AutoGear Central

Do you need a Part for your Harley Davidson Motorcycle?

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:37:00 +0000

p>Need a Harley Davidson Part for your ride?

Where do you get a good quality Harley Davidson Part? Can I use an aftermarket part?

These questions are not easy to answer. It depends a lot on your situation, part you're looking for, and the money you want to spend.

The bottom line......... you have to decide.

I have a little information here that may be useful to you, so keep reading!

An OEM part versus an aftermarket part.

An OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) part are of course the genuine Harley Davidson Part you would find at an authorized Harley dealer.

These parts are original in that they have the exact same specifications that came with the original part.

These parts however many not have been manufactured by Harley Davidson themselves (at their physical location). Harley may get another company to manufacture these parts to Harley specs, and then they will sell them in the Harley box as OEM.

OEM parts are generally more expensive, and almost always recommended by the dealer. (They make their money by selling parts not bikes)

The dealer will most likely tell you that OEM parts are of a higher quality. This may or may not be true.

An Aftermarket part should perform as well as an OEM but take note. These parts were made by a company other than the original manufacturer.

Sometimes after a certain time period the original manufacturer of a part will allow the company that physically manufactured the part to sell it at a reduced price and in their own packaging. The part now becomes an OEM aftermarket part.

Normally after a certain period of time, the manufacturer will allow the company that originally designed/produced the part to sell it in their own box at a considerably lower cost, making it: an Aftermarket OEM part

So what does this tell you about that Harley Davidson Part that you need?

If you cannot find the quality in an aftermarket part, then search for the OEM provided it is in your price range.

There is a lot of competition out there between vendors who want your dollar. An aftermarket Harley part, for your Harley Davidson are generally of good to excellent quality.

If you own a Harley, sooner or later you will have to buy parts for it. Buying online has its conveniences and you don't have to go downtown and fight traffic.

(Bukisa ID #131177)

Content Source: Do you need a Part for your Harley Davidson Motorcycle? - Bukisa.com

Save yourself the hassle. Buy Performance auto parts online!

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 22:42:00 +0000

Often, in pulling off a number of things, the one way to remain sane throughout the entire encounter is to retain a bit of order, to give oneself a coherent structure to follow. So if the matter has to do with buying performance auto parts online, the first thing you have to do is obviously to build up on a plan. With all pertinent details and information laid out on a neat, tidy arrangement, you’ll feel like everything is already starting to fall in place, even before you’ve taken the first step.

So here’s the plan. The first thing, the first and foremost, is to determine significant—key—information that can help you find whatever missing part it is that your ride needs. Follow the vein of thought and two ideas will pop up here: auto parts and online. These are the areas that your search must obviously focus on. Why online? In this day and age, a number of automotive suppliers have sprung up left and right in the Internet, opening a whole new world of convenience and flexibility. Why go to all the bother of checking out an auto part shop personally, with all the trouble and effort the trip will surely entail, if you can just acquire the replacement parts you wish to with only
a single click of the mouse? No need to move from where you are. Nor will you need to wrack up transportation costs since you won’t be going anywhere in the first place.

If you’re an extremely busy individual, with plenty of things on your day–to-day plate to see to, the notion of carving up a lousy few minutes just so you can sprint to the auto parts supplier nearest to your current location does not sound awfully handy and convenient. Besides, there’s no telling what may happen if you decide to set off for the auto parts supplier. Vicious traffic build-ups, brave animals appearing and dashing towards the middle of the road, three seconds before you run over them, and other road mishaps tend to shake most drivers’ beliefs in the credibility of good faith and in the notion that everything will turn out for the best, even when your ride is in desperate
need of this engine part or that exhaust item. Which is why, online is better. And because online commerce has since boomed, a number of auto parts suppliers have already sprang up out there, offering great items like disc brake conversion kits or rotors, even air filters or ac compressors, at discount prices with excellent service. And though they certainly won’t fall at your feet in packs, I think it’s the same assumption that online search engines will make your job easier for you since all you have to do is type the words in. Remember to check on the available information on the company, though. You’re not just looking for any sort of car parts but for performance
auto parts so make sure the supplier is reliable.

When you have the info and you’ve gone online, what else is there to do? Well, just one more thing. After all, there’s one characteristic that all human pursuits must share and this is—yep—persistence. So whether you are looking for car parts like wheel alloys or other equally elusive wheel and tire accessories on this planet, the key to getting your hands on them is pretty simple: keep at it. And sooner or later, those performance auto parts will land right on your lap.

How to Prepare Your Vehicle for a Road Trip

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 13:54:00 +0000

It's always important to check your vehicle before a road trip and keep certain supplies in your automobile in case of an accident or a breakdown. These guidelines for preparing your vehicle for a road trip are simple enough even the most mechanically-challenged person can follow.

Road Trip Preparation: Check out your vehicle before your trip

Before a road trip, be sure to check the fluid levels in your car: oil, coolant, windshield washer fluid, brake fluid and gasoline.

While you're under the hood, check the battery as well. Look for corrosion on the battery posts, make sure the top of the battery is free of grease or water, check the water level (if possible), and look for any loose connectors or frayed wires.

Next, check the tires. Check the tread on the rubber, look for bulges or bumps, and check the tire pressure. Make sure your spare tire is where it's supposed to be and since they can lose pressure over time, check to see it hasn't gone flat. Check the ground beneath your vehicle for any leaks or pools. Note the location and color of any fluids on the floor as that information will make it easier for the mechanic to diagnose the problem.

Road Trip Preparation: Pack your vehicle with the essentials

Now you're ready to begin your road trip. Or are you? Just because you've checked the current condition of your vehicle doesn't mean something won't happen during your road trip. Keeping these items in your car can help keep you from being stranded in an emergency.

Small tool kit. Include screwdrivers, pliers, a utility knife, a crescent wrench or a small socket set, and a flashlight with fresh batteries.

Flat tire repair. A spare tire, tire iron and jack, a crowbar (some tire irons double as a crowbar), and a tire tester are essential for fixing that flat along the side of the road.

Booster cables. Here's a tip for mechanically challenged: it's positive to positive and negative to negative. Make sure to connect the positive first to prevent accidental short-circuits. Also, be careful not to let the metal clamps touch while connecting them. If they touch, they will spark and the battery could short out.

Duct or electrical tape. Even a mechanically-challenged person can repair a broken hose on the side of the road!

Gas can. Don't store gasoline in the can. Not only is that dangerous in case of an accident, the gasoline can go bad and cause the engine to run poorly.

Cell phone. Make sure your cell phone fully charged and you have your charge adapter with. Even without a service provider, you can make a 911 call. FCC requirements state that ALL cell phones, regardless of status of service (or even the lack of service) must be able to dial 911. Make sure you are aware of your surroundings, since the 911 operator may not be able to pinpoint your location.

Other road trip essentials to pack are gloves, extra bottles of engine oil and antifreeze , and a tow rope .

Road Trip Preparation: Get plenty of rest before your road trip

Following all these tips and being prepared in case of trouble can make or break your road trip, but they don't prevent accidents from happening. Being alert and using your five senses are your best defense out on the road.

(Bukisa ID #17891)

Content Source: How to Prepare Your Vehicle for a Road Trip - Bukisa.com

How fuel injection systems work

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:26:00 +0000

A detailed explanation of how modern fuel injection systems work and their advantages that help keep fuel mileage and performance under control.

Fuel injection is the biggest advancement to the automotive fuel delivery system since the invention of the automobile, itself. Better fuel mileage, cleaner smelling exhaust, and when was the last time you had to pump the gas pedal 30 times in the middle of winter to get the car started?

Fuel injection also made the Remote Starter possible.

This article will cover both basic systems, though true understanding only comes with time and experience.

There are two different fuel delivery systems, Throttle Body Injection (TBI) and Multi-Port Injection (MPI).

There are variations of these depending on the manufacturer called Computerized Fuel Injection, Port Fuel Injection, Central Fuel Injection and so on, but they are all the same concept as TBI and MPI.

The easiest and first setup to come about was the TBI system in the 1980s.

For over 90 years engines had fuel delivered via a carburetor (carb) where air was drawn in through a small hole - creating a low-pressure center -, which drew fuel from a bowl within the carb. From there the air and fuel mixture was drawn into the individual chambers by vacuum and burned by the spark plugs.

Today, the carb has been replaced by a similar looking 'Throttle Body', which contains one or more injectors.

Instead of relying on a low pressure center to move fuel from the bowl of a carb the fuel pump pressurizes the fuel and forces it out as needed.

This way, the computer can control the amount of fuel needed at any given time.

Underneath the Throttle body the fuel and air move to the individual chambers via the intake tunnels just as in a carbureted engine and burned.

There isn't a lot of science or math to this set up, which makes it easier to install and cheaper - with less parts - overall. There are still drawbacks, however, as you'll see explained with MPI.

The second delivery system manages fuel flow and efficiency much better than TBI.

Instead of having a carb or TBI unit placed at the central inlet of air, there are several injectors (one per cylinder) placed just at the entrance of the combustion chamber.

Air flows into the engine at the throttle plate and travels down the intake manifold toward the chamber. Just as the air reaches the opening into the chamber an atomized burst of fuel is added to it.

From there, both the fuel and air enter the chamber and are burned to produce power.

The MPI injection system is much more efficient and creates more power this way because there is no loss of fuel to the chamber, meaning the fuel can't come into contact with the walls of the intake tunnels. This can create a pool of liquid gasoline that doesn't make it to the burning process and thins out the air/fuel mixture.

Plus, with more injectors and less travel between each nozzle and the chamber the computer can calculate a better amount to add to each individual cylinder. The computer doesn't have to predict how much fuel will be needed and how much will be lost to the intake walls.

But, how does the computer know when and how much fuel to add?

There is a complex system of sensors on today's vehicles, most of which are dedicated to fuel delivery and spark (burn) timing.

All of these sensors "talk" to the computer and to each other to "decide" when fuel or spark is to be delivered.

The Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor monitors a specially tabbed ring on the crankshaft that tells the computer where it is in the firing sequence. "Is the crank at number one?"

The Camshaft Position (CAM) sensor monitors the camshaft (which rotates at one half the speed of the crankshaft) to let the engine know that the mechanical parts are in proper working order and at which stroke the engine is at.

"If the crank is at number one, is this the compression stroke (where fuel would be added) or the exhaust stroke? (Where fuel would be a bad thing)."

The Throttle Position (TPS) sensor measures the angle of the throttle plate, or "How far is your foot pushing the pedal?"

Engine Coolant Temp (ECT) sensors monitor how warm the engine is at any given point. Colder engines require more fuel than warmer ones.

Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor let the computer know how warm the air coming into the engine is. The warmer the air, the thinner it becomes. Therefore, it'll need less fuel mixed with it.

Mass Air Flow (MAF) and Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensors measure the volume of air, or 'how much', is coming into the engine. This is how the computer knows what altitude the car is in relation to Sea Level because, just like with temperature, the higher the altitude the thinner the air.

Knock sensors tell the computer if the spark plugs are firing at the right time. If a spark plug is late, the fuel and air can ignite itself in an uncontrolled manner and do severe damage to the engine.

Finally, Oxygen (O2, or HO2S) sensors are mounted in the exhaust pipes to monitor the burned mixture. Depending on make, model and year there can be between 1 and 4 sensors in the exhaust.

What they are looking for is oxygen content left over after the engine is done with it. If the content is low, the sensors tell the computer to add less fuel. If there is a lot of oxygen then the engine is running 'lean' and the computer adds more fuel.

All of these sensors combine their knowledge. The computer looks this all over to determine the best burn mixture for power and how to keep more fuel in the tank instead of wasting it out of the exhaust. It also determines the best way to keep the engine from being damaged due to a lean mix, which can burn up a piston and keeping the mix from being to rich and destroying a very expensive catalytic converter that cleans up the toxic fumes created from the engine.

When the 'Check Engine' light comes on the computer is telling the driver that something isn't right. Either a sensor has stopped working, or the information isn't right and could be creating damage.

'Check Engine' lights aren't used for practicing with electrical tape.

Content Source: How fuel injection systems work - Bukisa.com

How to replace front end struts or shock absorbers

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:19:00 +0000

The first you want to buy the correct shock absorbers for your car, if you do not know what kind you need just go to your local automotive parts store and go to the parts department. When you get there ask the sales representative for shock absorbers to which they will reply "for what kind of car?" Give them the year, make and model for the car you wish to change the shocks in and they will go get it for you.

Now that you have the shocks it is time to remove the old shock absorbers, raise the car up with either a hydraulic jack or a scissor jack and place two jack stands under the car. Adjust the jack stands until they are almost touching the car and then lock them in place. Be sure the car is on a level surface, the hand brake is engaged and something is blocking the rear tires to prevent the car from rolling.

After the car is raised slowly lower the car onto the jack stands. Give the car a little push to make sure the stands are secure.

Loosen the nuts and bolts at top of the shock absorber with a socket wrench first. Do not try to completely remove it yet. You can find the top of the shock absorber under the hood of the car in the area directly above the wheel well. Again do not try completely remove the shock.

Once both shock absorbers have been loosened get under the car and remove the bottom end of the shock absorber. Get under the car and remove the bolt from the bottom of the shock absorber.

Once both shock absorbers have been loosened get under the car and remove the bottom end of the shock absorber. Get under the car and remove the bolt from the bottom of the shock absorber.

When the bottom end it released remove the shock absorber and replace it with the new shock absorber.

Be sure the top of the shock absorber is lined up correctly before securing the bottom end. After the new shock absorber is in place tighten the top end.

Tips & Warnings

If you are having trouble removing the bottom end, try using an anti-rust agent to lubricate the threads of the nuts and bolts. Spray the anti-rush agent directly onto the nut and bolt and allow it to sit for 1- 2 minutes. Always replace your shocks in pairs, in other words if you replace one shock absorber replace the other one as well.The shock absorbers are put under a lot of stress so make sure the nuts and bolts that are holding them in place are extremely tight.

Content Source: How to replace front end struts or shock absorbers - Bukisa.com

Challenge a photo Radar Ticket

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:11:00 +0000

By Casey Carlton

If you have received a photo radar traffic ticket in the mail, here are some ways to challenge a photo radar ticket and it may be dismissed. After all, who has time to go to traffic school for a driving course, or money to pay a lawyer, or afford 50% higher insurance premiums?
Photo radar has begun to pop up all over America. It has been widely used in Europe for decades. A challenge to a photo radar traffic ticket is dismissed sometimes by looking at several important items. History has shown that some photo radar tickets are illegible due to:

Illegible license plate number
The brand of car was not clear
The driver was not clearly shown

If you receive a photo radar ticket in the mail with any of these characteristics, immediately go to the police department and appeal it.

Here are some other ways to successfully challenge a photo radar traffic ticket:

Step1

It is possible to ignore the photo radar traffic ticket you received in the mail. That's a shock! You can ignore it because when an officer gives you a ticket normally, you sign the bottom of the traffic citation which states that you guarantee to show up in court on the date stated.

Step2

When you receive a citation through the mail you have not signed. Legally you do not have to respond, or appear, or even pay or anything else.

Step3

A police officer may show up at your door with a summons for you to appear in court. When you're asked about the ticket you should have received in the mail, simply state you never received it and it must have been lost in the mail.

Step4

Since municipalities do not send the photo radar tickets out by certified mail, there is no proof that you did or did not receive the traffic ticket. In these types of speed traps, the municipalities count on a percentage of people mailing back the fines without further ado.

Step5

When the officer comes to your door and you are not home to receive the summons, he might not return and 4 months may pass and the case dropped.

Step6

Some states, for a variety of reasons, have ruled that the photo camera radar tickets are unconstitutional yet the tickets are still sent out. Again they are hoping a percentage of citizens will just pay and not contest the ticket.

Step7

Since radar has many flaws and has to be calibrated from time to time you can ask to see the maintenance records on the camera that photographed you.

Step8

Show the maintenance schedule in court and question the likihood of the camera being out of calibration. If there is any small doubt, the ticket has to be dropped.

Step9

Some motorists have resorted to high gloss sprays to reflect the camera flash to make the license plate unreadable. There are also license plate covers which mask the plate I.D. from an angle.

Step10

Because the insurance rates jump so high when you are ticketed, do everything you can to get the ticket dropped, including hiring a lawyer or traffic skilled attorney. The points stay on your record for many years and cost you a fortune in insurance fees.

Step11

Read my other article on How to Never Get A Photo Radar Ticket listed below under Resources. That will save you a lot of headaches.

Can you tell I am mad because I did not have this information and I paid the photo radar ticket and now can barely afford the huge increase in my car insurance from $100 a month to $160 a month!

Step12

You can add a database of 50,000 worldwide speedtraps which works with Microsoft Live Maps. This is downloadable to a portable GPS unit, such as Garmin, for speed traps and red light camera information.

Tips

Check to see if camera photo radar traffic tickets in your state are unconstitutional.

Send for the maintenance records of the camera that took the photo ticket.

Hire a traffic attorney if at all in doubt about getting the ticket dropped.

Research as much as you can on the internet to find out all the ways of not paying the ticket.

These are general ideas for defeating a photo radar traffic ticket. Laws vary in different states. Check the laws for your own state as it may be different than what this story suggests.

Always have your portable GPS unit, like a Garmin, with you.

Resources

How to Never Get a Photo Radar Traffic Ticket

Get Paid for the Diminished Value of Your Wrecked Automobile

Content Source: CHALLENGE A PHOTO RADAR TICKET - Bukisa.com

Custom Jeep Seat Covers: Huge Array of Cool Seat Covers

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:04:00 +0000

Do you have a jeep? Well, jeeps are great use when it comes go places. These can be used in varieties of activities as well. Whether it’s wild safari or farming, people use jeeps in as diverse tasks as possible. The macho appeal that the jeeps provide also makes them stylish vehicle. However, if you want to experience the real fun and excitement inside your jeep, it’s necessary that the seats are protected with custom jeep seat covers. You may ask-why custom made seat covers only? This article is all about the same.

The open body of jeeps makes them attractive and useful. But this is the feature that makes them most vulnerable to hazards. Another thing is people use them diverse activities such as farming and construction etc that also cause them dirty and damaged.

The original upholstery suffers lot of abuses. These have to undergo abuses such as UV rays. The friction, water, dust, heat, moisture etc spell havoc on the original upholstery and steal the appeal and comfort from your seats. However, you can protect your original upholstery against these hazards and abuses in an easy, affordable and hassle-free way – with custom fit jeep seat covers.

There are varieties of seat covers available in marketplace. Some are good, others are not so effective. Similarly, seat covers also differ in cost as well. But when it comes to protect your jeep seats and enhance the look and feel inside your vehicle, it’s necessary that you settle with effective seat covers only.

The custom fit seat covers such as Neoprene seat covers are very effective as well as affordable. Produced keeping the size, shape and design of your jeep seats, the custom tailored seat covers embrace your original upholstery nicely.

There are several other effective seat covers also available to choose from. These include Ballistic seat covers, Leatherette seat covers, Velour seat covers, Space Mesh seat covers among others. So, get the best fitting seat covers that are made of quality material and are affordable and keep the appeal inside your vehicle intact.

Author Bio

Rachel Kadin is passionate about jeeps. Whether it is Neoprene seat covers, Ballistic seat covers, Tweed seat covers or Poly Cotton seat covers, he writes extensively on Jeep seat covers and other auto accessories.
Content Source: Custom Jeep Seat Covers: Huge Array of Cool Seat Covers - Bukisa.com

How to maintain car windshield

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:58:00 +0000

The windshield is one of the most important parts in the drive, but sometimes we often forget to maintain it. As we know windshield has many functions, for example to protect from ultra violet rays, wind, rain and for safety when driving.

To maintain the condition of windshield we can start using the wiper wisely, you should not use the wiper on the windshield when in dry conditions and full of dust because it may cause scratches on it, in addition for the rubber wiper also become damaged and not as soft as before. I think we should inject the water / fluid wiper so that the windshield becomes slippery and the dusts are not up to scratch the glass when the wiper is used.

You can also use the wiper fluid, but first we must ensure that the soap will not make the glass is too coarse so that won’t make a disturbing noise. And don’t forget to often clean the wiper rubber with chamois duster so that the rubber keep clean and there is no dust that could scratch it.

Cleaning the windshield is a bit different with cleaning the body. It should not be polished too often like polished the body of the car. Because it can thin the layer of glass and ultra violet blocking in the layer will be lost and even the glass can become brittle and fragile.

And the last one is tips to avoid the car's windshield from fungus. For this case we only need to clean it up regularly with the chamois duster after the car used in the rain. For maximum results we can clean it with the micro fiber duster after use chamois duster. And do not let water or dirt in the windshield stick too long, because it can cause fungus and make a glass broken.

So, you should often have to treat the windshield regularly, because it unwittingly has important functions in the drive. By treated regularly then you can avoid things that harm yourselves and others.

Content Source: How to maintain car windshield - Bukisa.com

Suspension 101!

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:32:00 +0000

Suspension FAQ's from AM-Autoparts

My tires are worn unevenly, why?
Tires wear unevenly because they are not aligned properly. For a vehicle to be aligned properly, all of the suspension components must be tight including ball joints, control arms, and tie rod ends. If just one of them has excessive play, it can cause the entire car to feel loose and will cause premature and uneven tire wear.

My car leans excessively around corners, what could cause this?
In most cases, this is caused by worn out struts or shocks. When they are old or abused, the internal pressure and fluid leaks out, leaving their dampening abilities at an all time low. Another item that can cause your vehicle to lean like a river boat is your sway bar end links. The sway bar itself prevents side to side leaning of the vehicle by connecting the suspension on one side of the vehicle to the suspension on the opposite side. This would not be possible without the sway bar end links. Sway bar end links are the only connection between the sway bar and the suspension. If they are disconnected, or broken, the sway bar is 100 percent ineffective. These are commonly replaced parts on all vehicles, and improve ride quality immensely.

My car clunks and rattles over bumps, it is driving me crazy, what is causing this?
When a car clunks and rattles over bumps, there may be loose items rolling around in your trunk. If your trunk is empty, then it is time to check for worn out bushings in the suspension system. Control arms, upper struts mounts, and sway bar end links are the 3 most common causes.

Any loose items in your suspension system should be cause for concern. We carry a wide variety of replacement suspension parts for the do it yourselfers. Ball joints, axles, complete control arms, struts, and sway bar end links, we've got em! Check out your suspension, then check out our website for all your automotive needs.

www.am-autoparts.com
Coupon Code: C-AM00025
Get 5% off at Am-Autoparts.com Today!

Change the Transmission Fluid in a Mustang

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:21:00 +0000

Many individuals do not realize that their Ford Mustangs transmission fluid needs to be changed. You can maximize the effectiveness and durability of the cars transmission when you change the transmission fluid. When you change your cars transmission fluid all depends on how much you drive your Mustang. If you are driving the Mustang under bad conditions, then you should change the transmission fluid every ninety thousand miles.

You Will Need:

Ramps or Jacks

Torque Wrench

Socket Wrench

Drain pan

Find some jacks or ramps so that you can raise your car up. Make sure your car is supported on stands and put a big drain pan under the torque converter.

Look at your cars transmission and remove the cover plate. You will need to turn the converter until you come into contact with the drain plug. The transmission will have a rubber access, you will need to remove that. Get a socket wrench and remove the drain plug. At this point, you will need to wait for the transmission fluid to drain. When the transmission fluid has drained you will need to put the drain plug back along with the access plug and don’t forget the cover plate.

Get the drain pan and put it under the transmission pan. Look for the pan retaining bolts and losen them until they are about to be removed. When you do this, you will find fluid draining over the pain. If the fluid does not start to drain, then you should tap on the pan slightly. This is so that you can break the gasket seal.

At the next step, you will be removing the retaining bolts, but leave one retaining bolt on each corner. While you are removing the bolts that are remaining, make sure you hold the pan with your extra hand. Next, you will need to drain the rest of the fluid that is left into the pan.

Find a scraping tool so that you can clean the old gasket. When you clean the old gasket, discard it properly. Make sure you clean the magnet and transmission pan with the right type of solvents, allow them to properly dry. Please note: you should not use a cloth to dry these. This is because when you use a cloth to dry these, lint could end up getting into the transmission and damaging it.

When you look at the filter of the transmission you will see bolts. These are called mounting bolts. You will need to find the proper tool and remove these mounting bolts. Makes sure you take off the seals or the gaskets. In many cases, you are going to find a rectangle shaped gasket along with a round seal.

Get the new filter assembly and install it. This is including the gasket and seal, then put the bolts back. Put the new gasket you have onto the oil pan, then reinstall that pan onto the transmission. Make sure you tighten up the bolts with a torque wrench.

Remove the Jacks or Ramp and put the Mustang back on the ground.

Don’t forget to put new transmission fluid into the transmission.

Content Source: Change the Transmission Fluid in a Mustang - Bukisa.com

Recession Travel Opportunities: Part One - Getting There By Car

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:09:00 +0000

Recession Travel Opportunities: Part One - Getting There By Car

Copyright © 2008-2009 Anson Werner

During this current recession, many people are postponing and canceling vacations, for fear of the future economic conditions. But many of us still need some time away from home - a break from the everyday. There is so much information that I need to share with you on this topic, so this article is being presented in two parts: "getting there by car" and "airplane travel".

Pick A Destination That Is A Comfortable Drive Away

Before we had children, my wife and I would travel every summer to visit her distant family members, 500 miles away. We would make that drive in a day, spending about ten hours on the road, with an hour layover for lunch at the midpoint of our journey. Since having the children, we have only made that drive twice, both times staying in a hotel overnight at the halfway point of our journey. It is just really tough to expect a child to endure a ten-hour road trip.

Since those earlier experiences with the children, we have opted to keep our road trips to no more than one-day's driving. If we want to make the trip to visit my wife's family, we opt for either a RV rental or an airplane ride. Given the hyper energy of our children, the RV rental provided the better option, since the two hours early requirement of air travel security forces us to try to tie down the kids for long periods of time anyway.

Given where we live, five hours drive time gives us the option of about seven major metropolitans we can visit by car. Interestingly, the need to find restrooms for the children, along the main thoroughfares in our travel routes, has permitted us to discover interesting destinations that we used to overlook in our earlier travels.

When I was young, my father was a master of this kind of travel. In his job, he was a route supervisor for a major food company. In his journeys around our state and neighboring states, he was able to locate interesting destinations during his work travels. He would then document these locations and build family vacations around these off-the-beaten-track tourism destinations.

On one such vacation, we visited a sod house in the Great Plains of North America. Ironically, I remember the destination more for his silly joke, than for the house itself. He told me of a man, who had built a sod house for his family. He said he built the house, and for the longest time, his wife complained that he was only able to build a house that was dark and dank. He said that finally a door-to-door salesman arrived to sell them a solution to their problem. Then my dad asked me what the couple bought. I did not know. My dad told me that the salesman had sold them windows for their home, and then my dad laughed hysterically.

Food On The Road

My wife and I ate out yesterday for lunch, and we dropped $25 plus tip on our meal. Even in today's higher food price environment, we can feed all three kids and ourselves for three days with the same $25, if we opt for lunch meat, cheese and bread from our ice chest.

Even if you are taking the kids to McDonald's for a quick meal, you are likely to be out $15 per meal, at this recession-friendly restaurant.

Given the fact that your kids need to eat three meals per day, plus snacks, any travel of any length could eventually cost you a lot of money, if you choose to take every meal in a restaurant.

If you plan to stay at a hotel while on the road, see if you can find hotels that offer continental breakfasts, as that can help you to reduce your food costs by one more meal per day. Many hotel restaurants and other restaurants are offering, "Kids eat free" to get customers into the door. Seek these businesses out, to save even more money, during your travels.

Take Advantage Of Tourism And Shopping Coupons

There are a number of sources available to help people get all the discount coupons they need to help their dollar go further. Are you familiar with the discount coupon books available in your hometown? If so, it helps to remember that these are available in most every city in the nation. Here is a list of such coupon sources:

Entertainment Coupons (http://www.entertainment.com/), searchable by city or zip code. Entertainment coupons can help you: save money on restaurant dining (with 50% off coupons and 2 for the price of one offers); hotel, car rental and airline discounts; discount tickets for movies, sporting events, concerts, and plays; shopping discounts and more.

Convention and Visitor Bureaus - CVB's play an important role in the tourism industry, helping local businesses to attract new customers. To help local providers, they offer information about local businesses and frequently discount packages and coupons for those businesses.

Join American Automotive Association - http://www.aaa.com (AAA). A standard Triple A membership costs only $59 per year. Major hotel chains, such as Hyatt, Comfort Inn, Holiday Inn, and even Disney properties, frequently offer a 20% discount to AAA members. AAA membership also provides a 10% discount at many restaurant chains, including Hard Rock Café and Pizza Hut. If you have these restaurant chains in your neighborhood, you could use your AAA membership year-around. Travel transportation companies such as Amtrak, the Grand Canyon Railway, and Hertz rental cars also offer discounts to AAA members.

When you rent your hotel room, be sure to ask the hotel proprietor if they offer any package deals for discount tickets to amusement parks or other local attractions. You might be surprised how much extended value your hotel can provide you during your vacation.

Choosing The Best Hotel Value

As mentioned in the previous section, many hotels have package deals with amusement parks and other local tourism attractions. Be sure to ask what may be available.

Also mentioned previously, many hotels offer continental breakfasts and some offer, "kids eat free" to guests who choose to dine in their restaurant.

Hotels make money, helping heads find pillows. When hotels are doing well, they typically enjoy a 95%-98% occupancy rate. But during our current recession cycle, most hotels are struggling with occupancy rates in the range of 60%-65%. When hotels are struggling to fill beds, the hotel's management is more inclined to negotiate special deals to get rooms sold.

If you are willing to indicate a desire to shop around, most hotel proprietors may be willing to negotiate a better price for the rooms they have open. Some may not be willing to lower their price, but they may be willing to sweeten the deal, offering extra amenities to guests who ask, such as additional discounts for meals or other free extras that will make their rooms more attractive to potential guests. You will never know if you can get a better deal, unless you are willing to ask.

This information is also very useful for anyone traveling during off-peak seasons. Anytime a hotel is experiencing low-occupancy rates, the hotel's managers will be more inclined to negotiate to fill a room.

Sometimes the extra amenities offered by hotels will make the stay extremely worthwhile. For example, a hotel that offers an indoor heated swimming pool or hot tub may provide more enjoyment for your family, during its stay, than the hotel down the street that offers a room for a few dollars less.

When hitting the hotel at the beach, your hotel may charge an extra fee (as much as $25) for beach chairs and an umbrella, while the hotel down the road will only charge a few bucks more for the room and provide chairs and an umbrella at no additional cost. Always ask what kinds of free amenities and the cost of extra amenities a hotel may offer, when inquiring about the price. When you are able to compare apples-to-apples and oranges-to-oranges, you will be able to make better decisions about who offers the best bang for your limited vacation dollars.

Beyond Hotels

Many vacation deals are available to those people who are willing to shop outside the box. The Internet provides ample opportunity to seek out new ways to benefit from travel deals, during a recession and during boom times. Many travel related websites offer mailing lists, through which they offer special deals to members.

Many state parks offer cabin rentals, which we have taken advantage of in recent years.

Other vacation rentals may include Bed And Breakfast establishments, located in many small towns and large metros around the country. Many B&B's prefer renting to couples, but there are some out there that offer family vacation deals.

What To Expect In Part Two

In part two of this article, we will be discussing tips for saving money with travel, when you travel far enough from home to need to use an airplane to reach your destination. Read part two of this article here: http://www.shoppingtraveldeals.com/blog/2008/11/20/recession-travel-by-airplane/

About The Author:

In Anson Werner's desire to find incredible travel deals - so he can get out of the house and on the road - he spends his spare time shopping travel offers and learning tricks to help him save money and get more enjoyment from his limited dollars. Recent finds include a 3-day/2-night vacation for two to Las Vegas for $49, and a trick for getting a free family cruise. Anson's friends had always asked him about the travel deals he finds, so he decided to share his knowledge and discoveries in his travel blog at: http://www.shoppingtraveldeals.com/blog/

Article Source: thePhantomWriters Article Submission Service

Good Sam Emergency Road Service

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:09:00 +0000

With Spring comming and shortly Summer we at AutoGear Central wanted to take the opportunity to share one of the RV'ers best friends. Good Sam now offers an Emergency Road Service to it's members.

Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service: The RV Rescue Specialists with over 1,500,000 successful roadside rescues!

Join today for roadside assistance benefits which include:

* Protection on your RV and all your household vehicles: all cars, trucks, SUVs, vans

* No matter where you are, we will tow you to the nearest professional service center, regardless of distance and pay nothing out of your pocket

* 24/7 Toll free dispatch

* If your trip is cut short due to a disablement with your RV, we will reimburse you for hotel, rental car and the cost of your meals up to $1,200

* Emergency Medical Referral Service

* Flat tire service, fuel delivery, lock out service

* Roadside mechanical repairs

* Spouse & children protection

Ensure that you have the coverage of Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service before you venture out on the road. Join Today and save over the regular rate!

Preparing your car for summer: exhaust system

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:07:00 +0000

Summer is again a short step away. But before you take your gear out of the closet
and set off for the charms as well as excitement of that well-deserved sea shore
trip, clear a couple of things, first. Make sure the exhaust
system of your ride is well and truly up for the sweaty clutch of the days
that are certain to plague you for quite a bit of a spell. If you have an imperfect
acquaintance with the exhaust
system and often shake your head, wondering what it does in there, now's as
good a time as any to play catch-up. The exhaust
system is the part of your engine that sees to two chief functions: one, it
gets rid of the lethal gases emitted by the engine and two, it reduces the degree
of noise that inevitably results when the gases make their way out of the car's
system.

Do you know what happens when gas seepage into the passenger compartment occurs?
Nausea, headaches as well as heightened irritability are common. On the other
hand, inhaling a goodly amount of dosage can also cause an alarming loss of
consciousness and in extreme cases, even death. This bit right here is quite
important to remember. After all, we all have a penchant for staying inside
the car when the heat gets too high. Cooking awhile under the sun and getting
a tan is fine but turning into a reddened lobster doesn't go quite well with
one's notion of making merry in the summer. Neither is suffering from sunburns
or skin cancer.

With that said, it is imperative that we make sure the passenger compartment
won't have any gas seepage mishaps or we may find ourselves in an uncomfortable
fix. And driving while the windows are down, which is one way to prevent any
gas seepage from turning into a potential danger is not something most of us
wish to contemplate, much less endure when the temperature is a near-hundred
degree. Sweating your way through a workout is productive. Sweating while sitting
inside your car is not, especially when you're on your way to work or out for
a family picnic with three squabbling kids in the backseat.

One surefire way to know if your exhaust
system is already in need of immediate part replacements is excessive noise
when gases escape from your muffler.
The noise may indicate worn patches in the tubes somewhere within. These are
torn areas through which the gases escape. If you happen to hear this with a
bit of regularity, better start a more thorough inspection of your exhaust
system as soon as possible.

You may have a defective catalytic
converter or a series of faulty exhaust pipes in your ride. If your system
still stays buggy after you've satisfactorily seen to these concerns, then maybe
you ought to get new Oxgen sensor mufflers to go with the rest. Remember, when
checking the system, do a careful job of it. Inspect the entire exhaust assembly.
See the exhaust manifolds for any damages, the pipes, the resonator, tailpipe
and miscellaneous clamps as well as brackets. If any of these parts have sustained
damages of the critical sort, don't just diddle around in your haunches. Set
out to acquire the proper replacements immediately. You don't know when you'll
require the full talents of your exhaust
system and exhaust system components, especially during the warm days of
summer. You don't want to be driving with your windows down, squinting in the
heat and glare simply because your exhaust
system is having trouble keeping up.

Not to mention the fact that you are also adding to the pollutants in the atmosphere
by cruising around with leaky exhaust pipes or tubes. Is there a reason this
matters? Yes, especially in connection to appreciating the oh-joys of summer.
See, pollutants that clog up the air rise to the atmosphere where they proceed
to destroy the ozone layer. The thinning out of the ozone and emergence of holes
in it, as we know and are all aware of, both contribute to the increasing count
of skin cancer and other epidermal woes in the populace due to the preponderance
of harmful UV rays. If this continues, more and more people will be less than
likely to grow thrilled with the prospect of beach outings and then where would
that leave us? Our summers will never be the same again.

You see then. No matter how convoluted, long-winded or round-about it is, how
you see to your exhaust system plays a significant part in the scheme of things
in this world. Aint that grand? So do your part but well.

Avoid summer pollution by installing catalytic converter

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:05:00 +0000

Disgusted by black, noxious fumes coming out of your vehicle? That smoke is fouling
the air you breathe, and by the way, poisoning not only yourself but also your
loved ones. And it could also mean frequent emissions tests, as mandated by various
state laws and the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

You can solve that problem by installing catalytic
converters into your vehicle. A catalytic
converter (also known as catcon or cat) is a device that turns harmful exhaust
gases like nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and unburned fuel into basic molecules
like nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and water. "Cats" reduce the
toxicity of these emissions from your internal combustion engine. This way,
these gases can no longer cause damage in the environment, thus making you safer
and healthier.

Motor engines try to regulate the air:fuel ratio to 1:14.7. Meaning, for every
pound of fuel to be burned, the engine needs 14.7 pounds of air to do the job.
But in reality, when driving the air-fuel ratio in your engine varies from lean
(an air-to-fuel ratio higher than 14.7), and other times the mixture can be
rich (an air-to-fuel ratio lower than 14.7).

Because of these non-ideal conditions, the burnt fuel can actually produce other
kinds of emissions like:

* Carbon monoxide - a poisonous gas that is colorless and odorless

* Hydrocarbons or volatile organic compounds - produced mostly from unburned
fuel that evaporates

Sunlight breaks these down to form oxidants, which react with oxides of nitrogen
to cause ground level ozone (O3), a major component of smog.

* Nitrogen oxides - contributes to smog and acid rain, and also causes irritation
to human mucus membranes.

The catalytic
converter works by:

1.Reduction of nitrogen oxides to nitrogen and oxygen.

2.Oxidation of (non greenhouse gas, but toxic) carbon monoxide to less harmful
(greenhouse gas) carbon dioxide.

3.Oxidation of unburnt carcinogenic hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water.

Several components make up the standard catalytic converter. These are:

1.The core or substrate. The core is made up of a ceramic honeycomb, which
provides support to the catalyst.

2.The washcoat. This is a mixture of silicon and aluminum. This forms with the
core, a rough, irregular surface which has a large surface area. The large surface
area gives more places for the catalyst to bind. The catalyst is first suspended
to the washcoat before being applied to the core.

3.The catalyst. Tis is usually a precious metal, either platinum, palladium
or rhodium. Platinum is most widely used but is the most expensive. Either palladium
or rhodium is substituted for it. Platinum and rhodium are used as reduction
catalysts, while palladium and platinum are oxidation catalysts.

One downside of having catalytic
converters is that it becomes ineffective in the presence of lead, which
leads to catalyst poisoning. Catalyst poisoning occurs when a substance in the
engine exhaust coats the surface of the catalyst, preventing further exhaust
access to the catalytic materials. To avoid it, vehicles with catalytic
converters are run using unleaded fuel.

Catalytic
converters help protect lessen the emissions brought about by the burning
of fossil fuels. Having one installed is doing your share in protecting our
environment. In the end, you are also protecting yourself and your loved ones.

Good Sam VIP Camping Safety Precaution Article

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:04:00 +0000

Camping is a fun time for the whole family. It is a time to leave all of your troubles behind and reconnect with family and friends. Campfires, roasting marshmallows and sing-a-longs are the memories you’ll cherish for the rest of your life. That’s why it is essential to make your campsite a safe place for everyone.

The campsite you choose is your home away from home. It should be a clean, safe place that is devoid of any debris or low-hanging limbs. And, choosing a site that is flat and level makes it easier to set up camp and park your RV.

Once you’ve chosen the perfect campsite, there are a few safety precautions to keep in mind while setting up camp. The following tips can go a long way to ensure that you and your family have a memorable camping experience.

• Check for potential hazards. Be sure to check the site thoroughly for glass, sharp objects, branches, large ant beds, poison ivy, bees and hazardous terrain.

• Inspect the site. Look for a level site with enough room to spread out all your gear. Also, a site that has trees or shrubs on the side of prevailing winds will help block strong, unexpected gusts.

• Build fires in a safe area. Your open fires and fuel-burning appliances must be far enough away from the tent to prevent ignition from sparks, flames and heat. Never use a flame or any other heating device inside a tent. Use a flashlight or battery-powered light instead.

• Make sure your fires are always attended. Be sure you have an area for a fire that cannot spread laterally or vertically - a grill or stone surface is ideal. When putting the fire out, drown it with water, making sure all embers, coals and sticks are wet.

• Dispose of trash properly. Remember to recycle - use the proper recycling bins if available.

• Watch out for bugs. Avoid attracting stinging insects by wearing light-colored clothing and avoiding perfumes or colognes.

• Beware when encountering wildlife. To ward off bears, keep your campsite clean, and do not leave food, garbage, coolers, cooking equipment or utensils out in the open. Remember that bears are potentially dangerous and unpredictable - never feed or approach a bear. Use a flashlight at night - many animals feed at night and the use of a flashlight may warn them away.

• Beware of poisonous plants. Familiarize yourself with any dangerous plants that are common to the area. If you come into contact with a poisonous plant, immediately rinse the affected area with water and apply a soothing lotion, such as calamine, to the affected area.

Good Sam VIP cares about your safety -- before, during and after your camping trip! Plus, we want to make sure that your RV has the best coverage both on and off the road. That’s why we are pleased to recommend Good Sam VIP for all of your RV and auto insurance needs. With features, such as full replacement cost coverage and personal effects coverage, you’ll have the peace of mind you need to fully enjoy your vacation. Plus, by taking advantage of your exclusive Good Sam VIP rates, you could even save a little money along the way (new customers that have switched save more that $300 a year, on average!).

To find out more about the outstanding coverage and generous savings Good Sam VIP has to offer, please call 888-514-1116 and mention savings code GFN or visit their website for a free, no-obligation quote.

Get Your RV Ready for Spring

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 17:47:00 +0000

Author - Ken Freund

Brought to you by Good Sam Club RV Road Service

Get Your RV Ready for Spring

Coming out of Hibernation

Winter elements can take a toll on stored RVs. If your coach has been in storage, now is the time to start preparing for those spring getaways. Taking a little time now will help ensure enjoyment all through the year.

Before hitting the road complete this RV spring-prep checklist: Begin with a thorough exterior inspection. Examine the outside, including the body and roof, for any cracks or separation and look inside for stains on the ceiling, sure signs of roof leaks. Look beneath the coach and/or or tow vehicle for signs of fuel or other fluid leaks.

Once you've determined there are no exterior leaks, wash the RV with a specially formulated soap designed for the exterior. Work in the shade, since washing a hot surface can result in hard-to-remove spots and streaks. Use specialized wheel cleaners to make tires and trim look new.

An RV that's been stored all winter needs to be aired out. Vacuum the carpet and clean the floors and other surfaces as needed.

Spring prep should include a fluid and connections check. Look for insect and rodent nests and chewed wires and hoses. Check the amount of LP gas and test appliances for proper functioning.

Drain and flush the freshwater tank. Add 1/4 cup of household bleach for each 15 gallons of capacity. Then fill the tank almost to capacity, leaving room for sloshing. Drive or tow the coach to mix the bleach. Run the hot water to get the bleach through the water heater. Then drain the freshwater tank. Refill, along with 1/4 of baking soda per 15 gallons. Drive or tow to mix the water, run the hot water, then drain and refill with fresh water. Test the water pump and water system, including the water heater.

On motor homes, generators and tow vehicles, change the oil and filter and perform all recommended services according to the owner's and maintenance manuals.

Batteries should be check for electrolyte level and connections should be removed, cleaned and after re-assembly, treated with an anticorrosive product.

Make sure all of the lug nuts are secure, check tires for cracks and other damage and set inflation pressures. Trailers should have the wheel bearings repacked.

Replace batteries and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Check the gauges on fire extinguishers. Check and refill your first aid and emergency kits. An emergency kit should include: flares, a gas can, reflective triangles, duct tape, jumper cables, wheel chocks, flashlight and basic hand tools.

Stock up with necessities for cooking, cleaning and entertaining. Review kitchen equipment and the inventory of favorite games, books, cards, puzzles, CDs, DVDs or videos.

To have peace of mind when you hit the road, get Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service

Snowmobile Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:36:00 +0000

Now that winter is here, it's time to test your brand loyalty.

Whether it's Polaris, Artic Cat, Ski-Doo or Yamaha cast your vote and let everyone know your sled of choice.

See the challengers at vs Head2Head

Car Travel: 15 Winter Trip Safety Tips

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 21:47:00 +0000

Check with a qualified car mechanic to make sure your care has been winternized. This would include basics such as checking the batteries to make sure they are fully charged and the terminals are clean. the antifreeze levels, the strength of the windshields and winter formulated washer fluid.

Do not travel if tired/sleepy-This can cause poor reflexes and poor concentration.

Pack a winter safety kit for your car. some basic items to include are blankets, cell phone, extra set of clothes for each person going on the trip, first aid kit, flashlights, ice scraper, matches, flares for the road, non-perishable food (crackers, granola bars with fruits and nuts, juice, tuna, water), portable radio, road salt, small broom for gentle snow removal, spare tires, and tire chains.

Have a full tank of gas at all times.

Inform your family/close friends of travel arrangements including the travel route, destination, and estimated travel times.

Keep the radio turned low since you need to hear your surrounding area such as emergency vehicles.

Maintain visibility by keeping your headlights and taillights clean .

Remain on the primary/main road. Side roads may blocks/heavy snow.

Snowplows need extra room. This equipment is heavy and the operator needs space to maintain proper control and the operator's field of vision may be restricted. If you find yourself behind one allow space.

Stay within the speed limit and change the limit based on weather guidelines. For example, if the speed limit is 65 miles per hour, it may be reduced to 35 miles per hour.

Strandings can happen so stay in your care, tie a bright cloth around the car antenna, cell for help if you have a signal, make sure everyone is well-covered to keep warm.

Study a map to make adjustments for possible road blocks/alternate travel.

Travel with a partner and try to take turns driving to minimize fatigue.

Travel primarily in the daylight since roads can be trickier during the nighttime.

Watch for signs for medical problems such as dizziness, breathing problems, and headaches if you are stranded and have to keep turning on and off the care-These signs can be carbon monoxide poisoning.

Content Source: Car Travel: 15 Winter Trip Safety Tips - Bukisa.com

Before you leave, don't forget to check Trippin' Weather to check out the current weather conditions and upcoming forecast along your road trip route.

How to Prepare Your Vehicle for a Road Trip

noreply@blogger.com (PeteH) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 21:42:00 +0000