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Auto Repairs That Result From Poor Car Care

As mentioned above, there are a number of auto repairs that result from skipping scheduled maintenance. Scheduled maintenance is more than just changing the oil and oil filter. On a regular basis, the care should be thoroughly inspected and tuned up. When you don’t get maintenance done, the engine and other critical areas of the car are affected. Here are just a few of the common auto repairs that are the cause of negligence.

Misfires

Misfires are a common occurrence and result from bad spark plugs. This is easily avoided by following the maintenance schedule in your driver’s manual.

EVAP Leak or Failure

This is caused when there is a leak in the evaporative emissions systems control system. This is very easy to avoid by simply remembering to tightly seal your gas cap after filling up. In most cases, this means twisting the cap until you hear three clicks.

System Running Too Lean

Another common problem is when the car’s computer senses problems in the injection system. This is easily prevented with proper maintenance.

Catalytic Convertor Failure

When the catalytic converter becomes clogged, exhaust builds up in the cabin of the car, which can be deadly. Again, this is easily avoided with regular maintenance and tune ups.

Auto Repairs That Result From Poor Driving

Even if you keep your car properly maintained, you may experience auto repairs that result from poor driving. The truth is the way you drive can have a huge impact on your car. The constant starting and stopping in congested traffic and hard stops and quick pull outs can cause damage to your car. Here are a few common auto repairs that result from poor driving.

Transmission Failure

Transmission failure can indeed be caused by a lack of maintenance, but it can also be caused by poor driving skills. For example, those that aren’t familiar with stick shift vehicles, may miss a gear on occasion, which can ruin the transmission. This is easily avoided by learning how to properly drive a stick shift.

Engine Wear Engines will wear out from traffic congestion. The constant stopping and starting can be hard on the engine. However, this can be treated by getting your car maintained more frequently and getting in highway driving time at least once a week.

Alignment

Lastly, alignment is often the cause of poor driving habits. Running over curbs, hitting potholes, etc will cause the car to come out of alignment. Being more cautious of your driving can help prevent this repair.

As you can see, proper maintenance and better driving habits can save you thousands of dollars on auto repairs.

About the Author: Deedra Lanum works for an auto mechanic who frequently makes small repairs that could have been avoided with a little maintenance. Make sure you have a roadside assistance plan in case you ever find yourself in need of aid. They’re a life-saver!

This Isn’t Your Average Luxury SUV

The Urus is extremely futuristic and aggressive looking with sporty headlamps and a bold stance. Side mirrors come equipped with built-in cameras which offer the driver an overview of the road via a LCD screen.  The exterior is crafted out of lightweight carbon which means that the Urus has the ability to be quick and nimble despite its larger size.  Large twenty four inch and distinct wheels are in place in order to complement the SUV’s bold appearance. Despite its humble SUV status, the Uru boasts an impressive 600 horsepower. That’s enough power to really jumpstart your grocery shopping and errands around town. Lamborghini has announced that all-wheel-drive will also be a permanent feature.  

Lamborghini Will Target China’s Tycoons

Exotic automotive brands are manufacturing SUV’s in order to deal with the slow sales that can sometimes accompany high performance exotic cars. There is simply a much bigger demand for luxury SUV’s due to their practical nature. Most SUV’s offer plenty of seating and cargo space which makes them ideal for long road trips and family outings. Lamborghini plans to offer the Urus for sale in the U.S, UK, China, Russia and the Middle East. China will be a major demographic targeted by Lamborghini since large luxury SUV’s are a big hit with Chinese business millionaires and tycoons.

Luxury With An Environmental Conscience

Engineers built the Urus with environmental concerns in mind. The Urus will offer the lowest emissions of any other luxury SUV in the market. Pricing is estimated to start around $200,000 which will make this one of the most expensive SUV’s on the market. Lamborghini is planning to produce at least three thousand models in 2012.

This isn’t Lamborghini’s first SUV; the company launched the LM002 in 1985 which didn’t sell as expected. The Urus will compete in the super luxury SUV segment with vehicles such as the Porsche Cayenne and Mercedes M-Class.

Is the Lamborghini Urus out of your price range? Toyota San Bernardino offers a large selection of SUV’s that are affordable such as the 4Runner, FJ Cruiser and Sequoia. Visit Used Cars Minneapolis for a large selection of new and used autos at excellent low prices.

Outside of determining cost, color and model that you are looking for, you will want to consider some of the other things that will help to simplify the process of negotiating with a dealer and to help put the perfect car in your hands.

Hire a Used Car Broker?

A good starting point for this could be working with a broker. There are a number of people who are willing to go out there and help you to get you the perfect vehicle based on your requirements. This will include everything from finding the right dealership to work with, down to the ones that will have a vehicle on their lots that will work for you.

Keep in mind that this vehicle can be as elaborate as you might like as well. You can fine tune it down to small details like trim and wheels or simply give the specialist a model and color that you are looking for and then have this purchase work for you.

Get Preapproved for a Used Car

Another thing you can do is to be preapproved through your bank for a specific dollar amount. This doesn’t mean that the dealership won’t try to pressure you into taking their deal, but you can hold your ground and let them know that financing has already been dealt with. Plus, having an idea of the dollar value you are working with will give you the chance to ensure that you already know how much you can afford and what your monthly payments will be at the same time.

Take it for a Good Test Drive

Before buying any car, always ensure that you test drive it as well. Just because it looks great, doesn’t mean that there aren’t going to be any concerns with it. This will be the time for you to determine if a car is going to be a better match for you and if you will want to purchase the one you are test driving. If not, you can take the time to drive a few others on the lot.

Double Check The Warranty

Always ask about what warranties are in place for these used cars as well. Not all used car dealerships will stand behind their vehicles and you will want to weed those options out before you buy any car.

Above all, understand that these simple things will help you to simplify the used car buying process and ensure that getting the perfect vehicle will be easier for you. With a little effort on your part, you are going to end up in a car that you love, without the nightmares that others have experienced when buying a used car. That alone should give you some peace of mind and the urge to follow these simple tips to getting a better used vehicle.

Michael Pagelbrist is an avid writer for the automotive industry. Check out his favorite site for High Performance Parts and Edelbrock Carburetors

Tiny Cars Are Chic

With fuel prices skyrocketing it is no surprise that micro mini cars are now back in vogue. Gone are the days of big, flashy, urban assault vehicles. The rich, famous and ultra-cool are turning their attention to leaner and greener means of transportation. Heck even Jennifer Lopez is hawking the itty bitty Fiat 500, which will surely make this vehicle more popular with the urban crowd. As well, hipsters who can’t get the keys to their parent’s Buick LeSabre would be thrilled to be seen climbing out of stylish Mini Coopers, ironically of course.

Weird Is In

With this trend toward small and a new desire for the weird the question is what will be the next strange thing to roll off the assembly line? Perhaps designers could combine forces and blend not only different model designs but signature brand styling to make something completely unique. This author suggests an intersection of the world’s most desirable vehicle, the Aston Martin with the world’s tiniest and most efficient vehicle, the Smart Car. This cross-pollination would yield the very first luxury-sport-economy car and could be deemed the Smart-Ast.

The Perfect Combination

Similar to the notion of lobster corn dogs or Gucci baby diapers the Smart-Ast combination of chic and practical could be a huge success. No doubt it would appeal to suave sophisticates as well as nerdy geniuses around the globe. It probably would not be as fast as other Aston Martin models but who needs all those speeding tickets anyway? Considering only half of the vehicle would be comprised of Aston Martin parts the price point could be affordable for most. Just think of how much fun it would be to zip around town in a new Smart-Astturning heads as you pass by all the local car dealerships. You might even feel inspired to say something snide to those who ask about your interesting vehicle because, well, it is a Smart-Ast after all.

Windy Reigns, Author – Online Advertising

However, trying to find the right site to get all your car news can be a bit of a hassle, so why not check out some of the most popular car websites listed below?

Look over the list and decide which website will give you the information and news you want to hear most.

Top 8 Car Websites

• Motor Trend: As one of the oldest auto publishing companies, Motor Trend started as a magazine in 1949 and quickly became the standard for automobile journalism. Today they continue that trend online with their website, which offers news, insights, photos, car show listings, and more.
• Top Gear: Top Gear is a British TV show that began in 1977, covering everything about cars — reviews, news, and more. Today the tradition continues as the hosts examine car culture from around the world, often with a humorous spin. The show is great, but you can also check out their website for great insights about new and classic cars.
• Road & Track: Another one of the most popular automobile print magazines goes online. Road & Track has a history of examining and rating cars for over 60 years. They cover everything from the newest Porsche to Ford Mustang parts.
• Jalopnik: This site covers the wide world of new cars and emerging trends in the auto industry. Go here for the latest news and speculation about your car makers and what they have in store for the future.
• Auto Spies: Want the hottest scoop on next season’s models or new CJ Pony Mustang accessories? Check out the site that brings you the news other sites can’t get.
• Conceptcarz: Maybe stock cars aren’t your thing. If you want to go beyond the everyday and look at the future of cars, check out this site. It will give you the insider’s scoop on concept cars and what might be coming off the assembly line 10 years from now.
• Autoblog: Another great site for automobile news, reviews, and insights. This site will give you some great coverage of the current auto industry as well as give you breaking news and speculation about upcoming trends and new models coming down the line.
• eBay motors: Last but not least is eBay motors. The biggest second-hand store on the internet is also a great place for car enthusiasts. It may not have news or exclusive photos of the next Viper, but it can point you toward some great deals on auto parts for your new or classic car.

Do you know a good car website that wasn’t mentioned in the list? Feel free to share your website using the comment form below.

This post was written by guest blogger CJ who likes to blog about cars, from concept cars to CJ Pony Ford Mustang parts.

The 458 is the successor to the Ferrari F430, but is based off of an entirely new platform and engine. The high-revving V8 screams to a red-line of 9,000 RPM, which is 500 RPM higher than the 430. Ferrari claims 0-62 MPH (0-100KM/H) in less than 3.4 seconds and top is over 202 MPH (325 KM/H).

The Engine:

Each engine in the 458 is hand built and is double check for precision, first manually and then by computers.

Engine Specifications

• 4.5 Liter (4,449 cc) V8
• 562 horsepower @ 9,000 rpm
• 0-62 (-100 km/h) 3.4 seconds
• Top speed is over 202 mph (325 km/h)

The Design

The low slung design was created by famed design house Pininfarina. If features an aerodynamic body with aeroelastic winglets that generate down-force at high speeds. The Italia is available in two styles, the coupe known as the Italia and the convertible known as the Spider – which incorporates a powered retractable hardtop.

The interior features an entirely new steering wheel which has many controls integrated into the design. Ferrari driver and seven time F1 champion, Michael Schumacher provided input on it’s design. The 458 is only available with a 7 speed dual clutch gear box using formula one style paddle shifts mounted on the steering column. Because of the large paddles Ferrari moved the turn indicators and wiper controls to the steer wheel.

Pricing

The Ferrari 458 Italia starts at $220,000 but according to Ben Cochran, Director of Dealer Services at GoAuto, expect to pay north of $245,000 for a nicely equipped Italia. The Spider starts at $257,000. For some models and options the wait list can be up to three years.

Racing

Ferrari has developed three official racing variants of the 458: 485 Italia GT3, 458 Italia GTC, 458 Italia Grand-Am which compete in events such as the Le man 24 Hours, FIA GT3 European Championship, and the Grand Am Series.

About the author: James D. writes for GoAuto.ca who is dedicated to doing whatever it takes to help with all your automotive needs.

Stock Images courtesy of:

• KENCKOphotography / Shutterstock.com
• testing / Shutterstock.com
• Faiz Zaki / Shutterstock.com
• Teerapun / Shutterstock.com
• esbobeldijk / Shutterstock.com
• KENCKOphotography / Shutterstock.com

What’s the first thing you did after getting your first cool car? Many opted to change rims, upgrade the sound system, make some engine or suspension mods, or simply put on a sticker or two. The thing with owning a hot car is that you want to really own it. As soon as you drive a car off the dealer’s lot, you want to make it unique and stand out.

The following are unique car modifications that can give you ideas on how to go about personalizing your ride. Do your own take on some of them and see where you end up.

Custom Paint Job

Sometimes, factory color just won’t cut it. all Too often, you see a model you like, but it doesn’t come in your favorite color. The solution? Have the car’s original paint stripped and have it repainted. There are lots of specialty shops that offer customized paint jobs. And the key word here is custom. Most professional painters can mix up unique color combinations to your exact specifications. Other options can be effects and coatings added to ordinary paint to make it pop out. Metallic flecks add a unique shimmer to paint when hit by sunlight. Chemicals can be added to give paint a pearl finish. Nowadays, different paints can be mixed to allow the color to change in tone depending on where you stand relative to the car. This gives the illusion of the color shifting when you look at the car from different view angles. There are many more painting and design techniques available, all it boils down to then is the owner’s personal taste and the painters creativity.

Custom Rims & Tires

A cool car favorite, custom rims! The wheel – reinvented. Forget about dubs, the Michelin tire company has literally reinvented the wheel. The logic behind huge wheels and low-profile tires is governed by the laws of physics. Less tire height means stiffer sidewalls. This translates to sharper handling and more precise cornering. A larger wheel diameter allows for bigger brake disks for more stopping power. The aptly named Tweel (an amalgamation of tire and wheel) offers all that and more. In a conventional tire and wheel combo, the metal wheel provides the structure and rigidity for mounting everything onto the car, while the rubber tire provides grip. Michelin’s innovative design does away with air and has flexible spokes mounted onto a hub, instead of a tire sidewall. This allows for more possibilities in tweaking ride and handling characteristics as well as excellent puncture and damage resistance. Not to mention opening up a whole new look that could change the way we look at wheels when it goes mainstream.

Powerful Engine Sounds, Without Custom Exhaust?

The distinctive noise a rush of air on a turbocharged vehicle is hard to ignore. This sound exudes performance and is the envy of those puttering by on econoboxes. You can also enjoy this exhilarating sound without the hassle of modifying your engine. Entire kits complete with automatic switches and speakers can be bought for just a few dollars. These are operated by the gas pedal and can be programmed to activate whenever you floor it. They’re guaranteed to turn heads and make your car unique.

The Classic Engine Swap

A 1.6 liter engine fitted into your sedan may be great for fuel economy, but leaves a lot to be desired on open roads. There’s only so much you can do to coax every last bit of performance out of something that’s designed to be as efficient and reliable (two words that often translate to boring) as possible. As they say, “There’s no replacement for displacement”. Don’t despair as performance can be just an engine swap away. You see, car manufacturers use the same components across different models and lines all the time. So there is a big chance that an economy compact shares some parts with a sportier car. This cost-cutting measure can be used to your advantage. With a little research and a lot of guts, a competent garage can get a bigger engine to fit a small car. Instant pocket rocket. The look of car owners whose cars you just whizzed by will be more than worth the cost of the swap. Prepare your gas credit card though, as bigger engines are thirstier by comparison.

Unique Body Kits

The beauty if fiberglass is that it can be molded to virtually any shape. This makes it the perfect material for body kits. Want fins attached to your car? How about a more aggressive bumper? No problem. Some have even kitted out their cars to look like their favorite video game characters. These mods can worsen your fuel mileage by aerodynamic drag, but as long as your car is unique, who cares, right?

Don’t Forget About the Interior

Ever sat on an alligator? Most mods are geared towards the outside appearance or performance of the car. How about the inside? When you are spending a truckload of cash in tricking out your ride, you’d want to be covered in luxury. Your wallet and creativity is the only limiting factor in this case. If leather made from cowhide is too ordinary for you, you can opt for alligator, ostrich, or even shark leather. Have the steering wheel and shift knob wrapped too for maximum effect.

Ice

No, not the frozen kind, but just as cool. Slang for in car entertainment, the days of just having a stereo are long gone. Now, you can fit entire theaters into cars. HDTVs, BluRay players, game systems, even full-on computers with broadband access can be integrated into any automobile. Just make sure all these gadgets don’t distract you from driving.

A Full-on Zombie Survival Vehicle

All that bling and shiny paintjob are nothing once Z-day hits. Taking a page out of a survivalist’s book, you can deck out any car into something that can tide you over in the case of a zombie apocalypse. Four wheel drive, a robust diesel engine, lots of room for passengers and supplies, and steel reinforcements are some of the essentials. Guns and flamethrowers are optional, but are more fun.

The desire of people to have something that reflects their personal sense of style is what fuels the cool car aftermarket industry. Manufacturers can’t account for every need and want, so there are parts makers and builders that fill this void. All this is advantageous to car owners like you who just want something that’s easy to spot on a crowded parking lot.

About the Author:

Daniela Baker is a mother of two and German sports car enthusiast. You can visit her blog at http://creditdonkey.com or follow her on Twitter @Creditdonkey.

Photo Credits: lisadragon, nrmadriversseat, and lisadragon…thanks guys!