Cope With The Risks In Getting Loans

            Even though the process or the procedure to get a payday loan online is fast and easy but you should be careful with the risks. Obtaining cash in a very short time can be beneficial. In the other hand, if you cannot be careful, you will be only getting more disadvantages. Therefore, you should know the risks of getting a loan so that you can use cash from the loan much wiser.

            The first one is being late to do the repayment. Sometimes, you are too complacent having cash. Then, you just use the cash without clear considerations. When you know that you can still save some money from it, you just use it unnecessarily. As the result, you just forget that you have an obligation to repay the loan. In other words, do not make your way to overcome your monetary problems adds more problems.

            The second one is bankruptcy. Obtaining a loan can pick you out from bankruptcy. Otherwise, it may drive you to a more serious bankruptcy. The easiness of getting cash may lead you to spend money carelessly and more so that you get an extravagant life. Moreover, you will end up with having no more money and get bankrupt at once.

Life Insurance Can be Found Easily at Lifeinsurance.com

             Do you need life insurance quotes to help you to find the best life insurance service? Are you getting confused about choosing the most affordable life insurance service for your need? If you so, then you should not be worried anymore now, because these days, there have been a lot of online services that will provide you with life insurance quotes that you need for choosing the best service. One of the most recommended online services is lifeinsurancerates.com. This site has had good reputation in providing people with complete and detailed information they need for choosing the best life insurance service. The good thing about this site is that it will not only provide life insurance quotes, but it also provides life insurance rates that will be crucial for helping you to choose the best life insurance service.

            There are a lot of online life insurance services that have been rated and quoted by this online service. They are Whole Life Insurance, Term Life Insurance, Universal Life, and also Survivorship Life. These examples of life insurance services are some of them who have good rates and reviews among so many life insurance services available that you can find in this site.

Quality to find in a car insurance

For people who have more than one car in their life, I am sure that they have been dealing with how to choose car insurance or car insurance. However, for people who have never had any deal with any car insurance company before, they will have some troubles when they buy their car at the very first time because they have to deal with how to choose the right car insurance company for their car. For those kinds of people who are now reading this article, you have come to the right place because I am about to tell you what quality that you need to look for at an auto car insurance.

The first quality that you should look for in an car insurance company is the number of car insurance coverage policies. The coverage is the program that will protect you when something happens to you or your car. Another quality that you need to look for is the amount of money that you have to spend for the coverage. When choosing about the money, you should remember that the function of car insurance is to save your money and not to take your money away. So, be wise! 

Tinting Smart

When you as a consumer are considering having your car professionally tinted there are many things to consider. The size of your car, what type, and how many windows you would want tinted. Which product manufacturer would best suit your vehicle and special tinting preference? Which website are you purchasing the tint from and are you getting the best deal? It is always necessary to have in mind the key factors that will result in a professional tinting job well done. Deciding on the few necessary components that make up a professional tint will help you have a good Idea of how much you are looking to spend. Depending on your setup and preferences, your price will normally range from $80 to $450.

Heat protection percentage is important to decide on when choosing window tint. The amount of heat protection needed depends on the climate and whether in the area that you live in. Geographic locations with high heat above 90 degrees at some points during the year would call for at least a 45 percent heat protection. On the other hand, in a more neutral whether climate only about 30 percent heat protection is recommended. The price of tinting film with a high heat protection percentage is usually above $250, whereas a mid level protection film would cost closer to $150 on any standard four door vehicle.

The two main types of window tinting material are crucial to the decision making process when purchasing tint for you vehicle. Each of the two types gives the car a specific look as a whole. The polyester dye material is the more common, standard material that is used by many consumers as they would like to go a cheaper route but still maintain a sporty look. The benefits of choosing polyester dye are the price breaks and common warranties that most professionals offer along with the tint. The second kind of window tint material that ensures a sleek, more luxurious look to the vehicle is carbon and ceramic. Tint made with these materials give a sharp look but can cost up to $400 dollars for a normal sedan application.

It is always good to have a warranty along with your tint and there should be two types with every combination of purchase and install. The manufacturer's warranty guarantees the consumer coverage over any problems with the film, such as diminishing shades or color fading. The installer's warranty guarantees the consumer a replacement install of the tint due to any rips, bubbles, or peels if a tinting job is poorly done on your vehicle. Make sure that your manufacturer and your installer provide warrantees on the tint and installation to ensure coverage. Some installers offer a lifetime warranty while others offer only one to a few year warranty. Varying prices on warranty are normally discussed with the installer. The same goes for the manufacturer.

Research is crucial when planning to tint your car, and all of the factors that should be taken into consideration when choosing your tint setup will combine to put your price anywhere between $100 to $400. You are the consumer, and the results are in your hands.

Accessorise Your Car - Stand Out Among Other Road Users

Our cars are an extension of our personality and we like to accessorise them to reflect us and our style. There are plenty of ways we can do this from cheap and cheerful to full on no expense spared. Whether you have a cute little run around or an oversized people mover accessorising it can make driving just that little bit more enjoyable.

Adding to the stock standard model can also make us stand out from the crowd and this can be just for fun or for business purposes, which can also be beneficial from a promotional point of view. Some of the ways we can accessorise our cars are listed below:

Eye Catching Mag Wheels

The wheels don't only have to serve a functional purpose, they can also be a statement. There are a wonderful array of sizes and styles available, you can even choose a different colour from the standard chrome. Having eye catching mag wheels will definitely make a statement. The downside of mag wheels are the initial cost and the extra care they require to keep them looking good.

Car Seat Covers

From the beaded covers favoured by taxi drivers to the plush sheep skin ones, you can find a car seat cover to suit you perfectly. You'll be able to choose your favourite colour or even a fun design and there are a wide range of fabric choices too. Sometimes car seat covers are used to cover over old and worn seats but mostly it's to show our personal style a little more. Although these are a low cost solution they are only visible when you car is parked.

Personalised Car Licence Plate Frame

A personalised plate can definitely add a bit of your personality to your car, however you are limited to just the six characters to try and convey your message. With a car licence plate frame you have a lot more scope to add your favourite saying, a website address, or any other message you want to share. A car licence plate frame is also a great marketing opportunity for your business as well as being a low cost way of personalising your car.

Stylish Signwriting

Having your car sign written is usually reserved for businesses however there's no reason why you couldn't have this done just to show off your personality. Flames have always been a favourite, however these days you can have just about anything you heart desires. The upside of sign writing is that it's a bold statement, however the downside is it can be quite a costly exercise and is not transferable if you buy another car.

My Best Car Accessories

Having to drive allot for my job I do like to keep myself entertained while driving around, that's why car accessories are a big part of my car and without them my life would decently be allot more boring than it is, below are some of my favorite car accessories I use.

My sat-navigation system is also a must for me as I'm completely useless when it comes to getting somewhere without getting lost on the way, before I had one I used to pull over every couple of miles looking at a map and stressing out because I was going around in circles looking for somewhere, now all I have to do is put the address in and I get directed to the place I want to go how cool is that.

Sat navigation systems are allot cheaper than when I first started using them and there is allot more of a choice on the market, they are also allot more advanced.

My Bluetooth radio is a big must for me as I love music and as whenever I listen to the radio I usually can find what I really want to listen to, so as I download allot of my music onto my phone I can connect up with the radio as soon as I get into the car and listen to whatever I want.

One of my best things about my Bluetooth radio is the hands free capability with my phone, so I can talk to people over my speakers and not through a head set, as sometimes in the past I have forgotten to put my headset on before I set of and my phone rings so I am trying to put the headset on whist driving, this isn't a good idea as this could cause a serious road accident, so not having to worry about the headset in the first place is not only more compatible but one less thing to worry about.

My next best car accessory is my universal car cup holder this doesn't only hold my drink while I drive it also holds my phone and laptop or ipad universal car cup holders are by far one of the most important parts of your car, as if you don't have one you will put everything onto the seat next to you and when you break it goes onto the floor or you aren't looking at the road but looking at who is calling you, also holding a cup of coffee while driving isn't a great idea for the obvious reasons.

These are just a few car accessories but they are some of my favorites' that make my life allot easier while I'm driving around.

The Different Components of a Cars Suspension, and Aftermarket Products

When people think performance and aftermarket modification they normally think of horsepower, torque, acceleration and top speed. But all of the power generated by an engine is useless if the driver can't control the car. That's why vehicle engineers turned their attention to the suspension system, almost as soon as they had mastered the internal combustion engine.

The purpose of a car's suspension is to maximize the friction between the tyres and the road surface, to provide steering stability with good handling and to ensure the comfort of the passengers. Suspension has evolved massively over the years culminating in huge ranges and types for the discerning consumer to choose from.

Most vehicle engineers consider the dynamics of a moving car from two perspectives: 

• Ride - a car's ability to ride smoothly over a bumpy road
• Handling - a car's ability to accelerate, brake and corner

There are three fundamental components of any suspension: springs, shock absorbers or dampers and anti-roll bars.

Springs - There are various types, sizes and rates of suspension springs. The size and strength of a spring can help alter the ride height of the car. The spring rate will adjust the level of firmness of the ride and the rigidity of the cars handling. Vehicles with worn out or damaged springs ride lower to the ground which reduces the overall amount of compression available to the suspension and increases the amount of body lean. Performance vehicles can sometimes have spring rate requirements other than vehicle weight and load.

The shock absorber damper is a device that controls unwanted spring motion through a process known as dampening. Shock absorbers slow down and reduce the magnitude of vibratory motions by turning the kinetic energy of suspension movement into heat energy that can be dissipated through hydraulic fluid. To understand how this works, it's best to look inside a shock absorber to see its structure and function.

A­nother common dampening structure is the strut or coilover - basically a shock absorber mounted inside a coil spring. Struts/Coilovers perform two jobs: They provide a dampening function like shock absorbers, and they provide structural support for the vehicle suspension. That means struts deliver a bit more than shock absorbers, which don't support vehicle weight - they only control the speed at which weight is transferred in a car, not the weight itself.

Because shocks and struts have so much to do with the handling of a car, they can be considered critical safety features. Worn shocks and struts can allow excessive vehicle-weight transfer from side to side and front to back. This reduces the tyre's ability to grip the road, as well as handling and braking performance.

Anti-roll Bars

Anti-roll bars (also known as anti-sway bars) are used along with shock absorbers or struts to give a moving automobile additional stability. An anti-roll bar is a metal rod that spans the entire axle and effectively joins each side of the suspension together.

When the suspension at one wheel moves up and down, the anti-roll bar transfers movement to the other wheel. This creates a more level ride and reduces vehicle 'roll'. For this reason, almost all cars today are fitted with anti-roll bars as standard equipment, although if they're not, kits make it easy to install the bars aftermarket.

Apex

The geometric apex or clipping point is an often used term in motorsport, though other racing sports such as skiing and cycling have similar concepts of an ideal line. The apex is often but not always, the geometric center of the turn. Hitting the apex allows the vehicle to take the straightest line and maintain the highest speed through that specific corner. It is also the tightest part of a corner. Apex is also the brand name of a famous suspension and suspension part manufacturer. They began in the early 80's by supplying springs for Group A Touring cars. Since then Apex have manufactured high quality products under the stringent DIN ISO 9001:2008 quality control system offering 5-year, unlimited mileage warranties.

Apex Springs

An APEX Sport Spring kit replaces the standard springs on your car. They usually lower the car by 30-40 mm. Not only will this improve your cars' handling, response and grip, but will add that extra touch of style that will make your car look different from the rest of the crowd. The ride will be a little firmer, but never too harsh providing a great balance for road and race enthusiasts alike.

Dampers/Shock Absorbers

APEX uprated high performance gas front shock absorbers increase stability, improve handling and ride quality. They are a great upgrade on their own, but are at their best when combined with a set of APEX Sport Lowering Springs. This will dramatically improve the dynamic driving qualities including handling of your car whilst retaining driving comfort. Apex shock absorbers are ideal for fast road use, have superb handling qualities and will significantly reducing body roll.

The Gas Shock Absorbers in Apex kits are shortened to ensure precise control of the sport springs. Ride height is lowered 25-60mm depending on application.

Apex RDX Coilovers 

Apex RDX Coilovers are the best kit APEX has ever produced. The APEX RDX Coilover offers complete height adjustment. The drops range from 30-80mm which may vary on application. The damping is fixed and uprated by 30%.

The kit benefits from full on car height adjustment, once fitted simply jack the car up, remove the wheel and rotate the spring seat to adjust the height. These kits are ideal for fast road or race track days.

The piston rods in these RDX Coilovers are short allowing you to run the car low with complete safety. Built in bump stops reduce wheel and tyre contact. Anodised locking rings ensure no corrosion and reduce the chances of the adjuster collars seizing.

Apex RDX Coilover Kit Features

· A quality height adjustable suspension kit

· Height adjustable from 30mm-80mm

· 30% uprated damping

· Built in bump stops and helper springs

· Short piston rods ensure full suspension travel

· Ideal for fast road or track use

· Gives the car a fully adjustable ride height

· Superb handling and ride

· Reduces body roll

Parrot Bluetooth and Reverse Camera - Wonderful Accessories for Your Car

If you have been a car owner for quite some time, you are perhaps familiar with the hassles of backing up. Many car owners are troubled by this. At some point, this can lead to minor accidents. In fact, there are approximately 300,000 reported accident cases due to reversing vehicles every year. These accidents can be avoided when you use car safety devices such as a reverse camera and Parrot Bluetooth car kits.

Reverse Camera

Also known as rear view or backup camera, this type of camera is generally placed on the rear bumper of a vehicle. They come with a display monitor installed on the dashboard so the driver can see what is behind his car. This way, reversing is safer and easier. It means no more bumping into shopping carts at the parking lot or into other vehicles.

It is easy to fit a reverse camera on your car. It is, however, wiser to leave the job to the professionals. This is especially true when the camera requires some cutting in the bodywork of your car. It must also be placed on the right position so you can get the best view of what is behind your vehicle. While most monitors are installed on the car's dashboard, some models are placed over your existing rear view mirror. The wiring that connects the camera to the monitor also needs proper installation. You may avoid issues with messy wirings when you go for a wireless set.

It may not be safe to switch on the system only when backing up. To fully avoid accidents, you may go for a set that automatically switches on when on reverse mode.

Parrot Bluetooth Kit

Another common cause of road accidents is the irresponsible use of mobile phones while driving. Texting or dialling up numbers may cause the driver lose focus. This is why traffic authorities are prohibiting the use of phones and other gadgets while driving. Sadly, many people today are highly dependent on their mobile phones, especially those who use them for business calls.

Bluetooth car kits are possibly the best solution to this. These kits provide drivers with a hand-free use of mobile phone while driving.

Parrot Bluetooth is one of the top choices among car owners. This system connects with your phone's Bluetooth giving you instant access to your gadget's data. Voice recognition is one of its best features, as it allows you to search and dial a number from your phonebook without even touching your phone. The Bluetooth kit also synchronizes with the phonebook to copy contacts for future calls.

This kit comes in smooth and stylish system that will fit your car efficiently. It also comes in small units so it won't eat up significant space inside your car.

These tools will not only provide ease while driving; they will also provide additional level of safety while on the road. The good news is you can now buy a backup camera and Parrot Bluetooth kit online. All you have to do is find a reliable online store and you are on your way to buying these excellent car accessories.

Why Low Drying Times Are Essential in a Portable Car Wash

Setting up a portable car wash can be a hugely lucrative venture, mainly because it meets a very direct consumer need. Ask any number of car owners if they mean to take their car in for a wash and chances are that you'll hear a resounding "yes!" Unfortunately, many people simply don't have the time to take in their vehicles for a thorough vehicle detailing. Even on weekends, people tend to rely on their cars to run errands. The only time that most people's vehicles are free is when they are at work or at home. A mobile detailing service conveniently brings the car wash to the consumer, so they don't have to worry about taking the time out of their busy day to bring the car in for a wash. Whereas portable detailing is certainly convenient, there are certain factors that need to be considered to make this kind of car wash truly convenient and efficient.

The Importance of Drying Time

A portable car wash won't have to worry about the drying times for most vehicle exteriors. Exposure to fresh air is more than enough to get a car exterior dry. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for vehicle interiors. The inside of a car may rarely get any kind of ventilation, especially in the winter time when the windows are kept rolled up. Vehicle interiors get very little exposure to sunlight as well. In other words, a car interior can be the perfect place for germs and bacteria to take root and grow in a carpet spill or upholstery stain. The damp, dark conditions with poor aeration are the perfect conditions for germs and mold to grow and multiply.

This is why a portable car cleaner needs the right kind of carpet cleaning units for interior detailing. These machines should be able to tackle the toughest kinds of stains and deposits, no matter how old, hardened, or stubborn they are. It's important to invest in carpet cleaners that use less water and more extraction powers for cleaning. This insures that the carpeting and upholstery is not very damp after cleaning and has a chance to dry out faster and more thoroughly. Depending on the carpet cleaner used, the vehicle interiors can dry out in a matter of a few hours.

Fast and Efficient

Fast drying times are important to a portable car wash because it allows you to complete more detailing jobs - this is especially important for a mobile car wash that is working on a deadline. Auto detailing equipment that allows the interiors to dry out fast means that you don't have to worry about customers complaining about damp interiors or foul smells after cleaning. A portable steam cleaner for spot cleaning, power washers, car steam cleaners, and low water flow carpet cleaning units are all necessary for a mobile car wash.

A portable car wash with low water flow carpet cleaners can clean vehicle interiors faster and more efficiently. A portable steam cleaner and power washer along with efficient car steam cleaners round out the best kind of auto detailing equipment for mobile auto detailing.

Daimer Industries is a leading supplier of portable car wash machines. Daimer provides a complete range of mobile car wash machines including all auto detailing equipment and many more.

New Hyundai I20 IGen Launched at Rs 4.73 Lakh

Hyundai Motors India Limited (HMIL), the Indian unit of the South Korea based leading car maker, has rolled-out All New Hyundai iGen i20 model in the Indian market. The country's largest car exporter launched the iGen i20 in both petrol and diesel variants, carrying a total of 12 variants. As per the company the new iGen i20 model is blessed with a range of innovative and high-tech features, which have been incorporated in the car after extensive surveys to offer high value proposition to the customers of this segment.

While the petrol version of the car is available in the price range of Rs 473,400 to Rs 665,894, the diesel version is shelved in the price segment of Rs 596,334 to Rs 744,013. On the other hand the automatic transmission version of the car carries a price tag of Rs 767,405.

All variants of the Hyundai i20 iGen car model are blessed with improved engine units with higher power and fuel economy. The petrol version of the car is powered by a 1.2 Kappa engine (with Dual VTVT technology) which is capable of delivering a peak power of 84 PS. On the other hand, the diesel variant of the car is loaded with a hi-tech 1.4 U2 CRDi diesel engine that generate a maximum power of 90 PS with massive torque of 22.4 kg-m. The diesel version of new iGen i20 will come incorporated with a 6 speed manual transmission. There is also a higher powered 1.4L Gamma automatic petrol version which delivers a massive power of 100 PS in combination with a peak torque of 13.9 kg-m.

The new Hyundai iGen i20 is a highly fuel efficient model which delivers a fuel economy of 18.5 km per liter, 21.9 km per liter and 15 km per liter, in 1.2L petrol, 1.4L diesel and 1.4L petrol version.

The car carries a number of road presence enhancing features at the exterior front including High Gloss Front Grille, Rear Spoiler in combination with integrated Stop Lamp, 8-Spoke stylish alloy wheels, Turn Indicators mounted on outside mirrors, etc.

The new version of this premium hatchback, Hyundai i20, comes loaded with a range of class-apart premium comfort and convenience features including Rear Parking Camera with cabin mirror display, Clean Air-Cluster ionizer that maintains the quality of air inside the cabin, Electro Chromic Mirror with anti-glare vision technology, Multiple Airbags, Auto Headlight Control Function, Rain Sensing Wipers, Push Button Start with Smart Key, steering wheel and gear knob wrapped in leather, armrest for driver seat, Tilt & Telescopic Steering, Heated Outside Mirrors which are Electrically Adjustable & Foldable, and 60:40 Split seat at rear.

Moreover, the entertainment package of the car is fully loaded with features like 2-DIN CD / MP3 Music System with 2 tweeters and 4 speakers (compatible with aux-in, Bluetooth connectivity and USB); Steering mounted Controls Audio as well as Bluetooth.

Safety package of the car looks quite capable of saving passengers both active and passive fronts with advanced features like Multiple airbags, clutch lock, smart pedal system, impact sensing auto door unlocking, speed sensing auto door locking, Reverse Parking Sensors and ABS.

Long Mileage Tires: Brief Overview

If you really care about your car, you really have no option when it comes to taking good care of it. There are various ways through which you can do this and one of the most important one is by ensuring that your car has tires that are of good quality. When shopping for tires, always make sure that you go for long mileage tires since they are durable. One sure way which you can use to save on costs of your tires is by shopping for cheap long mileage tires. This article aims to look at the different ways that you can use to lower costs of getting new tires.

One major way that you can get to do this is through online shopping. There is no doubt that online shopping is becoming a popular shopping method for most products and so is it for tires too. There is a wide range of products that you can choose from and it's all just an issue of clicking one and you explore through many online shops' products. With online shopping, apart from low prices, offer coupons that can get you to enjoy great discounts. When you fill these coupons, you are in to some good savings and hence you are in a position to save and use the discount in improving other parts of your vehicle system.

When shopping for your tires, you should consider quality above anything else such as price or maybe discounts. Quality is sure to last you and you will not meet other costs that may arise due to regular purchasing of tires. One popular type of tires that are sure to last you for a long time is long mileage tires. This is because they have been manufactured in a way that they can withstand different conditions that can be detrimental to the tires.

If you are shopping for new long mileage tires to replace your old ones, you should opt to replace all the four tires altogether. This is because it is cheaper in the essence that you receive discounts in terms of the sale. You also get other services for free or maybe for a very low amount of cash such as their installation and simple additional services that may including fitting your brake systems properly; but this is only if you need it to be done.

It is also advised that as you get to change your car tires, that you change all four of them. This is because it is cheaper when you get to buy them in sets. Such ensures uniform wearing out and this will be easy to handle rather than when only a pair or a single tire is worn out and causes an imbalance in your car.

When you are sure to have best long mileage tires on your car, you can be assured of things such as:

- Increased fuel utilization 

- Enhanced steering due to properly maintained wheels and this makes your car have a good balance and this can make you save your life as well as those of other occupants.

Detail Cars for Fun and Profit

Car maintenance is a lucrative business, something that can be done full time or as a side gig. The market is a big one with some people specializing in oil changes and tune ups and others in body repair, modifications or some other aspect of the business. Car detailing is an important subcategory of automotive maintenance, one that can be both fun and profitable. Read on for some tips on car detailing and how you can make a go of this business option.

Who your customers are. Anyone from your neighbor to a fleet business can use your services. One-off customers can pay the most, given that they may want your service only on occasion. With a fleet, you'll need to discount your rates, but you'll also get access to many more cars and have a steady source of income. Mix up your customer base to ensure steady profits.

What you can provide. We're not talking a simple wash and wax service here. With car detailing, you'll get down to the nitty gritty by working on car bodies, windows and tires. But, that is only the outside. Inside, you can vacuum and shampoo carpets, remove stains, apply carpet protector, clean windows and condition seats. Essentially, you'll bring a car to "showroom new" condition or as close to it as possible. Offer details of your services for customer inspection.

When your services are offered. This is where you need to decide how much time you'll invest in your business. Don't quit your full-time job unless you have a steady and deep supply of customers. Consider doing this business on the side first or, if there is a business you can take over, then do so. Run a cost analysis to determine the value of any business you plan on buying. Know who your competitors are, where they are located and what they charge. Then, work toward offering the best value for the lowest prices.

Where your business takes place. There are several places you can "do business" as you launch your car detailing enterprise. If your business is a sideline hobby, you may be able to detail cars from your yard without running afoul of local zoning requirements. You can also set up shop and run your business from a commercial location. That can involve buying a car wash or simply setting up a location where cars come in, be hand-washed and detailed. Finally, a mobile service means you can take your business where people park their cars. This may mean taking someone's car at work to the car wash, detailing it and returning it clean before the end of the work day.

Why customers want your business. Quite simply, people who want to hire car detailers are either too busy to do the work themselves or just prefer to have someone handle the work for them. Typically, you'll attract people who know that their cars need special attention. This might be once per year after a hard winter or just before they market their car for sale. A detailed car looks better and commands a higher price. You'll need to clearly demonstrate to customers why car detailing is the way to go and market accordingly.

How to have fun and make money. The fun part of this job is knowing that you have completed a "job well done." You can make money by setting your prices competitively, maintaining a low overhead and only hiring people when the workload mandates it. Consider hiring contractors first -- people you can pay per gig with no promise of permanent employment. When you're ready to grow your business, hire employees. Your best workers may qualify for management, overseeing your staff and letting you take on other responsibilities.

Like any business, car detailing is hard work. The profitable part comes by working hard and managing your money wisely. Fail in either department and your business won't be successful. What you put into your business will ultimately determine whether the work is profitable and if it is fun or a drag.

What's An ECU?

The Engine Control Unit (ECU) controls the mixture of fuel and air within modern engines. The ratio or 'mix' determines the power as well as the efficiency of an engine. The configurable nature of ECU's has spawned the art of performance chip tuning whereby engine tuning can be manually modified to suit various driving applications.

The ECU utilises performance maps to provide the most optimal tune for regular engine performance. Modifying the performance map is what yields changes in efficiency and power.

For road applications the ECU engine tuning would normally favour a performance map that utilised less fuel and air. The effect is a saving in fuel consumption.

For competition purposes the chip tuning would favour an increase in fuel and air. However the ratio would be variable depending upon the ambient conditions as well as the effectiveness of the ignition spark.

The algorithm that determines the mix as well as the delivery of the spark is primarily what differentiates one Engine Control Unit from another.

Vehicle manufacturers prohibit access to the engine control unit as variations to the program could cause the engine to fail. During the servicing process the authority appointed by the manufacturer will routinely verify if the performance map has been modified. The consequences of a modification can either be that the service is refused or that the warranty is invalidated.

ECU's are not limited to road vehicles. Most modern modes of transport including motorcycles, prime movers (trucks, semi's), earth moving equipment, scooters, buses, trams and even golf carts utilise engine control units.

Typically they're a metallic box similar in size to an average paperback novel. They have the ability to not only control the performance map but more recently they've been designed to log the events. This provides various authorities the ability to recall and analyse these events thus making the ECU a type of black-box recorder.

In the racing world this is particularly useful as it allows engine tuners and drivers to analyse the performance of an engine during the course of a lap or stage.

As an example, if the analyses shows that fuel pressure at a particular point within the rev range (number of engine revolutions per minute) is in decline then the engineers would be able to deduce that the power would be adversely effected at that time. The theoretical solution via performance chip tuning would be to encourage the additional delivery of fuel during that phase of the lap or stage.

Next week we'll cover the control of ignition timing and idle speed within the ECU.

Why You Should Know More About Brake Rotors

Having the right set of brakes is an essential and primordial part of safe and efficient driving. After all, your car's brakes are the ones which dictate how smoothly you can reduce your speed, or how you will be able to put it to a full stop without any glitches whatsoever.

Now, when brakes are mentioned the first thing that comes to mind is the brake pads. Unfortunately, this mistake of most drivers can cost them some problems in the end. Why? Because they are forgetting another aspect of an efficient braking system that should always be considered. And this is the performance brake rotors or brake rotors.

So what is it? Here are some pieces of information that you might want to know:

How Brake Rotors Are Used

As a rule, braking involves friction for the purpose of reducing the speed of a vehicle or to put it to a full stop. In order to makes this possible, a specifically designed friction material called brake pads, are mounted or placed on a brake component referred to as a brake caliper, to mechanically force the said pads unto the friction surface, aka, brake rotors.

However, because of this use of friction, a significant amount of heat will result. And the greater the heat the less effective brakes become. Hence, there is the need to address this problem as much as possible.

Materials And Durability Of Performance Brake Rotors

Brake rotors are usually made from cast iron. However, in order to resolve issues with heat and in order to reinforce durability, certain materials for performance brake rotors have now been introduced accordingly, such as carbon, ceramic and other composites.

It must be noted, however, that the reliability, efficiency or durability will be relative to the type of driving or specific use that your chosen brake rotors will be undergoing on a regular basis.

Kinds Of Performance Brake Rotors

There are two main types of performance rotors. The first is the slotted rotors while the second is the cross drilled rotors.

Slotted rotors are used mainly by racecar drivers and those that heavily apply their brakes, such as towing, and occasionally, street use. This is because of its slotted design which dispels water a lot faster, making it perfect for wet weathers and for protection against waterlogged brakes. This type of rotors also offers more bite for every application of the brakes. However, it must be noted that this slotted type of rotors tend to wear brake pads a lot quicker than the other type of rotors.

Cross Drilled rotors, on the other hand, are performance brakes that can be perfect for street use and conventional driving that do not need the heavy application of brakes. In addition, its holed design will dispel heat a lot faster - providing it with a higher coefficient of friction. However, it is also because of its design that it tends to crack, break or depreciate at a quicker pace, most especially when brakes are heavily used on a constant basis.

Presently, there have also been introduced new innovations that combine both the slotted and cross drilled designs for performance rotors. But before deciding to make use of them, it is always advisable to take into account the specific use that you will utilize them for.

These are just some of the aspect of Brake Rotors that you might find useful. In the end, what is important is that you are able to know as much about this topic as possible to have a more efficient driving experience.

A Complete Guide to Know About Steam Car Wash

The term steam car wash should refer to using steam to clean cars and other vehicles. However, in the jargon of the cleaning industry and for the purpose of this article, it refers to using heated output for auto detailing. The heated output has many advantages in all types of cleaning, not just auto detailing. It has more cleaning power, allows the surfaces to dry up quickly, and does not cause too much water run-off.

This article narrates how different cleaning machines make use of heated output for a steam car wash.

Steam Cleaners 

It is better to start with car steam cleaners. These are the machines that offer the maximum output temperature - in other words the hottest steam output. The output temperature of these machines ranges up to 386°F depending on the model.

Portable steam cleaner machines are used to clean the hard surfaces inside an automobile, for example, dashboards and steering wheels. Care must be taken when using car steam cleaners for cleaning vehicles. When using a steam cleaner for a steam car wash, the machine would never be used for exterior cleaning. The scrubbing action needed for using steam cleaners may scratch your vehicle.

When choosing portable steam cleaner machines, it is better to opt for machines with dry steam output. These machines use less water to clean and have a better cleaning efficiency too.

Carpet Cleaners 

Carpet cleaning machines are used to clean the soft surfaces in a vehicle. These are used as auto detailing equipment for cleaning mats, carpets, and seat upholstery. Carpet cleaners are not designed for cleaning hard surfaces.

When choosing carpet cleaners for mobile steam car wash, one must choose machines equipped with low flow technology. Such machines also provide the earlier-mentioned benefits such as quick drying time and better cleaning. In addition, these machines make sure that there will not be any problems with water run-off. The 'steam' output temperature of carpet cleaners is 210°F.

Many auto detailing companies now offer mobile car wash. That is, they go to the customer's houses and garages on request to clean the vehicles. Not all such places have good drainage facilities. Excess water run-off will eventually attract fines and other charges. Carpet cleaners with low flow technology help the workers avoid such fines.

Pressure Washers 

Pressure washers are used as auto detailing equipment for cleaning the hard exterior surfaces. The major condition for using these machines for portable car wash is that the output pressure has to be less than 1500 psi. These machines offer wet steam output. The output temperature of such machines is often 250°F-330°F.

Pressure washers used for steam car wash should have a low flow rate. The lower the flow rate is, the less water is used during the cleaning process. This is ideal for areas that may not have as adequate drainage as needed.

What's the Difference Between Mud Flaps, Splash Guards, and Mud Guards?

Call them what you may, mud flaps, splash aprons, splash or mud guards. It's the piece of material that is attached to the wheel well with the sole purpose of defraying and reducing the spray or splash of debris from tyres.

Pickup trucks, utilities and SUVs are instances of what type of automobiles commonly make the upgrade to OEM splash guards. The difference in names for this particular accessory is regional. Most countries refer to them as mud flaps. Splash or Mud Guards are terms utilised in the Midwest of the United States and Splash Aprons aren't unusual on the east coast of the U.S.

Everyday dealers internationally sell new pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans that are not sensibly equipped with the correct type of splash guard. Driving in rain, snow, mud and even dust without protection may cause damage to your own vehicle or to those driving behind you.

Many of us view mud guards to be superfluous or that they may get in the way while 4x4 driving. Many mass-produced and OEM mud guards are sometimes made from a contoured low quality plastic and unfortunately cover a minimal area of the tire. This type of mud flap is subject to breakage in extraordinary temperatures and does not offer much anti-spray protection.

All-rubber splash guards offer more pliability but have a tendency to sail up defeating the purpose. All metal, generally stainless steel, are prone to bending or being easily dented.

Then why isn't there a better alternative?

Fortunately there are a number of after market manufacturers of high quality mudflaps. They utilise specially formulated polymers with custom lengths and widths to accommodate most applications including road, rally and recreational off-road. Many of the custom-made varieties are temperature tested for extreme conditions as well.

The critical items to consider when making your selection are;

1. What purpose will they be used for the majority of their life - road off-road etc...

2. What's the average temperature as some polymers are prone to cracking and bending in extreme conditions

3. If the custom-made mud flap attach to the existing mud flap as an extension or as a replacement

4. Do they require additional weight so as to avoid excessive lift or 'sailing'

Before purchasing your guards also consider consulting your dealer if the vehicle is under warranty.

It's also a good idea to discuss your choice with the retailer or supplier so that your mud flaps prove to be the right choice the first time around.

Car Stickers and Decals - Why People Need Them

That's a pretty strong statement I made in the title, saying that people need car stickers and decals, isn't it? I personally don't use them myself, so I understand people who don't and I really don't care if you do put them on your car or if you purchase them from me. Oh... I just remembered... my wife just put an "UPWARDS" decal on our van to support our son's sports league.

Socio-Economic Factors: Who Puts these Graphics on Their Automobiles?

I have not done a scientific study of socio-economic layers of society to determine what percentage of the population puts car graphics on their vehicles. But as an offhand guess I would conjecture that 80 to 90% of automobiles on the road have decals of some sort on them. Maybe more, but I think that's a pretty safe guess. There are those that state political bias, insult particular politicians or presidents, past and present; those that tell people where you went to school, humorous bumper stickers; and those telling the world what sports team or teams you root for, business posters advertising where you bought your car, and the list goes on.

I have noted that blue-collar guys (a.k.a. rednecks) like really big rear window vehicle graphic prints, preferably perforated decal material that covers the entire rear window of their jacked-up Chevy Nova or Ford pickup (gotta be careful here as I have a Ford F250 - but the rear window is clean). Usually it's either an American Flag or a Rebel Flag. Sometimes such stuffs on the rear window are tasteless and tacky on these rigs, but blue-collar guys (and some gals) love their big auto graphic displays.

On the other end of the vehicle graphics socio-economic spectrum are the expensive cars like Mercedes and Lexus and Ferrari. These rarely display anything except maybe interior static clings of the Ivy League school they attended, or maybe the one their kid attends. Except for a friend of mine who owns a bunch of independent Verizon stores who completely decks out his Mercedes, Lexus, and Ferrari with full car wraps! His wife has a great sense of humor.

Then, there's the middle where most of us live. The ones that we put on our autos tend to vary far more than either end of the socio-economic spectrum hitherto discussed. Whereas the blue-collar guys are thumbing their noses at the Lexus driver, and the Lexus driver is on his way to work to tell the blue collars what to do for the rest of their lives, the middle class is simply trying to belong.

Pride Factors: What Kind of Automobile Stickers and Decals Americans put on Their Automobiles

These image prints tell others that you are proud of your group, whatever that may be. It is programmed into the human psyche to belong - to a family, a church, a civic club, an alumni association, a fan club, and there are those for at least some of those associations in everyone's life. As I stated in the first paragraph, we even have one now on the mini van for our son's sports league. We belong.

Of course, geographically, most people around here support local sports teams with their car stickers and decals, unless of course, they're from somewhere else. They still belong to a tribe somewhere and flaunt their tribe's sports team's graphic logos. Downtown there are so many various university and college vehicle decal prints, that to belong downtown, you just need to have gone somewhere. Humans need to belong to a tribe. What tribe do you belong to? I'll bet I can tell by looking at your car's graphic stickers.

Everything You Need to Know About BFG Tires

When man first started to discover ways to build, it required a means to move, transport and transfer materials. Man have always desired to reduce the workload to make things easier for them. Moving bricks, mud, clay and other materials would be too much for beasts so men thought of another way to do it. Thus, the wheel was created.

The first wheel was made out of logs, the loads were placed over it while additional logs were placed at its front. This made the transport of heavy loads easier despite the terrain. However, this method takes time and still requires a lot of work. Since the concept of rolling logs was established, they then created and molded wheels out of rocks. But these wheels tend to break or crumble. This posed as a problem so man searched for other alternatives and kept on developing the wheel until they found something to add to the wheel to enhance its performance. What they added then was a tough material that could withstand most conditions and at the same time, be compatible with a powerful rim. This is what the fashionable day calls, the tire.

Nowadays, there are many types of BFG tires. There are tires for different applications such as tires for muddy roads, snowy terrains, rough roads and several more types of tires you can readily find in the market. These tires are generally made out of rubber and other synthetic materials that produces tires durable and road-worthy.

If you have a car, odds are, you have an extra tire in your trunk. BFG tires are easy to use, manufactures can produce them easily and they are very dependable, they can last for a long time with proper maintenance. Tires are accessible but when worn out, they can cause road accidents that could be fatal. To lessen the risks of accidents, always have your tires checked and make sure that they are compatible with the terrain you intend to traverse. We must put in mind that over inflated tires or under inflated tires could also affect the performance of your vehicle.

Tires is already a part of the trendy society. Tires are already considered a necessity if you have a vehicle. Most land vehicles wont function without a set of tires. It would also take a long time for tires to be replaced. For as long as cars are manufactured, tires will always be produced. But if people invent flying cars, now that is completely a different story.

BF Goodrich Tires are among the best in the tire industry. Tire Packages offers BFG Tires at low prices and fast shipping, saving you money and time for over 8 years. Why should you shop at Tire Package? Not only does Tire Package offer the best deal, it also offers price match guaranteed so that you can shop with confidence.

Useful Aftermarket Accessories You Could Buy for Your Car

Though most of the modern cars are fitted with everything necessary when they come out from the production lines, there are some useful aftermarket accessories that will come in handy. While some of them are for the protection of your car, there are others that bring in entertainment. There are still other accessories that help your car to provide a more comfortable ride. It is interesting to look at some of them.

Car bra is one of the most useful accessories that provide protection to the front end of your car. Made out of vinyl, most often it could be installed in just 15 minutes. It is able to protect your car from debris you find on the road. If not for this beautiful accessory that covers the front end of your car, flying debris and small stones could damage the paint.

A good set of floor mats is another accessory that will come in handy. The main purpose it serves is to protect the carpet of your car. When you use a set of floor mats that have been specially designed for the model of your car, it will cover all the corners and crevices to prevent dust and water reaching the carpets. The day you are going to trade in your car, it will fetch a better price as the floors of your car will look new.

In case you leave you car in the open when it is at home, it is a good idea to use a car cover specially designed to protect your car. Since it covers the entire car, it will be able to protect your car from the sun's UV rays and the assault of bad weather. A good cover consists of several layers of fabric providing the maximum protection to the vehicle. It is not an expensive accessory either.

If yours is a station wagon that has cargo space in the rear, using a rubber cargo liner is a good way to protect your carpet in the cargo area. These rubber mats have raised edges to prevent water seeping in. When you buy the one that is made for the model of your vehicle, you will find it fitting perfectly. Therefore, it will not look like an aftermarket accessory. This cargo liner that is made to be ready for any weather, will complement the interior of your car.

These are just a few from a large selection of aftermarket accessories that are available in the market these days.

Do Your Research Before Completing a Used Car Purchase

The gas prices have fluctuated numerous times, during the recent years; causing pure panic for many car users. The question of buying a new car, over a used car, can be frustrating to answer. A new car is suppose to guarantee a certain amount of miles per gallon, in addition to not being expensive to repair (warranty). Conversely, there are tons of used cars that can last for a good long period of time, while establishing a reputation of giving the owner a run with their money.

Used Cars Have Proven Themselves 

The gift of owning a used car can be prestigious. A used car comes in many forms: Peugeots, Jaguars, and Corvettes, for example. There are the other great legends, as well: the gas saving Honda Civic and Ford Festiva. As consumers, there is an appreciation for those times of valued prestige. The used car market is attempting to explode.

The Federal Government Gets Involved 

There are laws being passed that are issued in order to protect the prospective used car buyer. For instance, the California Senate Bill 990. This bill is designed to assist the buyer by enabling being informed. The Senate Bill 990 represents requiring a used car dealer to supply the consumer with the vehicle history report from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). This report consists of information regarding the previous conditions of that particular vehicle. The report lists if the used car has been salvaged in a junk yard or is a flood victim.

In reference to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS); this informative entity is a product of the Federal Anti-Car Theft Act of 1992. However, in 1996, Congress reauthorized this act and issued the responsibility to the U.S. Department of Justice. Ultimately, the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System(NMVTIS) was developed to prevent reintroduction of stolen vehicles into interstate commerce; shield consumers from fraud; and to protect consumers from unsafe vehicles.

The issue with the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System is that the consumer commonly has to request this report. If the consumer requests this report, then the vendor is obligated to allocate this report as soon as possible; before the used car sales transaction may be completed.

The Private Sector Gets Involved 

Popular private organizations may furnish the same types of reports for used cars. The Carfax and Experian are two examples of the private utilities that are news worthy. Their reports are accurate and also are based on the used car's vehicle identification number (VIN #). An elaboration, the used car history report is based on the collection of information from collision repair facilities, auto auctions, and police and fire departments. The information is specifically based on the vehicle title. So, make a note; be sure to investigate the used car's vehicle history before completing your purchase. It might be worth your while; both saving time and money.

How to Check the Engine of a Used Car Before Buying It

Are you interested in buying a used car? There are a few things you will need to know first. You will want to have an idea of a few different makes, models, and years of car you want to look at so your choices aren't too limited. You will also need to know what kind of budget you will have and be prepared to stick to it. Whether you are buying from a used car dealership or an independent contractor, it is very important to take a test drive. The number one way to tell what kind of condition a used car is in is to see how it feels when you drive it. Also, be sure to get a report of the vehicle's history.

Most people can tell if tires are bad and spot signs of balding or lack of tread. Most people know something is wrong when the brakes squeal or cause the car to vibrate. However, a lot of people pop the hood and have no idea what to look for when it comes to the car engine. There's no need to be scared, there are a few simple things you can check out:

~Check the Oil - Be sure the level is not too low and the color is not too black. Make sure everything feels dry and they aren't any leaks.

~Check the smoke color- Blue smoke or black smoke could be an indicator that something is wrong.

~Listen to your engine - If your engine is trying to talk to you, then you need to listen to what it has to say! If it makes any noises that resemble a rattle, a whistle, a knock, or a tap then something is very wrong with that engine and you probably shouldn't purchase that car.

~Check the warning lights - This one sounds pretty obvious, but its one eager used car shoppers can easily forget. If there is a temperature warning or "check engine" light on the instrument and panel, that means the engine needs checked (and has probably needed a check for a while if someone knew they were trading in their car).

Have the car checked by a mechanic if possible before you buy it. Don't let the previous owner or dealer convince you the engine troubles will be cheap and easy to fix. This is going to be your car and you shouldn't buy it unless everything is just right.