Whether you need to do some work on your automobile yourself, or you need to find a Houston auto repair service, there are quite a few helpful guides online for you to use. Specifically, Repair Pal has become on of the most user friendly, and helpful auto repair sites I have found.
The site is so in depth that you can look up virtually any vehicle you want help with. Just search for a 1999 Acura TL for example. When you get to the page there are many reviews for the vehicle itself, but also listings of common problems, and you can even ask questions of other users about your precious Acura TL.
On top of car specific pages, you can even just take tips on how to do an oil change, or how to perform, or where to get a professional brake job. These handy guides talk about your car symptoms just like your doctor would and let you know exactly what is going on. this is VERY helpful for those of us who don't want to do our own repair work, but aren't exactly trusting of our mechanics. Just knowing what needs to be fixed before you go even if you can't do it yourself is very empowering.
Friday, July 30, 2010
2010 Ford Transit Connect Review
After seeing a picture of this thing I just had to write something about it. Look at it. Does it not look like a short bus to you? It certainly does to me...;)
Of course this isn't designed to get you to drool over it. It is made as more of a commercial vehicle most likely, and probably not something the average stud trying to impress women is going to buy. Well...they won't buy it at all. You aren't going to find pictures of these in books sitting on contemporary coffee tables in uppity shops let's just say.
Read this review:
Even with globalization of the auto industry, who would expect that a vehicle made in Turkey would have an impact? But I felt as soon as I saw the Ford Transit Connect that here was a vehicle that connected with me. Unlike the larger Dodge/Mercedes/Freightliner Sprinter, the Transit Connect is smaller. Yet it has just as much potential, both commercially and in general use, as the larger Sprinter.
Our tester was a basic TC, with three paneled sides and no windows. Hence, there were no rear view mirrors to see what's behind you. The driver must learn how to drive using only the exterior rear view mirrors, but it isn't a steep learning curve. A back-up camera would have helped, because I found myself parking way too far away from the rear line. We discovered later that there was a reverse sensing system that would beep if we got too close to objects behind us.
Also, this was a commercial vehicle, so there were no visor mirrors for my wife and me to check how beautiful we are. We coped.
Anyone Still Use Radar Detectors?
Of all the technology I carry with me in the car the one thing I never think about is are radar detectors. I have a Tom Tom, iPod Touch, my cell phone, headset for my cell phone, but no radar detector.
Funny thing is that I drive on the highway a lot to and I ALWAYS speed. I may only be going 10 over, but sometimes I go 15 over, and have to pay strict attention the whole time because when you have as many points on your career driving record as I do the next ticket is probably a suspension of your license. Don't even get me started on how much my insurance costs :(.
Anyways, I figured I would just mention radar detectors since it was on my mind after getting another speeding ticket today. I won't learn my lesson so I may as well just add one more piece of technology to my bag of car toys.
Funny thing is that I drive on the highway a lot to and I ALWAYS speed. I may only be going 10 over, but sometimes I go 15 over, and have to pay strict attention the whole time because when you have as many points on your career driving record as I do the next ticket is probably a suspension of your license. Don't even get me started on how much my insurance costs :(.
Anyways, I figured I would just mention radar detectors since it was on my mind after getting another speeding ticket today. I won't learn my lesson so I may as well just add one more piece of technology to my bag of car toys.
A Nice Car Doesn't Cover You Everywhere
It doesn't matter how nice your car is, when you step out that door and into another you still ahve to look the part. You don't get to sit in your car while you are having a few drinks at the bar, so looking like a farm hand probably isn't the result you want to go for.
One of the things guys have a problem with is dressing right. Personally, I get my men's clothing at places where I have to get them fitted. If I am going to be hitting clubs I wear clothes I can get at a suit shop. This may sound expensive, but in reality it is actually petty comparable to going anywhere else. Plus it isn't real difficult to fins something that looks good, and you really don't need to worry about seeing what you have on everywhere.
Dress clothes for men are real easy to get by with because they aren't really that unique like what women go through. What we need are quality clothing. Made well, and still look good. Better material certainly helps obviously, and spending a ton of money is still going to get the best, but you can still get nice dress clothes relatively cheap. The difference is that dress clothes ALWAYS look better than casual clothing even if they cost less in my opinion.
One of the things guys have a problem with is dressing right. Personally, I get my men's clothing at places where I have to get them fitted. If I am going to be hitting clubs I wear clothes I can get at a suit shop. This may sound expensive, but in reality it is actually petty comparable to going anywhere else. Plus it isn't real difficult to fins something that looks good, and you really don't need to worry about seeing what you have on everywhere.
Dress clothes for men are real easy to get by with because they aren't really that unique like what women go through. What we need are quality clothing. Made well, and still look good. Better material certainly helps obviously, and spending a ton of money is still going to get the best, but you can still get nice dress clothes relatively cheap. The difference is that dress clothes ALWAYS look better than casual clothing even if they cost less in my opinion.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Heat, Not Cold Hurts Car Battery Life
It is widely believed that cold temperatures were bad for battery life. The exact opposite is true. High temperatures, or a faulty component in the charging system are bigger culprits.
When temperatures outside reach 90 degrees, the temperature under a car's hood
reaches upward of 140 degrees. That's weight loss success story temps. Heat causes car battery fluid to evaporate and that can damage the internal structure of the battery as well as speed up car battery corrosion. Specifically, if a component malfunctions in the charging system, that can force the battery to charge at too high of a rate year round.
Adding to the strain on car batteries in summer months is the frequent use of
various electronic devices by many drivers. Devices like satellite radios, GPS
systems, portable DVD players and radar detectors are plugged in or in some
cases hardwired to the electrical system all of which add stress to car
batteries.
When temperatures outside reach 90 degrees, the temperature under a car's hood
reaches upward of 140 degrees. That's weight loss success story temps. Heat causes car battery fluid to evaporate and that can damage the internal structure of the battery as well as speed up car battery corrosion. Specifically, if a component malfunctions in the charging system, that can force the battery to charge at too high of a rate year round.
Adding to the strain on car batteries in summer months is the frequent use of
various electronic devices by many drivers. Devices like satellite radios, GPS
systems, portable DVD players and radar detectors are plugged in or in some
cases hardwired to the electrical system all of which add stress to car
batteries.
Owners Rank Poesche Ideal Vehicle 3rd Straight Year
For the third straight year, owners of a Porsche ranked it #1 in AutoPacific's annual 2010 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA) survey.The ratings were so high that it is also considered the most ideal vehicle in the United States of America.
The IVA's are considered some of the most professional and inclusive in the industry. More than 42,000 owners participated in ratings of their new 2010 model year cars and trucks across 15 key vehicle attributes that measure just how closely a vehicle matches their expectations. The cars that owners would change the least are considered the most ideal.
"An ideal vehicle is one that meets the owner's expectations for the product. They do not want it changed. They don't want it bigger. They don't want it faster. They don't want its styling changed," says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. "When asked what they would change about their new vehicle, buyers who want the least change are driving their ideal vehicle. This means Porsche has created cars that owners essentially say are perfect."
These awards demonstrate that car makers are finely tuned to their customers. Porsche winning the award for the third straight year says that their cars most meet customer expectations and their owners are very satisfied. Probably more so than their search for diet pills that work.
The IVA's are considered some of the most professional and inclusive in the industry. More than 42,000 owners participated in ratings of their new 2010 model year cars and trucks across 15 key vehicle attributes that measure just how closely a vehicle matches their expectations. The cars that owners would change the least are considered the most ideal.
"An ideal vehicle is one that meets the owner's expectations for the product. They do not want it changed. They don't want it bigger. They don't want it faster. They don't want its styling changed," says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. "When asked what they would change about their new vehicle, buyers who want the least change are driving their ideal vehicle. This means Porsche has created cars that owners essentially say are perfect."
These awards demonstrate that car makers are finely tuned to their customers. Porsche winning the award for the third straight year says that their cars most meet customer expectations and their owners are very satisfied. Probably more so than their search for diet pills that work.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid Review (Heels on Wheels)
The Mercury Milan is basically a sleeker looking version of the Ford Fusion with the same award winning hybrid that racks up about 39 MPG. Price difference is around the $200 range most likely so you aren't getting a whole lot of apidexin to the price of the Fusion if that is the difference for you. The Milan has a flashier front grille and side fascia.
I read a review from "Heels on Wheels" that uses a criteria of Style, performance, reliability, and green factor.
The Mercury Milan Hybrid has a fancier exterior than its Ford Fusion Hybrid twin but features the same engine configurations to achieve 39-mpg and a sporty gas-electric powered drive. Convenient and easy to use interior technology combined with a base price under $30k makes both sedans clear winners. Full Review
I read a review from "Heels on Wheels" that uses a criteria of Style, performance, reliability, and green factor.
The Mercury Milan Hybrid has a fancier exterior than its Ford Fusion Hybrid twin but features the same engine configurations to achieve 39-mpg and a sporty gas-electric powered drive. Convenient and easy to use interior technology combined with a base price under $30k makes both sedans clear winners. Full Review
Friday, July 9, 2010
BMW 328i xDrive Sport Wagon Review
The BMW 328i xDrive Sport Wagon is a bit of a mouthful for me I guess. It also has a lot of space to stretch the legs and pack it full of stuff. You won't be cramped up needing any joint supplement to make the ride here.
An interesting comparison of the the X3, BMW’s smaller Sport Activity Vehicle or crossover, pricing starts at $38,850 whereas the Sport Wagon starts at $37,700. Both come with the 3.0L in-line 6 cylinder---which I must comment is a very wonderful engine that I find more pleasing than some equivalent-output Turbo 4-cylinders of other brands---the X3 engine has 30 more HP over the 230 HP of the Sport Wagon, which is needed for its heavier weight. The X3 is a little quicker 0 to 60 mph at 7.1 sec. v 7.3 sec. for the Sport Wagon but there is a fuel economy tradeoff with the Sport Wagon at 17 city mpg and 26 highway mpg and the X3 at 17 city mpg but 24 highway mpg. full review
2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Review
A stylish 5-door hatchback from Mitsubishi turns a few heads with its good looks inside and out. At first glance it looks like a bit of a throwback to the days of those cars like the Dodge Daytona to me. I mean when is the last time you thought about a hatchback? Probably about the time you first heard about a real chance of a cure for hair loss.
Sportronic Paddle Shifters, a Turbocharger with a front mounted intercooler, All-Wheel drive (just in case!), Sport-Tuned suspension and anti-lock brakes even thrown in to help insure safety. Although not a large vehicle, the Ralliart boasts 237 horses and combines them with enough torque to make anyone who loves to scream off the line proud (253 lbs ft at 2500 rpm). I find it hard to resist pouncing on the accelerator everytime I fire this baby up.
Oh, I need to point out the convenience of keyless entry and even keyless start. The $30k pocket rocket has many of the same features of a $140k BMW 760, and, I might add even a few that aren’t found on any vehicle costing four times the price. Full review
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