Scorpion Protective Coatings

Boost Your Website Traffic

2010-04-15T07:10:00.000-07:00

When it comes to having a successful website, one of the most overlooked aspects is organic search engine results. What are organic search engine results? When you Google a search term, you are brought to a page with results. The results at the very top of the page and along the right side (in Google) are CPC (Cost Per Click) Ads. These are ads that companies pay for to be on the first or second page. When someone clicks on these links, that company is charged a fee. The main part of the page with results is called organic search engine results. These are based on a multitude of factors that Google takes into consideration. It does not cost anything to be in this section. The top links in this section are also the most clicked links according to Google. The higher you are on the organic search, the better chances of driving more traffic to your site which usually results in more sales.

One of the most critical factors that influence the ranking on Google is back links. Back links are when relevant websites link to your website. You can also gain exposure by having outbound links. This is when you link to relevant websites from your website. Generally, the more links you have in and out on the web gives your site a better chance at ranking higher in Google as well as on most other search engines.

There are two reasons that I bring this up.

1. If you are a current dealer, please double check the dealer map and make sure that you are one there. Also, if you have a website and it is not on your listing, please email me your website so you can get that exposure.

2. Secondly, if you have a website and are not linked to scorpioncoatings.com, please email me for instructions on how to do that. This is great for both your company and ours. We have a high ranking on Google, Bing, and Yahoo and linking to us can only improve your rank.

Another great way to boost your chances of getting your site listed higher in the organic search engine rankings is to submit press releases about new products, upcoming sales events, or any news about your company. You can also join forum groups on the web and link back to your site within those forum posts. To take full advantage of either of these tactics are to make sure that those links have relevant keywords in them. A simple example of a Scorpion online press release would read, “We have a new product for bed liners that works great.” Bed liners would link to www.scorpioncoatings.com since it is a relevant search term.

There are many other examples of how to generate more sales from your website and I will keep posting these tips and tricks on our blog at scorpioncoatings.blogspot.com.

If you would like more information about Search Engine Optimization, information about getting a website, or any other general question about Scorpion, please email me at john@scorpioncoatings.com.

Urea Not as Safe as Advertised

2009-06-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

Urea Not as Safe as Advertised
Post from Truckers News, June 2009

I'm a veteran of more than 50 years in the trucking business, with 40 of those years spent as an owner-operator. Since I retired about two years ago, I have been testing the new 2010 Detroit Diesel with this "diesel fluid" tank, as you call it.We call it urea.

Though it is not classified as a hazardous material by the DOT and your source, Mr. Jim Spooner of Colonial Chemicals in New Jersey, says it is safe and inexpensive, you do a disservice to us all by not getting the facts right and taking one source as your proof.

The Material Safety Data Sheet provides the following guidelines for what to do if you come into contact with urea: Move to fresh air if inhaled and provide artificial respiration if needed; wash skin with soap and water, and if there is a rash contact physician right away; flush eyes immediately with water for 15 minutes. If it catches fire, it will burn a strong ammonia smell (carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide) — avoid breathing the fumes. Wear personal protective equipment, wear safety glasses and rubber gloves and use in a well-ventilated area. Toxic inhalation may cause respiratory tract problems, and it can be irritating to the eyes.

I personally had some of this stuff blow out of the plastic tank and onto the hot muffler, and the smell was so bad I began to stop breathing. I had to get out of the truck immediately the odor of ammonia was so strong. When filling the urea tanks if they spill over it must be cleaned up immediately or fluffy white foamy residue will form on the tanks, and you must wear safety glasses, rubber gloves and clothing protection when you fill up these tanks. I know; I have been doing this for two years, and it is not as safe as you want truckers to believe. So with all due respect, get your facts straight and retract what you said in Truckers News, or at least check it out and print a follow-up.

I will be looking for it. Many truckers are going to get sick, hurt or maybe even die if they are not trained on how to use this product. I am trained, and it's not as easy as you try to make it out to be. It can be very dangerous even though DOT has not classified it as a hazmat product.

Rob Williams
Gresham, Ore.

SEMA: Enthusiasts Shifting to Personalize Used Over New Vehicles

2009-04-22T07:50:00.000-07:00

DIAMOND BAR, Calif. -- SEMA recently highlighted the market swing from new to used vehicles with industry experts continuing to lower their forecasts as new-vehicle sales fall for 2009. For example, in February, J.D. Power predicted 2009 total new-vehicle sales to reach a mere 10.4 million units, down 1 million units from its forecast of just a month prior.

And in late March, R.L. Polk released results from a survey showing that 70 percent of consumers plan to purchase a used vehicle for their next ride.

These same consumers surveyed also noted that they plan to keep their current vehicle longer—56.3 months compared to 49 from six years ago. So what does this all mean for the aftermarket? Consumers are either holding onto the vehicle they currently own or, if they need to buy another vehicle, may plan to go used instead of new, according to newly released SEMA research.

Of those surveyed in 2008, many of the most-popular vehicles were utility vehicles and performance cars.

SEMA has been following enthusiast trends for several years via its Automotive Lifestyles Study. Each year, subscribers to automotive enthusiast magazines, as well as visitors to several automotive Web sites and forums, are surveyed about their automotive and specialty-equipment buying habits.

More than 3,000 enthusiasts have been surveyed each year and the percentage of enthusiasts that originally purchased their vehicle used has grown—72 percent of enthusiasts drove used cars in 2008, up from 67 percent in 2007 and 54 percent in 2005.

In 2009, the trend appears to be continuing, providing opportunities for specialty-equipment businesses. In a recent survey of enthusiasts who purchased a used vehicle in 2008, 38 percent attributed their main motivation to being "cost/price."

Of this group, nearly six out of 10 (57 percent) purchased custom parts or accessories. When asked how much money they had spent during the course of the year, the average amount was $1,375 per person, just slightly below the traditional average. Even though consumers are shifting their spending away from new vehicles to used ones, their priorities for personalizing their vehicles appear to be unwavering, according to SEMA.

For more information call (800) 697-7702, ext. 30005 or visit www.ts-mag.com/info/30005.

Article from SEMA eNews:Top-Selling Pickups Still Popular for Customization

2009-03-20T05:22:00.000-07:00

SEMA eNews, Vol. 12, No. 11 - Mar 19, 2009

Top-Selling Pickups Still Popular for Customization

Last month, 11.4% (index = 43) of consumers surveyed said that they planned to purchase custom parts and accessories for their vehicle sometime within the next three months, according to the February SEMA Performance Parts and Accessories Demand Index (PADI). This is actually an increase from a January index of 36, or roughly 9.6% of consumers making purchase plans.

Of those consumers making purchase plans, 18.3% said that they plan to modify a pickup, up from 15.9% in January and the highest vehicle segment targeted for customization last month.

Pickup sales have been down. In February, sales declined 54% with several of the top-selling pickups last month experiencing an even greater dip. Still, as pickup sales plummet, one question arises: Why does the SEMA PADI show that the most popular vehicles targeted for future customization plans are still pickups?

Simply put, the number of pickups currently on the road today represents nearly one quarter (21%) of all of the vehicles registered in the United States. According to September 2008 data from Experian Automotive, current vehicle registrations included more than 51 million pickups registered.

The second table below shows a breakdown of these pickups by make. Specialty-equipment manufacturers and retailers hurting from the decline in new pickup sales could still find opportunity for sales growth in products for older pickups because owners are looking to make their current pickup last longer.

This could include enhancing the appearance, utility and performance with custom parts and accessories. Vehicle registration data is now available to SEMA members at no charge. To obtain data for any make, model or year of any vehicle in the United States and learn which older vehicle markets may be worth diversifying into, contact the SEMA Research & Information Center at research@sema.org.

Total pickup sales declined 54% in February compared to the same period last year. The Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-Series light-duty pickups outsold all other pickups last month.

There are currently more than 17 million Ford pickups registered in the United States today, the highest pickup make of the more than 51 million trucks currently registered. — SEMA Research & Information Center

Indiana Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Finalist

2009-02-23T06:20:00.000-08:00

Indiana Small Business of the Year, Legislative Champions Honored

February 18, 2009 (INDIANAPOLIS) — An Indianapolis-based company that provides analytical testing and research for professionals in the health care industry was honored today as the state’s 2009 Small Business of the Year by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. AIT Laboratories was chosen from a field of more than 50 nominees. Other top small businesses from throughout the state as well as legislative advocates for the small business community were also recognized at the annual awards luncheon held in downtown Indianapolis.

“AIT Laboratories really stood out in several ways. Its overall business growth – in terms of both revenue and employees – was simply tremendous,” offers Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar. It was also impressive to see the many and varied ways it takes care of and rewards employees for doing a good job.”

Among AIT’s self-labeled “cultural initiatives”: a wellness program, paid registration fees to community events, profit sharing, flexible work hours, up to $5,000 tuition reimbursement, free gym memberships and various staff picnics, barbecues and outings.

Founded nearly 20 years ago by Michael A. Evans, AIT Laboratories started with five employees; today that count exceeds 200. In 2008, AIT saw its revenue grow over 100%; for the record-breaking year, employees were given nearly $3 million in bonuses. AIT also added more than 90 employees, doubled its national sales force and entered 17 new markets.

Companies recognized as finalists for Small Business of the Year were: Elwood Staffing Services, headquartered in Columbus; Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service of New Castle; MonoSol of Merrillville; Scorpion Coatings of Cloverdale; and Unified Group Services of Anderson.

Semi-finalists for the award were: Allied Specialty Precision of Mishawaka; Heraeus Electro-Nite Company of Peru; Matrix Integration of Jasper; MD Logistics of Plainfield; Roembke Manufacturing & Design of Ossian; and Simulex of West Lafayette.

“We are proud of the ongoing efforts of all the winning companies and the small business community at-large. These companies impact all of us. They contribute to many working families’ income, to the prosperity of respective communities and to the entire state’s economic competitiveness,” Brinegar notes.

The Small Business of the Year award is open to all Hoosier companies with 250 employees or fewer.

In addition, five state legislators were given the Indiana Chamber’s 2008-2009 Small Business Champion Award for their dedication to bettering Indiana’s business climate for small employers. The Small Business Champions are:

- Sen. Connie Lawson (R-Danville), District #24
- Sen. Vi Simpson (D-Bloomington), District #40
- Rep. Jeb Bardon (D-Indianapolis), District #25
- Rep. Richard Dodge (R-Pleasant Lake), District #51
- Rep. Sean Eberhart (R-Shelbyville), District #57

“The efforts of these legislators helped protect the small business community from burdensome regulations and also assisted in providing avenues for success,” Brinegar praises.

The Small Business Champion awards have been given annually since 1993.

The luncheon also included a keynote by the Daniels administration’s Mitch Roob, Indiana’s Secretary of Commerce and CEO of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, who spoke about the important role of small businesses in the state’s economy.

The sponsor for the Small Business Awards Luncheon was Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

More information is available about 2009 Small Business of the Year AIT Laboratories in the November/December issue of BizVoice magazine at www.bizvoicemagazine.com.

Scorpion Truck Bed Linings attains ISO Certification

2009-01-27T10:47:00.000-08:00

Scorpion Protective Coatings, Inc. is proud to announce that it has attained ISO 9001:2000 certification. The certification was officially granted on October 18, 2008. Scorpion’s registration is in respect to the following scope of supply: Design, Mixing and Distribution of Polyurethane Coatings and Modification of Spray Guns for Automotive, OEM, Retail and Military Industries.

All of Scorpion’s brands will be included under this registration including Scorpion Truck Bed Linings, Al’s Liner, Scorpion FR, Scorpion ZBG and Foam Kote. Scorpion is very proud of this distinction and this certification acts as a guarantee to all of Scorpion’s dealers and applicators that all of Scorpion’s products will be of the highest quality.

Scorpion has always been known for the uniqueness of its coatings, constant innovation in the bed liner industry and unparalleled customer service. ISO Certification is not a reward denoting these accomplishments, but rather a standard to pursue even further excellence.

Isocyanates in a Bottle

2008-07-22T09:43:00.000-07:00

How do you sell a product that is not safe? The answer is simple. Don’t disclose the hazards until after the sale. Maybe not even then, if the customer can’t read.

EZ Liner does exactly that with their 2 versions – QwikLiner and Pro-Liner. Qwikliner is a low grade version of Pro-Liner or maybe it’s the other way around. It doesn’t matter. What is important is that they both contain extremely high levels of isocyanates. How many people have been duped into buying EZ Liner or QwikLiner or Pro-Liner only to find out they needed a supplied air breathing system to apply the stuff? Ultimate Lining Suppliers sure aren’t going to volunteer the information.

It’s only a matter of time before OSHA or the EPA uncover this “omission”. It may take a fatality but it will happen. Until then though – it’s up to the buyers to figure it out.

Scorpion Marketing Tips

2008-06-04T12:58:00.000-07:00

Scorpion Marketing 101

Everyone has heard the old adage about “long after the sweet taste of low prices is gone the bitter tastes of poor quality remain”, but what if you can have low prices and high quality. Scorpion offers just that. Scorpion competitors can offer low prices but not without severely lowering quality.

The Scorpion Bed Liners you spray and sell are your best advertising for tomorrow. Rhino Linings, Line-X, Reflex Liners, Vortex and others can’t say that. They may be able to give the customer cheap, but they can’t offer good and cheap. It’s doubtful they can ever be less expensive than Scorpion even at their cheapest.

So let’s start with that! Know your cost and price accordingly but remember – every truck bed you spray is an investment in your future. Make money on every lining you install but know that every lining will sell more liners. Make sure you install the Scorpion sticker in the back window so that bed liner can make its own statement. If you don’t know your costs, call a Scorpion Tech. Rep. and they’ll be happy to go over it with you. Scorpion has Tech Reps dedicated to helping you! That’s their job and what they like to do and get paid for.

So what’s the best way to start? We suggest road signage and working local shows. We work 5 local shows per year, 3 fairs and 2 horse shows. They always produce. It doesn’t take much to do a show – it’s mostly a time thing. One of the local truck dealers gives us a truck to use – they get free advertisement and a free bed liner but you get to show off your product in a $40,000 truck. Scorpion will donate the materials for your efforts so you’re just out the labor and the show costs.

We’ll be discussing other ways to promote the Scorpion product but nothing has the impact of shows. Scorpion Bed Liners are a see – feel – touch type of product.

If the customer will to these 3 things, they’ll buy from you!

Bed Liner Thickness

2008-02-25T12:53:00.000-08:00

Finding a truck bed liner sprayed at ¼ inch thick is as difficult as finding “Big Foot”. You hear they’re out there but no one has ever seen one.

There are two realities in this situation;

1. If the coating being applied isn’t good enough at 1/16 inch, putting in more probably isn’t going to help. It’s like adding more trash to trash to give it value, it is still trash. This is not to say that Rhino Linings, LineX, Reflex, Vortex and other polyurea sprayed on bed linings are trash. It is a buyer’s decision.

2. Implying that a bed liner will be sprayed ¼ inch thick and not faithfully applying this amount of materials constitutes deceptive sales practices, which is the nice way of saying “fraud”.

The long term health of the truck bed lining industry depends on applicators providing high quality products at affordable prices. Deceptive sales practices (fraud) hurt those in the industry who are in it for the long haul.

Scorpion has never instructed applicators to deceive their customers. An extensive customer survey in 2007 indicated that 97.4% of all people who had their trucks sprayed with Scorpion were extremely satisfied and over 99% were satisfied. Scorpion is very proud of these numbers and is even prouder of the fact that their dealers don’t have to deceive their customers.

Everyone in the industry is aware of these deceptive practices. They go along with high pressure sales tactics. As the state of Maryland told consumers about LineX – Be Very Cautious!

What Should a Truck Bed Lining System Cost?

2008-02-18T05:10:00.000-08:00

According to the Better Business Bureau;

“Before investing money in a business opportunity or franchise offer, investigate the offer carefully. To protect yourself from unscrupulous salespersons, you should be aware of your rights. The Federal Trade Commission requires the promoter of a franchise to provide prospective buyers with detailed disclosure documents at the time of the offering.

You should be aware of several warning signs, including the following: high pressure sales tactics where the promoter does not want you to take the time to investigate the offer; representations of extraordinary profits with very little risk; excessively high start-up fees; or lack of communication or evasive answers about the plan. You should also be wary of any projections of income that are not backed up by specific experiences of existing franchisees.

Something else to consider is the possibility that area saturation could exist. Learn how many sales people are in your area and whether you will have an exclusive territory.”

Line-X received a “D” rating from the BBB and was stopped from doing business in Maryland by the attorney General of that state because they violated these rules. The BBB had enough concern about this company (their offer, customer complaints, advertising etc.) that they recommended caution in doing business with them.

If you spend more than $2,500 for a polyurethane or polyurea truck bed lining system you are spending too much.

Some bed lining companies and their applicators such as Speedliner, Rhino Linings, Line-X, Reflex, Ameriguard, and Vortex have had numerous complaints. They have violated the guidelines set out by the Bureau.

The Scorpion Truck Bed Lining System can be bought for as little as $1,500. Scorpion does not use high pressure sales tactics, nor do they make representation of excessive profits. Adherence to these guidelines is what has propelled Scorpion to the very top of the truck bed lining market. Scorpion is easily the fastest growing polyurethane system in the world and by the way, is very proud of it’s applicators in Maryland!

Owners of Reflex Liners File Suit

2008-02-08T10:33:00.000-08:00

The applicators of Rhino Linings, Pinnacle West, Ultimate Linings, Vortex, Zefr Composites, and Ziebart Sprayed in Bed Liners could all have possible patent infringements lawsuits served them by Langeman Manufacturing, Ltd., of Leamington, Ontario, Canada. Langeman is the parent company of Reflex Liners and Gardit Liners. The lawsuit revolves around the use of wire tape.

To view the release by Langeman and the associated court documents in which individual Sprayed in Truck Bed Liner Applicators were sued, click here.

We are very pleased that no Scorpion Bed Liner Applicators were involved. The price increase announced with the lawsuit release will significantly increase the cost of sprayed in bed liners for non Scorpion applicators.

To view the entire case document, click here.

Reflex vs. Scorpion

2008-01-03T07:29:00.000-08:00

This is an email sent out by one of our sales associates lately...

As for a direct comparison between Scorpion and Reflex:

Price:
The initial start-up cost is going to be the largest difference between the two companies. Reflex (like Line-X, Rhino, and all other polyurea companies) is a high pressure gun broker. The cost for their system can range anywhere from $9.5K to $30K depending on when and to whom they are selling. Other key components to the cost of their system is the fact that you will need a full spray booth and a supplied-air respirator to spray the materials (due to the isocyanates in the product). Also, due to the isocyanates, shipping may be an issue since their materials will be listed as hazardous. Another key will be how many gallons of material you have to put in the back of a truck (or on an object) to cover it. Many companies sell people on the fact they cost less per gallon, but negate that by having to use more chemical in the spraying process.
Scorpion is a low cost system. Starting at $1,500.00, we reach out to the customer with a high quality chemical and unmatched tech. support. Scorpion’s system only requires an $85.00 gun to apply the material. We do not look to put our customers in long term debt to keep ourselves in business. We want our dealers to start making money on day one. We could make our money by over-pricing our system, but, to be honest, we look to make our money by selling our unique chemical. Due to the fact that Scorpion’s chemical is one of a kind (low in isocyanates, virtually no VOC’s, Class 2 fire rating), it does not require a spray booth or supplied air to spray. It also ships Class 55 non-hazardous, so you don’t get killed on shipping costs. You are paying for the weight of the chemical only – not the volatility. Scorpion requires only 9 quarts (2.25 gallons) of chemical for a 6’ truck bed, other companies may require 4 gallons of chemical or more…

Coating Qualities:
As far as polyurea companies go, Reflex does offer an interesting coating. The upside is that they offer color, but that comes with many pitfalls. I am sure you have to buy the color injector separately from their standard system, and that can’t be cheap… When you do spray colors with their system, you probably have to flush the lines and go through an extensive cleaning process. Also, I see no warranty for the coating itself on their website. They offer a 5 year warranty for the spray system, but nothing for the coating. They talk about durability and UV stability, but they don’t guarantee it – that seems dangerous to me. It shows their focus is too narrow and that they are focusing on “system” sales only – not focusing on the important thing, the coating itself. Reflex also has no adaptability in the texture and surface of its coatings. It is always going to have a hard plastic look with an orange peel-like texture.
Scorpion has always offered the ability to spray in any color at any texture. As you have probably seen on our training video, the clean-up process is simple. Just let the material dry in the hopper, back out the six screws, and rip out the dried material. Scorpion offers a full warranty on all physical properties of its chemical. This includes bubbling, peeling, and any fading or degrading due to UV. Don’t forget that Scorpion also has fire-retardant and anti-bacterial formulations, things that no other company can boast.

Application:
The isocyanate levels in Reflex’s chemical is going to require a spray booth and supplied air in order to spray the coating. The isocyanates also react strongly to humidity. If a bead of sweat drop on the liner during application, it will “blister” at that spot.
All you need to spray Scorpion is some ventilation and a ½ face painter’s respirator. Due to the environmentally friendly make-up of Scorpion’s chemical, you can also spray it outdoors and in a mobile unit. Scorpion can be sprayed in any level of humidity and can be backed out into a rain storm after spraying.

What you will hear:
There are two great myths about “cold spray” systems. Drying time and prep. time. When we first came out, our tack free time was around 40 minutes, but over the years we have worked with our customers and developed special additives that allow the coatings to become tack free in as little as 10 minutes. Due to the fact that you can take it outside at any point after it is done, most dealers never feel that this is ever truly a problem. Everybody claims that their prep. time is less than everybody else’s. That is just the way it is. To be honest, new dealers can take up to 3 hours per truck in the beginning, and about 1.5 hours after some practice. There are no special ionizing processes or anything with Scorpion. The longest part of the whole preperation is masking off your area. We are constantly looking for ways to make it easier for the applicator, and even the process that is shown in the video online is not what we do anymore. Our coating is stronger now and the prep. process is simpler. We offer free training here at our facilities at any time, and will train or demo at your place if we happen to be in your area (we have someone on the road somewhere at all times).

Tech. and Customer Support:
Every Scorpion Dealer has a designated sales rep. that will be in contact with them at least once a month. We have a full tech. support team that is available to help you at any time during regular business hours (M-F, 8-5 EST).

Thank you and we look forward to hearing back from you very soon. Feel free to contact us at any time if you have any other questions or concerns.

Scorpion Bed Linings and Protected Areas

2007-11-27T08:26:00.000-08:00

Misinformation: Part 3

Scorpion Bed Linings and Protected Areas

You don’t have to be an economic guru to understand that nothing will protect your business from competition. When you think about it, competition is what the U.S. economy is all about. To survive and thrive, you have to provide the highest quality service at the lowest possible cost. At Scorpion, we have always thrived because of competition. It allows us to be different. We are the fastest growing and largest bed liner supplier because of our differences, not because of similarities.

When you buy from a competitor because they offer you a protected area, it’s like buying a herd of lambs protected by a miniature poodle. You’re safe from another miniature poodle but not from the lion. Scorpion doesn’t offer to protect you from the lion because we make you the lion.

If you pay for a protected area, the only thing you’re accomplishing is raising your overhead with non-existent insurance. At Scorpion we think you’re at your competitive best when your over head is low and you’re maximizing profit.

Scorpion does go to extreme measures to ensure that applicators are not too close.

We look at the demographics like population and geography but also take into account existing dealer strengths. Only in this way, can we make sure the lions of the bed lining industry stay strong.

OSHA, Trailers, & Scorpion

2007-10-09T13:16:00.000-07:00

The August/September 2007 issue of “Tracks” magazine features a very interesting article titled “Most Frequently Cited OSHA Standards for Trailer manufacturers” by Dorothy J. Walters, attorney.
For trailer manufacturers, the top three most cited OSHA Standards from September 2005 to October 2006 were:
1) OSHA1910.1200 – Employee chemical exposure and safety
2) OSHA 1910.107 – The use of flammable and combustible material
3) OSHA 1910.134 – Respiratory protection
This should come as no surprise to most coating manufacturers given the vast “misinformation” about many of the products used in the industry. With 1 exception, all thick film polyurethane coatings (meaning they are meant to be applied at depths over 1/16”) are either heavily loaded with isocyanates or thinners.
The heavy use of isocyanate to facilitate polyurethane cure time is very common. Uninformed or under-informed employees of manufacturers using such coatings are placed at considerable respiratory risk. OSHA is concerned not only with applicators but also any employee in the area since air born isocyanates can travel considerable distances. Applicators and personnel in these areas are required to wear supplied air respirators and either draw air from air tanks (SCBA) or from a remote pumping source. Extreme care must be taken to make sure spray booths are functioning properly. If the thick film system is a “fast set” or “instant set” system, if it is moisture sensitive, if it uses heaters and pressurized hoses, then it is undoubtedly isocyanate laden.
Systems not using heavy amounts of isocyanates take varying amounts of time to cure or set. Scorpion polyurethanes can be adjusted by the applicator to set as quickly as 5 minutes or as slowly as 45 minutes. Most non-isocyanate systems take one hour to set depending on the drying conditions. In these types of coatings, the polyurethane cures as the thinner evaporates. The Scorpion system uses vastly different technology so it isn’t dependent on isocyanate or thinner evaporation. The thinner loaded systems have the major problems of spraying thinner into the air during the application phase and the build-up of thinner during the evaporation phase of the application. OSHA insists on the use of a Class A spray booth with these systems as well as separate storage of unused product. These systems are considered Class 1 products, meaning they are very explosive and pose immediate danger. Only Scorpion is exempted from these requirements because it is classified as a Class 2 product, meaning that no spray booth or special storage is necessary.
Speedliner, Durabak, and Herculiner are all examples of these thinner loaded systems. Generally, respirators using chemical cartridges are required for these systems. Scorpion also strongly recommends the use of this type of respirator and, in fact, encourages the use of full-face respirators.
OSHA and the USEPA are moving strongly to control the use of isocyanates and VOC’s (thinners) both from a worker health standpoint and from an environmental standpoint. In conjunction with this, coating manufacturers are being encouraged to contact Scorpion Coatings. Scorpion has agreed to share their technology in an effort to improve worker and environmental safety throughout the industry. By taking advantage of this newer technology, coatings manufacturers can help their customers (and workers) enjoy a safer work environment and pave the way for a cleaner environment overall.

Colored Bed Liners?

2007-09-07T13:50:00.000-07:00

An article appeared in Restyling magazine recently (June 2007) titled “Color-up Your Sales” that brought up several points about sprayed in bed liners that we agree with but as with some articles you have to read between the lines.

Let’s start by stating that there are several issues facing the bed liner industry. Isocyanates are a big elephant walking around the garden. Inexperienced, under informed, applicators are like people walking around with loaded AK-47’s. They’re just a mishap away from catastrophe. But the biggest issue facing the industry is U.V. stability.

U.V. stability? If you thought this was about colored bed liners, let me explain. Before you can venture into color, you’d better be able to spray black and keep it that way. At Scorpion, we expect our bed liners to retain color and shine for the life of the truck. When you see a bed liner that’s just 6 month old and has already started to fade or chalk, it is not only the company that supplied the bed liner that suffers, but also the industry as a whole.

Most bed liner suppliers and applicators attack the color question by painting it on. This is not what the customer expects. The customer expects a black bed liner to be black throughout and they expect it to look like new for more than 6 months. Yes, most bed liner companies warranty the bed liner in some obscure way, but not color stability.

Scorpion has had limited success with getting the bed liner industry to conform to reasonable standards. Yes, some companies are telling applicators about the severe danger of isocyanates, but the industry is still not addressing the other big elephants like U.V. stability and color retention. Scorpion has even gone so far as to offer technological help to the big names in the industry but to no avail. If you see a “colored” truck bed lining and it’s not a “Scorpion” – beware – you’re probably just looking a cheap paint job.

Bed Liners / Isocyanates / VOC’s

2007-09-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

In a perfect world, a perfect product would do absolutely no harm, only good. Cows would produce only skimmed milk and not give off methane gas and broccoli would grow wild and not require fertilizer and irrigation. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way.

Such is the case with sprayed in bed liners. There are two issues that both applicators and end users need to consider. These issues are isocyanates and VOC’s.

Isocyanates are widely used to produce polyurethanes. These are highly regulated by OSHA because of their extreme health effects on anyone associated with them. Workers applying fast setting sprayed in bed liners are at extreme risk. Although isocyanate exposure is normally associated with breathing, even skin exposure vastly increases allergic and cancer risk. Anyone applying this type of coating must be carefully screened and trained Extreme, respirator systems and body protection are required. Follow up testing is required by OSHA. To protect people in the area, a spray booth is required since the isocyanate is air borne and the effects are felt over a wide area. Fortunately, this is a very dated technology that is being phased out by the newer coatings.

These newer coatings are a result of huge steps taken in the chemical engineering world in the past 10 years. They do however involve the use of volatile, organic, compounds or VOC’s.

These VOC’s are being highly regulated, by the EPA. Some companies try to circumvent the regulations by manufacturing outside the US. These are mostly DIY products and as such, rarely come under scrutiny.

All products involving VOC’s are required to contain less than 2.8 pounds of VOC’s per gallon. One bed liner manufacturer, Scorpion Coatings, has gone so far as to reduce VOC’s to less than ½ of the requirement while using negligible amounts of Isocyanates. This coating is excluded from the spray booth requirement for these reasons plus its class 2 fire rating.

Only by understanding these 2 issues can both end users and applicators make decisions that do no harm to the ecology or those who work in it.

Practical Car Maintenance Tips for the Fall Season

2007-08-31T13:04:00.000-07:00

Written by Hailey Kerr

Regardless of the type of car that you own whether it's second-hand or brand new it is important that you provide it with the proper maintenance it deserves.

You see even if you own an expensive BMW 328i with high quality parts still the daily use of the car can lead to wear and tear of its parts this is why regular car maintenance should be a priority.

Your car requires different types of maintenance check for different seasons, the car maintenance routines for the summer season are very much different as those required for the winter season and so forth and so on.

Since fall is coming and very soon it would be winter the car maintenance done during the fall season is basically a preparation for the coming winter months. About.com provides very practical tips on what your winter car maintenance checklist should be comprised of:

• Check your antifreeze

Your antifreeze (the juice that goes in your radiator) is an essential part of your car's winter protection.

Your car contains a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. Make sure the level is full and the mixture is close to 50/50. Many service stations and repair centers will check this mixture free, or you can buy a tester for around $5.

• Check your tires

The last line of defense between you and an oak tree are your tires. Winter is not the time to get cheap about your tires, so take the time to check the tread depth. The National Highway Transportation Safety Board says you need at least 2/32" of depth to be safe. It's been my experience, especially in winter weather, that anything less than 4/32" (1/8") be replaced soon. The old penny test is as reliable as anything to find out whether your treads are ready for winter action. Also, be sure to check your tire pressure. Believe it or not, they lose a little pressure when it gets cold, so pump 'em up.

• Check your wipers

Wipers? What do your windshield wipers have to do with winter weather? Two things. First, anything falling from the sky is going to end up on your windshield, and unless you have a team of beavers riding on the hood of your car the task of clearing it falls on your wipers. Second, in areas that see snowfall in the winter, you're also driving through that soupy muck that's left on the road once the highway department does their thing. This muck includes a lot of sand and salt, both of which end up on your windshield. It takes wipers that are in top shape to keep your windshield clean and safe.

• Check your windshield washer fluid

You'll be using lots of washer fluid as you try to keep your windshield sparkly. A mile stuck behind an 18-wheeler will have your windshield looking a Desert Storm Humvee if you're low on washer fluid. *Tip: Don't fill your washer fluid reservoir with anything except washer fluid, it won't freeze!

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Drowse and Drive: How to Prevent Accident

2007-08-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

by: Atty. Gabriel Cosh

Those who have driven before knows the constitution necessary to stays awake while at the wheel. Falling asleep at the wheel accounts for some of the most devastating road accidents. Since the person as fault is asleep during these accidents, the impact of the collision is usually with great force. The injuries also are severe especially against the person who is asleep at the wheel since he is not ever remotely aware of the impending accident and has no conscious effort to protect or brace himself or herself for impact.

Reports showed that people who were involved in these kinds of accidents are those who usually tend to party hard all night and try to beat daybreak in order to go to work. However, even those who have self control and are responsible persons sometimes succumb to drowsing while driving. Other than people who are deprived of sleep due to long hours of work, even well rested individuals tend to get sleepy during long drives.

It is always better to park your car or get some rest at a gas station or diner to shake off the snooze. However, if it’s a matter of life and death or you are just the type of person who needs to be somewhere fast, these tips could probably save your life, especially others, whom you will be endangering by pushing yourself and driving sleepy.

1. As I advised earlier, try to take a break. Go to get gas and buy a soda or coffee. You can also go for a bathroom break or grab a bite at a diner.

2. If you have a companion, engage in active conversion. It helps too if you take turns driving.

3. If you have something to eat in your car, try to consume candy or anything with sugar or caffeine. It also helps to chew food that makes noise like chips to keep your senses working.

4. Listen to not so soothing music. Also it works if you listen to a conversation on the radio.

5. Ultimately, if you have day worth of driving to do, the best thing to do is to take a nap. You can take a nap at a nearby motel. Do not try to take a nap inside your car though, you might get monoxide poisoning or even get victimized by lawless elements in the area.

Although the above tips could probably save you from certain disasters, it is best not to toy with your life as well as others. Be responsible, don’t drowse and drive.

Keep the Floor Clean and Protected With Car Mats

2007-08-17T05:11:00.001-07:00

by: Alexus Devon

Nobody likes dirty feet in their vehicle. Be it hunters, Soccer Moms or anyone in between, everybody wants the inside of their car to be neat and tidy. So, what they do to maintain the cleanliness of car floor! Obviously, it is the car mats they turn to. By putting some nice looking mats on the floor, they keep the floor clean and protected as well.

But mats are something that a car owner probably does not think about very often. It is when they consider the high cost of replacing the carpet for their car, floor mats suddenly become a cost-effective option. They are available not only in a variety of colours but also affordable within the budget of even the most frugal car owners.

Car mats are an essential accessory when it comes to protecting your investment, especially if you live in an area that witnesses lots of winter weather. Without this particular car accessory, slush and snow can soak into your car through the carpet padding, and cause rusting on the floor pans even before you know it. So, mats deserve equal attention as any other accessory.

Buying car mats also deserve a little extra care. It is not possible for you to make time and shop for it frequently. So, take a little time out of your busy schedule and decide what type of mats will perfectly suit your need. Mats are available in a wide variety of colours and materials to suit the demand of any and every user.

An all-vinyl floor mat or heavy-duty floor mat may be a better choice, if ice, snow, and slush are common in the part of the country where you drive your car very often. Custom-fit floor mats are available for other type of weather also. Regarding colour they offer an unlimited variety. So, there will be no problem to get one that matches with the colour and interior design of the car.

Car Maintenance 101

2007-08-10T05:11:00.000-07:00

Written by Czarina Adams

Break system, tune-ups, performance mufflers, and transmission repairs. Cars are valuable enough, both representing luxury and necessity. What's more is after having spent a lot of your hard-earned money, maintaining its good condition is difficult without having it constantly serviced. And when it comes to that precious car, you cant just go anywhere to have it fixed. Product and maintenance should go hand in hand. And a good auto shop company is just what you need to get the job done...and get it done right.

If you love your car you wouldn't just take it to any old garage. And if dealerships are too expensive for you then you just have to settle for an auto repair shop that's enough to work on your car without compromising the work of the service.

Of course there are auto repair shops that go beyond the call of duty in terms of fixing and providing for your car. What are the qualities you need to consider before you entrust your valued vehicle into the hands of another?

First, of course, is reputation. A well-known auto shop speaks for itself when we're talking about good service. It's great when their usual clients speak well of them, but its better if their competitors respect them as well. Some town repair shops usually rely on each other when there is a car problem they can't seem to fix. Imagine having your car in the hands of the best repairmen in town, known not just through their clientele but as well as the competition.

Fully furnished and well-maintained facilities is another obvious quality. Having the capacity to handle tough jobs on your car, using top-of-the-line machinery shows, not just the shop's capacity but also its commitment to delivering quality service through advanced equipment.

Clientele is another factor. The number and variety of vehicles an auto repair shop attends to speaks well of its capacity to attend to different classes of vehicles. It tells of how well it can accommodate, with a great deal of expertise, even the unique specifications of your car.

Lastly, don't forget to consider customer service. Your car is not the ultimate client but you of course. A shop that looks after your best interest and attends to your comfort in as much as it does your vehicle is a plus factor.

Being particular about how your vehicle is taken care of is every car owner's right. Whether it's just for comfort and style or for practicality and function, either way, it's about getting what you need for something well used and well earned.

For more information, visit this site on performance mufflers and auto repair shops.

Safe Habits for Driving in the Rain

2007-08-06T06:11:00.000-07:00

By Greg Chapman

While most of us would prefer to simply stay dry inside our homes until rain subsides, responsibilities such as going to work require that we endure the wet weather nonetheless, putting us at the mercy of wet roads and the questionable skills of countless other drivers. Depending on the frequency of rainfall in the area in which you live, other drivers may not be accustomed to practicing safe driving habits in the rain, making it even more important for you to take extra precautions in wet driving conditions.

An essential precaution for driving in the rain is to regularly maintain the tires, brakes, and windshield wipers of your vehicle. Brakes should be regularly replaced regardless of the weather, but proper brake function proves to be especially crucial under wet conditions. Likewise, tires should maintain the recommended level of pressure and tread depth for maximum performance. Tires which are beginning to wear out are truly a hazard in the rain, even when they still seem to function properly on dry roads. Improper tire inflation or inadequate tread can lead your vehicle to hydroplane on a wet road, causing you to lose control of the vehicle.

On rainy days, make sure to allow extra travel time to reach your destination. Safely driving in the rain not only means reducing your speed, but also requires you to remain calm and in control, which can be difficult when you are anxious about being late. When you start your vehicle, turn on the headlights, even if there is only a slight rain.

As you are aware, wet roads are more slippery than dry ones. Rainwater on roads reduces vehicles’ traction, which makes slowing down, stopping and accelerating accurately more difficult. The key to maintaining control of your vehicle on a wet road is to perform all maneuvers conscientiously and gradually. When slowing down or approaching a stop, begin braking far in advance, and do not brake sharply or attempt an abrupt stop. Stopping or accelerating too quickly can cause your vehicle to skid, which can lead to a loss of control. Braking far in advance allows you to prepare for unexpected hazards, and informs other drivers of your intent.

Speaking of other drivers, staying alert to the conditions around you and signaling your intent to other drivers is crucial to safe driving in the rain. Maintain extra distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you at all times, taking care to allow enough space to bring your vehicle to a stop in the event that an unexpected obstacle appears or an accident occurs ahead. In addition to providing plenty of warning that you are stopping or slowing down, be especially meticulous about using turn signals in advance when it is raining. Turn signals warn drivers behind you that you will be slowing down or stopping completely, and they will need ample space to do so under wet conditions.

Staying alert to your surroundings, being considerate of other drivers and practicing cautious driving maneuvers in the rain can help prevent an accident that leaves you on the side of the road stranded…and soaked.

GPS Navigation

2007-07-27T05:32:00.000-07:00

What is navigation & why would I buy it?

Vehicle navigation is an inexpensive upgrade to any vehicle. Aftermarket navigation units use the newest technology and mapping software to get you from point "A" to point "B" without error. Also, with today's technology, you can get this upgrade for far less expensive than the steep price tag that dealerships charge when including factory navigation.

Most aftermarket units can be used for much more than just getting directions. Expandability features allow for numerous upgrades, including: DVD, Mp3, I-pod integration, and Bluetooth, the aftermarket units are well worth the investment.

Types:

Portable GPS units are just one type of Navigation available. These types of GPS units are mainly made to be suctioned to your windshield and powered from your vehicle's DC outlet. The best feature of these would be the versatility. You can easily unplug the unit and move from vehicle to vehicle. Some even have built-in batteries to provide you with navigation even without an external power source. A couple sacrifices of portable Navigation include screen size and expandability. Most portable units only have a screen size of around 4 inches and can only be used for navigation.

Another type of navigation system would be the in-dash. In-Dash Navigation units usually include a Touch-Screen Monitor, which puts entering destination addresses at your finger-tip. These systems replace your factory radio, and provide control over your entire audio system. With systems designed to fit both Standard and Oversized Radios it's possible to find a system for any vehicle. Options such as Bluetooth, IPod Integration, Satellite Radio and TV tuners allow you to outfit your vehicle with all the options at a fraction of the cost that your Dealership would charge.

Some Things to Look For:

-Points-of-Interests (POI) - The more points of interest loaded into the unit the better the chances of you finding a destination with minimal information.
-Hard-Drive- Maps are pre-loaded onto your unit, updates are as easy as downloading new maps from your PC and loading them onto your NAV Hard Drive via SD Card or DVD. Most Hard-drive NAVs will allow you to Update your POI for your area.
-DVD-ROM - Maps are loaded onto a DVD which must be inserted into the System in
order to you're the Navigation Feature. New updated DVDs must be purchased as years go on in order to stay current with the growth of your area.
Now Navigation is affordable no matter what your budget. It's a small price to pay for all the comforts of a Luxury Vehicle and the Satisfaction of knowing you will never again have to pull over and ask for directions.

Car Accessories: Necessity of Both the New and Used Cars

2007-07-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

One of the easiest ways of making your car look swanky is to add some accessories to it. The market is fraught with cool and cute kits that can increase the glamour of an auto to a greater degree. Manufactured in nice designs and available in fluorescent colours, these car accessories are sold at reasonable price. Whether a flashy new car or a used one is to be decorated, there are accessories that will match with its design and jell with its colour.

Yet, not all car accessories are meant for beautifying a set of wheels. Some car accessories are for the purpose of security. Some others are there for sheer necessity. Without both these type of add-ons, a car will remain far from being a pleasure to drive. Without adequate security kits, you may have to be in tension while driving the car. Sans the exigent ones, you will fail to feel at home.

One accessory that is exigent for the car but not contribute that much in accentuating it is floor mats. Without car mats the floor of the car is most likely to be damaged. There lies the danger of liquid falling on the floor and cause rusting. This ultimately results in the damage of the floor. Putting some good quality mats on the floor of the car is the best way to overcome this threat.

If you feel that your car need some add-ons but you do not have time to go to the market and buy the necessary accessories, you can log on to the internet. A plethora of options will be there for you on car accessories. A number of online shops deal in auto kits. Simply browsing through the sites of a few of them, you can gather enough knowledge as to which accessory to buy and how to buy them at the best price.

Automotive Air Conditioners

2007-07-13T10:58:00.001-07:00

It's August, the car is jammed with kids and luggage, and you're finally on your way to the cottage. Suddenly you realize that your car's air conditioning system is on the fritz, and your family vacation really starts to heat up.

Automotive air conditioning systems were first introduced in 1940 to address customer demands for relief from unbearable heat. These systems use refrigerant to cool the air and remove the heat from the car's passenger compartment. Air conditioning also cleans the air that enters the car, and removes excess moisture as it dehumidifies the air.

There are three basic components to any automotive air conditioner system:

1. Compressor--Considered the heart of the air conditioning system, the compressor transfers and compresses refrigerant gas to let the heat out of the car.

2. Condenser--removes heat from the refrigerant and cools down the high-pressure gasses.

3. Evaporator--Acts as the heater core of the air conditioning system. The evaporator removes the heat from inside the car. The refrigerant then condenses the air and transforms it into water.

Cars manufactured in 1995 or later have been equipped with R-134A air conditioning system. These ozone-friendly units do not contain CFCs, are nontoxic and nonflammable.

Prior to 1995, automotive air conditioners came with R-12 refrigerant, most commonly Freon. During that time, a car owner experiencing air conditioner problems needed only to visit a local retailer to purchase a recharge kit. With a can of Freon and basic knowledge, the average driver could easily repair his or her own air conditioning system. When studies confirmed that R-12 systems were contributing to the damaged ozone layer, many countries including the United States banned their manufacture. Common Problems The most common complaint about automotive air conditioners, particularly R-134 systems, is the odor that permeates from the A/C vents. Mechanics and car manufacturers have concluded that accumulated bacteria and fungus in the evaporator core likely cause the odor. Because the air conditioning system is loaded with moisture, it attracts microbes. The solution offered by automakers is to make the blower motor effective in drying out the evaporator after the A/C system is turned off. General Motors introduced this breakthrough, called Electronic Evaporator Dryer.

This solution might offer relief to some car owners, but not to all. Installing this system can cost hundred of dollars. As a result, many car owners have resorted to finding alternative methods of fighting the odor. Using antibacterial chemicals such as Lysol can be an effective short-term solution. Keeping a can of Lysol handy can go along way for your odorous air problem. Just spay the Lysol inside the car, and in the air intake once a week, for temporary relief from the problem. Another way to help eliminate the odor is to shut off the A/C unit at least one mile before reaching your destination. This will allow enough time for the evaporator to dry out, essentially doing away with the moisture and microbes that cause odor. This can be the easiest and least expensive method in combating the issue.

Caring For Your A/C System

* To keep working efficiently, your automotive air conditioner must be recharged from time to time, depending on how often it is are used. Consult your mechanic or your owner's manual for information about system recharges.

* Call your mechanic if you see water leaking from the A/C system's condenser, as this can affect the refrigerant. Have the system repaired before refilling it.

* Replacing the filter once every three months will also help to maintain the performance of your automotive air conditioning system. This is where dust builds up when the A/C system is running.

* Setting the gauge at one specific temperature will also help it perform well. If you constantly switch from one temperature to another, your system will have trouble adjusting accordingly.

Automotive air conditioners can be a driver's best friend, whether you're traveling across town or from coast to coast. Keep your A/C unit well maintained, and keep your cool on the road.

Articles Source - Free Articles
About the Author

Charles Jackson contributes to several web magazines, on recreation and hobbies and travel and recreation subjects.

Why do Gasoline Prices Fluctuate?

2007-06-29T05:26:00.000-07:00

By Greg Chapman

The price of gasoline affects most consumers’ cost of daily living, and also triggers a far reaching economic impact across numerous industries. Not only do gasoline prices have an immediate effect on individuals’ living expenses, they also influence consumers indirectly through logistical costs incorporated into the pricing of other consumer goods, the types of vehicles that are demanded of the automobile industry and the possibly prohibitive cost of travel. The price of gasoline fluctuates because it is influenced largely by dynamic factors such as the price of crude oil due to supply and demand, environmental factors and government regulations.

The largest determinant of gasoline prices in the United States is the going rate per barrel of oil established by Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), a conglomerate of twelve oil exporting countries which are major producers and hold a majority of the world’s oil reserves. OPEC members are subject to production limits, which are imposed by the organization to maintain target prices for oil across the world. Oil prices are determined based largely on supply, demand and the types of oil available, but also environmental factors which affect the production and distribution throughout any level of the supply chain. For instance, Hurricane Katrina caused many offshore oil drilling ventures to shut down and also impacted refinery and pipeline operations, causing a dramatic spike in the price of oil and thus gasoline. The cost of crude oil determined by OPEC is based partly on the level of supply and demand, but the mere anticipation of a shortage is enough for consumers to see a jump in prices.

Governmental requirements also affect the price that consumers pay at the pump. Environmental standards requiring cleaner burning fuel in areas such as California, Milwaukee and Chicago generate demand for a specialized product that is produced in limited supply, contributing to the higher gasoline prices in such areas. Geographical differences in gasoline prices across the country are also attributed to varying state and local tax requirements, unexpected disruptions, the level of competition among providers and logistical cost differences such as the distance that a product must be transported to reach the location.

The ultimate price that consumers pay for gasoline is a summation of the accumulated costs associated with producing and delivering the final product to the consumer. The going rate of crude oil accounts for a majority of the price consumers pay for gasoline. The final price that consumers pay for gasoline at the pump also reflects the cost of refining, taxes, distribution and marketing costs as well as individual gas station markup.

Preparing your Vehicle for Sell or Trade

2007-06-22T05:54:00.000-07:00

By Greg Chapman

Whether you are selling your vehicle privately or trading it in at a dealership, the goal is to maximize the monetary value that you receive in return. Below we address some tips that will help you get the best resale or trade-in value for your vehicle.

-Make sure the vehicle is immaculate inside and out. First impressions happen in a matter of seconds and cannot be taken back. Whether you detail the car yourself or have it done professionally, cleaning is an extremely important step that should not be underestimated. Not only does cleanliness emphasize the best features of the vehicle, it portrays that the vehicle has been taken care of in other ways as well.

-Repair noticeable damage, even cosmetic. Seemingly insignificant problems such as broken console parts, minor body dents, broken headlights or missing hubcaps affect the overall impression that a buyer will get about the condition of your vehicle. Dents can often be repaired for minimal cost and without requiring that the entire vehicle be repainted. Again, eliminating such problems gives the impression that the vehicle has been cared for and maintained in other areas.

If your vehicle has damage that you do not plan to repair, obtain an estimate for the cost of repairing the damage, and use the estimate in negotiation. Acknowledging any problems and being proactive with a buyer will help build your credibility from the buyer’s perspective.

-Inspect and replace tires if needed. Tires should appear fairly new and have a considerable amount of tread. Dealers often deduct from the trade-in value they would otherwise offer because tires are not in good condition. Likewise, car buyers are not as receptive to a purchasing a vehicle that immediately needs tire replacements.

-Be ready to provide maintenance records. The ability to present accurate and organized service records for the vehicle will bestow confidence in the buyer about the vehicle’s history. If you have not been diligent about maintaining a service log yourself, check with your regular mechanic or dealership which has worked on your vehicle about obtaining a printed version of your vehicle’s maintenance history.

-Be smart during the transaction. Make sure to include a provision in the bill of sale stating that the vehicle is being sold “as is,” that is, without a warranty. Request payment in the form of a money order or cashier’s check, eliminating the chance of being scammed or facing issues associated with accepting a high value personal check.

Finally, be honest about the history of your vehicle, including any needed repairs or problems that the new owner will have to address.

What To Do When You Have Tire Blowout On The Road And How To Change A Flat Tire?

2007-06-15T05:45:00.001-07:00

Having flat tires is one common problem encountered by almost every car owner. As tires are your only contact between the car and the road, flat tire is something that you want to guard against.

The major root cause of flat tire is the under inflation of the tires which is often a result gradual loss of tire pressure and on some instances, rapid loss of pressure due to impact or penetration of hard and sharp objects into the tires.

The danger of having flat tires is that your vehicle may becomes wobbly and you may lost control of it and thus the possibility of encountering serious accidents.

Following are some tips that will help you when your tire blowout:

* First and foremost, when the tire blow out - you'll have to remain calm and do not panic.

* Next, make sure that you grip your steering wheel firmly to gain better control of your vehicle.

* Decelerate your vehicle and let it slowly comes to a halt, this is done by simply taking off your feet from the gas pedal.

* Make sure you do not force the vehicle into going the direction you want by making any sudden turn of the steering wheel. Go along with the flow a little, slow down, turn on your signal light and work towards going to the break-down lane or to the side of the road as swiftly and as safely as possible.

* Brake lightly to bring your car to a complete halt.

* Once your car is stationary, turn on the hazard lights and / or lift up your car boot and hang a white clothe to warn other road users that your car is experiencing problem.

* If you have the triangular reflective warning sign, place it at a distance (about 50 meters) behind the vehicle. Make sure this is carried out safely.

By following the above steps, you have gotten yourself to a point of safety where you can calmly survey the situation and decide on the best actions to be taken, while making the road safer for other users.

You now have two choices - seek professional help or do the tire change yourself.

a. If you have a mobile phone - use it to contact your mechanics or get in touch with one of your friends to help you get the professional help that you needed.

b. And if you prefer to change your tires, here's the guidelines:

1. Be very sure that there are more than enough safety distance between your vehicle and the road. If this is not possible - DO NOT PROCEED with the tire change. Stay away from your vehicle and put yourself in a safe place. You will be much better off in getting a tow truck to tow away your vehicle and replaces your flat tire.

2. Have a brief check on your spare tire - make sure that it is good enough for use. Make sure that your car is on firm and level ground for safety reason.

3. Take out your car jack and lug wrench from your car boot and read the instructions given on how to lift up your vehicle.

4. If your car comes with a wheel cover, remove it with a metal object like a screwdriver or your key to expose the lugs nuts of the wheel.

5. Loosen your lug nuts of the wheel before lifting up your vehicle - do the same for all the nuts for the affected wheel. Remember - clockwise direction to tighten and anti-clockwise to loosen.

6. Once all the nuts are loosen somewhat, it is time to jack the vehicle up at the recommended location where the jack can be placed to lift up the car, this piece of information is available by in the car owner's instruction manual. Now, totally loosen all the nuts and your wheel is ready to be removed from the car.

7. Remove the punctured wheel from your vehicle and replace it with your spare tire, and tighten the nuts - tight enough without having the wheels turning, further tightening will be done after the car jack is being removed.

8. Remove the car jack - further tighten the lug nuts using the lug wrench. To ensure that the nuts are properly tighten and maintain the right balance, make sure that you tighten the nuts in a sequential manner, and repeat the process.

9. Replace the wheel cap and keep your equipment and the blown tire. You are now done.

Drive slowly to the nearest tire shop and have the tire replaced.

Depending on how well worn are your existing tires, you may choose to replace two tires or all four tires as it is always a good practice to change all tires for better balance. Make sure you ask your mechanic to check the alignment of the car to ensure that there is no residual effect from the blown tire.

Remember, never compromise safety. Getting into your car with the right mindset and with responsible behavior will serve you well a long, long way.

Cargo Liners Are More Important Than You Might Think

2007-06-08T08:55:00.001-07:00

By Andrew Bernhardt [ 01/06/2007 ]
[ viewed 4 times ]

Mud. Squished dog dook. Battery acid. The dirty snow. Hawaiian Punch. Count all of these things as items you don’t want within 20 feet of your vehicle’s carpet. You know all about these things, which is why you’ve probably purchased a set of all-weather floor mats, assuming winter is of any consequence in your area. What you may have overlooked, though, is extending that coverage to the rear of your vehicle.

You might think that none of the previously mentioned items have a chance of getting in the back, simply because people aren’t typically walking or standing in the far reaches of your ride. Think again. Ever set a pair of dirty shoes back there after working or playing in the woods or snow? That’s how the mud, black snow and dog log get ground into the carpet. Ever needed to pull a battery? That’s the only place you can set it. Has there ever been a bag of groceries that remained upright the whole way home? Not unless the bag only contained a Handy Case. Hawiaiian Punch everywhere. Your loss in every situation.

When winter strikes, you need a safe zone to set all of those messy items, one with the kind of sturdy shield material that never gets beat. Face it—the mud, the snow and the stepped-in turds are going to happen. You just need a place to contain all of that mess. Think of a custom all-weather cargo mat as your own decontamination zone for virtually any mess. Because they use the right stuff and have the right tall-walled design, you can let almost anything mellow back there until you feel like dealing with it.

It gets even better. After about, oh, six months or so, when you decided to deal with whatever mess is out back, you won’t have to hassle with cleaning the cargo liner, too. Thanks to that same material that keeps messes from soiling your carpet, grime slides right off of an all-weather cargo liner with a quick squirt from your garden hose. Then, it’s ready for the next mud barrage with a fully clean slate.

Many of the same makers of the all-weather floor mats you may already own also make a cargo liner, complete with matching color and material. Brands like Husky Liners, Catch-All, and Weathertech account for the exact shape of your cargo area when crafting a custom cargo liner. Each relies on this molded fit to stay in place, no matter how much jostling is going on in your ride. So, if the winter has bite where you live, don’t rely on just the floor mats in your seating rows to protect your carpet. Make sure your cargo liner is well shielded from a wide array of enemies, too.

The Ongoing Hard Vs Retractable Tonneau Cover Debate

2007-06-01T08:01:00.000-07:00

Every truck owner needs a tonneau cover to, well, cover their gear, save gas and keep junk out of the bed. But, if you care about your stuff not getting stolen, you shouldn’t even consider a soft tonneau cover, which is your cheapest bed coverage option. You should stick with the two most popular options for a serious truck owner and their rig: a hard tonneau cover or a retractable model.

Hard tonneau covers are one of the most popular styles around. They’re the unquestioned choice of truck customizers and anyone who places smooth looks above all else. But, there are plenty of ways to use a hard tonneau cover for utility, and plenty of no-frills models that give you hard tonneau security without all of the custom-painted pricing. A hard tonneau also securely locks to your bed and wraps over the top of the bed rails, giving a thief virtually no chance of getting at your gear.

Hard tonneau covers have one big drawback, though: they’re hard to remove when you need to carry a big load. You can’t have full access to your bed without taking the cover completely off, which you’ll have to do when your load is taller than the top of your bed. Since hard tonneaus weight in excess of 100lbs., there’s not easy or fast way to do it, either. So, in terms of security and looks, a hard tonneau cover is king. But, when you need to carry a big and/or tall load, it may cause more hassle than its worth.

Let’s look at retractable covers now. Think of these tonneau covers as a rolling garage door for your bed. They usually operate manually with a pull strap, and lock closed at several positions including the end at the tailgate. The panels comprising a retractable tonneau cover are typically made of a resilient material like aluminum that can take a beating and keep working right, though they’re not quite as rigid as a hard tonneau cover. Some retractable tonneaus can even be opened and closed by remote. That’s right—you can get a motorized bed cover for your truck. And, whether you open it by hand or by remote, it just takes a few seconds to get relatively unobstructed access to your truck bed’s payload capacity.

Here come the downsides. First, installation is much more difficult. The rails have to be shimmed to be perfectly level before the cover will operate smoothly. The entire cover rolls into a heavy canister that stacks behind your rear window; this canister collects moisture that must be drained, which requires drilling holes for drainage lines. About that canister: it’s pretty big, and the space it occupies is space you’ll never get back for bed storage. Except for long, flat items that slide along the floor of your bed, the front foot of your carrying capacity is essentially gone. While a hard tonneau cover can give you all of your bed space after tricky disconnecting of hardware and lifting the bulky lid, a retractable cover never really gives you all of your bed space. That is, unless you’re willing to unscrew the canister, remove the rails, and unhook the drainage tubes to get your bed back.

Generally speaking, if you hardly ever carry big loads and want a cover to secure your smaller stuff, a hard tonneau cover will do your truck right for the rest of its life. If carrying big gear and having the fastest access to the most space sounds more like your brand of beer, a retractable tonneau cover will never have you thinking twice about the hard cover you passed on. And, either way you go, you’ll be quite happy to not have wasted cash on a soft tonneau disappointment

Author: Andrew Bernhardt

Learn how to reset your check engine light

2007-05-25T05:59:00.000-07:00

If you disconnect your battery to reset your check engine light. You may erase valuable memory from the computer and wind up disabling your car stereo and factory installed alarm.

It used to be that resetting your check engine light was simple as disconnecting your battery. Today's new cars provide a challenge when trying to use this procedure.

Why is your check engine light on? The check engine light or service engine soon light is directly connected to your car's computer and monitors the emission system. This warning light was federally mandated by our government to notify the driver that the vehicle may be polluting the atmosphere.

The check engine light is all about the war on pollution, global warming and smog. One of the main problems with this emission system-monitoring device is that it is very sensitive. Often you will find that this light is illuminated for a minor malfunction or even an intermittent problem.

This is why the first step in the solution to the problem is to clear the code and retest the vehicle to see if the light returns. The problem with this is that the fastest way to reset the check engine light is to disconnect the battery. But there are many systems in your vehicle that require constant battery power. Most people don't realize that your vehicle computer adapts to your driving habits. Your vehicle computer stores memory functions such as shift points, idle speed and throttle position for the primary driver. When you disconnect the vehicle battery you wipe out this memory and the computer returns to a default mode, which may make the vehicle run in a manner that you are not accustomed to.

Other complications that may arise from disconnecting battery power to your vehicle may include that the radio will not work after you reconnect the battery. Most vehicles today have theft protected radio systems. When you disconnect the battery the radio thinks that it is being stolen. Re-activating the radio can be a lot of trouble, and in most cases includes obtaining the code from the vehicle manufacturer to reactivate the radio.

Another common problem you may run into by disconnecting power from the vehicle is that many vehicles today have a factory installed alarm system. When power is removed from the system. The vehicle can go into a lockdown mode to prevent engine startup in case the vehicle is being stolen.

It is a very common problem today to have your check engine light pop on for little or no reason. Every vehicle owner should learn how to reset the check engine light for this reason.

The best way to handle the reset of the check engine light is to purchase an auto scan tool and clear the code without disturbing the battery connection. Automotive scan tools have really come down in price and make this the best way to approach the problem of resetting the check engine light.

Turning off the check engine light with an auto scan tool requires no technical experience and is very easy to accomplish. After the reset the check engine light procedure is performed if the light stays off you have just fixed car in less than 10 minutes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark is an ASE certified master technician and provides a website filled with free information about the automotive world. Visit his DIY auto scan tool page to see why every car owner should have one. Or visit his reading scan tool data page for info on the reset check engine light procedure

Towing Services And Roadside Assistance

2007-05-17T07:04:00.000-07:00

When you purchase a new car you may get a roadside assistance package included but if you have a used car you typically won’t have roadside assistance and the benefits it provides, such as towing services. Not to worry, there are many companies offering memberships that will give you peace of mind.

Parts do wear out over time. That’s why one of the biggest concerns a driver has is the fear of a breakdown that will require towing. As we all know these events always occur at the most inopportune time or when we don’t have the extra cash to cover a towing bill. By becoming a member of one of the many auto clubs that offer services, you’ll have peace of mind that when disaster strikes you’ll be covered.

AAA, or American Automobile Association, has divisions throughout all of North America. For a nominal yearly fee you’ll be provided with all kinds of services for you and your vehicle. You’ll have full roadside assistance. Whether you run out of gas, lock your keys in the car, get a flat tire, or break down, you’ll be covered. Planning a trip? If you need maps AAA will provide them. And if you’re thinking about taking a vacation to a sunny tropical destination, AAA has full travel services and can offer you some great prices.

Good Sam is another auto and RV club that offers excellent services to its members. It’s a camping club, motor home club, and RV club all combined into one. For under $80 a year you get a full year of roadside assistance for your RV, and all the cars, vans, and trucks in your household. You get a full year of emergency towing services, lockout services, and trip interruption services as well as emergency medical referral services.

Drivershield costs under $70 a year and offers a 24 hour toll free hotline for emergency towing, roadside assistance, and locksmith. It also offers a lifetime collision repair warranty that’s good from coast to coast as well as 50% off at thousands of motels, hotels, and dining locations across the country.

If you ride motorcycle and want the same type of protection for your bike as you have for your car, Bros Club Cycle Services is worth exploring. For less than $100 you will get a two year membership which will give you 24 hour a day 365 day a year emergency roadside protection, which includes a network of more than 40,000 flat bed service providers across the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada. You’ll get towing services, flat tire assistance, dead battery assistance, and you can even purchase your motorcycle insurance at a discount. You also get some great discounts at motels, hotels, dining locations, and parts providers.

It’s a given. At some point in your travels you are going to require towing services. So why not consider a membership in one of the many national auto club programs that will give you peace of mind?

Article Source: http://www.articleinterchange.com

How To Replace Brake Pads

2007-05-07T08:04:00.000-07:00

There aren't many things as dangerous as a car with inefficient brakes, you know this.Regularly changing brake pads is really important.Your safety while driving depends on several factors but regarding brakes it all depends on equipment: saving few bucks on brake pads isn't worth!
There's no need to go to the mechanic to replace your brake pades, you can easily do it yourself.
If it's the firts time you do it allow it some hours, it's not difficult but it will require some time if you're not experienced.

Attention: after driving the car brake pads and brake discs are hot.
Avoid any possible risk working in a safe area.

Make sure your car will not move at all, set the handbrake and park in a plain area.

Loosen the lug nuts before jacking the car up.

Jack the car up so you can remove the wheel as if replacing the wheel. (Use two jack stands for your safety)

Remove the caliper bolts and make it slide away from the disc: brake pads are the black parts that were near the disc surface.

Remove them from the caliper: there are several kinds of calipers so you have to see how it works in your car but you should easily do it: it's just a matter of bolts or clips.

Take the occasion to check brake rotors condition, rotors must be the more smooth possible and must not have any asperities. If it's damaged you'll have to get a new one. Discs can also be reconditioned but it's not recommended.

Now, with the new thicker pads you need to push the caliper piston back to its original position in order to create enough space for the new pads, you might need an adjustable spanner or a C-Clamp.

Apply brake pad grease on the part that won't be in contact with the rotor and put them inside the caliper.

Reassemble everything as it was and proceed with the other side and the rear axle if your car has four disc brakes. You're done, go out for a test and drive slow. Pay attention, the brake pedal might be softer and braking spaces longer. In few days the new pads should reach their final position and any noise should disappear.Make sure you reassemble everything carefully.

by J. Stanton

Save Gas!

2007-04-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

6 Tips For Saving Gas

by: Jackson Porter

Tip#1 - Start Carpooling

Carpooling is a great idea for fellow students and fellow employees both. If you can find people that are going to the same place you are you can save gas by riding together. It may be a good idea to trade off on who is driving from week to week so no one person gets stuck having to drive all the time. If you have to take your children to school or other functions you can also work on trading off with your friends and neighbors to take them there.

Tip#2 - Public Transportation

If it is possible you can take public transportation to work instead of driving your car. Not only will this save you money on gas, but you will also be able to relax and not worry about having to drive through all that rush hour traffic. You may even be able to fit in a quick nap on your way to work or on your way home.

Tip#3 - Price Shop

Often it may be so convenient to buy your gas at the small gas station just up the road, but to save some money on gas you may want to check the prices at other gas stations that are nearby as well. Even if the difference is only a few cents, after putting hundreds of gallons of gas in you vehicle each year, those few cents are going to add up to quite a sum of money.

Tip#4 - Get Moving

You can save some money on gas if you start walking to where you are going, or you can ride a bike as well. You will not have to worry about paying to park your car, and the exercise will be great for you body. If you are walking or biking you will not have to worry about those huge traffic jams either.

Tip#5 - Take Care of Your Car

It is always important to take care of your car so it gets the best gas mileage possible. Also be sure to plan where you are going before you go so you will not have to backtrack and waste gas. If you can, you should use your air conditioning as little as possible because using it takes more gas. Roll down your windows and you will use less gas.

Tip#6 - Check your Tires

It is important that you check the air pressure in your tires as often as possible. If your tires are too low, or the pressure in them is unequal it can make your car burn more gas. You should also be careful how you drive. If you take off from every red light very fast you are going to burn more fuel, so it is best to take off a little slower. These are a few tips that can help the money conscious person to save money on gas. Even as gas prices drop, these tips can still help you to save more money. Conservation is important, so take advantage of these tips, save money, and save gas.

Crossbed Truck Tool Box

2007-04-20T05:12:00.000-07:00

The crossbed truck tool box is the most popular style of truck bed tool boxes. I see more of these boxes on the road then any other. Crossbed boxes have more storage space then most other pickup truck tool boxes. They also come in a variety of styles and designs to fit nearly anyones needs.

The most common truck bed box is the single lid box. This crossbed design has one single lid with two latches to open the lid from either side of your truck. These boxes can range in price from under $200 to around $600.

The two lid crossbed truck tool box is another common style. These boxes open from either side of your truck. They are priced about the same as the single lid. Remember there are many manufacturers of all these crossbed boxes, so take your time and look around.

There's many manufacturers of these boxes. Some of the most popular companys are Dee Zee, Delta, and Deflecta-Sheld. Crossbed boxes are available in aluminum, steel, and plastic. They can also be bought as a low profile box, which is not as tall as a standard crossbed box. The low profile box allows better visibility through the rear window, and a less obvious look to your truck bed.

If you'd like your crossbed box to be easily removable, there's some new products that can make that happen. There are some new manufacturers that make truck boxes on a rail system so you can slide your crossbed box from the front to the rear of your bed. There are also installation systems that allow you to easily fasten your box to the truck bed, so you won't need a single tool to remove it.

Whatever style you choose, make sure to look for the best deal. Don't forget the shipping costs either. Some online retailers have free shipping for any of their truck boxes. Freight charges will apply to any truck box purchase without free shipping, so look for free shipping before you buy.

Diesel Engine Beginners

2007-04-16T08:49:00.000-07:00

Diesel engine principles are pretty straight forward for the experienced mechanic but what about regular everyday people who have never taken the time to find out more about a diesel engine and how it works?

I am going to explain in layman terms the basic principles of a diesel engine.

What is the difference between a gasoline engine and a diesel engine?

The first thing you should know is a gasoline engine and a diesel engine are totally different. A gasoline engine is constructed much lighter than the heavier built diesel engine. The gasoline engine runs on a air and fuel mixture combined with a high energy spark that is timed to ignite inside each engine cylinder at the precise time creating power and torque turning force which drives your vehicle.

A diesel engine uses high compression intake air that is compressed into a very small space inside each cylinder causing extreme heat. This is called heat of compression which ignites a very fine high pressure mist of diesel fuel that is injected into each cylinder at the exact time.

So you now know that a gasoline engine needs a high energy spark to run while a diesel uses heat of compression. The four stroke principle in all engines run on four strokes or four cycles, both these terms mean the same.

Here is how the four stroke diesel engine operates. The four strokes are intake, compression, power and exhaust.

The pistons, valves and injectors work together in each cylinder in a set sequence over and over.

Intake stroke. Intake valves in the cylinder head open allowing pressurized air to enter each cylinder while the piston is traveling downward. The pressurized air supply is made possible by the turbocharger which pushes air into the intake system giving the diesel engine a boost of air to keep up with instantaneous injection of fuel.

Compression stroke. When the piston starts to move upward the valves close which traps the intake air in the cylinder and allows compression to take place. The heat of compression is reached when the piston reaches the top of the cylinder, the diesel fuel is then injected into the cylinder at the precise time.

Power stroke. After injection takes place an explosion occurs in the cylinder because of the combination of heat and atomized diesel fuel. This causes the piston to be forced downward which produces torque and the horsepower required from a typical diesel engine.

Exhaust stroke. After the power stroke the piston moves upward once again while the exhaust valves open allowing the previously ignited gases to escape to the atmosphere out the exhaust system.

As mentioned before each cylinder goes through this exact sequence over and over in a set firing order. For instance, a 6 cylinder diesel engine has a firing order 1 5 3 6 2 4 This is the order that each cylinder goes by, following the 4 strokes mentioned above.

This sequence has been engineered to allow the diesel engine to run smoothly with no imbalance.

Here is some diesel engine trivia on high performance diesel engines. Fuel passes through the injector at speeds of nearly 1500 miles per hour, as fast as a jet plane at top speed. Fuel is injected into the combustion chamber in less than 1.5 milliseconds, the same time it takes for a camera flash to go off.

The minimum amount of fuel injected into a diesel engine is one cubic millimeter, about the same volume as the head of a pin. Volkswagen has developed a one liter diesel powered car that got 100 kilometers out of .89 liter of fuel, 60 miles on less than one quart of fuel.

There is much to learn about diesel engines and a ton of information online. If you have ever considered buying a vehicle with a diesel engine you have my blessing.

The extra cost will be to your benefit, so I recommend finding out more about diesel engines before you decide which one to choose.

Get Your Car Ready for Summer!

2007-03-23T12:04:00.000-07:00

by Jason Miller

The temperature outside is beginning to rise and its time to think about summarizing your car. You would probably think that summarizing and winterizing your car are different. In fact, they are very similar. To summerize your car correctly basically involves some simple automotive tools and four fairly simple steps that you can complete before it gets too hot outside.

Engine Check

Cold weather causes starting problems, so most auto makers recommend a winter check to make sure the engine starts at its peak performance. But your engine needs to run at its peak performance during the heat of the summer as well. Higher temperatures demand more from our engine especially if you are running the air conditioner at full blast. A common tune up is all you need for your engine.

Hose and belt check

Hoses and belts should be checked to prevent breakdowns at high temperatures. A broken coolant hoses means all of your engine coolant will leak out and the car will overheat stranding you on the side of the road. Also, do a visual check of the belts on your engine. These black belts spinning around in your engine run critical components and losing one can stop your car dead in its tracks. A $10 belt can totally stop a $25,000 car in its tracks. For example, one of these belts runs your water pump and if it goes, the water pump stops working and the car will over heat. When you inspect the belts, look for cracks and places where the belt is coming apart. If it looks worn, have it replaced.

Antifreeze Check

Don't be fooled by its name, antifreeze is every bit as important in summer as in winter. Antifreeze raises the boiling point of the water in the cooling system and helps prevent overheating. Check the level of the antifreeze in your radiator and top it off. Be sure the engine has cooled before you attempt to take off the radiator cap. Scalding water can really hurt you. You might also consider having your radiator system flushed and refilled. Rust and dirt can collect and damage the water pump.

Transmission Check

High temperatures can affect your transmission too. Most people totally forget about the all important transmission when they summerize the car. Driving long distances or towing a boat in high temperatures can cause the transmission to get so hot that is slips or experiences erratic shifting. Extreme overheating can also cause the transmission to blow fluid of a vent and strand you. So checking the transmission fluid level is highly recommended.

About the Author

Jason is the webmaster for Red Hill Supply - automotive tools

Changing Your Car's Oil

2007-03-16T08:36:00.000-07:00

by James C

Oil is everything to your engine. If you do not regularly change your vehicles oil you will be drastically shortening the life of your engine. Before you decide to change your oil you might want to consider having it done by a service. For not much more than you will pay for a new oil filter and 5 or 6 quarts of oil you can have the oil changed professionally. If you still want to do it yourself, read on.

The first thing you need to do is gather the necessary tools and supplies. You will need the following supplies: a new oil filter, 5 or 6 quarts of the recommended oil (check your manual), an oil filter wrench, a socket set, rags and an oil pan to catch the used oil. Now that you have gathered the supplies we can begin. The first step in the process is to warm the engine up. Take the car on a short drive around the block to get the engine warm, but not hot. Warm oil will drain better but hot oil can be dangerous. Now position the drain pan underneath the oil pans drain plug. Using a socket wrench loosen and remove the oil pan plug to allow the oil to drain freely. Be careful of hot oil and try not to drop the plug into the pan. After the oil has drained you will then remove the oil filter from the vehicle using an oil filter wrench. Set the old filter to the side and clean off the filters mounting surface with a clean rag. Next get the new filter and apply a thin coating of oil to the gasket. Attach it to the vehicle and tighten according to the directions on the package (usually hand tight). Finally reinstall the oil pan plug and fill the engine with the amount of oil specified by your manufacturer. That's it, you are done. Now just clean up your mess and properly dispose of your used oil and filter.

If this sounds like more work than it is worth it might be. You should once again consider having your oil changed by a professional oil service. Good luck with whatever you decide.

About the Author

Learn about Sacramento auto repair at the authors website on auto mechanics and auto repair.

How To Install A Tonneau Cover

2007-03-09T08:08:00.000-08:00

By: Michael Colucci

A tonneau cover is an important tool for people who drive their trucks on a daily basis. It will protect your cargo, and will also help you conserve fuel. A locking tailgate is a device which helps keep the cover closed. In this article I will show you the first steps for installing a cover. In this example we will be using a Ford F-350, but the same basic rule applies to most trucks. Your cover is likely to come with a manual, and you will want to refer to it also.

The first thing you want to do is remove the cover and the accessories from the package. You want to make sure you follow the instructions of the manufacturer when doing this. You may also want to use a soft cloth in order to keep the rolled top from moving back and forth while inside the container. Connect the lock arm onto the bottom of tonneau handle. Once you have installed it the lock should be able to reach over the edge in order to lock the top. You can test the lock by using a key to make sure it works.

Now you want to take the cannister and place it on the rail of the truck. Place it in the area where you want it to be, but make sure you don't connect it right now. Take off the side channels and other things from the packaging to insure it is the correct length and will fit on the side rails. When you unroll the cover, it will move back inside channels that are attached to the side rails of the truck. This stops the cover from becoming loose due to wind. Take a measurement of your truck bed to make sure the channels will fit.

If the channels are too long, you may need to cut off the parts you don't need. Once you've attached them you want to make sure the tailgate has enough space to close. You will need to mark the spots on the rails where you will be placing the screws. You can add a clamp to the track while you are taking your measurements to make sure they are accurate. A grease pencil can be used to mark the locations. After this you will want to take off the clamps and get ready to drill the holes. Make sure you drill them in the correct location.

After this you will want to attach the track onto the truck bed rail. You will need to use screws for this. These are the basic steps for installing a tonneau cover, and should give you a good idea of what you will need to do.

Article Source: http://www.articleinterchange.com

Michael Colucci is a technical writer for Tonneau Covers - A free site on showing the tips and advantages of tonneau covers.

Proper Tire Care for Safe Driving

2007-03-02T12:20:00.000-08:00

by: Marilyn Pokorney

Tires are one of the most important parts of your car for safe travel. Here are some tips on how to keep them in good condition so they last a long time.

Check your tires once a month for wear. One of the easiest ways to do this is to place a penny into the most shallow tread groove with Lincoln's head down. If the whole head remains visible the tread is worn down to 1/16th of an inch and needs to be replaced.

Never have tires repaired if they have a puncture larger than 1/4 inch or have sidewall punctures.

Keep tires properly inflated. Use a tire gauge to measure inflation. A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and not appear to be flat!

Check air pressure on cold tires. Wait at least three hours after stopping vehicle even after just a one mile drive.

Purchase a good pressure gauge and have it checked for accuracy at your favorite dealer.

Keep your car in alignment. Just sudden stopping against a curb or driving through a pothole can throw the front end out of alignment and damage tires.

Have the tires rotated regularly. Check the owners manual of your vehicle. If no time limit is listed then have it done every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.

Avoid fast starts, stops and turns.

Avoid speeding as that heats the tires excessively and wears down the tires faster.

Avoid driving on the edge of the pavement or other sharp edges and obstructions.

Avoid overloading the vehicle. Check the owner's manual for the maximum weight load for your car.

When buying new tires know what size and what kind of tires your car requires. Know the difference between all-season tires, winter tires, radial tires, etc. Tell the dealer what type of driving you will be doing such as winter driving, mountain driving, desert driving, etc. It will be much easier to help the dealership to get you the proper tires if they know what you need.

It is best to replace all four tires at the same time. But if you need to purchase only one or two tires have them installed on the rear axle.

When washing your car clean the tires with soap and water and a soft bristle brush or a shop cloth.

When properly cared for tires can last up to 40,000, and even up to 80,000 miles depending on driving habits and road conditions.

For more information on tire care visit: http://www.apluswriting.net/autocare/tirecare.htm

About The Author

Marilyn Pokorney

Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.

Website: http://www.apluswriting.net

Email: Current address on website

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Copyright: 2006 Marilyn Pokorney

This article was posted on December 04, 2006

Truck Accessories

2007-02-16T09:54:00.000-08:00

By: Jenna Simpson -

If you own a pickup truck you might have the desire to change it up a little. Doesn’t matter what kind of change or look you are going for you can get the right parts that will transform the look of your car.

You can get accessories at the dealer you bought your car from, but buying the accessories online will give you a wider rang of selections. Not only will shopping online give you a wider selection but you can save quite a bit of money. You will more likely encounter deals and bargains on the internet.

Let’s talk about exterior accessories first. There are many different exterior accessories available to change the outside of your truck. Some of the accessories are air dams, bug shields, bumpers, bras and masks, fender flares, graphics and emblems, grille guards, hoods and scoops, mirrors, roll pans, truck steps, rack and cargo accessories, wings and spoilers and the list goes on. However you should select items that will complement your truck, make sure it doesn’t look all cluttered.

Changing the interior of your car is more the comfort then anything else. Some example of accessories you can get are seat covers, door accessories, floor mats, horns, cargo trays and liner, 12 volt accessories, instrumental panel covers, pet accessories and much more.

Another way to change you interior is by adding electronic features. Such as GPS and navigation systems, CD or satellite radio, radar and laser detector, security systems and antennas, remote starters and many other things.

It is hard t list all the different types of accessories that you can add to your truck in one article. You will be able to see and find out more accessories available on the internet. You might just find what you are looking for. Whatever you have in mind you will be able to get the truck you’ve always wanted.

Article Source: http://www.articleinterchange.com

Jenna Simpson is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for www.go-cart-plans-n-kits.com/ . Her articles have also been featured on related sites such as www.myautopartresources.info/ and www.myautopartstips.info/

Your Essential Guide To Auto Transport & Vehicle Moving

2007-02-09T12:39:00.000-08:00

By: John Thompson -

Have you ever bought a car in one state and needed shipped just on the other side of the country? Or maybe, have your car sent to your ex-wife, who happens to live in Canada? Or, why not, bought your car on-line, from San Francisco and need it in New York? I’m sure that, if this hasn’t happened yet, it will probably happen sooner or later. So here are a few tips in transporting your car within USA, or between USA and Canada, no matter the distance.

Scheduling

Bearing in mind that the whole process can take quite a while, especially on long distances, schedule your auto shipping at least 4 weeks before you move, giving enough time to arrange for a car mover carrier to pick up your vehicle. Basically, the more advance time the better. If you are not available, you should arrange an alternative authorized party such as neighbor, friend or relative you can trust to transfer the car to the car mover. Most automobile shippers offer door-to-door service.

The cost

When working with a Car Mover, confirm what the total cost of the shipping will be. As you obtain quotes from several car transport and auto shipping companies (some links included lower), be prepared to provide:

•Origination/destination;

•Approximate departure date;

•Type of vehicle(s);

•Type of car transport service desired (e.g. door-to-door car transport vs. terminal-to-terminal);

•Special car mover or auto shipping requests (e.g. deliver at a location other than your home vs. at your home).

Payment method

While some car transport and auto drive-away companies may not require payment in advance, others require a deposit (10-25% of the total cost), or full payment in advance. If a deposit is given, amount due is always required at time of delivery – oftentimes with a cashiers check or cash. Sometimes a surcharge of 2-3% is required when using a credit card with a car transport or auto drive-away company.

Licenses

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration must license auto shippers, transporters with a valid MC# or US DOT#.

Insurance

The car Transport Company or auto drive-away should insure your vehicle against damage and theft. ASK FOR A COPY OF INSURANCE COVERAGE. Ask if the carrier's insurance is PRIMARY or SECONDARY to your own insurance in the event of damage during car transport. Also, ask if there is damage deductible – VERIFY ALL IN WRITING. In addition, your own car insurance may cover your vehicle in transit – check with your car insurance company to verify.

Inspect your car before shipping

It is advisable that in addition to receiving a condition report document from your car mover detailing any pre-existing damage to your car, that you take photographs of the car, date the photos, and attach them to the condition report provided by the car mover for your records. You must have a detailed description of the condition of your car prior to shipping. The condition report or other document used by the car mover should include current mileage, pre-existing damage of any type including as glass, scratches, paint, dents, and so on. This report is important in case any disputes arise.

Accepting your vehicle for delivery

At the time of delivery, inspect your vehicle SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY and compare the condition and mileage against the "Original Inspection Report" provided by your car transport company at origination (ALSO INSPECT THE ROOF AND UNDER FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS). If there are inconsistencies, note them as exceptions and be sure the driver signs it. NEVER ACCEPT YOUR VEHICLE AT NIGHT IF YOU CANNOT VERIFY ITS CONDITION – without being viewed and signed by the driver, you have little recourse if damage had occurred during transit.

Unresolved Disputes

Always try to work out your dispute with the car mover or auto shipping company first. They often work on a referral basis and are motivated to working out problems. However, if you feel you have reached a dead end or that you have not been treated reasonably, you have the option of filing complaints with multiple agencies (BBB, State and or Federal Department Of Transportation, Interstate Commerce Commission) as well as seeking legal counsel.

As I hope everything will turn out all right with your delivery, I’m giving a few links to some major auto-transportation companies. There you should find responses that are more comprehensive to your questions and to the money and work involved in shipping your car from one place to another.

www.carmoves.com -A AAAdvantage Auto Transporters (800) 233-4875

www.dasautoshippers.com -Dependable Auto Shippers (800) 763-4165

www.afldir.com -A Florida Direct Auto Transport (888) 432-4708

www.btransport.com -B&T Auto Transport (866) 849-3700

Article Source: http://www.articleinterchange.com

John Thompson is editor of www.autotransportguide.net a website detailing tips and resources on auto transport & vehicle moving.

A Dealer May Be Best For Serious Problems

2007-02-02T06:05:00.000-08:00

By: Kadence Buchanan -

It is well known that service departments at auto dealers almost always charge more than small garages for most repairs. That's because in order to run a service department at a dealership, the dealer must pay a fee to the auto maker. Naturally, they pass that cost along to consumers. For basic maintenance and small repairs, going to a local garage will probably save you money. However, for more complex repairs, a dealer's service department may be your best option. Here's why.

The mechanics who work in dealership service departments are highly trained in working with specific makes of cars and some may even specialize by specific model. They are typically extensively trained by the manufacturer and frequently attend refresher training courses. If your car is experiencing a problem that's common to your make of car but not common in others, a service department mechanic trained in working with your specific make and model will have an easier time catching it than a local garage, whose limited training resources must be spent on keeping up to date with many different makes and models.

Also, almost without exception, service departments offer some form of warranty on their work. Obviously, if the car is still covered by the master warranty any repeat repairs will be covered. But most auto dealer service departments warrant their work on cars that are out of warranty. The warranties are usually specific to the repair and may cover parts, labor and rental car expenses. Small garages may also offer warranties, but the advantage of a service department warranty is that it is usually good at any dealer of that make of car.

If the problem you're experiencing is the subject of a manufacturer's recall, a service department mechanic will be more likely to know about it. Service departments at car dealers typically run a check each time you bring your vehicle in for service to determine whether a recall has been issued for that make and model. Also, many car manufacturers require that recall repairs be done by a service department.

Finally, if your car needs to be in the shop for an extended period of time a service department that's located on the same site as an auto dealer can offer you more convenient access to a rental car. Many service departments have their own fleet of rentals. Or, if your car only needs to be in the shop for a day or less, many service departments have a courtesy shuttle.

Article Source: http://www.articleinterchange.com

Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Automotive, Outdoors, and Recreation

6 Tips For Saving Gas

2007-01-26T07:25:00.000-08:00

by: Jackson Porter

In the past months we have seen the price of gasoline soar higher than ever before, and this can be hard on people who have a budget that is tight. Even though gas prices have come down a slight bit, you still will want to do everything you possibly can to save on the money you have to pay out for gas. There are a variety of ways that you can save gas, and save money.

Tip#1 - Start Carpooling

Carpooling is a great idea for fellow students and fellow employees both. If you can find people that are going to the same place you are you can save gas by riding together. It may be a good idea to trade off on who is driving from week to week so no one person gets stuck having to drive all the time. If you have to take your children to school or other functions you can also work on trading off with your friends and neighbors to take them there.

Tip#2 - Public Transportation

If it is possible you can take public transportation to work instead of driving your car. Not only will this save you money on gas, but you will also be able to relax and not worry about having to drive through all that rush hour traffic. You may even be able to fit in a quick nap on your way to work or on your way home.

Tip#3 - Price Shop

Often it may be so convenient to buy your gas at the small gas station just up the road, but to save some money on gas you may want to check the prices at other gas stations that are nearby as well. Even if the difference is only a few cents, after putting hundreds of gallons of gas in you vehicle each year, those few cents are going to add up to quite a sum of money.

Tip#4 - Get Moving

You can save some money on gas if you start walking to where you are going, or you can ride a bike as well. You will not have to worry about paying to park your car, and the exercise will be great for you body. If you are walking or biking you will not have to worry about those huge traffic jams either.

Tip#5 - Take Care of Your Car

It is always important to take care of your car so it gets the best gas mileage possible. Also be sure to plan where you are going before you go so you will not have to backtrack and waste gas. If you can, you should use your air conditioning as little as possible because using it takes more gas. Roll down your windows and you will use less gas.

Tip#6 - Check your Tires

It is important that you check the air pressure in your tires as often as possible. If your tires are too low, or the pressure in them is unequal it can make your car burn more gas. You should also be careful how you drive. If you take off from every red light very fast you are going to burn more fuel, so it is best to take off a little slower.

These are a few tips that can help the money conscious person to save money on gas. Even as gas prices drop, these tips can still help you to save more money. Conservation is important, so take advantage of these tips, save money, and save gas.

About The Author

Jackson Porter is a staff writer at http://www.automobileenthusiast.com and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including http://www.environmental-central.com.

This article was posted on December 12, 2006

Crossbed Truck Tool Boxes

2007-01-19T06:09:00.000-08:00

by: Travis Richmond

About The Author

Travis Richmond created his websit http://www.truck-tool-box-directoy.com over a year ago. He's a mechanic, truck enthusiast, and avid off roader.

This article was posted on December 12, 2006

6 Suggestions to Save at the Pump

2007-01-12T09:59:00.000-08:00

How to purchase a car on ebay

2007-01-05T08:18:00.000-08:00

The Ebay Car or Ebay Motors market venu is a great place to find a vehical for sale. I have personally have purchased 4 cars for the ebay car market place including a BMW M5 and a Lexus is300 most recently.

There are great deals to be found on ebay but this is kind of a buy at your own risk arena. As you look through the classified ads on ebay you will see that the car's are from the entire United States. That being said you will most likely find a car you are interested in that is not located near you. Now this is where it can get tricky and you should proceed with caution from this point on.

First thing I like to do is look at the feedback rating of the person selling the car. I won't go another step further unless their feedback is at least 99% positive. This is your first line of defence from getting ripped off. Next take a look at the items the seller has sold in the past. See if he has sold cars on ebay in the past. Make sure that his 99% positive rating is not inflated by purchasing or selling .01 cent items on ebay. You will find that many users sell or buy .01 cent items inorder to raise their feedback score and possibly scam you.

Now you need to take a look at the actual car that is being sold on ebay. Yeah sure it's nice to see the pictures but do you really feel comfortable buying a car without seeing it in person? You would be suprised what Photoshop can do. Anyway there are ways to get around this. If you are not able to go and physicaly see the car in person you can have a 3rd party check the car out for you. If you do a Google search you will find that there are a few companies that will do a non bias inspection of the car for a fee. In my opponion the 100.00 - 200.00 dollars they might charge you is well worth the money and it sure beats buying a lemon.

Once you have decided out that the car checks out and everything is legit it's time to bid but, wait! Don't go jumping the gun and get bid crazy while there is still a lot of time left in the auction. What I like to do is see exactly what day and down the minute what time the auction is ending. This way you can plan to be home and sneak in your bid literaly seconds before the auction closes. Doing this will help prevent a bidding ware over the car on ebay and most likely keep the price down for you!

Trailer Hitches 101 - A Guide To Towing

2006-12-29T06:17:00.000-08:00

Attaching a trailer hitch to your car, van or SUV enables you to tow all kinds of loads. However, it’s not as simple as just fitting any old tow bar to your vehicle. Which type of trailer hitch you should use depends on the towing capacity of your vehicle and it would be unsafe to attempt to haul a heavier load. It is important to refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for information before fitting a towing hitch.
Then you must make sure you use the correct class of trailer hitch for the weight you intend to pull. Class 1 hitches can haul up to 2,000lbs, where as at the other end of the scale, Class 5 hitches can have a weight capacity of over 10,000lbs.

As a general guide, ball hitches are one of the most common types of trailer hitch and can easily be fitted to cars, SUVs and trucks. They have a ball that attaches to the socket of the trailer and are able to haul a variety of loads.

Heavy duty trailer hitches are required for heavier loads, such as hauling horse boxes, agricultural or industrial equipment. Gooseneck hitches use a ball mount, but are mounted on a central position on the underside of a truckbed, for increased stability and more even weight distribution. They are not suitable for use on cars.

Fifth wheel hitches are also fastened to the truckbed. This type of trailer hitch is mounted on a steel plate and becomes a permanent feature of the truckbed. Some fifth wheel trailer hitches require sliders for safer and smoother maneuvers. They have varying weight capacities, depending on the vehicle.

If you buy a trailer hitch, providing it is compatible with your vehicle and with a suitable towing capacity, it should be easy to install in around 30 minutes and be of lots of use for many years to come.

Great Value Buying Used Car Parts

2006-12-22T05:29:00.000-08:00

Proper maintenance of a vehicle either new or old is the same. The engine has to be checked from time to time, the oil has to be changed and spark plugs need to be replaced. Any product wears down in time and the best thing to do if you are on a budget is to buy cheap, good quality used car parts.

Acquiring used car parts is the same as looking around for a second hand car. You can either look for it in the classified ads, go around the neighborhood checking out the various shops that do sell these parts or you can surf the net saving some time and effort and search for the parts that are needed.

There was time that such parts could only be found in dealerships and in the shops of local mechanics. This made it a challenge for those who needed it badly especially since there was no guarantee that the part if found, would fit the requirements and the seller would usually jack up the price giving the buyer no choice but to pay what was demanded.

Searching for cheap used car parts does not have to be that difficult anymore as long as you remember a few things before looking for it;

• By knowing exactly what is needed depending on the make and model of the car you have, it will make it easier for the person to go around looking for the exact car part

• After having the specific part in mind, you can then check how much you are willing to spend to acquire that item.

• Some parts that are needed don’t have to be the original. There are some parts that can be bought at surplus or a compatible part from another car make and model enabling can be used making a person save money for other things.

• After getting the proper information, you can start by checking out either the local shops or dealers. If these people don’t have it, perhaps another dealer can be recommended to assist in the procurement. Another place you can go to are the local junkyards since a lot of parts there can be reused. Asking the local auto club for help and browsing through the Internet are also other options a person has to help in the search for other hard to find parts which can be ordered and delivered in a few days time.

The Importance of Wheels

2006-12-15T08:43:00.000-08:00

We’ve all noted at some point or another that a particular thing is the best invention since that of the wheel. Or perhaps we’ve laughed as someone has tried to make a simple process unnecessarily difficult for themselves by ‘reinventing the wheel’. Though man had made and implemented a wide variety of tools before the invention of this one, the wheel has assumed an iconic place in the way we look at the world. And unlike many historic inventions which, though important at the time of their genesis, have since fallen by the wayside, the wheel continues to remain an important part of our lives today, forming an essential linchpin upon which one of the most important tools of modern life is built.

These days, it is easy to take for granted the great mobility we enjoy, choosing as we do from a multitude of ways to travel. One of the most frequently used methods of transport remains the car, from its humble beginnings as a self propelled vehicle in the eighteenth century to the vast array of shapes and makes we find today. Like several other modes of transit, the principle of the car is based upon that of the wheel, which, combined with an axle, allows for the forward motion that is such an intrinsic part of the human condition.

As has occurred with other elements of the car, a combination of technology and a preference for the finer things in life has resulted in a choice of wheels and tyres that is quite astounding. Different types of tyres have created greater diversity in the terrains upon which cars may be used, and made use of increased technological knowledge to ensure the safety of a car’s passengers. Meanwhile, such accessories as hubcaps have been added to this important car part to personalize them to both car manufacturer and the driver.

While historians cannot agree entirely upon the exact point at which this important tool was invented, there is little doubt that this remains unimportant to today’s modern motorist. We rarely give our wheels a second thought, but without them, our cars would be entirely useless, and we would be left sitting on the road, in a pointless metal cage.

Buying Cheap Trucks From Police Truck Auctions

2006-12-08T07:36:00.000-08:00

Police truck auctions are held regularly in every police department trying to get rid of their surplus vehicles. These auctions are one of the best markets for quality police vehicles that may have already lived up to its use for our men patrolling the streets.

These types of auctions offer you one of the best deals around. That is because the police and other federal and state agencies take pride in having well-maintained vehicles. It would be more likely that you will have for yourself bid on many well maintained used police trucks at prices that you may not be able to get at any other second hand dealerships.

Police truck auctions are usually held several times over the course of the year because there is always surplus inventory lying around. Aside from aging (2 years and above) police vehicles to impounded and seized cars, there are always plenty of units to get rid of to make way new inventory and to free up some valuable storage space. In such auctions, you might even be able to find slightly used or even some fairly new vehicles to bid on, if you are lucky.

Police truck auctions offer the chance to check out good quality vehicles that you may be able to get at prices way below retail. But all the great deals will depend on how good you can bid for it. It is a gross misconception that every item at an auction can be yours at very cheap prices.

On the contrary, some items may even go over their fair market value. Credit this to some overeager but inexperienced bidders. There are some instances that bidding wars at these police truck auctions can get out of hand that the vehicles can end up priced outrageously. So it is a good idea to come well prepared.

Just like any other auction, the action starts when the bidding begins. But if you are after great deals in these auctions, the action for you starts way before the actual auction day. Prepare yourself by getting to know what is required to be a part of the bidding public. Registration is usually required for such auctions with each bidder given his own number to put some order into the whole process. This is usually free in most government held public auctions.

Inspection Day is sometimes also scheduled prior to the actual auction date to give the bidders a chance to see the auctioned vehicles more closely. On a typical Inspection Day, the bidders can check each vehicle inside and out. Bidders are also allowed to start and give the engine a run through, but that is as far as they can go over each vehicle. Moving the vehicles in any way is prohibited.

In all government auctions, catalogs are also handed out beforehand to the bidders, which become their guide on the order of the vehicles put on the auction block. These catalog also contain some important information concerning each vehicle including model, color, year of manufacture, vehicle history and other special features.

It is important for every bidder to get hold of such a catalog. It will serve as one of their basis in trying to come up with a good bidding strategy. It takes a lot of work and preparation if you are serious enough to get a good deal in such public auctions. All your hard work will be rewarded by each successful bid that you make.

Truck & SUV Spotlight: Nissan 2005 Xterra

2006-11-29T11:33:00.000-08:00

Truck & SUV Spotlight: Nissan 2005 Xterra

by Jonathan P. Lamas

In 1999, the SUV market was changed forever when Nissan introduced its “fun and affordable” Xterra sport-utility vehicle. The vehicle was designed to be practical, while offering all the amenities an off-road adventurer might seek, whether it be camping, hiking, cycling, or good ole’ fashioned off-roading.

A lot has changed in the past six years. The most noticeable change for the Xterra is horsepower, something that was considered lacking in earlier models. The new 2005 Xterra has a 4.0L V6 engine under its hood, capable of producing up to 265 horsepower and 284-lbs./ft. of torque--quite an improvement over the 2.4L 4-cylinder engine, which was placed in the first generation Xterra.

“Our company’s product revival began with our 1999 launch of this innovative SUV,” said Dan Gaudette, senior vice president of North American Manufacturing and Quality Assurance for Nissan North America, Inc. “With this second generation, we’ve added more power, room, and utility, something our consumers have said they wanted. Xterra customers--be they on-road or off-road enthusiasts--will not be disappointed in the evolution of this product.”

OE Accessorized

Another change in this year’s Nissan Xterra is the number of options available from the factory. As we’ve seen with other vehicles, the OE manufacturers have stepped up their level of accessory offerings on new vehicles. For instance, the new Xterra features Utili-Track tie down hooks in the cargo area of the vehicle, a tubular roof rack for storage, Rockford-Fosgate premium audio system, Bilstein shocks, and rear bumper steps. Nissan has obviously been listening to what the consumers want. The newly redesigned model is a solid testament to this.

Performance

The 2005 Xterra is quick off-the-line and handles well in both city and highway traffic. At times it accelerates a bit too quickly, causing the vehicle to appear somewhat jumpy, although the power is a much-needed improvement for this vehicle. Suspension is smooth, similar to that of a luxury vehicle. Interior cabin noise is minimal, and the vehicle has plenty of get-up-and-go when needed. Performance features include:

4.0L V-6 Engine

Five Speed Automatic Transmission/Manual Transmission

Fully Boxed Steel Frame

Four-Wheel Disc Brakes with ABS

Bilstein Shocks

Electronic Locking Rear Differential

Interior

The interior of the Xterra is simple yet practical. Some possible upgrades include leather seats, a dash kit, improved storage options, and an aftermarket armrest for long trips. The standard seats on the SE model were a bit uncomfortable, although the bass from the sound system could be felt throughout the vehicle, especially in the driver and passenger seats. Interior features include:

65-cubic-foot cargo area

Easy Clean Cargo Surface

Utili-Track tie-downs

Fold-Down Rear Seats

First Aid Kit

Rockford-Fosgate Premium Sound system

Final Take

The 2005 Nissan Xterra has taken all the good qualities of previous models and packed them into one with the addition of more power and versatility.

The Xterra is sure to be a popular selling model in the coming year. Therefore, be prepared to see a few of these at your store in the near future.

For complete staff reviews of the 2005 Xterra, please read the April/May 2005 issue of Truck & SUV Performance.

The Diesel Revolution

2006-11-24T06:11:00.000-08:00

Diesel performance parts are nothing new to the industry, but one thing has definitely changed in the past few years: The popularity of these aftermarket parts has continued to increase. This could be a result of the number of diesel-powered vehicles on our roadways. For instance, according to a recent Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) report, which studied the diesel market from 1999 through 2003, only 9,634 Chevrolet diesel-light trucks were registered in 1999. In 2003, however, approximately 57,585 Chevrolet light-diesel trucks were registered.

According to SEMA’s report, 64 percent of SEMA members currently sell, manufacture, or distribute diesel-related products. While 36 percent of SEMA companies do not currently sell, manufacture, or distribute these products, 59 percent said they are somewhat likely to enter the diesel market within the next five years.

Overall, SEMA members agreed with J.D. Power projections of 15-percent market share by diesel in 2014, compared to 3.9-percent in 2004. The report said specifically that, “The U.S. light-truck diesel segment represents a growing market, demand for engine parts alone is expected to reach $375 million in 2007. Already many companies have been involved in the performance diesel segment of this market, some of which have made valuable contributions to diesel technology.

So, what does all this mean to you? Well, it means that there is money to be earned in this market segment. It also means that a growing number of your customers will most likely be asking for diesel-related products in the coming years. Bottom line, it’s be a good idea to educate yourself about diesel accessory retailing if you have not previously examined this market. And if you have, maybe it’s time for a refresher course that shows what’s coming down the pipe in the near future. What follows is a three-tier retailing report for making the most of your diesel-performance retailing endeavors. We hope it will help you along the way as you sell to your customers this year.

For the complete Diesel Retailing Report, read the April/May 2005 issue of Truck & SUV Performance.

Intermodal freight increasing

2006-11-21T09:39:00.000-08:00

Find this article at:
http://www.fleetowner.com/news/

Intermodal freight increasing

Nov 20, 2006 12:36 PM

The fall of 2006 has been the busiest intermodal season in history for U.S. railroads, according to a study by the Assn. of American Railroads (AAR). This was bolstered in part by holiday season freight from national retailers.

During October, an intermodal container or trailer was loaded onto a train every 2.4 seconds, making it the busiest month in history for rail intermodal, said Edward Hamberger, AAR’s president & CEO.

Intermodal is the movement of goods in large containers seamlessly from cargo ships to freight trains to trucks. Anthony Hatch, a Wall Street transportation analyst, noted that intermodal is the fastest-growing segment of the freight rail business and should continue to grow rapidly because of its ability to link American businesses with Asian and European businesses.

“It is the single most important ingredient in the global economy,” said Hatch. “Right now, America’s trade is growing at about twice the rate of the GDP. And that’s largely due to the fact that freight railroads are moving more freight than ever before, at rates that are, on average, less than they were 25 years ago.”

Don’t Let ‘Em Get Away With It

2006-11-13T09:37:00.000-08:00

Don’t Let ‘Em Get Away With It
by Teresa Basich

Today’s thief isn’t just reaching for the old “five-finger discount”—i.e., swiping a product off your shelf, hiding it under his coat and walking out the door. Nowadays, some of the most common types of theft occur online. Lately, a thief can just as easily try to pass off a fake credit card, or easily go online and attempt to defraud you on the Internet.

1. Fake Gift Certificates/Gift Cards
Many retailers offer gift certificates and other services to expand business and give their customers an easy way to give gifts. Experienced thieves can easily duplicate paper gift certificates using a high-quality printer and ink. Because there is usually no way to verify to whom the gift certificates are supposed to go, retailers struggle to catch and deter this kind of fraud. But retailers can choose from a wide array of card stock when designing the store’s gift certificate, and can look for differences in paper weight and color. The type of ink used, phrasing, and ink clarity are also visual clues that employees can easily spot. In recent years, companies have developed technology to mark and secure documents such as gift certificates and event tickets, transcripts and warranties. These securing devices can be rather expensive, but are good investments for stores that have encountered relatively high rates of gift certificate fraud.

2. Credit Card Fraud and Identity Theft
Credit card fraud is one of the most prevalent forms of fraud today, happening at a rate 10 times greater than in-store theft or other types of fraud in the physical world. While the popular perception is that credit card fraud and identity theft affect consumers more than retailers, the truth is that retailers are affected almost as much because they must pay for each fraudulent transaction they incur. Retailers must pay what is called a chargeback when a fraudulent transaction occurs. A chargeback is a fee that the credit card issuer usually must pay a cardholder, but, in some cases, is handed over to the retailer to handle. Credit card fraud can be committed in several different ways. Thieves can retrieve carbon copies or receipts from trash and use account numbers to make purchases via the Internet, or they can steal credit cards from people and use them in stores and online. If a retailer is tagged frequently with fraudulent credit card transactions, not only will he have to pay for the chargebacks, but he could lose his accounts with his credit card processors if the fraud becomes frequent enough. Retailers can look out for signs that show there has been fraudulent activity on a specific account. Employees can look at a customer’s card for any inappropriate signs of wear, and should also compare the verification signature on the card with the sales draft signature for discrepancies. A repetitive design, such as the Mastercard or Visa logo, should appear on the signature panel and may be distorted if it has been tampered with. A cashier can check the raise of the embossed card numbers and should be hesitant to complete a transaction if the numbers are uneven or have an odd style or alignment. He should also look at the credit card terminal while it is processing to make sure the account numbers match. Credit cards can be re-encoded with false account numbers and can show up differently when they’re scanned through a card reader. The most notable clue is suspicious behavior. Consider questioning a customer who pulls his credit card from his pocket instead of his wallet or displays nervous habits. All employees who use the cash register should be trained to ask for photo ID when any customer attempts to pay with a credit card—no exceptions. The existence of a stolen identity can be tipped off by differences between the actual person and the picture ID shown to the cashier. When in doubt, ask for an address and phone number to verify the ID. Most major credit card issuers have begun to put a three- or four-digit authorization code on the signature panel of their cards or on the front of the card above the account number. These numbers don’t get printed on receipts, making it harder for thieves to use a credit card number they’ve found off a receipt from a trash can.

3. Online Fraud
Most online fraud comes from people using stolen credit cards or a stolen identity. Online shops, like physical retailers, must pay chargebacks, but are usually hit harder because they absorb all the chargeback costs, being unable to provide a signed copy of the authorized transaction. Clues of fraudulent online orders include poor spelling on the order form, full capitals throughout the order, differing order and delivery addresses, and the quantity or combination of products being ordered. Online retailers can red-flag certain orders based on what they see when they first receive them. People ordering from free, Web-based e-mail addresses are harder to track and find because the e-mail addresses can’t be traced to any one person. If a shop owner’s online customer base is strong, requiring buyers to purchase products using an e-mail address with an ISP will remove the threat of being taken advantage of through non-traceable means. Retailers can also choose from a variety of tracking software that organizes customer databases and spots suspicious consumer habits for the merchant to review. Rule-based detection software uses a defined set of criteria chosen by the retailer to compare with incoming orders. The criteria, usually called a “negative file,” can be based on factors such as names, addresses, price limits and past experiences with the individual buyer. Another type of software, predictive statistical model software, analyzes information from millions of online sites to create a profile of fraudulent transactions. The software develops a mathematical formula and applies it in real time to incoming transactions. Each transaction is then given a risk score based on its characteristics. To truly track and lower the amount of online fraud occurring in their stores, online merchants should establish an appropriate billing process to prevent unnecessary chargebacks, monitor and record customer buying habits, develop some sort of risk management infrastructure to handle fraud and develop and maintain internal fraud avoidance files.

4. Fraudulent Returns
Most fraudulent returns are made with invalid receipts that a thief can purchase for a fairly low price—generally around $10. Advances in printing and scanning capabilities have also made it easy for a scam artist to print fake receipts. A thief will commit a fraudulent return by shoplifting the items on a fake receipt and “returning” them with it. Thieves can also fraudulently return an item by buying two similar products with different prices and returning the cheaper one by switching packaging and bar codes, or filling the box with something of a similar weight and returning it. It is important that the employee handling returns be thorough and check the box of the returned item to make sure all the components are there. Shop owners can set up a return process that better combats this type of fraud. Have customers returning items fill out a return form with complete name, address and phone number, as well as the reason for their return. Aside from stopping thieves in their tracks, businesses can easily track their customers’ return habits with these forms. Another way to curb this practice is to offer store credit instead of a cash refund. Thieves might not be as apt to steal from a store where they can’t get cash for their goods.

5. In-Store Theft
In-store theft is the oldest way to commit theft, but like anything dated, it has progressed to encompass a much larger array of people who commit it and the ways they accomplish it. Nowadays, shoplifting is most commonly done by employees, using a wide variety of methods. One way to prevent being a victim of employee theft is by creating a thorough job application and interview process. Employers should always perform background checks on employee candidates by contacting their previous employers and references. To hinder shoplifters in your store, set up fixtures and displays in an open fashion. Creating an open floor plan can be coupled with making sure there are very few “blind spots” for thieves to hide. Consider the vantage points of each employee. Ideally, an employee should be able to look down every aisle or turn in a store. Using EAS (electronic article surveillance) tags can be a good idea. The tags are small and can either be removed or deactivated from an item when it is purchased. The key to EAS tags is making sure they’re placed carefully on each item, in a place that hides it as much as possible. EAS systems can be costly, but are effective enough to warrant the expense.

Companies to Contact
Verification Security Corporation Uses the MagDot system to print patterned magnetic dots on gift certificates or other printed materials www.magdot.com

Quova Creates fraud prevention software for e-commerce www.quova.com

Sensormatic Produces EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) tags for placement on merchandise to curb shoplifting www.sensormatic.com

This article appears on the Truck and SUV Performance Magazine web site

The Work Truck Show® 2006 Breaks Records

2006-10-19T11:57:00.000-07:00

The Work Truck Show® 2006 and 42nd Annual National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Convention boasted more than 7,000 attendees of premier industry professionals involved in buying, selling or using work trucks and equipment. They took advantage of the opportunity to meet with nearly 471 industry suppliers, participate in 35 educational sessions and see the latest developments in commercial trucks and transportation equipment from Classes 1 through 8 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta (March 1–3, 2006).

Produced by the NTEA and supported by 16 other prominent organizations, The Work Truck Show is an annual trade show attended by manufacturers, distributors, fleet managers and end-users of all varieties of vocational work trucks and equipment in industries as diverse as construction, landscaping, utility and government services.

On a show floor, covering 400,000 square feet, Work Truck Show 2006 attendees checked out the latest full-size work trucks and equipment from leading manufacturers and examined individual components from hundreds of suppliers.

The event featured unveilings from four leading chassis manufacturers, including Dodge, Sterling Truck Corp., Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America and Toyota.

“The event was a major success on all levels,” said Robert Green, NTEA president and president of Robert Green Truck Div., Inc. (Rock Hill, NY). “The robust health of our industry was reflected not only in attendance, but also in the 83 new products and innovations introduced at the show.”

Attendees were invited to cast their ballots for the second annual Work Truck Show New Product Innovation Award. By popular vote, Knaack Mfg. Co. (Crystal Lake, IL) and MGM Brakes (Charlotte, NC) tied for the New Product Innovation Award. Knaack Mfg. won the award for its new line of WEATHER GUARD® steel truck boxes with improved features that enhance job site security and productivity. MGM Brakes won for its e-STROKE® electronic brake monitoring system that offers a patented braking alternative.

The Work Truck Show Editors’ Choice Award went to Sterling Truck Corporation for its low cab-over-the-engine truck that will be available at select dealerships across North America this spring.

“We strongly expect that next year’s event in Indianapolis, IN, will be even more successful,” said Tom Rawson, 2007 Convention Chairman and CEO of RKI, Inc. (Houston, TX). “We are excited to be in the Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome next year. More than 90% of floor space is already sold for 2007.”

Part of the growing demand for floor space comes from new exhibitors. Seventy-five companies were first-time Work Truck Show exhibitors in 2006.

“We are pleased to maintain a solid base of exhibitors that have gotten excellent results from the show each year. We also are attracting a growing number of companies that recognize the unique opportunities The Work Truck Show offers to reach a wide range of high-ranking decision-makers in the industry,” said Jim Carney, NTEA executive director.

Other Work Truck Show 2006 highlights included:

North America ’s largest gathering of vocational trucks and transportation equipment from Classes 1 through 8.

A keynote address delivered by Gen. Colin L. Powell, (Ret). Powell spoke to a packed room of more than 1,700 attendees during the President’s Breakfast and NTEA Annual Meeting on March 2.

Thirty-five industry-specific training and educational sessions including a one-day Fleet Management Symposium. The event also featured 16 new, 20-minute training theater sessions on the show floor.

Exhibits from 15 of the world’s leading truck chassis manufacturers. Eight manufacturers presented informational update sessions on chassis specifications, design and body installation.

This article was extracted from the NTEA web site which can be found by clicking here