Preparing Your Car For Summer Driving

We always appear to make positive our cars are prepared for the winter, right?

But what about in the coursework of the summertime? Think it or not, the heat takes its toll on your automobile, , so it is crucial to keep your automobile maintained.

Periodical maintenance on your automobile will save you wondrous hassle in the long run. Your vehicle had better last longer and command a higher resale cost, ! I made it a point to get my automobile maintained according to the dealer's schedule, and when I traded it in, I got far over I expected due to the stellar condition of the engine.

Now I do know this Is not bedtime reading, but the owner's manual can be your best mate - assuming you read it! At least take a look-through periodically. How about while you are waiting to get your oil changed?

Follow the manufacturer's recommended service schedules. This might save you a major collapse.

Have the air conditioning method looked over by a certified technician. A check up here can save you an immense bill later.

The greatest cause of summer breakdowns is overheating. Prevent this issue by ensuring the engine cooling method is flushed and refilled as recommended.

Have your car's belts, clamps, and hoses checked by a technician. This only takes a couple of minutes and is usually cheap.

Fine-tune your oil and oil filter every,000 miles or times a year.

Replace air and fuel filters as recommended.

Get plenty of windshield washer solvent - they have a crooked to make use of more of this in the winter, so your fluids may be low.

Tires had better be rotated every 5000 miles or so.

Check the spare tire to make positive it is inflated in lovely order. Also, make positive you have a jack along with it!

Transmission method troubles match funds troubles match emotional troubles! Have your transmission method serviced periodically, and prevent big-time repair bills.

In case you notice that your brake method are less efficient, get them checked out right away.

Have your battery checked periodically to see how much life it is left!

Inspect all lights and bulbs to make positive they are working.

Take a first aid kit, flares, jumper cables, a flashlight, and a mobile phone.

There you go - a simple list to keep your automobile in great walking shape. Keep in mind, your automobile needs to be serviced and checked over even in the summertime.

Looking after your automobile takes only a couple of minutes every month, and pays you giant dividends for the life of your vehicle!

Automobile Stereo Installation Guide

Need to save some money? Ever wonder in the event you could do an automobile stereo installation yourself? Yes, you can do it yourself! Go ahead, spend that money on your hardware! Don't spend it on labor. Besides, doing an automobile stereo installation yourself can be a rewarding experience, not to mention you can learn a lot from it . Nothing beats the feeling of seeing your 'creation' in action, walking smoothly & perfectly.

But be cautious, you won't need to destroy your expensive hardware. Well, most automobile audio hardware are no-brainers to put in, you'd find that most of the time the parts have specially formed sockets & slots etc. & would only fit where it is meant to be installed. Still, it is best to proceed methodically.

In an automobile stereo installation, you need to pick what kind of rig you are going to put in to your vehicle. In the event you are a beginner, it is best you do an automobile stereo installation if it is a simple system. You may need to leave the complicated stuff to the professionals, like installing delicate equipment like LCD panels, motorized parts etc. if it requires the creation of custom panels & such.

Head units are of the simplest to do in an automobile stereo installation. Fortunately, most units follow the same size standards (DIN). In plenty of cars, time the factory radio is removed the aftermarket radio will slot in the hole. In plenty of other cars, a kit is necessary if the factory hole is giant, or not deep . In some cases the dash has to be cut. Any automobile stereo store ought to have kits necessary for installation.

There is types of mounting in an automobile stereo installation. ISO mounting is when the radio can be screwed to existing factory radio brackets, such as in most Japanese cars. Ring mounting is when an aftermarket radio comes with a metal ring that gets mounted to the factory radio hole or aftermarket kit by bendable tabs. In plenty of cars, dash & trim rings must be filed to enlarge the radio hole. time the ring is installed, the radio slides in & is held by snaps. In most cases, special tools are necessary to remove the radio.

Speakers are critical in an automobile stereo installation. No matter how expensive your speakers are, in the event that they are not properly installed, the sound won't be up to par.

In a simple automobile stereo installation, you'll probably be using speakers that slot in to a factory location. make definite there is no gaps or holes. Sometimes building a wood or fiberglass baffle helps reduce holes & gives you much better sound. But always be cautious when using power tools around speakers. Automobile stereo installation warranties usually don't cover holes in speakers.

For unconventional speaker locations, sometimes metal has to be cut. You may need to leave this to the professionals, tools like plasma cutters & pneumatics drills are necessary. But in the event you are going to insist, a pair of metal snips (left & right cut) will do.

An automobile stereo installation has to put up with vibrations & other noise sources in its surroundings. Although it is impossible to eliminate these , there is products that will greatly decrease the noise & rattling, on non-luxury cars. Liners, sprays & adhesive strips & even carpeting applied onto the panels can make a world of difference.

ATV History - Part 2

In 1975 the hubless wheel design was replaced with steel hubs and a wheel lined with a tough fabric on the inside. More durable plastic fenders were added. This time they produced fenders in bright colors for better visibility out in the bush. As the ATV’s popularity grew the Japanese engineers didn’t stop their research and development. They had a good thing going and they were determined to make it better. Their engineers went into the field to see how the ATV’s performed and started gathering data to help with the next round of modifications.

By the 1980’s, ATVs had gone the same route as dirt bikes and motorcycles. The ATV’s were being used as a utility vehicle and for racing. More and more people were buying ATV’s for riding off road trails and competing in races similar to motocross events. By 1985 ATV usage had gone from only 30% in the 70’s to the whopping 80%. In the 1988, Honda made another groundbreaking leap with the ATV’s design, the introduced the FourTrax 300 and a second model called the FourTrax 300 4x4.  Up until this point the ATV still had the three wheels, now Honda added an extra wheel and gave the ATV four wheel drives, which provided more stability and power. They also fitted the FourTrax with a four stroke single cylinder engine which was air cooled and gave it a five speed transmission, automatic clutch and a maintenance free drive shaft. Honda also thought to give the FourTrax an extra low gear for hauling particularly heavy objects as big as 850 lbs.

Today, ATV’s are fully ingrained into our way of living. You can find ATVs on the dirt bike trails, on farms, on construction sites and a host of other places. Now countries all over the world are discovering the same thing Americans have; the ATV is a fun and efficient vehicle for handling a wide array of jobs in almost any environment.

The end.

ATV History - Part 1

The ATVs (all terrain vehicles) we know today had very humble beginnings in the mountainous farming regions of Japan. The muddy mountain roads became difficult for the farmers to travel during spring thaws and were almost impossible to drive over with conventional vehicles or big machinery. The Japanese, always a culture to modify and tinker with something until they could improve it, created the three wheeled ATV. This vehicle did wonders for helping the local farmers. The ATVs were less expensive than the larger farm vehicles and it proved to be an excellent little workhorse.

The Japanese didn’t stop there, though. ATV manufacturers took it a step further and realized that they could market these ATVs to Americans. America had nothing like the ATV and the first ATV arrived on our shores in the early 1970’s. Honda was the forerunner of the ATV, and had a proven track record with motorcycle sales in America, having introduced the Honda Cub to millions of Americans only a decade before. The successful marketing slogan “You meet the nicest people on a Honda” came at a time when bikers had a bad reputation and proved to people that the average Joe could enjoy motor sports as well. By the 1970’s, Honda had a reputation for building reliable, state of the art machines and their ATV was no different. This time the marketing scheme would be to show people how thrilling recreational ATV riding could be.

Over thirty years ago the Honda US90 made its debut and was called the ATC90. Oddly enough, the initial intent of the ATVs may have started out at the opposite end of the spectrum from Japan’s working class ATV, but in the end the results were the same. After gaining popularity as a recreational vehicle, the ATV soon became popular as a working vehicle as Americans began to realize exactly how versatile this little three-wheeled vehicle could be.

The ATV proved to have several advantages for the working class man. First and foremost, the ATV was cheaper to operate than a tractor or pickup truck and during the gas crunch of the 70’s that was a big plus. The ATV was also easier to maneuver in tight spots and could travel over practically any type of terrain.  The only problem people found was the tires. The tires of earlier ATVs were low-pressure and while this worked fine on mud or sand, the tires punctured easily when going over sharper terrain, like a harvested field or sharp rocks. Overall, the ATV did work that no other piece of heavy equipment could do. The original tires weren’t repairable either.

 To be continued...

Mountain Dirt Bikes

How do mountain dirt bikes differ from other dirt bikes?

Mountain dirt bikes are fundamentally dirt bikes for use in climbing & descending rocky & grassy mountains. They can be motor or peddle models & it is up to you which you go for. The motor versions are different in design & look to other dirt bikes because of the use they are designed & built specifically for.

Specifically, the frame is a lot higher than on a standard dirt bicycle so that you get more ground clearance; the additional ground clearance will help you avoid mud build-ups, rocks & other such debris when traversing a mountain or hill. The frames themselves are also much more sturdy so in the event you do happen to clip a rock or something similar they are unlikely to snap in half & will provide you & your bicycle with more protection. The brakes are stronger, making it feasible to cease your bicycle rolling down the hill or off a rock & they usually come with both rear & front suspension to make the trickier terrain associated with mountain riding simpler to handle. The suspension also makes the ride much more comfortable because you will face numerous bumps & sometimes some manic descents down the mountain.

Usually speaking a mountain dirt bicycle is much more rugged & rough than a standard dirt bicycle because of the beating & battering it will take in the work of it's life.

In the event you own or are thinking about purchasing a mountain dirt bicycle you ought to know that you can't purchase normal dirt bicycle parts & expect them to do an equally lovely job on your mountain dirt bicycle. They basically aren't designed for the same purpose. Yes, it's true that a dirt bicycle is built to resist a battering & a beating but it's also designed for riding around a dirt track. However, a mountain dirt bicycle is designed to be ridden over mountains & through rocky, grassy & muddy terrains. The tires are such that they can withstand all of these terrains as is the remainder of your bicycle. The suspension, brakes & frames are different when compared to other types of dirt bikes so you ought to be cautious when purchasing parts or repairing your bicycle.

What else ought to I do know about my mountain dirt bicycle?

Mercedes Benz E55 AMG: World’s Fastest Wagon

The new E55 AMG wagon packs power of 469 horsepower & 0-to-60 mph times of four.6 seconds with its five.5-liter supercharged AMG V8 engine. It's high-performance four-wheel disc brakes with oversize perforated & ventilated rotors with multi-piston calipers.

The exclusive new wagon also comes with AMG aerodynamic bodywork with AMG 18-inch alloy wheels with staggered tires. Inside, black Birdseye maple trim is standard, as well as special AMG gauges & sport seats completed in nappa leather.

Air suspension from the S-Class, called Airmatic DC (for Dual Control), is standard on the E55 AMG models. Airmatic suspension makes use of sensors that monitor road conditions, driving style & cornering forces to be positive that the process always chooses the best air spring & shock absorber settings. The process can switch between different damping profiles in a fraction of a second, & the driver can also select from pre-set suspension response programs.

Standard to the E55 AMG wagon are four-zone climate control that allows different temperature settings for the rear outboard passengers as well as the driver & front passenger. Also standard on the both the E55 AMG wagon & sedan models is a harman kardon Logic 7 audio process that features seven-channel surround sound, concert-quality output & 12 high-end speakers.

A used sports suspension for the CLS55 AMG that is based on the Mercedes-Benz semi-active air suspension with giant vented & perforated disc brakes carryover staggered 19-inch wheels with 255/35 tires in front & 285/30 at the rear. To help handle all the power, the ESP process can apply the brakes on wheel to transfer torque to the wheels with better traction, achieving much the same effect as a limited-slip differential.

How to Makes Your Car Looks Like New

Some automobile owners think rainwater is the only enemy to their automobile, but bird droppings, highway bugs, atmospheric pollution & road salt can also ruin the beauty of your automobile.

Plenty of owners think fighting these ever-diligent adversaries is a daunting task, so they don't usually bother, but truthfully, it is simpler than they think.

First, spray water gently to thoroughly wet the surface of the vehicle. This light rinse helps to loosen the dirt on the vehicle. Then divide your automobile in to sections: the top, the hood, the trunk, the right side & the left side. Start from the top, move on to the hood & the trunk, & then concentrate on the right side & the left side. Washing ought to always be completed gentle such that the dirt won't scratch the body of your automobile. Re-wet & then rinse each section, finishing in the same order- top, hood, trunk & sides.

Step one: Washing

Polishing ought to only be completed a tiny section at a time. Add an even coating of polish onto a towel, & then apply to the vehicle surface gently in tiny, even & circular motions. Start at the top & working your way down to the trunk & hood, finally ending with the sides. The polish ought to be allowed to sit on the paint surfaces for at least to0 minutes. After this time, remove the residue with a different cotton towel by pressing firmly on the surfaces. The same procedure may be applied to all other sections.

Step two: Polishing

Use a soft & neat terry cloth towel to apply wax to a tiny section of the automobile. The application of wax to the automobile can be completed similar to how polishing has been carried out. The only difference is you ought to wait until the wax has dried to a slight haze. In the event you are striving, repeat the whole technique again, adding a second coat of wax to the vehicle.

Step three: Waxing

And there you have it! You've removed the dirt & grime; polished away the tiny spots & scratches; & added another layer of protection to your vehicle's finish. By now your automobile ought to glitter like it did the first day you got it.

History of Car Pinstriping

Custom pinstripes started appearing on automobiles in the mid-1950s. Although pinstriping had been on cars long before that, the last American automobile to appear with auto pinstriping had been made by General Motors in the late 30's. For those individuals with muscle or sports cars, customizing their ride is an important part of owning and showcasing the vehicle, and pinstriping is a final touch.

Did you know pinstriping has a long history? Even before the invention of automobiles, pinstriping was used as a decorative decoration for horse and buggy carriages.

Mechanical pin striping is the best way to stripe larger vehicles- trucks, vans, or station wagons. The benefit is it lays down stripes of constant width, letting you focus attention on getting the stripe oriented properly along your working surface. You can set up your stripe lines using magnetic pinstriping strips with middle grooves designed to be paint templates. They hold fast to steel surfaces, and can also work as guidea for your hand.

Pinstripes are often painted in colors: that sets off the body color, and another, narrow line, in a color contrasted with the stripe to make it stand out.

Freehand pinstriping is the most difficult process, requiring the most practice to master, but permits unrestricted creativity. The simplest plan for a freehand striping beginner is to lay a strip of masking tape down about a quarter inch from where you require the completed line to be, and then use this tape as visual guiding for your stripes. Whatever you do, don't use regular masking tape, or your pinstriping paint will bleed under the edge. Get some auto body masking tape from an auto supply store.

Striping with stencil tape is also popular. There's several types of stencil tape that are suitable for auto pinstriping applications. Stencil tape striping makes use of brushes, and a specialized pinstriping brush is an essential ingredient in a successful project. Stencil tape lets you apply different color stripes without needing the other stripes to dry.

No matter what process you use, pinstriping is of the finest ways to make your vehicle unique. like anything else worth doing right, practice makes priceless results but having the best equipment you can get your hands on helps .

2006 Pontiac G6 Coupe Redefines Performance

"The G6 coupe and convertible are uniquely Pontiac vehicles that are great additions to the family started by the G6 sedan," said Jim Bunnell, Pontiac-GMC general manager. "The G6 coupe delivers outstanding performance and generous interior room, and the G6 is the only hardtop convertible that has room for four adults."

Both the G6 coupe and G6 convertible will be available in GT and GTP models. The GTPs will feature a 240 HP 3.9L OHV V6 coupled to a 4-speed automatic with manual shift mode or a 6-speed manual in the coupe and sedan models - a package that targets driving enthusiasts.

From styling to interior fit, finish and materials quality, interior room to driving dynamics, the new G6 is a solid step up from the old model. The coupe and convertible models have all-new body panels rearward of the A-pillars. Large, wraparound rear light on both models create a distinct look compared to the G6 sedan. LED-lit Center High Mounted Stop Lamps (CHMSLs) on the coupe and convertible differ from the traditional incandescent bulbs of the sedan's CHMSL. The coupe's CHMSL is located at the base of the back window, while the convertible's is a wider lamp incorporated into the decklid, making a distinct design element.

Powered by the 3.5L V-6, GT models produce 200 HP (149 kw) at 4800 rpm with 220 lb.-ft. of torque (302 Nm) at 4400 rpm. The 3500 engine is backed by the Hydra-Matic 4T45-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission system with manual shift mode.

The GTP models are powered by an all-new 3.9L HO V-6, which is rated at 240 HP (179 kw) at 5900 rpm with 245 lb.-ft. of torque (339 Nm) at 2800 rpm. It is paired in the standard bundle with the Hydra-Matic 4T65-E with manual shift mode. It also is available with a six-speed manual transmission system in the G6 coupe.

The GTs use the 4T45-E Hydra-Matic, and the GTPs apply the 4T65-E Hydra-Matic, both with a manual shift mode rendered superfluous with only four forward gears

Test Driving Your Car

Getting a new car thrills and excites. Sometimes it is easy to get carried away in our initial response to a car. No matter how much you like a certain vehicle, take it for a long, serious test drive.

You should first plan on spending as long as possible on your test drive. Fifteen minutes Is not enough time. You want to thoroughly examine the car and definitely have a car-mechanic check it out.

Take a look at the vehicle overall. Do the body parts line up? Does the paint match? Will doors open and close easily? Do the tires look like they wear evenly?

Check under the hood. You may not know exactly what you’re looking at, but that is okay. Look for leaky hoses, worn belts, and dirty oil. Ask the dealer to show you the automatic transmission fluid. Smell it. If there is a “burned” odor, steer clear. The fluid should be clear and reddish. Transmission repair costs are not pretty.

Have someone show you the radiator water. It should have a light yellow or green color.

Make sure all of the warning lights and gauges work. Start the car and check entire lights and functions. And here’s a no-brainer - make sure no warning lights remain lit on the dashboard.

Look at the airbag indicator lights. If these lights do not light up as you start the car, or if they stay lit after the car is running, they are not working correctly.

Try on the seat belt. Test the vehicle in the early evening to determine the headlight visibility. If you already have a child safety seat, go ahead and install it. Not all seats are compatible with all cars.

Accelerate up to 35-40 MPH. Is shifting smooth and steering straight? When braking, a pull to the left or the right could indicate a problem.

If you buy via the classifieds, make sure to check the name on the title and match it to the name on the seller's driver's license. Just to be safe.

It would be nice to find the little lady’s almost new car that was not driven more than 15,000 miles a year. Of course, low miles on the odometer would be a big plus, too. Even then, you can not assume that a low-mileage car is necessarily in great shape.

One major concern is odometer tampering. So do your homework. Ask for a detailed service history report. If records were not kept, you can check things out for yourself with the vehicle identification number. Provide this VIN number to your state vehicle history company to get a record of the car’s former life.

Remember, no matter how in love you are with a car, think twice before purchasing one that’s been wrecked. You do not need anyone else’s problems. There are dozens of other cars you could enjoy just as much.

So test drive more than one car. You will never regret a wise, well-thought out purchase.

Maintaining Your Snowblower

If you do not want to be standing out in the cold arguing with a snowblower that does not want to run, then do the annual maintenance before the snow starts flying. Regular maintenance will give you years of hassle free use, and less attitude from your blower. Do not forget the safety aspect, because without proper maintenance your snowblower could become a hazard.

Each fall before winter arrives, you should check all bolts, belts, and moving parts, to ensure they are not frayed, loose, or worn. Belts are best checked by removing and checking for cracks. Replace any worn parts, and tighten any loose bolts.

Turn your snowblower on its side and check the scraper bar. This is the bar that rubs against the ground and scrapes the snow off. This item wears, so check to see if it need replacement. If you neglect to replace the bar when it is worn, it will lead to damage on the snowblower's housing, and that's will hurt your pocket book. In fact, if your snowblower gets a lot of use through out the season, check it regularly.

Check the rubber paddles and the rubber on the auger. If your finger fits between the rubber and the housing it's time to replace the rubber. A new rubber will help your snowblower operate at its optimum performance levels.

Check tires for wear and proper inflation. Adjust as needed. If you have tire chains for your snowblower, have them handy or put them on in advance. There's nothing worse than searching in the freezing cold, while trying to remember where you put the chains.

There are only two types of snow blower engines: The two cylinder engine which uses mixed gas and oil. You will just need to replace the spark plug on this style of engine.

If you have a four cylinder engine which applies straight gas, with the oil in the crank case just like your vehicle, you will need to change the oil, spark plug, and filter. You should also check the oil each time before you start it. Most four cylinders use 5W30 oil, and hold approx 20 ounces. Refer to your owner's manual for the correct oil weight, and replacement part numbers.

Lubricate the drive and chassis. If you have two stage blower, be sure you check the lube in the gear box. Check with your owners manual whether you have a one stage or two stage. It will also tell you the type of lubricant to use.

If there was fuel left from the previous year, you will need to siphon it off, and fill the gas tank with fresh gasoline. It doesn't hurt to add some methanol in with the fuel, once or twice a season, to avoid condensation from building up in the tank, or the carburetor icing up.

2006 Honda Civic Si

The 2006 Honda Civic Si, designed as an "Advanced Personal Compact," the next-generation Si will incorporate flowing bodywork, a steeply angled windshield, and wide stance to propose stability and forward motion. The new Civic Si will be the fastest and most powerful Civic offered in its twenty-year history. The 2006 Civic lineup, launching this fall, will include a 4-door Sedan, a 2-door Coupe and Si Coupe, an even more fuel efficient Civic Hybrid and a natural-gas powered Civic GX. 

The Civic Si Concept builds on its performance heritage with a 200 HP, 16 valve, and DOHC i-VTEC engine with an 8000 rpm red line, mated to a close ratio 6-speed manual transmission system. Helping to put all that power to the ground is a helical-type limited slip differential for improved launch traction and cornering performance. 

A 200 HP 16 valve i-VTEC engine powers the 2006 Si. Honda sources indicate that next-generation i-VTEC technology will have significant increases in performance and fuel economy. A six-speed transmission system will give drivers manual control of shift points up to the engine's redline of 8000 rpm, and a helical-type limited-slip differential will raise traction and cornering ability. 

The Si Concept includes performance features such as 18-inch cast aluminum wheels with 225/40R high performance tires, and 4-wheel disc brake system with large cross-drilled brake rotors. "The 2006 Civic Si Coupe will be the most powerful, fastest and fun-to-drive Si we have ever put on the street, and the Civic Si Concept sets the direction in terms of its styling, package and performance," said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda. "It's part of a new family of Civic vehicles that build on the already class-leading values of the Civic in terms of safety, styling, performance and fuel efficiency." 

This new production Civic Si Coupe will serve as the performance leader for the 2006 Civic model lineup, which will be completely redesigned. The 2006 Civic will feature more emotional styling, increased performance, and the latest generation of "intelligent" i-VTEC engine technology.

Recycled Car Parts

So you are mechanically inclined? Fabulous! You probably know a lot about fixing and installing car parts. When working on vehicles, there are certainly times when parts need to be replaced, costing you and, in turn, the customer a lot of money. But there are ways to cut your costs. Have you considered applying recycled car parts?

Automotive recyclers offer great deals on used car parts. There are numerous recyclers out there than you might think. And their prices are hard to beat. One reason is that insurance companies can save money themselves by dropping off wrecked vehicles at a recycling yard. There are many other incentives, though, to shop from these guys.

Did you know that purchasing used car parts from auto recyclers helps keep pollution caused by producing new parts? A lot of oil is used to manufacture new car parts-resources that are saved by recycling. Reusing raw materials is beneficial to the environment. And finding the right car parts should not be too hard. Currently, more than 4 million cars are recycled every year in North America. That's a lot of available car parts!

Recycling car parts saves a lot of space in landfills. Why throw something away when it can still be used? Also, buying used car parts allows you to use quality parts made by the original manufacturer. Recyclers are skilled in checking which car parts are damaged and which are reusable.

And it is true: used car parts help you save money. Clearly, this is a cheaper option to purchasing new car parts. But are you getting the same quality? Good question. Actually, most automotive recyclers give guarantees on car parts, so you will not need to worry about buying a lemon. Better yet, recyclers can often find car parts faster than other dealers, as they have developed an electronic network to communicate quickly with other recyclers. If they do not have what you need in stock, chances are they can find it in no time.

Next time you are searching car parts, consider your local automotive recycler. You will be satisfied with the product, and also with the price.

Dealing With an Overheated Radiator

Radiators are essential parts of any engine cooling system. They are designed to dissipate the heat, which the coolant has absorbed from the engine. However, like all auto parts, radiators are prone to damage and corrosion. As it is mostly made of metal and is in constant contact with liquids, radiators can collapse over time due to corrosive forces. Defective radiators can spell doom for any engine. Irreparable damage can result if a malfunctioning radiator is not repaired or replaced immediately. Overheating is one of the most common collapses that autos encounter during the summertime season. It happens when the temperature of the coolant passes the normal operating temperature range of the engine. Overheating has many causes. Idling under hot weather for extended periods can wreak havoc on the cars cooling system, because the water pump does not turn fast enough. Thus the coolant is not circulated, as it should be. Sometimes a leak may cause the coolant level to drop thus causing the radiator to overheat. Here are a few pointers for dealing with an overheated radiator:

1. Turn off the A/C. If the car is not seriously overheating, this will reduce the engine's temperature. The AC evaporator is placed in front of the radiator, and it adds heat to the air going to your engine. The hotter the incoming air is, the less efficient the radiator will be.

2. Turn on your heater (set on highest temperature setting, with blower on highest setting). This will be uncomfortable for you, but it will cool the engine by transferring the heat to the air. Roll down the windows, and remember how 'hot' you will get if your engine needs replacement!

3. If you are stuck in traffic jam, pull over and stop. Unless you are moving, very little cool air reaches the radiator. Open the hood and let the engine cool down. This takes time, so be patient. Use the time to go get a jug of water or antifreeze.

4. Check the overflow tank coolant level. If it is empty, the radiator is probably low on coolant.

5. Check the pressure of the system by wrapping a cloth around the upper radiator hose and squeezing it. If it is still under pressure (hot) it will not squeeze easily. Wait until it does.

6. Place a large cloth over the radiator cap, and carefully release the pressure. Serious burns can result from the hot coolant. If in doubt, wait until the engine cools completely.

7. If the coolant is low, start the engine, and slowly add the water or coolant necessary to fill it up. The engine must be running. Adding coolant to a warm engine can crack the block. By running the engine, the coolant keeps moving and reduces the chances of this type of damage occurring.

Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid Pickup

Vehicles with larger, less fuel-efficient engines will benefit more from hybrid technology, thus big pickup trucks, vans and SUVs are prime candidates for the gas-saving benefits of hybrid technology. The Chevrolet Silverado hybrid pickup feature GM's 5300 Vortec V-8 and Hydra-Matic 4L60-E four-speed automatic transmission system, coupled with hybrid technology that delivers 10 to 12 percent improved fuel economy over GM half-ton pickups.

It features a powerful 42-volt lead-acid battery pack underneath the rear seat, an auxiliary starter-generator between the engine and the transmission, an electronic control module, and a regenerative braking system, which charges the battery while braking, and coasting.

With an auxiliary generator capability, the truck's generator can operate when the truck is parked without a key in the ignition. The hybrid Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups could power tools or appliances for up to 32 hours non-stop. This design shuts the engine down before the tank is emptied, allowing enough gas to drive to a station for refuelling. All power supply circuits are protected by a ground fault detection system to prevent overloads and short circuits.

A compact electric motor that generates up to 14,000 watts of continuous electric power makes this pickup truck more fuel-efficient. The main function of the triplet deep-cycle lead acid batteries is to serve the starter generator to instantly restart the engine. When the Silverado Hybrid comes to a stop while in Drive or Park, the engine will automatically shut off. When the driver takes his/her foot off the brake and puts it on the accelerator pedal, the engine re-starts automatically and almost seamlessly.

One feature of GM's Hybrid pickups that is likely to attract buyers is its double 120 volt power outlets inside the box near the tailgate, and another two 120 volt outlets inside the rear cab. These can be used for power tools, compressors, generators, heaters, appliances or any other electrical appliance. The outlets can be deactivated with a button on the dashboard to avoid any unauthorized use of the external 120 volts outlets.

The Silverado Hybrid extended cab is a comfortable, smooth-riding pickup with a quiet, V8 engine, a roomy cab with good ventilation and excellent outward visibility, and a rugged hard-wearing chassis.

Volkswagen Touran Hymotion: Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle

Car manufacturer know that rising oil prices and tougher environmental rules will increase the public's interest in vehicles that use less fuel with reduced tail pipe emissions.

Hybrids increase fuel efficiency by capturing the energy normally lost to friction braking and storing it in a battery for later use when driving power is again required. Different than internal combustion engine hybrids, Volkswagen's hydrogen fuel cell hybrid emits only water.

The VW Touran Hymotion has high-torque electric motor that draws its power from a fuel cell and is absolutely emission free. The standard version, driven by gasoline and diesel engines, which are as agile as they are economical, is by far the most successful van available in Germany. In the Touran HyMotion, an 80 kW electric motor provides vehement propulsion.

The core element of this fuel cell is an extremely thin plastic film (membrane). This spatially separates the reagents, hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is broken down into positively and negatively charged particles (protons and electrons). The protons are able to pass directly through the membrane, while the electrons take a more indirect route via an external current circuit, driving the electric motor. On the other side of the membrane, the protons, electrons and oxygen blend to form water (H2O).

The hydrogen is transported in gaseous form at 350 bar in a special tank fitted in the Touran. A capacity of 1.9 kg hydrogen when converted corresponds to the energy contained in 7.5 litres of petrol. In combination with the electric motor's high efficiency, this quantity of hydrogen provides the vehicle with a range of about 160 kilometres.

Mercury Mariner Hybrid

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid applies both gasoline engine and electric car motor, which gives a 50% gain in driving efficiency with a much lower emission. All this is achieved by the use of half dozen powertrain components, which work in perfect unison. Ford motor has 40 patents in hybrid engine technology and 70 pending.

"The greatest appeal of the Mercury Mariner Hybrid is that it satisfies both your environmental conscience and sense of style. Mariner Hybrid retains the clean, tailored appearance of the conventional Mariner," said Peter Horbury, Executive Director, North American Design.

Being a fully hybrid, the Mercury Mariner employs both series- and parallel-hybrid characteristics. The gasoline engine shuts down to conserve fuel during coasting, at stoplight, and at low speeds. The electric motor, taking up electricity from the battery, is able to drive the vehicle without assistance up to 25 miles per hour.

It has 2.3-liter DOHC Duratec four-cylinder engine with 2 ac electric motors with 250 D-size nickel-metal hydride batteries in a compact, rear-mounted, sealed package. The vehicle could go up to 25 mph with only electric power. The gas engine automatically shuts down at traffic light, during coasting or when vehicle is crawling at low speeds. 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid has a groovier fuel economy in city driving where electric motor runs the vehicle up to as much as 25 mph.

The Mariner hybrid has 16-inch, five-spoke aluminum wheels wrapped with 235/70R-16 all-season tires and a discreet air vent in the driver's side rear-quarter window that helps cool the rear-mounted nickel-metal hydride battery pack. It has an all-new Intelligent four-wheel drive System, which automatically carry-overs torque from front to rear as required by road conditions without driver intervention.

Mariner powertrains include a 2.3-liter 16-valve I-4 and a 3.0-liter 24-valve V-6 Duratec engine. Both engines come with a standard 4-speed automatic transaxle.

It also features a front end with the vertical, satin-aluminum-finished waterfall grill framing the floating Mercury emblem. The fascia features a stacked-element theme with complex refractor headlights over inset fog lamps. A high-impact-plastic (HIP) aluminum-look bumper insert and U-shaped air intake below the bumper.

Mariner has the latest level of the Personal Safety SystemTM, one of the most comprehensive and technologically advanced safety systems available in any vehicle in any class. Seat-mounted front side air bags and side air curtain air bags are optional.

"Mariner Hybrid fits perfectly with Mercury's design philosophy," says Richard Gresens, Mariner chief designer. "It's a stylish, elegant design with clean simple lines. It's an urban sport-utility, comfortable going to a club downtown, yet still possessing all of the capability and versatility of a sport-utility. At the same time, it's environmentally friendly."

Customizing Your Car Pinstriping

Did you know pinstriping has a long history? Even before the invention of cars, pinstriping was used as an ornamental decoration for horse and buggy carriages.

Custom pinstripes began seeming on cars in the mid-1950s. Although pinstriping had been on cars long before that, the last American automobile to appear with auto pinstriping had been made by General Motors in the late 30’s. For those individuals with muscle or sports cars, personalizing their ride is an important part of possessing and showcasing the vehicle, and pinstriping is a final touch.

Pinstripes are commonly painted in two colors: one that sets off the body color, and another, thin line, in a color counterpointed with the stripe to make it stand out.

Mechanical pin striping is the best way to stripe larger vehicles- trucks, vans, or station wagons. The benefit is it lays down stripes of constant width, letting you focus attention on getting the stripe oriented properly along your working surface. You can set up your stripe lines using magnetic pinstriping strips with center grooves designed to be paint templates. They hold fast to steel surfaces, and can also work as guidea for your hand.

Striping with stencil tape is also popular. There are various types of stencil tape that are suitable for auto pinstriping applications. Stencil tape striping uses brushes, and a specialized pinstriping brush is an essential component in a successful project. Stencil tape allows you to apply different color stripes without needing the other stripes to dry.

Freehand pinstriping is the most difficult technique, requiring the most practice to master, but permits unrestricted creativity. The simplest plan for a freehand striping newbie is to lay a strip of masking tape down approximately a quarter inch from where you want the finished line to be, and then use this tape as visual guiding for your stripes. Whatever you do, do not use regular masking tape, or your pinstriping paint will bleed under the edge. Get some auto body masking tape from an auto supply store.

No matter what technique you use, pinstriping is one of the finest ways to make your vehicle distinctive. Just like anything else worth doing right, practice makes priceless results but having the best equipment you can get your hands on helps too.