Monthly Archives: October 2010

Toyota Issues Recall for Brake Problems

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Toyota issued another recall today (October 21, 2010) that effects 1.5M autos for brake fluid and fuel pump problems.  Half of the cars affected are in the U.S. marketplace.  The manufacturer recall includes the 2005 and 2006 Avalon, 2004-2006 Highlanders, 2004-2006 RX330 and 2006 GS300, IS250 and IS350.  The remaining automobiles were sold in Europe and Japan.

Brakes fluid could leak if the owner replaces or adds fluid that does not contain polymers.

According to Toyota:

The polymers act as lubricants for certain brake system components. If during vehicle maintenance, brake fluid is used that does not contain such polymers or only small amounts, a part of the internal rubber seal (brake master cylinder cup) located at the end of the brake master cylinder piston may become dry and may curl during movement of the piston. If this occurs, a small amount of the brake fluid could slowly leak from the brake master cylinder into the brake booster, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp.

Owners will be notified by mail beginning in November if their car requires maintenance. This repair will be performed at no charge to the customer.

Owners that have previously paid for the replacement of the Brake Master Cylinder due to brake fluid leakage from the rubber seal (Brake Master Cylinder Cup) to address this specific condition should refer to the owner letter for instructions regarding reimbursement consideration.

As part of the recall, Toyota and Lexus dealers will replace the brake master cylinder cup with a newly designed one at no charge to the vehicle owners.  The repair will take approximately 2 hours.

Upgraded Truck Bumpers

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One way to modify your truck to improve both its function and its appearance is to install an upgraded truck bumper. Relative to different modifications one can make to a truck, these bumpers are relatively inexpensive. Besides better protecting your truck, many custom truck bumper provide additional functioning and cool new styling.

Customizing your jacked up trucks with more rugged and feature-rich bumpers helps you assemble exactly the unique new truck you desire.

Most of these custom, modern bumpers must be uniquely built by your or a shop specializing in such endeavors. This increases the likelihood your custom job will allow for a more durable and unique truck. Steel bumpers featuring custom air dams not only provide you an extremely rugged front end for your truck, but they make excellent additions for vehicles requiring enhanced strength and security, such as law enforcement vehicles or emergency trucks.

Standard and heavy duty truck bumpers of this nature are usually available from custom truck shops. Keep in mind that these custom jobs are often uniquely designed for different, specific models of trucks. But you can pretty much find them for every kind of truck, whether you’re a Ford man, Chevy man or you prefer Japanese models from Toyota or Nissan.

Don’t underestimate the value of a good custom truck bumper. Modern trucks don’t feature quite the same robust bumper older trucks used to have, so getting a nice steel custom bumper job could save you several thousands of dollars in repair from slow impact wrecks.

Additionally, a nice upgraded bumper will increase your truck’s resell value. Besides its direct value increase, it also shows that your truck was well-maintained and that you took care of its upgrades and features. Be sure to match your bumper to your truck’s tires and body to maximize its visual appeal.

Some nice new features you can add to your truck with such an upgraded bumper or front grille include fog lights and winces. Be sure to consider the visual style of your upgraded bumper as well. A nice chrome grille or custom paint job to match the truck’s body can really increase the overall aesthetic of a modified truck.

After you select and implement just the right upgraded bumper for your ride, your truck will enjoy improved capability and greater aesthetic appeal.

BMW Electric Car

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The BMW electric car or known as the ActiveE is scheduling field trials beginning in summer 2011 in the Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, Boston, and the New York tri-state metro areas.  The trial ActiveE electric drive train is housed in the 1 Series Coupe.

This will be the second trial that first started with the Mini E to gain experience for preparation for the Megacity Vehicle launch in 2013.

The ActiveE is based one the 1 Series Coupe contains a new drivetrain and a lithium-ion battery pack developed by SB-LiMotive.

The BMW electric car will have a range of about 100 miles per single charge and is electronically limited to 90 mph.  The range is adequate for most commuters to travel to work and back for a recharge at home.

Climate control systems for the ActiveE are accessible via a smartphone using BMW ConnectedDrive that allows the driver to pre-cool or pre-heat the car before entering it.  The preconditioning of the car by mobile phone increases the range of the vehicle.

Buying RV Repos

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In the summer time a lot of people start to dream of owning a recreational vehicle. They are a great way to go off on an extended vacation whenever you have the time, or they are also great for that short weekend trip when you just want to get away for a while. It’s not all that hard to find a place to park for the night, and you don’t have to get up early just to repack your clothes. And of course with your bed and fridge right there you can save a lot on your travel costs. RVs as well as campers are a common sight on the highways during the summer months

Unlike the damaged cars that you see repossessed, most repo’d RVs that you find for sale will probably be in pretty good shape. It is very unlikely that you will see a repossessed RV that has been damaged from being in an accident. You can find these repos by calling your local RV dealer and seeing what they have available or just watch for repo auctions in your area and find out if they have any RVs that are going to be auctioned. Another option for finding a good deal on an RV might just be to watch for a private party which has one for sale. You may be able to get as good of a price as you would on a repo. Plus the vehicle will probably be better taken care of and the owner will know more about the history of the vehicle

The main reason that a lot of people like buying rv repos is solely for the price that they have to pay, as sometimes you can find them at a real discount as much as two thirds to one half off of the normal price. You can get a great RV and still save a lot of cash. If you do decide to attend an auction one thing to watch out for is over bidding, when you get caught up in the excitement. Determine before hand how much you can afford then don’t bid over that price. This way you don’t go over budget and you still end up with a great RV.

Why do I need to change my motor oil?

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There was a time not so long ago, back in the 80s and before when you get to change motor oil with the seasons. Back in those days engines used single grade oil, designed to work in a specific set of weather conditions. Because in cold weather oil gets thicker and thicker oil is difficult to circulate around the engine. In the time it takes for the oil to get to the parts it needs to lubricate damage can be done and it might not sound as if much harm could occur in the first 30 to 60 seconds in the engine starts but multiply this by every time you go on a journey and it adds up to a considerable amount of time when damage can occur.

Because of this problem in the cold thinner oils were used in winter. Oil also becomes less effective at lubricating if it gets too thin, so in summer time the opposite was true. A thicker oil had to be placed in the engine so that when it got hot when the engine reached its working temperature it didn’t become too thin to lubricate.

Luckily modern motor oil is multigrade and can be used all year round except in the most extreme hot and cold conditions. Cars are also fitted with an oil warning light or in some high-performance vehicles oil pressure gauges are used to let you know if the oil has sufficient pressure. But even multigrade oils can’t last forever as the additives which change their behaviour in hot and cold weather (and also help clean the engine as well as doing numerous other jobs) become used up and the only way to replenish them is by an oil change. Because the motor oil is so important to your car do not try and achieve a cheap oil change by using an inferior product. Instead save money on the oil change by searching the Internet for some cheap oil change coupons. In this way you can get a good product and save some cash.

Electric Cars – What About Them?

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If you’re concerned about the environment, our planet’s future especially after the oil spill this summer, then you’re probably very interested in getting out from an Iowa City car that runs on gas and into an electric car. According to a recent Consumer Reports survey about 25% of car owners are looking into an electric car for purchasing the next time they go shopping. There are going to be a lot of electric cars hitting the market coming up in the next few months and that’s a good thing. Whether one would be good for you depends on a few things.

Most of the electric vehicles available from Iowa City dealers right now have a range of around 100 miles on a single charge. The majority of people in this country drive around 40 miles a day but before you purchase a car with a specific range, you should track your daily miles. If you drive more than that a day, you should probably get an electric car with a higher range such as the Chevrolet Volt. It uses electric and gas and provides a range of 300 miles a charge. Another long range car is a plug in hybrid which is a gas and electric car. These cars use electricity for a small percentage of the miles though.

If you live in an apartment building then you’ll need to check out if there are charging outlets available and that you can use them for several hours a day. If not, you’ll need to see if there’s public charging spots available. Over the next few years these will be popping up all over. If you live in a house you can get a dedicated charger in your garage. You can use a regular outlet but expect to wait 16 to 20 hours for the Iowa City car to charge! You can get a 220 volt outlet installed so that the car charges in about 6 hours. These will cost around $2,000 to get but federal subsidies will help cut the cost down quite a bit. Now if your house was built before 1990 you may need an amp upgrade. New homes have the 200 amp electric service but it’s not the case with older homes.

Since you’ll be recharging your electric car at home, make sure you’ll be saving money by using so much electricity. The average rate is 11 cents a kw hour. Driving an electric car will almost always be cheaper than buying gas. Consumer Reports estimates that your car will get about 3 miles per kwh which equates to 4 cents a mile. A Toyota Corolla with a fuel economy of 30 mpg would cost 9 cents a mile for fuel, so as you can see the electric car really does save a lot of money over the long haul if an average gallon of gas costs $2.80.

Learn how the oil works in your car’s engine

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Although you don’t have to be a good mechanic to be a good driver some simple knowledge of how your car’s systems function can be beneficial. One of the primary systems in the car if the motor oil system, if neglected it can do a tremendous amount of damage in a very short time. Damage that cannot always be fixed. Read on to understand how it works and how you need to look after it.

The engine supply of oil is maintained in the oil sump, also known as the oil pan. It is bolted on beneath the engine and is the source of motor oil that the oil pump draws on. The pump extracts oil and feeds it through the oil filter. The filter is needed to remove small debris that accumulates in the oil. Without being filtered these particles would scratch and away the surfaces of the engine. After being filtered the pressure of the oil is taken. An oil pressure sensor is used to monitor this and send a signal to either/or the oil pressure gauge on the dashboard or the oil warning light. The oil then travels through holes drilled in the engine to be components it needs to lubricate, where it is forced through a nozzle and sprayed onto Pistons, cylinder walls, bearings etc. Here it forms a lubricating question for the parts to slide over. It also has an opportunity to absorb some of the heat generated from the combustion process and engine ticking noises.

Finally the oil falls through the engine and clicks again in the sump where it is called by the flow of air around the underside of the car. This effect is increased by it baffles in the sump which give a greater surface area for the oil to be cooled by hand which stop it from sloshing around as the card turns corners.

Your Guide To Buying Foreclosed Cars and Foreclosed Trucks

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To those who have never been in car auction before or even to those who did not even know what is a car auction, here is your short guide to buying foreclosed cars.

Car auction is an event held once or twice a month that offers vast and different kinds of cars in very low and affordable prices. The price that was set on every car varies and they are often the initial price. These prices are economically reduced that is why many people are yearning to purchase from car auctions.

There are three types of auctions.

    a. Private – as the word implies, it is only for those individuals who have receive an invitation to participate.
    b. Dealer-only – one should secure a dealer card or membership to join the event
    c. Public or Government – this is open to everyone who wants to partake of the said auction event.

There are also three ways on how cars are being auctioned.

    a. Live – vocal and open outbidding between competitors.
    b. Silent – you write your bid on a piece of paper, put it in an envelope and submit it when the auction time runs out.
    c. Online – done entirely over the internet.

Why these cars or foreclosed trucks offered very cheap?

Automobiles that have been recently repossessed by lenders is a one reason. If the person who uses that car before disobeys their monthly payment agreement, the bank or lenders will foreclose and repossess it. Not until the person can make the full value of the car, the institution still holds the ownership of the car that is why it is easy for them to get it back into their possession.

A car foreclosure notification is avoidable. You have to settle this immediately, before things go out of your hand. You can reconstruct and adjust the payment or you can make a promissory note, telling them to extend your grace period and will pay it as soon as you get new means to generate income. However, if they want to repossess and foreclose it totally, you don’t have any other choice.

After they take your car, they would wait for another auction event to be held. They would soon hand it over to car auction companies and let other people pay the remaining amount you owed to them.

Metal Carport Kits Choices

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Everyone wants to protect their investment and a metal carport is a good way to do so. In the world of carports the three main varieties are metal- either aluminum or steel, poly vinyl- found in portable carports or car canopies, and traditional carports – built from brick, log, or wood. There are several things to consider before you decide which type to choose.

One factor is of course cost. For a very permanent choice, a traditional carport can be constructed. Most commonly permanent carports are attached to a home. Trim, gutters, and roofing to match the home are used to tie the two together.

But commonly when someone is searching online for a metal carport kit they are looking for something with a longer life than a car canopy made from poly or vinyl, but not as involved as building a ‘brick and mortar’ addition to thier home.

Metal carports come fully ready to assemble. They are supposed to only need a few days of labor to have fully completed with a minimal amount of tools. But just as other things seem to go with around the home projects, sometimes a few hours turns into a few days. To help prevent this from happening be sure to inquire and make sure that a full set of directions come with the carport kit.

Another factor to consider is before buying a carport unit is the specifics of your area. Things such as snow load and wind need to be addressed. Even if snow is not a daily occurrence, one heavy snow storm can flatten some carports that were meant for warmer climates. Wind can also play a huge role. In coastal areas high winds may accompany the spring and fall. Having a new carport blown to pieces is not very appealing.

Taking the time and expense to pour a cement slab under a carport and bolting the frame to exposed anchor bolts can make that carport the best out there. Also when it has a more permanent feel, then a homeowners association and even an insurance agent may consider it a permanent investment for the home instead of just a last minute thought.

Buying Used Truck Parts Online

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Buying used truck parts has always been a hassle in the past. Fortunately, the internet has made the process of locating the exact part you need a whole lot simpler. When searching for your missing piece there are lots of sources to choose from, such as OEM sellers, junk yards, aftermarket parts websites, and classified ads. These will give you the option of both new and used parts, as well as allow you to compare pricing for the best deal. Here are some popular places to look for your next vehicle parts.

Junk Yards

Junk yards are a great place to begin your search if you have some time on your hands and really want to get the lowest price. There are junk yard locator services available through the internet which individuals or business can register and request a parts search. Junkyards in the database will receive your request and if they have the part you are looking for they will respond. This is an efficient way to locate parts at a great discount. Indeed, many used parts are available through junk yards at reasonable prices.

Used and Aftermarket

There are many companies which specialize in selling any part you need. Through their websites, they list parts for basically every section of a truck from bumper parts, fuel tanks, and engine parts to wheels and drum hubs. Buyers can sort and/or filter the listings by the originating location, business type (i.e. Car repair shops, Re manufactured truck parts, Truck dealers, Truck Hobbyist and other sources). While this makes your search easy, you won’t always find the lowest prices from these sources, but they are perfect for those with little time.

Rebuilt and New

Companies that sell new truck parts often have trucks for sale as well. If you’re looking for a truck part or to sale used truck parts these companies usually have a service that will meet your needs.

EBay

EBay has a website devoted to trucks and autos called EBay Motors. It is a popular place to locate truck parts at a discount. In addition to vehicle listings, they sell used truck parts and accessories. Car and truck items are listed by category such as Exterior, Air Intake and Fuel Delivery and Lighting and Lamps. Finding the part you are looking for at an affordable price is made simple by EBay Motors.

Classified Ads

What better way to find what you are looking for than placing a classified ad in the auto section of a website or newspaper. Many truck and auto web sites have used parts classified sections. Classified ads are a great place to look or place your ad when looking to replace your worn out equipment, and because you are working with an individual you will often get a great price.