My husband and I live in a recreational area in central Minnesota. As with most recreation areas throughout the country this means many frequently use 4 wheelers around us. We have 4 wheelers ourselves that we use to plow snow from our driveway, haul wood from the wood pile to the house and to travel the recreation trails of the area. We also use our 4 wheelers during the deer hunting season to get back to our deer stands and to transport the deer out of the woods. I think they are a useful and fun vehicle; however there are so many people who use their 4 wheelers to destroy the natural beauty of our State unknowingly or purposefully.

It all starts from the fortunate fact that there are several paths in the acreage behind our home for 4 wheelers. We normally use these paths to go from one neighbor’s home to another and to simply walk in the beautiful woods. The wooded area where the paths are located has quite dense vegetation filled with very old beautiful hardwood maples and ash trees. This wooded area is classified under tax forfeited land, so it is collectively owned by the State of Minnesota. There is an agreement among the neighbors that we will all do our best to keep the paths clear of brush and fallen debris. However, there are no rules or guidelines whatsoever about the use of 4 wheelers on the paths. Everyone used common sense and was courteous to each other as well as to Mother Nature.

Everything seemed to be going well, until one particular day. Recently our path system was discovered by a group of 4 wheelers that are now using it as a connection from one racing area to another. The racing causes an excessive amount of noise and some serious damage to the wooded area, which prompted the interference of the department of natural resources which stepped in and banned the use of ATV’s in this wooded area.

This has been a great disappointment to those of us who were using our 4 wheelers responsibly. When I mentioned this to some of my co-workers I was surprised to find out a majority of them thought that all ATV trails should be closed. Many people see these trails as dangerous and harmful to the environment. I was amazed that they saw the 4 wheelers as a bad thing per se. A close look at the situation should reveal that the real culprits are those irresponsible people driving them.

The woods behind our house are much quieter now. People still use the paths for walking and nature-gazing. The thing that still bugs me is that others are getting the message that 4 wheelers are bad for nature, when the true message should be irresponsible people are really what are bad for nature. It is unfair that thoughtless behavior by some people is over – generalized and affects the entire community. I love Nature. I love my 4 wheelers, too. They can co-exist.

I enjoy reading the tips and suggestions on finding an honest or good mechanic. These can be found on various government and consumer websites, and in a variety of auto repair articles. I think the same guy wrote all the suggestions, and for all 50 states!

You’ll be advised to check around by word of mouth (WOM), and make sure that you see ASE or AAA posted somewhere. Check out the facility—make sure it’s clean. Check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You’ll be acronymed and common-sense-suggested to death. Unfortunately, none of it will really help either for quality or price.

I know AAA certified shops that can barely change oil. I have worked with ASE certified technicians that frightened me with their diagnostic theories. I know shops that are considered great that have serious BBB scars.

And WOM is the worst method. I have heard clients rave about how wonderful a particular shop is when “I KNOW it’s run by a thief!”

The sad fact is that very few people know what goes on with car repair, and even less comprehend repair pricing—even shop managers and purported experts in the field know very little.

Tips and suggestions only scratch at the surface of the automotive underworld. Sure, some tips might help. But what’s really needed is experienced insider information.

The consumer needs to know what really goes on with repair “pricing” in order to make sense of auto repair costs. With the right guidance and information, the playing field can be leveled, and the automotive customer can easily take charge of car repair prices.

Traditional tips and suggestions are only a band-aid on an open, gaping wound. Relying on these is like trusting a blind man to lead you across a major interstate. You might make it, but wouldn’t you rather follow a traffic cop.

So, you have a teen that is at the driving age. Choosing the right auto, the right insurance and the factors that determine price, is the purpose of this article.

Choosing the right auto is very important to getting cheap insurance. That flashy, red, convertible sports car really looks great, but the insurance for it with a teen driver?… ouch!! Find out what your teen can live with other than this and do your insurance shopping with that model in mind.

Some of the factors that enter into price is:

1. Where do you live? In the city, a suburban area or in a rural setting? The rural area will be the lowest rate with the city being greater.

2. How many miles per year will the vehicle be driven and how many miles to work, school or college.

3. The model and age of the vehicle and it’s safety record. Sometimes an anti-theft device will lower the rate.

4. The deductable amount and the coverage amount, these vary according to area and what the laws are in your state. The more out of pocket you can afford on the deductable the lower your rate will be.

5. Your teens grades at school is also a determining factor. The higher the grades the lower the rate. Makes sense right?

6. Did your teen take drivers ed? Also a factor.

Make sure that your teen knows the importance of a safe driving record, no tickets, no accidents. Over time, a teen with a safe driving record will have their insurance rates reduced. Instill a sense of responsibility in your teen for their freedom to drive.

Some insurance companies offer a policy for just the teen driver. This way they aren’t added to the families policy. This can be a lower rate. There may be some restrictions, such as no driving after dark or others.

Use your favorite search engines to find insurance companies that have the lowest rates for these factors. By shopping online you have a lot of companies to choose from, and it is quicker than the yellow pages.

Keep all of these things in mind when shopping. Insurance rates vary widely, so take your time when doing your research. Another way to search for a good insurance company is to ask around at garages and body shops. Those guys deal with insurance companies every day.

I hope that these factors will help you in finding that company that will give you a good policy at the lowest possible price.

The advice is all the same for auto repair scam prevention. You’ll be told to find an ASE certified shop. Ask around. Check out several different repair facilities first. Are they clean and neat? Do they provide written estimates? Check with the BBB. Is it AAA certified? Some will even advise to “ask for the parts back.”

Traditional tips and suggestions merely put a band-aid over an infected, gaping sore. Strong antibiotics are required to address the root source of the problems in the repair industry. To provide repair customers with the above advice is like sending a soldier into combat dressed in a pink tutu. We have to stop scratching at the surface.

There has not been any “new” advice in decades. More importantly, no one has answered why car repair scams have reached an estimated 40 billion dollars per year. Moreover, why is there still no solution to stop car repair scams?

The first hurdle to conquer is the perception of the frequency of auto repair scams. Many folks just don’t believe that car repair fraud is all that bad. Some even argue that the vast majority of repair shops do an honest day’s work, and that a few bad apples are making the rest look like crooks.

This is an interesting argument, and raises a number of questions.

1) If it is only a few “bad apples,” where are they hiding the 40 billion? 2) If most repair shops are honest, why does every state warn against car repair scams? 3) Why are auto repair shops at the top of consumer complaint lists every single year, in every state?

This is even expanding across the continents. For example, just last week Australia listed car repair scams at number 4 on their top 10 consumer complaint list.

The perception of frequency gets distorted because there are a number of levels to repair scams. There are the blatant rip-offs covered in the news. For a great video visit “Repair Scams Caught on Video” @ www.repairtrust.com. Then there are the common scams such as exorbitant prices and estimates, and aggressive scare tactics to get service customers to perform services. These occur every day.

The repair scams uncovered by RepairTrust not only found the tactics listed above and more, but a powerful undercurrent of scamming at the foundation of the automotive service industry.

In reality, most car repair scams go unnoticed by the service consumer. Service customers just have no idea that they were ripped-off. This under-the-radar scamming occurs in dealerships, local shops, and franchises. Affiliation with ASE, AAA, BBB, NADA makes no difference.

An ASE patch on a technician’s arm, or an AAA or BBB sticker on the door of a service center means absolutely nothing in terms of a scam-free facility. Word of mouth recommendations can be just as devastating, as even shops that “seem” honest aren’t.

Check out “Car Repair Prices: There Are No Honest Mechanics” @ Isnare or RepairTrust for further discussion on this. Also, for NEW and FREE scam prevention tips visit the Car Repair Scam Articles @ RepairTrust.

Traditional tips are ineffective in today’s service industry. Service facilities have found new and ingenious ways of ripping people off. In truth, many of the old tips and suggestions have actually become weapons allowing service centers to indulge in car repair scams more than ever.

The car repair playing field must be leveled. Service customers need solid answers, and they need to be equipped with information, understanding, tools, and an insider’s view of the who, what, when, where, why, and how of price-gouging.

Navigating the dim underworld of today’s service centers with outdated information will cost a fortune.

During fall riding, we have to deal with strong and gusty winds. I suppose you could set a limit and say "I won‘t ride if the winds gust above 30 MPH… but what fun would that be? On a day like today (50 degrees and sunny) can you imagine not riding because of the wind?

(Note: I do have my limits for things like temperatures and I suppose if the winds were above 40 MPH I would probably not ride. Just use your common sense and set your "personal limits" based on your bike limits and rider skill level).

Aircraft pilots often refer to the season change from fall to winter as the "bumpy flight time" because Mother Nature has to use lots of wind to "push summer way" (likewise during the spring to summer change). Whatever the reason… the reality is strong and gusty winds on the ground (for us bikers) as well as in the air during this time of year and we have to know how to ride with these winds.

For most motorcycles, gusty winds are just an annoyance requiring some mild adjustments while riding. On a chopper, a gusty wind will feel like someone is standing beside the bike and is taking their best foot and pressing hard (in a sideways) direction right on the forward control peg (left or right depending on the direction of the wind). I am not sure if this is due to flex in the long forks, the rake, or both but it can make for a strange feeling like the front tire is going to slip out from under you.

So, I have found the best technique for dealing with strong and gusty winds is to ride in the center section of my lane (if the pavement and traffic conditions allow it) and maintain a strong grip on the handlebars while being relaxed enough to adjust as needed during and after the gusts. Like most conditions that deal with handling… slowing down can be a good option too… especially while in heavy traffic during these conditions.

Ride steady!

Fuel injection services are growing in popularity for the following reasons in the order of motive.

1) Increases service center’s profit 2) It’s an easy sell with today’s gas prices 3) Offsets manufacturers’ maintenance reductions 4) Poor gas quality 5) Poor adherence to vehicle maintenance

Notice that “It’s required” did not make the list. That’s because fuel injection services are not required the majority of the time.

However, injector services are at times beneficial, even necessary. See the following frequently asked question and answers…

What do they do? Depending on the product, injection services clean naturally forming carbon deposits from the fuel injectors and fuel rails—some will even clean the fuel tank, and valve carbon deposits.

Do they work? In short, yes. Provided it’s a premium product (such as BG), and the service is performed correctly. Fuel injection services can do amazing things. They can improve fuel efficiency, increase horse power, and repair some performance concerns, although these benefits are rare.

Whether or not fuel injection services will do all the above “every time” for your car is another story.

I have even seen fuel injection services quiet horrendous carbon knocks–a knocking noise from the engine due to excessive carbon build-up coming in contact with internal engine components.

Are they worth it? Maybe. It really depends on the condition of the vehicle. If the service achieves any of the advertised claims, it may be worth it. In truth, most cars don’t need it. The consistent use of quality fuel, and proper vehicle maintenance should be all that is necessary to keep a car running properly.

However, consistent use of cheap gas and poor adherence to an auto maintenance schedule, as well as certain driving styles can significantly increase the accumulation of carbon deposits. Thus the possibility of poor fuel efficiency, decreased horsepower, and performance issues increases–all of which could be helped by injector maintenance.

The other factor to consider is the expense. How much fuel savings justifies the cost of the fuel injection service, and how long is the pay off. BG claims that their product will pay for itself in a year’s time. However, remember that the condition of the vehicle is a big variable! If the car doesn’t need it, there’s no benefit.

How often should it be done? It depends on the product, but generally between 15,000 to 30,000-miles.

Are they necessary? It depends: See the discussion under Are they worth it?

Can a fuel injection service do any damage to my engine or car? Not if done correctly. Done incorrectly, anything goes. A technician could conceivably hydro-lock your engine, or blow a hole in the piston—although both scenarios are rare.

If anything does go wrong, there is usually an underlying problem, which gets exacerbated by the fuel injector auto maintenance.

Why doesn’t my manufacturer recommend fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance? No manufacturer recommends fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance under normal operating conditions. From a manufacturer’s viewpoint: take care of your car right (i.e., as the manufacturer dictates) and you’ll be fine.

However, depending on the problem, some manufacturers will recommend fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance as the cure—especially carbon knock. With the wide variety of fuel qualities available, manufacturers are reconsidering fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance.

How much does fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance cost? Prices vary depending on the service center and the actual procedure performed, and product used. The procedure you want should clean the entire fuel system including the tank and should not cost more than $150.

Also, make sure the service is actually performed as fuel injector maintenance is a common scam across the industry.

Lastly, fuel injection maintenance is often presented in such a way as if it is the magical cure for all your car’s quirks–it not!

When in doubt, don’t do it.

Your car has broken down, and now you need to pay for towing, and repairs. Sometimes these repairs cost unexpected hundreds or thousands of dollars. What are your options?

1. Be Prepared

The best way to avoid an emergency is to be prepared for an emergency. If you can set aside a little bit of money each month in case of any emergency (be it medical, automotive, or accident), then you will be able to manage any unexpected situations. However, if the time has come and you haven’t planned ahead, there are still some ways that you can get money.

2. Stay Calm

One of the most common mistakes that is made during emergencies is to lose your cool. If you lose your cool, you might forget to use common sense. Use your common sense to shop around. Even if you need a tow right now, consider calling a few places for quotes before having them send someone over. The ten minutes that it takes you to make some comparisons might save you twenty dollars or more. That makes the use of time well worth your money. Remember, you will be late anyway, so take your time in getting there.

When the tow truck driver arrives, be sure that you know where you want to have your car towed. You should also do some comparison shopping for this. You can even call a friend and have them make some of your phone calls for you. If you don’t know what is wrong with your car, have it taken to a mechanic or dealership that you trust. They will tell you what’s wrong, and you then be able to decide how much (it might be all) of the work you want to have done.

3. Review your Options

When you buy a car, you often get a warranty. You might be signed up for AAA or CAA. Your insurance company might cover some of the repairs needed for your car. Before you go about paying for all of the repairs out of pocket, find out what repairs are covered. Then get approval from the institution that will help you pay. It is easier to get them to pay upfront than to get them to reimburse you.

Consider keeping a membership for CAA or AAA. This means that you will have free towing if you are ever in an accident or if you ever have a breakdown. There is an annual fee, so you would have to weigh the pros and cons of membership. I, personally, find that I have gotten a lot back from my membership, including a peace of mind knowing that I am covered while I travel.

4. What NOT to do

If you need to pay for your emergency repairs, do not get a pay day loan. Pay day loans have exorbitant interest rates and will make it hard for you to get back on top of your debt.

5. Get the best interest

Find out where you will be able to get the best interest rates for the money that you will have to spend. If you take out a loan, then you will be able to pay it back in small pieces throughout the year, rather than taking an upfront loss. This also works if you cannot pay for your car.

If you put the car repairs on your credit card, remember that you will probably be paying a higher interest rate than if you got a car repair loan, or if you went to a bank or credit union. Check the interest rates that varying places offer, including at the dealership if you are having your car repaired there.

6. In the meantime

While your car is in the shop, be smart about how you get around. Don’t take taxis everywhere if you can’t afford them! Ask friends for lifts; they will understand if you are in need because of unexpected car repairs for a few days. Take the bus for a few days. Walk or bike, if possible. Set up a temporary carpool with a co-worker (this could even work for you when you get your car back!). Don’t let the expense of car repairs get larger because you don’t have your car.

Three wheelers, also known as ATCs, trikes and ATVs, were manufactured primarily to be used as recreation vehicles. Riders love to hop on their ATVs and ride on their property especially if it is a large one. There are some important facts related to three wheelers which should be mentioned in order to provide a little more information about recreation vehicles of this type.

Since three wheelers are recreational vehicles, they are frequently only allowed to be used on one’s private property. This will vary depending on the location as some public property in various states may allow the operation of three wheelers.

One who is thinking about operating a three wheeler should also be aware of certain safety factors which relate to three wheeler use. Since the ATC only has three wheels, it is more likely to turn over on rough terrain and sharp turns than its quad counterpart. In order to operate the three wheeler in the safest manner, the operator should go at speeds which are slow enough to adequately maneuver around corners and turns. In addition, the three wheeler driver should use common sense when operating the vehicle and recognize its limitations as well as hazards in certain situations.

Three wheelers are a fun recreational vehicle for the whole family to enjoy. However, there are certain individuals who may be too young to operate the vehicle or ride on the vehicle. One should check their local laws regarding all-terrain vehicle operation regulations and see if there are any age limitations with regard to drivers or riders on three wheelers. In addition, parental supervision should be complied with as this is a heavy, motorized vehicle which could cause injury if not used properly and in a responsible manner.

In the past, three wheeler sales were quite impressive. However, these days that number has been greatly diminished if not obliterated as manufacturers do not readily make these vehicles any more. Due to liability reasons, manufacturers of all-terrain vehicles have chosen to manufacture quads, or four wheelers, instead as they are more sturdy and tend to turn over much less than three wheelers.

Three wheelers provide a great recreational sport for those who like to have a little adventure out in the great outdoors. Although these vehicles are not readily for sale anymore, one can choose to ride any of their all-terrain counterparts and still feel the wind in their hair on the trails. By reviewing the previously mentioned facts, one can determine for themselves if owning and riding a three wheeler is what they would like to do. It is important to review the facts prior to hopping on one of these adventurous vehicles.

You’ve likely heard one of those chaos theory statements such as “If a pigeon lands on a statue in Trafalgar Square, and at the same time a tree falls in Yellowstone Park, then it will rain on Mount Kilimanjaro.” Baffling, isn’t it? Well, such is the nature of chaos theory. But higher prices for fuel at the pump are absolutely causing more and more people to sit at traffic lights that won’t change for them. It’s a very direct cause and effect issue – not at all chaos theory.

Unfortunately, people not being able to trigger traffic lights to cycle to green has the effect of causing more gasoline to be consumed/wasted. This raises the demand for fuel, which as we have seen, causes the prices to go up even further. It’s an unattractive loop, to be sure. And let’s not forget about the many other negative aspects of getting stuck at traffic signals that won’t change such as irritation; excessive engine temperatures and overheating; frustration; additional green house gas emissions; excessive engine wear; carbon build-up, and so on.

Let’s take a look at how high gas prices are affecting traffic signals. When regular unleaded gas hit $3 per gallon, with spikes as high as $4 in places around the USA, people started buying smaller means of transportation. Motorcycles, mopeds, small cars, and small trucks, with their miserly fuel behaviors, became much more desirable, and much more common on the streets and highways. It’s a logical occurrence. If you own a vehicle that gets 15 miles per gallon, and you trade for one that gets just 18 miles per gallon, you stand to save hundreds of dollars a year on gas spending.

One of the reasons that smaller cars and trucks are so much more fuel efficient is that they use lightweight, high-tech alloys, plastics, and rubbers to construct them. There is no argument that new materials and construction techniques make today’s vehicles eminently better than those of the past – and certainly more fuel efficient. However, the lack of (1)iron in these modern marvels of transportation makes it a real problem to trigger traffic lights. It’s not the lower weight of these vehicles, it’s actually the lack of iron. This makes it easy to see why motorcyclists, bicyclists, and moped riders have always had difficulty when it comes to triggering green lights. But let me explain further…

Since early in the 1960’s, the overwhelming majority of the controlled traffic signals in the United States are regulated by very large, very weak electromagnets. Electromagnets that are used to sense iron, instead of lift it, are called “inductive loops.” These loops most often appear at controlled intersections as large rectangles (outlined in black) in the road.

Inductive loops, like all magnets, detect iron - not aluminum, rubber, plastic, weight, mass, titanium, etc. Small cars and trucks, as well as motorcycles and mopeds, rarely have enough iron close enough to the ground to cause the inductive loop to detect their presence at the intersection – ergo, the light does not trip. Now for the solution to the problem.

Each Signal Sorcerer® traffic light changer (available at www.signalsorcerer.com) generates and directs a very powerful field that causes the traffic signal controlling inductive loops to detect the vehicle it’s attached to, and initiate a signal cycle change. Signal Sorcerer® traffic light changers have been a must-have motorcycle and moped accessory around the world for years, but now that so many small cars and trucks are on the road, they are becoming the new ‘must-have’ accessory for four-wheeled vehicles.

Signal Sorcerer® traffic light changers install in about two minutes, and require no special tools. Everything needed comes with the each traffic light changer. No electricity, no wiring, no maintenance, a lifetime of service, legal everywhere, EPA compliant, DOT compliant, and the internationally famous Iron Horseman Technologies guarantee of your complete satisfaction.

(1) Iron: ferrite, chemical symbol Fe – used in the making of steels. Ferrite used to be a primary component of steels, but now, with newer, more efficient and stronger materials available, ferrite is rather rare.

Signal Sorcerer® is a registered trademark of Iron Horseman Technologies. Iron Horseman Technologies® is the registered trademark of Iron Horseman Technologies.

The 3m clear bra is a fantastic invention for any car-lover who treats his prized possession like a true friend. A man’s best friend in this day and age is not always the family dog. Sometimes a car can replace a great pet and nothing hurts more than noticing that first scratch or dent on your favorite automobile. However, traditional protective bras are not the most appealing option for car owners who feverishly want to guard their investments at all costs.

The trouble with the traditional protective covering is simply due to the fact that it literally covers the magnificent machine. No real car lover wants to hide his prized automobile under an ugly rubbery surface. It doesn’t make sense to spend a lot of money on the perfect finish only to cover it up with a protective layer. Unfortunately, many car owners had no other choice, either carelessly letting the car suffer with chips and scrapes or grumpily hiding the beautiful finish.

No more such dilemma. A car lover can now choose a 3m clear bra that protects the car by creating a transparent barrier between the car’s finish and the natural destructive elements. The 3m clear bra is simply a protective film that is literally painted over the car’s exterior. This product is commonly used on trucks, cars and vans of vehicle owners who cringe at the thought of a pebble getting near their priceless object.

Some may wonder if the product really works as well as the traditional protective cover. The 3m clear bra will protect the vehicle from chipping. The material was originally designed by the aviation industry to protect aircraft propellers from chipping. Certainly the material will be equally effective at preventing chipping on vehicles as well.

The 3m clear bra is perfect for protecting headlights as well. The protective layer is commonly applied to the front of the vehicle and on the lenses of the headlights. The winning point of this material is that it is virtually undetectable while working wonders. The original design of the vehicle is not altered in any way. The owner has the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the car is protected while having the luxury of enjoying his vehicle in its original state.

Another concern is the clarity degree of the 3m clear bra. How clear is it, really? The manufacturer of the product boasts that the material is virtually undetectable unless the vehicle is very white in color. The clear coat is slightly visible on a stark white car when very closely examined but it is not detectable from a normal distance. You will see a faint line where the 3m clear bra stops but that is definitely better than an ugly bug shield or paint chips.