CARFCO

Author: Brenda Williams

Buying a used truck is something that is very easy to do. With the price of gas being extremely high you can get a great deal on just about any truck you want. However, you should not let yourself be taken advantage of by someone. Make smart decisions by following the recommendations below.
 
One of the best things you can do when you buy a truck is to examine it. You should always examine the vehicle in clear, daytime weather. Check the mileage on the car and always verify it is correct by using previous service invoices and mileage information recorded under the hood or on the door jam. Also, make sure you look very closely at the dashboards around the gauges and question any scratches, screws, or otherwise spotty workmanship around that area. If you do spot this, you might be looking at a car that has an odometer that has been tampered with.
 
Check the engine and make sure that all fluids are the correct colors and do not look/smell suspicious. Also, do not be afraid to ask the salesperson any questions you might have. You are making them money and they should be ready and willing to assist in any way they can make the sale. If they seem nervous or otherwise distracted really put the pressure on them, or you might be getting sold a car that is less than it appears.
 
Make sure you always run a check on the title and get an auto history report before buying any vehicle. Trucks especially can be made to appear more than they are. Experian, the credit report company, is one of the best resources for finding out what accidents a car has been in. Also, when you check the title of the vehicle, look at how many owners the vehicle has had in the past few years. If your truck has had three owners in three years. You might be getting scammed out of something!
 
You should always insist on an independent inspection if you are buying the car from a private party. If it is a dealership and it is a certified used car, then you should not have much to worry about. However, be sure to take a close look at the car as even dealerships can use methods to scam you. Once you are ready to buy the car, bring a check for a few hundred dollars under the price that the salesperson quoted you as the "best" price. If they want the sale, they will sell you the car. Also, do not be afraid to ask about getting a warranty. On many dealership "certified used" cars warranties will be included, however, that does not mean that they will be. If you are in doubt on any thing during the sale, question it and you should get an exact response. If you are given a flip-flop answer, you probably do not want to do your business at this location. Make your used truck buying experience a positive one.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/buying-a-used-truck-439576.html

About the Author:
Washington Car Carrier  |  Reliable Auto Transport in Washington

By Gregg Hall

How you treat your tires actually goes a long way in determining what you spend on gas. Tires are often neglected because people do not know that they affect their gas mileage. A good tire maintenance culture will not only make your rides safer, it will also leave a little more in your pocket.

I will give a few tips that will help you improve you fuel economy, they are simple things. You may  know about them, if you don’t they are here. If you already do, then refresh your memory and get the savings you so much deserve.

You should ensure your car tires are properly inflated. Deflated tires have more friction with the road. This means that the engine has to work harder. For your engine to work harder, it needs more energy. And we all know where it gets its energy from. Make sure your tires maintain the recommended pressure. A drop of 5 pounds makes you lose 2% in your gas mileage. Please, note that they should be inflated evenly as this also affects fuel efficiency apart from its other advantages.

You need to maintain your tires even more during winter. This is because air temperature drop has a corresponding loss in your tire pressure. This makes it even more difficult for your tires to roll. Remember, the more deflated a tire is, the more friction you have.

Rotating your tires is another way to improve your gas mileage. You should get the recommended pattern for your car make and model in your owner’s manual. And apart from mileage issues, they’ll ensure your tires wear evenly with all the attendant benefits.

Your tire type also affects your gas mileage. A lot of folks don’t know that there different types of tires. And by this, I do not mean brand names. There are types that are stiffer and therefore task your engine more. Generally, Radial tires are preferred to Bias belted tires. Ask auto professionals which is best for your car.  However, bear in mind that what you need is a tire that has the lowest rolling resistance.  The lower your tire’s rolling resistance, the better your gas mileage. Please, do take note of this when replacing your tire.

Finally, make sure your wheels are properly aligned. Otherwise the tires will not roll freely consuming more fuel in the process. Misalignment will also affect other parts of your vehicle like the suspension. This will eventually affect your gas mileage negatively. Don’t let your money go to waste on gas or on new tires, take the time to care for your vehicle the way it is suppose to be cared for.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as vintage wheels at http://www.vintagewheelsplus.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall http://EzineArticles.com/?Did-You-Know-That-Improper-Tire-Pressure-May-Drastically-Affect-Your-Gas-Mileage?&id=333047

By Mary Freeman

If you are shopping for a new car, or even a used one, chances are the gas mileage it gets is one of the first things you want to find out. Now, gas mileage that a vehicle can offer has become the main concern throughout the whole country with prices now reaching the $4 a gallon mark and climbing.

People are now in search of vehicles which can offer them good gas mileage (which means the distance the vehicle can cover with a gallon of gasoline). Reputed manufactures like Ford, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Honda, Volkswagen, Chevrolet and others are trying to launch cars with better gas mileage and technology that is environment friendly. In the meantime, you are stuck with trying to squeeze the best mileage out of the vehicle you currently have.

Below are some tips and suggestions on ways to increase gas mileage in your vehicle:

Determine Your Gas Mileage

You will first want to calculate your vehicles gas mileage to set a baseline in which to work from to improve your overall mileage. Fill your tank, record the odometer reading, drive around until empty, then record the odometer ready when empty.

Take your car to the gas station again and now record the gallons it takes to fill up(lets say 14 gallons). You can now subtract the first odometer reading from the second and divide the result by 14. This is your current MPG.

Reduce Your Vehicle’s Excess Weight

The heavier your car is the more the engine has to work to pull the excess load. Getting rid of all unnecessary weight in your vehicle when on trips will assist to increase your mileage in the long run.

Avoid Idling the Vehicle

Idling is sometimes necessary, like at stop lights, signs, etc, but you will want to avoid all other unnecessary idling wherever possible, like in drive through lines, waiting for friends, etc. If you expect that you will not be moving for an extended period of time , turn off the ignition.

Avoid Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving can have big effects on your cars gas mileage. Certain actions such as quick accelerations and hard breaking, and even jerky steering can have an effect on your car’s fuel efficiency, so don’t do it! Stay calm when you are driving and try to give yourself enough time to break gradually. Drive defensively not aggressively and you should be ok.

Keep Your Car Maintained

Keeping your car services and in good working order(as per manufacturers specifications) is another way to increase gas mileage. In addition to regular tune-ups you should ensure your tire pressure on all tires are as per dealer specifications. Tires which are low on air make your car work harder to accelerate which taxes your engine and therefore decreases your gas mileage. Always check your Owner’s Manual if you are unsure of your vehicle’s tire pressure requirements.

Change the Oil Regularly

Changing your oil regularly can help to improve your gas mileage. Choose the recommended grade of oil when doing this. Note: Motor oil which is advertised as Energy Conserving may be the ideal choice as it can reduce friction and assist to improve your fuel efficiency.

Replace the Air Filter Regularly

A clogged air filter can be a serious contributor to poor fuel efficiency. Clogging greatly reduces the oxygen to the engine as its using fuel. The decrease in oxygen can interfere with the correct fuel mixture which helps to reduce gas mileage. A clean air filter can also help to improve the performance of your engine.

The Right Octane

You will always want to stick with the manufacturer’s suggested gas octane rating when at the pump. If regular gas is recommended, then you will only be wasting more precious money purchasing a higher octane. Stick with what is recommended and you will be ok.

Aerodynamics

Decrease the drag on your vehicle and consequently increase your gas mileage by removing outside accessories, like ski and luggage racks if they are not required.

Other ways to increase gas mileage include keeping your air conditioning off whenever possible. This taxes the engine when on and consequently uses more gas when it is on.

Keep your windows closed whenever possible. This decreases the drag coefficient of the vehicle which reduces natural resistance.

Utilizing the tips offered above to increase your mileage will go along way to keep your vehicle driving at optimal efficiency while using the least amount of fuel necessary.

Mary Freeman is an accomplished Author who writes articles on Natural and Home Remedies. To access her remedy website, please visit http://www.eRemedySpot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Freeman http://EzineArticles.com/?Ways-To-Increase-Gas-Mileage-In-Your-Vehicle&id=1198883

By Naum Levinson

Trading the car in: what makes financial sense?

A lot of people are trading their cars in every 4-5 years. A car payment, stretched over  5-7 years, is not uncommon.

Unfortunately the situation known to dealers as "upside down," is not uncommon either.  It means, that the person owes for his/her car -  more than the car is worth.

If the person keeps trading cars every 4-5 years, there’s  still 2-3 years of payments left, and the financial situation is just getting worse…

How to avoid the situation like that?

A lot of financial experts agree that maintaining your present vehicle makes much more financial sense.  Contemporary vehicles are more reliable and, with proper maintenance, can serve reliably for 8  years or longer.  After the car is paid off, you can save about $2500 per year, including repairs, maintenance, license, registration, taxes and insurance.

That’s what we call "Return on Investment"….

If proper maintenance was done over the years, a repair bill from time to time is a "drop in the bucket," compare to the regular monthly payments for the car. If a car was paid off during the period of 5 years and has survived another 4 years, it’s  the savings of $10,000. Nice downpayment for the new vehicle, right?

Let me give you an example.  When I’ve purchased my 1994 Toyota Camry, the car was two years old and had 27,000 miles. Five years later, it was paid off. For four years I am enjoying not having payments on my car. Except for the regular maintenance, I didn’t have any unexpected breakdowns and car is still very reliable, taking me and my family where we want to go.

As you can see, I am preaching from my own experience. It’s not difficult and it can be done!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mr. Naum Levinson was born in Eastern Europe. He holds a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in automotive design. He has over 35 years of experience in vehicle research, development, maintenance, and repair.

On his website http://www.best-auto-repairs.com, he shares his life experience with readers, and stresses the point that the best repair is a preventive maintenance system.

His other interests are computers, travel, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. He lives with his family in La Mesa, California.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Naum_Levinson http://EzineArticles.com/?Trading-the-Car-in&id=130889

By Richard M Jenkins

Airbags are a common feature in a majority of cars on the road today.Over the years they have proved successful at preventing injuries to drivers and car passengers who have been involved in a road traffic accident. Airbags are a robust and effective piece of safety equipment that will happy stay inactive for years waiting silently for the one moment that they will be required to work.

Popular belief seems to think that when an airbag is called upon to inflate compressed air is blasted into the bag. This however is wrong. Given the speeds required what actually inflates the airbag is a chemical reaction. A chemical called sodium azide is heated and this interaction produces nitrogen which rapidly inflates the airbag. To initiate this reaction sensors in the front of the vehicle on sensing a collision send an electric charge to the sodium azide which heats the chemical forcing it to breakdown and produce the nitrogen gas. All this happens in an average of 30 milliseconds.

It is very rare for an airbag to deploy accidentally so when an airbag does deploy the likely cause is a crash or collision. For anyone finding themselves in such a situation there are important points to be aware of.

The chemical reaction used to inflate airbags also produces chemicals that could be harmful to humans. To counteract this other chemical are used to neutralize the harmful chemicals. Add all this to the chemical explosion used to inflate the airbag and quite a lot of smoke is produced. This smoke is harmless, however can prove a shock to anyone witnessing it. In fact it is not uncommon for people to see the smoke and panic, thinking that their vehicle post collision is about to burst into flames. Statistically this is unlikely however the panic forces them to quickly exit their vehicle an action which can often cause more harm than good. After a road accident the likelihood of personal injury is high. In such a situation often the best thing to do is to remain still and wait for professional medical personnel to give you the all clear.

So if ever an airbag goes off in a car you are traveling in the first thing to remember is do not panic and be absolutely sure that any injury you have will not be aggravated by exited the vehicle.

For more driving advice see the UK driving test and UK driving schools website. A site for learner drivers which includes free mock theory tests and a driving test DVD.

Article Source:  http://EzineArticles.com/?Know-What-Happens-When-An-Airbag-Deploys&id=1162340

This upcoming week, the National Alliance of Buy Here, Pay Here Dealers (NABD) will hold it’s 10th Annual National Conference on May 6 to May 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  This show, located at the Las Vegas Hilton will be the site location for more than 200 dealers, experts and service providers dealing with this industry.

The theme for this year’s conference will be "Facing New Challenges."  There will be nationally recognized speakers speaking out on motivation, leadership and sales topics as well as legal and regulatory compliance issues addressed by an attorney who will answer questions during an interactive session.

The general education sessions will feature a single track and all vendor presentations have been moved to concurrent break-out sessions where attendees can choose their topics of interest including capital, Internet, insurance, and add-on products, sales and leadership training and more.

Anyone who is really serious about prospering in the BHPH industry during the next 12 months can’t afford to miss this event! Those interested in attending can register online at www.bhphinfo.com or by calling 713-290-8171. Seating and room availability is limited, so attendees are encouraged to register as soon as possible.

by Scott Siegel

There is some very bad advice out there in regards to improving your gas economy.  I recently saw an article from the Washington Post.  It talked about a strategy called hypermiling.  While some of the tips presented were useful and favorable ways to save gas, such as being easy on the gas pedal, others were just plain hazardous.

The post described this particular fuel saving methodology as hypermiling.  It described hypermilers as motorists who modify their driving to improve mileage and reduce emissions.  This description can describe many concerned drivers interested in conserving fuel and protecting the environment.  The difference between hypermilers and normal fuel conscious drivers is hypermilers are fanatics.

It seems any activity pushed to what one would consider fanaticism is dangerous and this is no different.  Some of the methods suggested by hypermilers can put you the driver, your passengers and other motorists in great peril.

For example here is one piece of advice offered by some hypermilers: TURN OFF YOUR CAR AND COAST.  This behavior is likened to hybrids that shut the gas engine off when the car is sitting still.  But with hybrids, the electric motor is how the vehicle starts and runs at slow speeds so the car is not really off, just running on a different system.

When you turn a conventional car off, the first thing that happens is your steering wheel locks.  You have absolutely no control of the car at that point.  The second thing is there is no power to the vehicle.  Not only can you not steer but you can’t power the car if you need to accelerate quickly if an emergency situation should arise.

Additionally the power brake system turns off.  In order to stop the car you have to literally push the brake pedal through the floor board.  No brakes is another extremely dangerous position to put you, your passengers and other drivers in.

Advice like this is irresponsible and can end up causing someone harm.  Another suggestion by Some hypermilers is to over-inflate your tires.  Again another dangerous suggestion.  Over inflating your car’s tires causes less tread to be in contact with the pavement.  The control of your vehicle is only through the contact your tires have with the road.  If you compromise that, you compromise your control and safety.

Additionally if you over inflate your tires they will wear faster.  That will result in you loosing tread and ultimately loosing more traction.  Monitoring your tire pressure is good advice.  Keeping them at the proper inflation does save fuel.  Over inflating is a safety hazard.

The basic premise of hypermilers is good.  Relearning how to drive in a responsible manner with fuel economy in mind is the best way to save gas.  While much of their advice can be called mainstream, such as slowing down, their fanaticism adds too much of a degree of danger.  Common sense driving, learning the correct way to drive fuel efficiently, is the best way to save gas.  After all, the best fuel saving device is you, the driver.

Scott Siegel is the author of a 143 page manual of industry insider information on saving gas and dollars at the pump (beatthegaspump.com). Visit us to discover how you can get better gas mileage. Find out how to improve gas mileage.

April 16, 2008 - It seems like CARFCO is starting to get some steam online.  Other sites are taking notice of us and it seems like that are people blogging information about us on their sites.  We are setting up and hope to pick up as much steam as possible.  I find this interesting and hope this continues.  Here, although working with CARFCO, I will continue to post interesting trends, eco-friendly vehicle information as well as possible car shows upcoming in locations and so forth when time permits.  You bloggers reading this can drop me a comment and I’d be glad to read them all.

Independent tests conducted by engineers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory on a BMW Hydrogen 7 Mono-Fuel demonstration vehicle have found that the car’s hydrogen-powered engine surpasses the super-ultra low-emission vehicle (SULEV) level, the most stringent emissions performance standard to date.

"The BMW Hydrogen 7’s emissions were only a fraction of SULEV level, making it one of the lowest emitting combustion engine vehicles that have been manufactured," said Thomas Wallner, a mechanical engineer who leads Argonne’s hydrogen vehicle testing activities. "Moreover, the car’s engine actively cleans the air. Argonne’s testing shows that the Hydrogen 7’s 12-cylinder engine actually shows emissions levels that, for certain components, are cleaner than the ambient air that comes into the car’s engine."

It was not an easy task to measure the Hydrogen 7’s emissions. "A gross polluter is easy to measure, but the cleaner the car the harder it is to test," said Don Hillebrand, director of Argonne’s Center for Transportation Research. "Most labs test at the SULEV level. Argonne’s vehicle testing facilities are unique in that they are able to detect even trace levels of emissions. In this case, it was near-zero emissions."

After an extensive evaluation by BMW, "Argonne’s Advanced Powertrain Research Facility was found to be the only public test facility in North America capable of testing hydrogen vehicles at these low emissions levels," said BMW’s Wolfgang Thiel, manager, operating support emissions analysis. "Zero is a very small precise number — we are pushing the boundaries of emissions testing."

Technical and program information about the Hydrogen 7 tests will be presented by Wallner and BMW North America’s Jason P. Perron Wednesday, April 2 during the National Hydrogen Association Annual Hydrogen Conference, March 30-April 3, in Sacramento, Calif. Argonne will join BMW’s Christoph Huss, senior vice president, science, traffic and vehicles regulations, in a press conference to present the test results during the Society of Automotive Engineers 2008 World Congress, April 14-17, in Detroit.

BMW has put the hydrogen model into limited series production. Although the vehicle is not yet available for sale to the general public, it is being made available to "influential public figures," whose use demonstrate a new era in clean energy, BMW has said. In the meantime, the greatest challenge to widespread use of hydrogen cars is the limited number of hydrogen refueling stations.

Argonne’s transportation research program and facilities are primarily funded by DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, which supports the development of vehicle technologies and alternative fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on foreign oil, and enables the U.S. transportation industry to sustain a strong, competitive position in domestic and world markets.

Special thanks to Science Daily

By Sandy Maseko

While truck drivers have tons of steel protecting them on the road, they can still be in danger. The following are some safety tips to help ensure truck drivers are safe on the roads, and that makes the road safer for everyone else in small vehicles as well. A truck driver needs to take care of his or her own needs before anything else. Failing to get enough rest, not eating properly, and not getting enough exercise can all affect a person physically and mentally.

Since most truck drivers travel from one part of the country to the next in order to pick up or deliver a load, the weather changes can be quick. It is important for a truck driver to have essential clothing for any kind of weather including the extreme hot and the bitter cold.

Many truck drivers log thousands of miles each month without incident. This is due to the fact that they work hard to take care of their own needs, they routinely inspect their truck and trailers, and they pay attention to what is taken place around them. Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, so professional truck drivers know to be prepared for anything.

On team truck drivers

Most team truck drivers decide to drive in full shifts so that the other person can get sufficient rest. Basically the team will stop at regular intervals so each can eat, shower, and use the bathroom. Each person that makes up the team has to keep their own log book of their hours of service, both on duty and off duty.

There are a couple of downfalls to the concept of team truck drivers though. First, many people have their own way of doing things and this will carry over to taking care of the truck. It can create issues when each person wants things to be done their own way. Secondly, it can make it difficult for couples because even though they are in the truck for many hours per day together, they get very little time to actually spend together.

Ways of saving money

Getting a good interest rate on your truck is going to lower the cost of your overall payments. It is a good idea to pay extra on your truck towards the principal when you can. This will help you to pay it offer sooner and it will reduce the amount of interest you pay over the life of the loan.

Pay close attention to the cost of fuel when you are driving over the road. You may be able to save several cents per gallon by going to another truck stop. Many of the chain truck stops offer fuel cards that will also save you money. Each time you use your card you can save a few cents per gallon. They can also offer a points system where you can buy meals or other items from inside.

Food is another cost that truck drivers find puts a dent in their wallet. It is a good investment to get a small refrigerator for your cab. You can store lunch meat, fruits, snacks, and drinks in there. This is also more convenient than having to stop to get something to it. This will also help you eat healthier because many truck stops offer fast food options as well as a restaurant.

Let’s get access to more automotive information and reviews on automotive tools by visiting the following website: Automotive Search.