Portable Electronics - Automotive And On The Go Solutions

During the past two decades, the portable electronics category has evolved to the point where it seems as though there's a new product coming out every day. If you're not paying close attention, you'll be looked at like you've been living under a rock at the next cocktail party!

Headphones, iPods, iPod accessories, MP3 players, portable stereos, boom boxes, two-way radios, audio docks, wireless speakers and mini speakers are among the most popular electronic options consumers have today. Among the most popular brand names of mobile electronics are Apple, Audio Technica, Beats by Dr. Dre, Craig Bluetooth Stereo, dreamGEAR, Everlast, GE, Hello Kitty, HTC, ILIVE, iSound, Jamsonic, Jlab, JVC, Koss, LenMar, Maxell, Naxa, Panasonic, Pyle, Quantum, RCA and Zenex.

The automotive industry has gotten up to speed quickly as almost every model they produce on the assembly line is equipped with audio jacks, USB cable and some with a two or three-pronged outlet. You could follow suit and say quite a number of industries have had to revamp or modify their business model ensuring a pleasant customer experience. Hotels now have multiple USB outlets in their rooms. Starbucks, McDonald's, Dunkin' Donuts, Barnes and Noble, malls, salons and many more businesses have plug-ins to meet customer demands. Can you name others? It's clearly an advantage to the business establishment if they upgrade to make their store more customer electronic friendly as it's been proven a customer will stay at your business a longer period of time therefore purchase more product while they're there. What has been your experience? Do you spend more money if you're at a Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts for 2 hours rather than going to the drive thru?

This new electronic age isn't for everyone. Whether you're old school or not, how annoying is it when the person who is assisting you has ear buds in and doesn't hear what you're asking! In fact, I've encountered a few customer service people along the way who have one bud in and think it's okay. Quite honestly, it's rude and it shows you're not giving your customer the undivided attention they deserve.

 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Carl_Seidner/2124130

What to Do If Your Car Engine Is Overheating

The engine is the most expensive and complex component of any standard vehicle. When it begins to overheat, it can be for a number of reasons; including clogged radiator, bad thermostat, low coolant, broken fan belt, broken cooling fan, coolant leak, and more. But the underlying reason behind any overheating engine is due to the vehicle's cooling system losing its ability to regulate and remove excess heat from the motor. Although an unpleasant predicament to be in, when your car overheats while driving, it's important to not panic. Continue reading for an instructional guide for safely and efficiently managing an overheating engine on the road.

Managing an Overheated Car Engine

Whether you notice your dashboard's temperature gauge climbing, or see smoke bellowing from underneath your hood, when an engine begins to overheat, it is critical to stop the vehicle as soon as possible. This means pulling over to the side of the road, shoulder of the interstate, into a parking lot, or neighborhood development. No matter where you are, you must immediately find a place to stop and park.

If you feel like you can make it to the nearest service center, the first thing to do is shut off your AC, open all the windows, and turn ON your heat. This sounds crazy in the summertime (or even the winter opening the windows), but turning on the heat and opening car windows relieves pressure from the engine and can buy you some time to get to an auto repair shop.

Once you are at a stop, whether on the side of the road or a service station, be sure to not open the hood until it stops steaming. This could take up to 30 minutes. If you are at a service station, a technician will handle everything, including this; but if you are by yourself on the road, just be sure to wait before you pop the hood.

Once the car cools down, you can pop the hood and open the radiator cap. Check to see that you have engine coolant and that it is the color it should be (whatever color it is when it's new). If you notice reddening or odd coloring, then your coolant is dirty and needs replaced. If it is just low, try refilling it with your emergency stash of radiator fluid in the trunk. Everyone should always have radiator fluid and windshield wiper fluid on hand at all times for emergencies.

If you do not have coolant on-hand, simply use water instead. You don't have either, it is best to contact a local roadside assistance service for help. Then have them transfer your vehicle to the nearest service station for inspections and service.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sarahbeth_Kluzinski/1326228

Four Common Oil Change Myths

Many mechanics or automotive shops will try to sell you more than you need. They are trying to maximize their profits, and they will try to take advantage of you. Your best defense against wasting money is being informed. An oil change is one of the most common reasons for you to take your car into an automotive shop and that is oftentimes when they will try to upsell you unnecessary products and procedures. There are many different myths going around about engine fluids. Many of them can prove quite costly. Here are a few of the biggest ones.

Myth #1 - You need to change your oil every 3,000 miles.

You might not even know where you first heard this myth. In the past, most automobile manufacturers recommended a change every 3,000 miles. The thinking was that if you did not change the fluid often, it would become dirty and you would run the risk of damaging your car's engine. However, this is no longer the case. Modern synthetic and conventional options contain detergents that keep clean. Also, the improved engineering of modern vehicles means they run cleaner and do not contaminate motor fluids nearly as quickly. In fact, many cars can go for as many as 7,500 miles without an oil change.

The average driver in the U.S. drives roughly 15,000 miles per year. That means you might be taking your car in five times a year instead of twice. That could be as much as $150 wasted every year.

Myth #2 - Synthetic is "better" than conventional

Conventional motor oil is made from the same fossil fuels that are refined to produce gasoline. Synthetic is made from laboratory-made chemicals. Synthetic is definitely a more efficient product. It can be so thin and viscous that they have weights as low as 0W-30. This product flows seven times faster than conventional 5W-30. Certain synthetics will still flow at negative 58 degrees F whereas most conventionals will freeze at negative 35 degrees F. However, how often do you drive in negative 50-degree weather? That is why synthetic is not necessarily "better" than conventional. It is more efficient in testing circumstances, but in real world application, it performs about the same.

Myth #3 - Additives improve performance

Many automotive stores will attempt to sell you detergents and other additives that are supposed to clean the engine or improve the oil's viscosity. These additives do those things, which is why the manufacturer already adds them. Adding more of the already-present substances will not improve your engine's performance.

Myth #4 - Dark oil is dirty and needs to be changed

You have probably heard that when your engine fluid turns dark, you need an oil change. This is actually the exact opposite. The detergents in modern engine fluids are designed to break up sludge and keep it held in suspension. That way, the sludge does not build up in your engine. So, when the oil turns dark, it is doing its job.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Anders_Abadie/1022510

Car Starter Motor System

Turning on the ignition sparks a series of events that eventually ensure that the car runs the engine and it is ready for use by the driver. First the battery power flows to the solenoid before it sends currents to the starter motor pushing the starter gear to engage the flywheel after which the motor is awakened to turn the crankshaft of the engine. If the starter system is functional then the engine will start. This is a process that takes milliseconds to happen and faulty starter motors will not work and instead require repair or replacement. The starter system is made up of a number of components which might be what needs to be replaced or repaired so they can work together to make the starting process swift.

Ignition - It is the part where the car keys enter and it's next to your steering wheel. The lock cylinder where the key fits turns the switch connecting the starter and the battery. It therefore ought to be in a position to engage the starter.

Starter motor - This is a small electrical device that provides power to the engine. It has coils within it which turn carbon brushes to rub the interiors before sending current to solenoid.

Solenoid - The starter solenoid can be defined as an electric relay closing the starter system circuit when it's activated by the motor. It pushes the starter gear to the engine flywheel that allows parts to move when the starter motor is ready.

Battery cables - They connect the battery terminal to the engine cylinder and the starter solenoid to provide power from the battery to the motor so the engine turns on.

Replacing Your Starter Motor

Just like any other system, it is possible that your starter system could experience problems making it important to buy a new motor. If you are experiencing issues such as noises when starting your car, slow engine starts, engine start fails and an unusual smell when the engine is started, then you should have the starter motor and the system as a whole checked. Some of the problems you can troubleshoot or have a mechanic help you out.

In case you have to buy a starter motor, remember that they come in a huge variety. Generally, you should know your car model considering that there are Mitsubishi starter motor, Ford starter motor and even Bosch starter motors among many others. The car model will guide you to the right motor model and so is the vehicle year. The best you can do is to ensure that you are getting the motor from a trusted dealer and take the time to ensure that it looks like the starter that is in your car. Consider how knowledgeable and experienced the dealer is in car parts as well as the quality of the car parts that he sells. This way you are sure to get a long lasting and the right motor for your car.

You can use a manual to replace the motor or have a professional do it for you to keep costly errors at bay during this process.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jovia_D'Souza/2007086

4 Tips to Help You Find Trusted FIAT Spider Specialists

Finding qualified Fiat Spider specialists can be a tough task. Fiat Spider owners need to know what to look for and where to look if they want a reputable source. Here are four quick tips that will help you find the best FIAT Spider specialists.

The Fiat Spider is undoubtedly one of the most popular Italian sports cars of all-time. For 20 years, from 1966 to 1985, Fiat and Pininfarina produced the Spider with the same quality and craftsmanship that attracts collectors to the car today. However, in North America, the obscurity of the Fiat makes finding replacement parts and experienced mechanics difficult. In order to find trustworthy specialists, enthusiasts can follow these simple pointers.

1. Look for Imported Parts

Most North American car restoration shops focus on cars produced in North America, for obvious reasons. Oftentimes, these shops will not have the appropriate parts, knowledge, or experience to restore a Fiat Spider. Finding a shop that imports replacement parts from Europe is a sign that the shop is committed to the restoration of foreign cars and their inventory can be trusted.

2. Choose European Mechanics or Those with European Experience

FIAT is an Italian company and wildly popular in Europe, so European mechanics usually have far more experience than their American counterparts. Spiders are a highly diverse line of cars, for instance, they can contain any one of seven different engines; therefore, a true specialist will have years of experience working on a variety of models.

3. Emphasize Past Work

Professional FIAT Spider restorers should have a passion for the cars they work on, manifested in the cars they own. A specialist who is currently restoring or has recently restored is more accountable due to his experience and knowledge.

4. Connect with Other Owners

Spider owners are a tight-knit, passionate group of people who are willing to help each other out. They are the best place to turn for advice and can be found in online forums, on social media, and at car shows. Fiat Club America has a website and Facebook page with thousands of members, many of whom are FIAT owners themselves.

No other Italian sports car combines the performance, durability, and affordability of the FIAT Spider. Collectors, car mechanics, and vintage car racers, all need a trustworthy specialist on speed dial. Applying these pointers will definitely help you find a qualified specialist here in the US.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/George_N_Anderson/1746991

Testing an Alternator - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Most car owners will know of the frustration that comes along when there are issues with their vehicles. Knowing what the problem actually is will usually be the first obstacle as with so many moving parts in a car and its engine there are so many things that can go wrong.

One example is that of when your car battery does not seem to be charging. Many will initially think it is the battery but in reality it could also be the alternator. So many people make the mistake of going out and getting a new battery only to find out that the problem still exists.

This is why it is important to test the alternator with some alternator testing equipment before purchasing that new battery. To do this, there are a number of methods as you can see below.

The Good

The best way to test an alternator would be to take it to an automotive repair shop and have experienced mechanics put to use specialized alternator test equipment on it. Whilst this method might be the costliest of the three, it is the safest and will provide the most accurate results.

Just ensure that your automotive repair shop uses quality alternator test equipment such as those available from reputable brands. They have a variety of high quality products that are related to the testing of alternators.

The Bad

Another way is to purchase a voltmeter and use that to test the alternator. This is done by starting the engine and placing the positive probe from the voltmeter to the positive terminal on the battery and the negative probe likewise to the negative terminal.

You should now get a reading that will be around the 14 volts mark if the alternator is working, if it is more than 15, there is a good chance that the alternator is not working as it should be.
While this method works and is accurate enough, it can be a dangerous process for those that do not know too much about what they are doing and cars in general. The engine is running while you are in the hood of the car, so there is potential for a lot to go wrong.

The Ugly

The ugly way to test an alternator is the old style method that should be avoided completely. It involves starting the car and disconnecting one of its battery terminals in order to see if the car continues running. While this method certainly works, it should not be done as a number of things could go wrong that are dangerous. Firstly, the battery could blow up if a spark occurs near it and more modern cars could see their computer components fried due to a possible voltage surge going through them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Rosario_Berry/1668823

4 Maintenance Tips to Keep Cars Running Over 100,000 Miles

When they've just been acquired from a dealership, new vehicles usually run very smooth, the engine giving everything it has throughout the RPM range, shocks are nicely absorbed by the struts and coils wrapped into the suspension mechanism, and fuel consumption sticks to the data found on the brochure. However as years pass, cars tend to grow old just like we do; components start to gain wear and perform with reduced efficiency.

Still, in the same way we take care of our bodies in order to live past the average life expectancy number, proper maintenance can keep a vehicle rolling the tarmac for years and thousands of miles. Here are 4 key maintenance elements to consider if you want your vehicle to run more than 100,000 miles.

1. Oil, Fluids and Filters

In order to run, a car needs fuel. Also, it needs to breathe and to provide minimum friction for the inner dynamic components of the engine. That is why replacing fluids and filters and respecting maintenance intervals are a critical step in ensuring an extended lifetime for any vehicle. Normally, the only fluid that must be changed on a regular basis is motor oil. Others, such as gearbox oil, coolant or brake fluid must be refilled to their optimum level if the level drops; otherwise, there is no need to tamper with them. Don't try to be cheap when replacing motor oil on your car! Go for a product that matches settings written in your car's service manual. Other oils may be cheaper or work better in other vehicles but may produce lower performance on yours.

Replacing motor oil means you will also have to replace the oil filter. Again, don't try to save a few dollars by acquiring a cheaper, low quality product; you will save more on the long run with a performance oil filter. Remember that your car also owns a fuel filter, an air filter and a particle filter. Remember to replace those as well, according to the service interval mentioned in your car's service manual.

2. Brakes

Once you've ensured your car is running smooth and at full capacity thanks to its new filters and oil, it is highly recommended to make sure you can get to a full stop just as well as you can accelerate. Again, take your car's service manual and check the indicated maintenance period regarding the vehicle's braking system. If there's none, make sure to check the wear level of your brake pads and replace them when they become thin. Also, after a few tens of thousands of miles, it is highly recommended to replace your brake rotors as well; they may take longer to wear but they aren't indestructible either.

3. Timing belt

A timing belt that ruptures while the engine is running at a high RPM's is a mechanical nightmare. If it happens, chances are your intake and exhaust valves will damage, pistons may crack and your engine may have to undergo a very expensive repair process. If your car features a chain drive, you don't have to worry about this. Still, since there are many cars using a timing belt, replacing your old belt with a new timing belt kit on a regular basis is highly recommended. Replacement intervals differ between car brands and models, so you'll have to look up yours in the service manual or online. The interval is measured in miles, so check your odometer from time to time.

4. Tires

Your car's enhanced braking system is useless unless the vehicle has a strong grip with the ground. Given that the only elements able to provide such grip are the tires, make sure you keep an eye on their wear level. Use a cheap tread-depth gauge to measure how much tread your tires have left. A low tread increases chances of aquaplaning and tire failure. Depending on where you live, season-appropriate tires should be used; you should own a winter as well as a summer set of tires if you live in a climate with four seasons.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Antonie_G_Vastinar/1447440

Top Tips to Minimise Your Service and Repair Bills

Owning a vehicle can be a costly venture. Not only do you need to plan for the initial purchase and rising cost of fuel but you will also need to plan for service and repair bills throughout the lifetime of the vehicle. While a regular Subaru car service schedule is important, it is possible to minimise the need for servicing and repair with some basic preventative measures.

1. Buy Fuel at a Reputable Service Station:

Many consumers have found that their vehicles suffer a drop in performance after buying fuel at certain service stations. This is likely because the garage has neglected basic maintenance changing the filters on each of the pumps. This allows particles of debris to be mixed with the fuel and enter into your engine. While your Subaru car service may include changing your fuel filter, you could have already suffered damage to your engine. It is far better to find a reputable garage who have a strict policy regarding their pump filters.

2. Discard Your Old Keys:

Many people develop a huge collection of keys on their key chain. While this appears to be a harmless habit, it can actually represent a great strain on your ignition. When you are driving, you could inadvertently be allowing a heavy weight to pull and bounce on the ignition. This can cause damage to the ignition tumblers and could lead to a switch failure. Go through your key chain and minimise the weight by discarding old keys. If you do need a large bunch of keys in your day to day life, consider having your car ignition key on a separate key chain.

3. Protect From Sun Damage:

The hot Australia climate can be devastating to the finish of your car. You should aim to protect your vehicle from sun damage by parking in shady areas where possible. This can protect your paint finish and your interior from sun bleaching. Additionally, you should use a rubber protect ant on all of the window and door weather stripping. This will keep the rubber supple and prevent cracking. Avoid using oil based products as oil can compromise the rubber. If you notice any damaged weather stripping, it is a good idea to replace it as soon as possible to prevent further damage occurring.

4. Seal Any Leaks:

Leaks are an indication of a potential problem with your vehicle. Most common leaks include radiator fluid. However, it is possible to reduce the need to replace a damaged radiator by sealing the leak. There are a number of radiator seal products available on the market which circulate around the radiator and plug any holes. This can prolong the lifespan of the radiator and reduce potential repair bills.

5. Check Your Fluids:

Many people have developed the good habit of regularly checking oil and water levels. However, while checking fluid levels are a component of a Subaru car service, they should not be neglected between garage visits. Fluid levels are easy to check and the brake, power steering, radiator fluid reservoirs have a minimum and maximum level indicated for ease of refilling. This enables even vehicle novices the ability to ensure that all fluids are at their optimum level.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Willey_David/1982664

Protection and Maintenance of Classic Cars in Winter

t is a matter of pride to be the owner of a classic vintage car. It is a joyful and proud moment to be envied by people around you when you are seen enjoying the beautiful summer day in your classic car. People think of it as a matter of prestige to be one among a group that owns these vintage treasures.

However, it is only when the summer goes by and is replaced by the winter the reality of protecting your classic car hits you. This is exactly when vintage car owners start considering and thinking about ways of saving their beauties from being effected by the bad weather.

Your classic vintage cars can easily be hampered by a lot of vintage issues and so you need to be prepared to handle them effectively. A few ways in which you can handle these winter problems are listed below:

Being prepared

It is every vintage car owner's nightmare to find the vehicle being affected by corrosion. However individuals are not able to clearly identify issues that can happen on the interior. They only see the exterior of the vehicle and recognize scratches, chips and corrosion. It is no doubt mandatory to correct these issues; however it is also true that most of the problems affect the interior of the vintage cars. The most common issue is the formation of rust caused when air combines with water and steel. It should be noted that the water in the air is also sufficient enough to cause corrosion.

Handling areas difficult to access

The only solution to prevent areas difficult to access from corrosion is by proofing them from rust. The most appropriate way to do this is by applying wax based coating to the interior panels of your classic car. Some areas are harder to access and these require holes to be drilled specifically to reach them. The exterior of the cars can use a bit of the same coating as well. A very common rust causing agent is mud because it comes with a lot of moisture.

Preventing rust from forming

It is necessary to consider a rust treatment that will effectively prevent rust from being formed on your car. All the dirt and mud from your car needs to be room most of so that corrosion can be spotted easily. When the signs of corrosion are spotted early on, it gets very easy to prevent rust from forming.

A good method of preventing rust is by using a rust inhibitor on the stone chips and damaged areas. Once coated with the inhibitor, these areas can be retouched with paint.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Dhivya_Rateesh_Nair/1635440

Choosing a Body Shop for Classic Car Restoration or Repainting of an Older Car

In the market for a classic car restoration? When you have a car that is considered a classic, you may want to take it to a body shop to have it professionally restored. The process involves more than just a new paint job, and implies that it is being put back in its authentic condition, just as it was when it was new on the showroom floor. Not all body shops are equipped to handle a true restoration.

What is Classic Car Restoration?

A classic car is defined by the Classic Car Club of America as a vehicle between 30 and 49 years, while one between 50 and 99 years is considered a pre-antique and cars 100 years and older, an antique. Not all older cars meet the definition of "classic car." The crucial thing with classics is that they represented "fine or unusual motorcars" distinguished by "fine design, high engineering standards, and superior workmanship." Often costly at the time, they often have other distinguishing characteristics, based on their engine displacement, custom coach work, and luxury accessories. Other car organizations have different criteria, while some states consider it a classic after 20 or 25 years for licensing purposes.

Is Restoration Really what you Want or Need?

Restoration means that the body shop might need to tear the car apart to examine the condition of the components and either refurbish it with original parts or find reproduction parts and install them in an authentic way. If the car is updated or re-created to look like a fancy limited edition model, the work is not considered a restoration. Typically, the reason that people undertake a restoration is to create something of value for sale or to enter in car show.

Not every car is a good subject for restoration. The fact is, many old cars are just that - old cars. You may want to refurbish one and have it repainted for your son, but the car might not be considered a classic. When you are looking for a shop to work on an old car, you must be clear in your goals in order to select the right shop. Anytime your pay money to have work done, you want the shop to do an excellent job for you. However, your standards for repainting an older car that you love are different than if you have a car that meets the definition of classic and that you intend to use as a classic car. Having a 1947 Chevy is not the same as having a 1947 Cadillac 90 series.

Can your Body Shop Handle Classic Restoration?

Many body shops boast that they do custom work on classic cars. If you have a car that is a true classic, your standards should be higher to make sure that you have a finished product that is show worthy or able to command a higher price. You need to ask some questions of the shop. Specifically, you need to know:

• What do they consider a classic car?
• What have they restored?
• What assurance do they offer that the parts they use are genuine?

If you have found a good shop with a track record of making older cars serviceable and attractive, you may have a great place to take your older car that you will love, but unless the shop has had experience restoring your Alfa Romeo or your 335 BMW, you might need to find a shop that specializes in the type of classic car restoration you need.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8931254

How To Buy A Lucrative Muscle Car

There is always a difference between an ordinary vehicle and a muscle car. A muscle car brings on a cool attitude when you are driving. If you prefer extreme driving and love sports such as drag racing, a muscle car can suit you best. These exclusive vehicles are available in various designs. Different models have different styles and features. They are tough, hardy, trendy and reflect a masculine attitude. These types of cars are eye catchy and can easily be spotted with its unusual bright look.

Some people prefer to choose sophisticated cars for smooth driving. Normally youngsters prefer extreme, hard hitting driving. They require fast moving cars that can withstand rush driving or extreme driving through hill areas. If you are adventurous and enjoy being with a sporty group of friends, then you may like to enjoy thrilling experience in your vehicle. Muscle cars will be the best option for you in this situation. These types of cars are hard and designed in a stylish way. You get a wide range of variety of these vehicles at affordable prices.

If you are determined to buy a hardy automobile, you must know the difference between this sort of hardy cars and other luxurious cars. Usually, these cars are made for high performance with a medium size and a huge powerful engine, normally a V8. Common muscle cars have two doors, but some classic ones have four doors as well. Except all these, these sorts of cars have special trims that create maximum torque and rotary force when driving. Drag racing experts choose these cars for competition. They are comparatively larger in size than any sport cars.

Being aware of the qualities and features of such cars, you need to pay attention to different attractive models of these cars. These cars are colorfully designed and very stylish in looks. May be this is one of the reasons for youngsters craze for these powerful cars. They were introduced in the early 60s and those old models are called classic muscle cars. Now with the invention of new technology and new stylish designs, classic cars become rare collections. Old owners sometime take their vehicles for classic muscle car sales and buy more fashionable new cars for their young generations. These cars continue to create a craze among young people. Now several models have come up with consideration of modern choices.

Once you have decided to buy a lucrative muscle automobile, you can start looking for the right affordable vehicles. First, you can visit several automobile exhibits. Different vehicles manufacturers host such exhibits in your city where they feature their vehicles. You can have a look at your favorite one. Secondly you can go through magazines that contain such car images, and you can search in Websites based on automobiles. You can easily get the contact details of car manufacturers/dealers from the sites. But before buying any stylish muscle car you should verify the credibility of the manufacturer. You can visit different showrooms to take various glimpses of attractive cars and ultimately in this way you can choose the right and the best car for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9096358