have any questions about what is or is not covered.

Step 2: Exchange information
If you are involved in an accident, get the other driver's name, address, phone number, insurance carrier, and insurer's phone number. Be prepared to give the same information about yourself to the other driver. You can find insurers' telephone numbers on the proof-of-insurance cards that should be carried on your person when operating a motor vehicle.

Step 3: Identify witnesses
Ask witnesses to the accident for their names and phone numbers in case their account of the accident is needed.

Step 4: File an accident report
Contact local law enforcement officers to have an accident report prepared. If law enforcement is not reachable, accident reports and detailed instructions are available at all police departments, sheriff's offices, your local Department of Motor Vehicles office, and on your local Department of Motor Vehicles' web site.

Step 5: Notify your insurer
Contact your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. An insurance adjuster will review the accident report to determine who caused the accident. If the accident was not your fault, you can have either your insurance company or the at-fault driver's insurance company handle the repair or replacement of your vehicle. If you use the other driver's company, you will not have a claim on your automobile policy and you will not have to pay a deductible.

Step 6: Do not release insurers too early
Do not relieve your insurance company of its responsibility until the damages are settled to your satisfaction. For example, have your insurance company handle the claim if the other party's insurance company questions its policyholder's negligence or offers an unacceptable settlement.

Step 7: Consider these settlement factors
. Bodily injuries: You may be entitled to a monetary settlement for injuries caused by another at fault (liable) party. It can take several days for some injuries to become apparent.
. Damages: The insurance company is responsible to pay for the reasonable cost of repairs to your vehicle. An insurance adjuster will assess the damage. Usually, insurance companies and auto body shops negotiate disagreements about what should be repaired. If you disagree with their conclusions, you have the right to obtain another appraisal at any auto body shop.
. Appraisal clause: Most auto insurance policies include an appraisal clause, which can be used to help settle disputes about physical damage claims between you and your insurance company. (The appraisal clause does not apply for claims you file with the other party's insurance company.) If you cannot reach an agreement with your company, you or your insurer can initiate the appraisal clause. Your appraiser and your insurer's appraiser then select an independent umpire to try to resolve the dispute. Check your policy or ask your agent or insurance company for more information about the appraisal clause.

And that is it. While filing a claim is certainly no fun, following these seven steps will make the process almost as easy as getting free quotes and purchasing your car insurance at http://www.carinsurance.com.

Visit http://www.carinsurance.com For Your Free Quote

By: Jon Register
Lifted from this source: http://www.savearticles.com

About the Author:Jon Register is a representative of CarInsurance.com. You can visit CarInsurance.com at http://www.carinsurance.com or contact them at 1-877-327-8728. CarInsurance.com offers the ability to shop for car insurance online. Consumers can receive quotes from many insurance companies, in some states you are able to purchase your insurance instantly, online. You don't have to drive your car to buy car insurance. Buy online...anytime!

Chicago Toyota tells You How to Keep Your Toyota Hubcaps in Shape

So your Toyota vehicle is no longer just another car passing in the street or parked in another fellow's garage.

For your car, you picked the Toyota hubcaps (also known as wheel covers) - those round metallic disks designed to fit snugly over the center space of a car's tires. More than protecting the lug nuts from exposure to the elements, Toyota hubcaps were guaranteed to give your vehicle a boost to its overall style. You were amazed at the vast collection of hubcap designs you were free to choose from: from the simple yet elegant steel wheel covers to the trendy hubcaps featuring a free-spinning center element, and to the upscale wheel covers which used separate anti-theft retaining screws with separate caps or covers. Before you knew it, you were sporting a trendier car around the neighborhood and the city.
So now that the new look is in place, how do you get to keep it?

True, maintaining a complete set of hubcaps can be a real challenge. The main reason for this is the process of changing tires. Every time you change tires, your Toyota Hubcaps must be pried out with a screwdriver or some other tool, which eventually causes the cap to warp. Since few drivers diligently carry around rubber mallets with them, more often than not, hubcaps are reattached loosely and incorrectly. This ultimately leads to the loss of one or more hubcaps. To avoid this from happening, take the time to periodically secure your Toyota Hubcaps by tapping the rim in a circular pattern with a rubber mallet.

In addition, your hubcaps should also be cleaned periodically. When washing your car, always use a suitable cleaner. Use care when removing your Chicago Toyota hubcaps when changing tires to make sure you don't damage or dislodge any of the retention clips. Bent or missing retention clips will cause your hubcaps to fall off, a waste of good money if you never find the missing hubcap again. When reinstalling the wheel cover, use extreme care not to break or bend the retention clips, especially when it comes to hubcaps with plastic clips. Apply pressure to the wheel cover evenly and gradually; never force the cover on. When installed properly, your Toyota hubcaps should be evenly seated around the edge of the wheel. If in any unfortunate event you should lose a hubcap, you can find comfort in the knowledge that finding an affordable replacement may only be a mouse's click away.

All these auto parts are manufactured according to the strictest standards so you can be sure that the auto parts you purchase are durable, reliable and high quality. Check out Auto Parts Inner now if you need top-notch and affordable auto parts.

by: Tymothy Oaklin
Source: http://infopool.webverve.com

Tymothy Oaklin an ex-salesman in the auto industry and is a regular writer and consultant for Chicago Toyota and works on Ethics with dealers nationwide.

The Basics : Running a Car on Water

Commonly known in the scientific world as Brown’s Gas, water gas or water fuel is a derivative of hydrogen form water. It is always debated whether this can really fuel cars or if it only serves as a fuel booster. Well, the answer is both may be true. Water is now being tapped as a source of fuel. However, it should not be mistaken that the water in itself is being used to run engines and machines. What happens is that hydrogen is extracted from the water and I used to increase the capacity of gas. In some cases, the hydrogen is converted to another form which allows itself to become the source of energy to run engines.

The device used to convert water into a source of energy is hydrogen generator. It is something that can be installed by anyone and it does not require any modification to your car. This is also cheap in comparison to conversion of ordinary cars to hybrid since hybrid cars have more functionalities needed to have the conversion completed. The hydrogen generator is installed in the car’s engine compartment and as a result, the hydrogen it generates sustains the mileage capacity gasoline.

Brown’s gas has the power of hydrogen, just about the same with the power of hydrogen bombs. It is in this nature of hydrogen that the energy is drawn from. It has the strength of hydrogen and yet it is very stable as the chemical component of water, which is hydrogen dioxide. Believe it or not, hydrogen fuel can run a truck. It is also called HHO and if one does not want to use it as a main source of energy, it may serve as a blend with gasoline. Since hydrogen does not burn that easily, this translates into gasoline burning lesser than what is required. As such, mileage is increased.

It is reported in many studies that the usage of hydrogen gas or Brown’s gas can increase mileage of up to 250%. Although the normal number is 50% only, this is still a big amount of money compared to using gasoline in its pure form. One should take note that many may claim that that hydrogen is used as a sole source of energy. However, it is disputed that this still needs to run with gasoline. Experiments are now being done to tap hydrogen as a real pure source of energy without having to blend it with gasoline.

Environmentalists will be happy if all people will use hydrogen power. This is precisely because the hydrogen burns cleanly. It does not emit harmful chemicals to the air as gasoline does. In fact, hydrogen emits oxygen when it is burnt. We all know that we need oxygen to survive. Needless, to say, everyone will benefit from the exhaust of hydrogen gas. Aside from that, there are no harmful chemicals involved in the process of making hydrogen gas or water gas unlike oil. Petroleum wastes cause poisoning and contamination to rivers and other water resources. However, hydrogen gas will only go back what it has taken from Mother Nature.

by: David Jackson
Source: www.articlealley.com

David Jackson has been an affiliate marketer for 4 years. Essential information and powerful tools that will grow your Car Fuels empire can be found at Hydrogen Fuel Cells
http://hydrogencarfuel.blogspot.com/

Special Car Loan Deals for Homeowners

You may wonder what homeownership has to do with car loans and why would lenders offer special deals on car loans for homeowners. Truth is that homeownership provides a lot of benefits when you apply for almost any kind of loan, and car loans do not happen to be the exception for this loan market’s rule.

Nevertheless, there are certain things that you need to understand when it comes to car loans and homeownership, so you can decide which loan best suits your needs when you are looking for car financing. In any case, homeownership will contribute a lot to securing for you the best loan terms on the particular loan that you choose.

Dealership Financing

You may have heard a lot of advice against financing through dealerships. Truth is that loans provided by dealerships usually do not come with very advantageous loan terms and thus end up being more expensive than other car loans provided by banks and financial institutions. This is due to the fact that dealerships are not specialized on loans and thus are only intermediaries adding additional costs to the loan process.

Now, you have another reason why you should not resort to dealership car loans when searching for financing to purchase a car. If you are a homeowner, you can not take advantage of the benefits homeownership provides through loans that are granted by dealerships. This is due to the fact that car loans provided by dealerships are pre-defined and can not be customized for the borrower.

Car Loans and Home Equity Loans

It is an excellent idea, if you have sufficient equity on your home, to request a home equity loan and use the money obtained to finance a car purchase. This method of financing has many advantages and few drawbacks, the main one being the risk of repossession of the property that will trigger if you fail to repay the loan’s monthly payments.

But home equity loans provide an inexpensive source of funds for car purchases because the interest rates charged are lower than with car loans; the repayment programs are longer and thus the monthly payments are lower, and you can also obtain higher loan amounts that, due to your income, you may have not been able to obtain through regular car loans.

However, the fact that you are a homeowner, even if you decide not to use your property as collateral and resort to regular car loans, can provide you with very advantageous terms because it greatly reduces the risk of lending to you. Thus, car loan lenders that are accustomed to dealing with all kinds of applicants [sic] will take note of the fact that you are a homeowner and provide better loan terms because you represent a lower risk of default.

Compared to non-homeowners, you can get on your car loans, lower monthly payments, flexible repayment schedules, very competitive interest rates and higher loan amounts though not as high as the ones you can obtain with a home equity loan. Thus, consider all your alternatives along with your needs and do not forget to mention the fact that you are a homeowner when requesting loan quotes. It can make a big difference.

By: Amanda Hash
Lifted from this source: ArticleBiz.com

About the Author: Amanda Hash is an expert financial consultant who specializes in HomeOwner Loans and Unsecured Loans. By visiting http://www.yourloanservices.com/, you'll learn how to get approved and recover your credit.

Purchasing Your First Car

With new cars, everything seems hard to do. Like [sic] picking the right car and knowing what is best for it; picking a car that will not depreciate its value in time too much so that you can sell it at a high price later; how much will the maintenance of your car cost you each month and how much will the insurance cost, and so on; these [sic] are a [sic] few questions any responsible future car owner asks themselves. The reasons are rather simple and straightforward.

Of course, the pressures applied to you by the car salesman that keeps babbling about how good one car is [sic] and how good another is does not make your choice any easier [sic].

First, before you go anywhere to buy anything, you must decide what cars are right for you [sic]. Do not go overboard; you need to pick a car that corresponds to your budget and payment threshold.

So, before you head out to the first car showroom, check exactly how much you can spend and how much you are willing to spend, taking into consideration other expenses that may appear through time.

In addition, when checking for car prices, make sure you find the one that includes all the taxes so you will not have an ugly surprise later. Buying a car is not an easy thing to do, especially if you are doing it for the first time, and a bunch of advice for dealing with the situation are most [sic] welcome.

Throughout this article, I have [sic] noted a few important things; but you can always talk to someone who is in the business or who has bought many cars, or you can [sic] talk to a friend who has bought a car lately.

Yet, the most important thing when going to buy a new car is that you should be very relaxed, positive and patient, these being two attitudes that will almost ensure a great deal rather than being [sic] paranoid or overly [sic] aggressive [sic].

This is just the beginning; you can check one of the many car-buying guides that can be found on the internet, and be very careful at their content; read the whole review or article and do not just go through it briefly. It is very important to understand that most of the time buying a car is like a poker game for which [sic] you first have to know all the rules by the heart, learn the card dealer’s scams, and have a bit of luck as well.

A rule of [sic] thumb is that you should never buy the first car you see; and obviously, do not believe the dealers when they babble that they have the cheapest prices in town of that car, or that they have the best ones -- that is just one of their many stories.

By: dennisjames
Lifted from this source: ArticleTrader.com

About the Author: Dennis runs Car Dealer Check, which is an independent Car Dealer Ratings site written by the car dealerships' customers with Car Forums.