Rewards for the upkeep and maintenance of old cars normally set in after some years. And if you want to get a lucrative return for your car maintenance efforts, place it at special events like auctions. This was the storey of a fully restored and well-maintained 1965 Shelby Cobra netted at a Las Vegas strip. It was auctioned off and was sold for a whopping $440,000. This was only one of 10 cars which were reportedly auctioned off for $200,000 or more. As far as the Cobra was concerned, the car had zero miles and had a fully restored engine.

(Source) Mercury News

Tags: auctions, car maintenance, cobra roadster, Las Vegas, lucrative return, maintenance efforts, old cars, Rewards, shelby cobra, upkeep, vegas strip, zero miles

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Why worry about the pains of car maintenance and the added cost in the form of parking fees if you can access an alternative way of getting around by paying for what you drive? That is precisely the reason why the U Car Share came into being, a keen alternative for people who are looking to curb down their transport needs and also avoid the burden of parking and their fees.

The U Car Share program has expanded all the way to Salt Lake City, easily accessible 24/7 and only paying for what they use as long as they are members of the said program. U Car Share takes care of fuel, insurance and maintenance costs. Hourly rates that include 180 miles free per reservation range from $8.00-$12.00 per hour, depending on the vehicle.

For a limited time, membership is free for all residents of Utah. To avail of this service, simply log on to ucarshare.com today and enter promotion code SLC82009 when signing up. The promo is good until October 30 after which regular charges will start.

Members can reserve cars for as little as an hour at any time of day. Gas and insurance are all included in one low hourly rate starting at $4.95 per hour ($0.59 per mile).

(Source) Press

Tags: car maintenance, car share, Cars, hourly rate, hourly rates, Insurance, limited time, maintenance costs, promotion code, salt lake city, share program, time membership, time of day

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For the mechanics and the motorists who want an organized garage, here is something you can place inside your garage. Car Guy Garage releases new stainless steel garage storage cabinets which can be handy in storing old parts and tools that are needed during car repair activities.

The doors are made out of 304 grade stainless steel, the stainless steel contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel. Very strong stainless steel, perfect for use as doors and for the ease that they can be welded. This allows these doors to take a lot of punishment without having to worry that you are going to dent them. They will keep their shine as long as you own the cabinets, if kept clean.

This comes right in time with the aggressive push towards car maintenance activities preferred by car owners to date. And to aid them, proper storage is needed unless you want a messy garage with all those parts and tools lying around and making it hard for you to find and use them once the time arrives.

(Source) Press

Tags: car guy, car maintenance, car owners, car repair, chromium, doors, garage storage cabinets, maintenance activities, mechanics, motorists, nickel, proper storage, stainless steel

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If there is one thing that motorists have to take into consideration, it would be the type of roads that they drive on. Unlike in marquee countries which have great infrastructure, some countries like the Philippines have a rough and tumble roads that make it entirely toxic for cars when you talk about smooth driving and car maintenance.

In short, the smoother the road finish, the longer it is for that satisfying car performance. Add to the fact that better roads mean better fuel consumption since you get a silky smooth ride with no worries along the way.

Perhaps if technologies such as this one from Penetron, road conditions play an important role when it comes to smooth motoring and fuel consumption. Penetron’s Crystaline Concrete Waterproofing addresses the various conditions such as rain where concrete used can only get better. It clearly addresses the issues raised when water penetrates and causes problems for concrete roads today.

“Once the concrete has been made waterproofed,” adds Mr. Christopher Chen, North American Sales & Marketing Director, “a host of additional problems generally brought on by water is now eliminated. Penetron takes care of problems such as freeze-thaw and scaling damages seen in colder climates and corrosion from deicing salts or seawater.”

(Source) Press

Tags: better days, car maintenance, car performance, climates, concrete roads, concrete waterproofing, crystaline, damages, freeze thaw, fuel consumption, motorists, no worries, penetron, road conditions, rough and tumble, sales marketing, salts, seawater, smooth ride

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If there is one best tip to give motorists, it is that of taking advantage of peak seasons as far as their car maintenance needs are concerned. You don’t have to wait for the season where such parts like air conditioning or cooling systems need to be addressed. If you feel that a certain car part needs checking up, go ahead and don’t wait. Doing so may even aggravate it and cost you more than having it attended to before it actually gets worse.

Here are some tips from JC Whitney for the summer riders:

• Cooling System: In summer, the cooling system has to work harder to prevent the engine from overheating. Check the radiator, belts and hoses for leaks or cracks. Be sure all the connections are snug, and make sure all the fluids are “topped off”. When towing boats, campers, or trailers, be sure to install additional transmission or oil coolers. In all cases, take great care with a hot engine – it’s very easy to get burned by hot engine parts or fluids.
• Air Conditioning: The engine belts also drive the air conditioner’s compressor, so also inspect this system for worn or damaged belts. Have a local mechanic inspect the compressor’s cooling fluids.
• Tires: In contrast to winter tires, summer tires provide more speed, better handling, and better fuel efficiency. Many drivers keep two sets of wheels: one set mounted with snow tires and one set mounted with summer or all-season tires. For maximum mileage and wear, make sure tires are inflated to the maker’s specifications.
• Brakes: Hot weather can increase the temperature of brake systems, causing pads to wear more quickly, so it’s important to inspect the pads and rotors for wear more frequently in summer.

“A qualified technician can check the systems that often suffer from the summer heat,” added West. “Following the diagnosis, car owners can save money by buying the parts they need from JC Whitney and then having their local mechanic install them.”

(Source) Press

Tags: air conditioner, better fuel efficiency, car maintenance, car owners, cooling system, cooling systems, engine parts, hot weather, maximum mileage, oil coolers, peak seasons, press car, rotors, season tires, snow tires, summer heat, summer tires, winter tires

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Diets don’t only cover humans. They are now used for cars as the continued rise in fuel costs and car maintenance continue to bring harder times to the modern consumer. But perhaps it is in the type of lifestyle you follow to which ZipCar issues a challenge through its Low-Car Diet.

Beginning July 15, participants will hand over the keys to their personal cars and commit to living one month without the use of their vehicles. Instead, they will utilize public transportation, increase walking and biking, and be given a membership to Zipcar to access the vehicles when necessary.

Among the perks included in this program include:

• Five free servings of Berry Chill’s all-natural chilled yogurt each week
• A one-month gym membership at Equinox
• Airbrush tans from Ortanic
• Montague Corporation will provide one lucky Chicago participant with a SwissBike TX

“Chicago’s Low-Car Diet is an opportunity for residents to experience all of the benefits of living car-free and encourages them to rethink their routine and opt for a smarter and healthier lifestyle,” said Mark Norman, president and COO of Zipcar. “Last year’s Low-Car Diet demonstrated that trying a car-free lifestyle can lead to permanent car shedding, and we believe even more Chicagoans will discover the same benefits this year.”

(Source) Press

Tags: airbrush tans, car maintenance, chicagoans, chill, coo, diet, diets, Equinox, free challenge, free lifestyle, fuel costs, gym membership, harder times, montague corporation, participant, participants, personal cars, press car, public transportation

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With most people turning towards car maintenance and repairs today, the next step is to know where to actually bring your car to get the proper attention and repair for their vehicle. While most motorists would rely on ads or word of mouth tactics, DriverSide.com has joined hands with Automotive Service Excellence to locate credible and certified technicians and repair shops that can aid them in their car maintenance needs.

“A good mechanic is like a good doctor – he will establish a relationship with a vehicle and its owner and develop a maintenance program specific for their needs. We view these partnerships as an opportunity to help drivers find trusted, certified local technicians and begin that long-term relationship,” said Jad Dunning, CEO of DriverSide. “We’re focused on all aspects of car ownership, and providing our users with the information they need to make an informed decision, is always a priority.”

With the decision of most car owners today to pay full attention to their cars, it is apparent that reliable car service is the only thing left for them to look for. There are a lot of these car repair centers out there but apparently, quality service is important. With the aide of DriverSide.com and ASE, motorists can expect to be directed to the right groups and get the right value for what they are paying for.

(Source) Press

Tags: aim, automotive service excellence, car maintenance, car owners, car ownership, full attention, good doctor, long term relationship, maintenance program, motorists, proper attention, quality service, word of mouth

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Fathers often have a car to go to work and if you are having trouble figuring out what to give, perhaps something for the car that he drives and how to aid in maintaining it to look better would be a great gift to consider. Among the things you can get include some products from Turtle Wax, the renowned car wax that has helped in car maintenance as far as retaining paint quality is concerned.

Turtle Wax suggests the following easy steps using high-quality car care products to help give dad a flawless-looking vehicle.

• Wash: The first step is to clean the vehicle of all surface contaminants. For best results, use a product that will deep clean the vehicle’s exterior and remove any stubborn dirt and stains. Turtle Wax ICE Car Wash is a clean-rinsing formula that is safe for all finishes.
• Wax: Waxing helps restore color and shine left behind from bad weather and road debris and leaves behind a protective barrier to help prevent scratches, swirl marks and other surface contaminants from damaging the finish. Turtle Wax ICE Liquid Polish goes on easy and creates exceptional shine. Unlike conventional waxes, ICE Liquid Polish can be applied in direct sunlight or on a hot surface without streaking or wax build-up.
• Wheels and Tires: In addition to washing and waxing the vehicle’s finish, cleaning and protecting wheels will help keep cars looking like new. Turtle Wax ICE Wheel & Tire Cleaner easily cuts through brake dust and road debris on all wheel and tire surfaces. The detachable unique ICE Edge Brush helps effortlessly clean intricate wheel areas.
• Interior: To prevent stains and permanent discoloration, it is important to clean interior surfaces, including carpeting, upholstery and inside door panels. Turtle Wax’s ICE Total Interior Care can be used on all interior surfaces and leaves behind a barrier and non-greasy shine.

This may seem to easy to give but at least you are giving your dad something that he can really find handy.

(Source) Press

Tags: bad weather, brake dust, car care products, car maintenance, car wash, car wax, carpeting, handy source, interior care, interior surfaces, paint quality, protective barrier, quality car care, road debris, stubborn dirt, surface contaminants, swirl marks, tire cleaner, turtle wax ice, wheels and tires

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When it comes to driving, proper scheduling of car maintenance in a need. And while most people are pre-occupied on the speed and how their car engines fare, NAPA Auto Parts reminds motorists how important it is to step on the brakes.

Given that Americans spend 4.2 billion hours a year constantly using their brakes in traffic, it’s obvious proactive brake maintenance is important. However, since brake replacement timeframes vary anywhere between 30,000 and 60,000 miles, recognizing brake warning signs is imperative to avoid a complete brake failure.

In an effort to keep drivers protected and save them money, NAPA’s 2009 Technician of the Year, Jack Gregory, offers advice on what those warning signs mean and why you should pay attention to them.

• Hear loud or frequent squeaks or grinding – A sound mechanism built into the brakes alerts drivers when replacements are needed. If a metal scraping sound occurs, the brakes have worn down to the rotors and need to be fixed.
• Smell an acid, burning odor – Problems with calipers sticking or hanging up, as well as problems with the brake hose can produce the scent. Heavy braking also can cause an unpleasant odor. “As soon as the driver smells the odor, I recommend bringing the vehicle to an ASE-certified technician who can diagnose the source and fix the problem before it gets worse,” said Gregory.
• Feel your brake pedal “squish” or become difficult to depress – Squishy brakes indicate air in the brake system caused by problems with the master cylinder, possibly a leak. Difficult to depress brakes are also often caused by a malfunctioning power booster.
• Feel shuddering or a continuous vibration in the steering wheel – Brake rotors or brake drums can trigger the vehicle to shake. “If you feel this shuddering for an extended period of time, it’s a warning sign to have your brakes inspected,” notes Gregory.
• See rust or metal flakes peeling off your brakes – When the vehicle brake pads are worn and hit the rotors, rust or metal flakes appear.
• See the brake system warning light turn on – A vehicle’s brake light usually warns the driver about worn brake pads. “The brake light can also indicate low fluids levels in the master cylinder, possibly caused by a leak,” added Gregory. “Either way, it’s important to have the problem addressed quickly before the brake system completely malfunctions putting you and others in danger.”

(Source) Press

Tags: brake drums, brake failure, brake hose, brake rotors, car engines, car maintenance, certified technician, continuous vibration, jack gregory, master cylinder, metal flakes, napa auto parts, power booster, squeaks, squish, steering wheel, timeframes, unpleasant odor, warning sign, warning signs

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Car owners are trying to wise up their vehicle needs by turning towards own maintenance measures rather than buying new vehicles in the market. And to make sure that they properly maintain their cars, 3M has an array of products for their vehicle maintenance needs. Americans now look at their cars as valuable assets worthy of investing time and elbow grease to keep them running and looking good, so shows the second annual 3M “Elbow Grease Economics” national study.

In “Elbow Grease Economics”, a study of 1,835 car owners in the United States, 3M Car Care found that a growing number of consumers are taking their car maintenance into their own hands — and on their own driveways – as their household budgets continue to tighten and their economic fears grow. And the younger generation of car owners ages 18 to 34 is even more focused on caring for their own cars, creating a new wave of automotive do-it-yourselfers.

Key findings of 3M Car Care’s “Elbow Grease Economics” include:

• Just over one-third (36%) of car owners consider their car to be one of their biggest investments, although for those making between $50,000 and $75,000 annually, this increases to 42 percent.
• Nearly half (49%) of car owners are dependent on their cars to get to work or find a job. This is even higher among men ages 45 to 54 at 65 percent.
• More than one-third (34%) of car owners feel they have to take better care of their car now because they can’t afford a new one.
• For some respondents, the economy is so worrisome that 3 percent say they are afraid they might have to live in their car if their home is foreclosed.

3M Car Care offers an entire line of consumer car care products, all based on its high-performance professional products, to make it easier for consumers to take care of routine maintenance and car appearance projects. It also offers easy to use kits for tune-ups, headlight restoration and other tasks with all of the products needed for the job in one package.

(Source) Press

Tags: 3m, car care products, car maintenance, car owners, consumer car, driveways, elbow grease, high performance, household budgets, new vehicles, professional products, respondents, routine maintenance, tune ups, vehicle maintenance

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Not all people are familiar with the usual car troubleshooting and guides to help enhance car performance and safety. And for that matter, Advance Auto Parts announced the expansion of its Driver Education Teacher Program, “Advance Your Knowledge,” which is used as a tool for driver education teachers in 15 states.

As of Spring 2009, the program had reached an estimated one million students, helping to increase their awareness about the connection between vehicle maintenance and driving safety.

The program is now being used by teachers in Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. “Advance Your Knowledge” is free to all state affiliated drivers education programs with replenishment support available.

“Today’s vehicles are complex. Our multimedia kit is designed to help instructors help their students understand vehicle basics, especially as it relates to their personal driving safety,” says Bryan Gregory, director of consumer education for Advance Auto Parts. “Our commitment is to help teachers impart vehicle maintenance and safety information that is most relevant to young drivers, and to encourage parents to discuss vehicle maintenance with their new driver. That is why we developed this program.”

(Source) Press

Tags: advance auto parts, car maintenance, car performance, car troubleshooting, consumer education, drivers education, driving safety, multimedia kit, teacher program, vehicle maintenance

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Timing belts are important and like any band of rubber, it will reach a point where you may have to change it. The best way is to follow the usual practice when your car runs a total of 50,000 KPH. Some car owners follow a lower limit but this depends on how well you are aware of your car’s maintenance issues and needs.

What happens if you don’t replace your timing belt on time?
Expect your car to suddenly stop with all the engine pistons probably bent leading to a major engine overhaul. Other than that, you may have to spend a fortune trying to have your engine repaired. Additionally, don’t expect your car to perform as smoothly as before since most of the parts are certain to be replaced but with lower quality.

Don’t overlook the importance of proper car maintenance. Just because it runs smoothly, it doesn’t follow you are free from preventive maintenance needs. Just be aware of the mileage you have driven and have your timing belt checked and replaced if needed. It is a good practice especially if your car is used daily and on long trips.

Tags: car maintenance, car owners, engine overhaul, maintenance issues, mileage, pistons, preventive maintenance, timing belt, timing belts

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