High unemployment, soaring gas prices and mortgage crisis be hanged: Americans are spending more than ever on the really important things, like the high school prom.

A new survey from Visa Inc. shows that the average American family with teenagers plans to spend $1,078 — that’s for each child — on the prom, a 33.6 percent increase over the $807 spent last year.

Those in the lower income brackets, less than $50,000, plan to spend even more: $1,307 per child, the survey found. And those in the very lowest bracket, less than $20,000, plan to spend $1,200, which is more than 6 percent of their annual income.

But the most staggering number came from those families earning between $20,000 and $30,000, who plan to spend an average of $2,635, which would represent almost 9 percent of annual income for those making $30,000. Those families are just above the federal poverty level, which is $23,050 for a family of four.

“Prom season spending is spiraling out of control as teens continuously try to one-up each other,” said Jason Alderman, senior director of global financial education for Visa. “It’s important to remember that the prom is a high school dance, not a wedding, and parents need to set limits in order to demonstrate financial responsibility.”

That advice is apparently falling on deaf ears, however, as the survey found that parents are planning to pay an average of 61 percent of the cost. Alderman said that’s one of the problems.

“One of the reasons that prom spending may be running amok is that parents are paying the vast majority of the costs, giving teens little incentive to economize,” he said.

There were sharp regional differences in the amounts people were planning to pay. The Northeast was the highest by far, at $1,944, followed by the South at $1,047, the West at $744 and the Midwest at $696.

It all adds up

 Prom expenses vary widely, of course, but the website promgirl.com offers these price ranges:

Prom tickets: Between $20 and $250, depending on location.

Pre-prom dinner: From $25 to $130 per person.

Hair, makeup and nails: $30 to $275.

Gown: Most prom dresses average between $100 and $400, but some families spend far more.

Photography: From $30 to $125 per person, depending on whether you use the official prom photographer or arrange for a private photographer.

Limousine: Limo rentals range from $200 to $500, but this cost can be split between group members.

Safe celebrations

Here are just a few tips for parents from the SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) website (sadd.org/promplan.htm) to ensure the prom experience has a happy ending:

Discuss your own rules, the school’s rules (and the consequences for violating them) with your teen.

Make sure you’re briefed on the evening’s agenda. Discuss curfew and how they’ll handle any situations that might arise (alcohol and drugs at a post-prom party, inviting friends over to spend the night).

Also, know who is driving. If your teen is riding in a limo, check the company’s policy on allowing alcohol in the vehicle.

Related articles, courtesy of Zemanta:

• Prom Signalling
• Prom Dress Made From … Starburst Wrappers
• Terrace teens find ways to make prom affordable
• Seattle mom seeks ‘hot male teen’ for daughter’s prom date

Brought to you by Jimmy’s Limousine Service in Lacey, WA!

So, here are some tips on how to accurately estimate the value of vintage cars.

The first is by doing a little research about vintage cars from dealers. You have to remember that the value of vintage cars will always fluctuate like any other car values. By researching for the price from dealers, you will have a clear marker on how much a vehicle in a certain condition is worth. However, you should always remember that the price from car dealers will always be overpriced from 10 to 20 percent. There are quite a lot more ways to determine the price and most of the time it is not covered by dealer-based values. However, market values from dealers can still be a good marker.

Another way to determine the value of the car is by taking a look at the condition of the car. It is the biggest determinant of the actual value of the car. So, here is the five-point rating that most vintage car enthusiast base on when they are on the market for purchasing a vintage car:

• The first is excellent. Excellent refers to vintage cars in almost mint condition and should be drivable. Car in this condition can be priced two or three times as much as its original price.
• The second is very good. Cars in this condition will have minor scratches and some minor mechanical or engine faults but nonetheless perfect and drivable.
• Good is the third condition. Here, you will see that the car will have repairable damages and will still require little effort to restore and should still be drivable.
• The fourth is the fair condition. This type of car will require a lot of restoration work. It will have signs of abuse, such as scratches, dents and rust. The car under this category sometimes will not be drivable due to mechanical failures, but it should have a solid exterior look. And, most importantly, it should be restorable.
• The fifth is called the parts car. Cars in this category cannot be plausibly restored but people still purchase them because they have some parts that can be chopped and reused in a vehicle of the same model and make that is being restored.

Oftentimes, you will see vintage cars being sold on the market under the good or fair condition. Although you will see excellent and very good condition vintage cars available for sale, it will be priced three times the original value and collectors with a lot of money are the only ones who can afford to purchase vintage cars in very good and excellent condition.

Customization in a vintage car is a minus. If you see a vintage car equipped with modern parts, such as modern fuel-efficient engine, air conditioning, modern seats and other modifications that may seemingly increase the convenience for the person riding the car, it will eventually bring down the overall value of the car. Always remember that original parts are harder to find, therefore, vintage cars with original parts will tend to be more expensive. Even custom paint can decrease the overall value of the car.

Rarity of the car will be valued highly. For example, a classic Dodge Charger may be valued highly, but if you find Dodge Chargers equipped with a Hemi engine, you will see that this will be priced a lot more. This is because Dodge Chargers built with Hemi engines were produced in a very limited numbers.

Lastly, original modifications can increase the value of the car. For example, if you have a ’61 Bullet T-Bird and you decide to put in original turbo and superchargers, it will eventually increase in value as this modification existed back when the car was used in the Indianapolis 500. The modifications you make should always be within the era in order for it to increase in value.

These are the things that you should remember when you want to accurately estimate what vintage cars are worth. By keeping this in mind, you can be sure to tell the difference between a good bargain to a vintage ride that is priced ridiculously high.

Even manufacturers will be represented at this show with the next year’s model. You will not be able to purchase these cars just yet but you can get an extensive preview.

Usually, the media and special guesses are the first to preview the cars then the general public is allowed in. If the car show is by invite only the sponsors will decide who will receive an invitation. Many times the executives of the sponsoring company will receive tickets, the media, celebrities, and local government. This can be an exciting deal may car dealers will be invited so they will place pre-orders for next years models. Many times the sponsoring company will raffle off tickets on the radio, through websites, and mail-ins.

The manufacturer’s car show is not the standard events, as there will be an example of every model for the upcoming year as will as concept cars. This is the best place to ask questions about the next year’s model before they are even available to the public for sale. This car shows will be well staffed to answer any question you may have about the new models and concept cars.

Car show events can be easily located by checking the club website, local advertisement, and check at fair ground or venues large enough to hold many cars. Most manufacture’s car shows are will advertised to the media. They will invite the media and several major car dealership owners to preview the next year’s models and latest concept car. The manufacturer will send out special invitations to these events. The manufacturer car show is not the normal car show event there will only be new models and concept cars. There will also be heavy security to prevent theft.

The invitation will provide you will information regarding dress codes, time of arrival, and if you can bring a camera or not. Car Shows can be locate anywhere. You may need to travel to the show, book your hotel reservation well in advance before they are completely booked.

The specialty car show may not have many cars to view it is still a great treat to be able to view this cars before they are released.

Plan all the details of the trip to the car show in advance, this will ensure a good time. Hats, T-shirts, and picture of the cars will be sold at the event. These are great souvenirs.

• Lubricates and cools engine.
• Oil is in a severe environment inside the engine, and is subject to breakdown of lubricating qualities from various factors.
• Oil can be lost through leaks, and burning.
• As the oil level drops, the rate the oil degrades can increase, and engine wear can increase.
• If oil becomes too low, the engine can over heat or even seize up.

Checking Engine Oil Level:

• A dipstick is used to check engine oil. A couple of styles are on the right.
• Goes into tube on side of engine. (not to be confused with transmission – which also has a dipstick)
• Oil is a brown or dark honey color.

To Check Oil:

• Engine should be off.
• Car on level surface.
• Pull out dipstick, wipe with rag or paper towel.
• Replace dipstick in tube.
• Slowly pull out, look for oil level on stick.
• For most cars, if the oil level is down to the add line, it is one quart low.
• If you have just shut off your car, you may want to allow a few minutes for the oil to drain back into the pan to obtain the most accurate measurement.
• Add oil as specified in your owners manual, or look for a tag under the hood of your car as to type of oil to use.
• Motor oil is rated by a thickness rating (viscosity) over a specified temperature range. Most cars will call out oil with ratings such as 10W-30. There should be an place to add oil on the top of the engine.

When to change oil:

Opinions vary widely, note the manuals in cars often list several sets of conditions.
For example, a manual may say change every 7,500 miles under normal conditions, and every 3,000 miles under any of the following conditions:

• Stop and go driving.
• Frequent short trips.
• Severe weather, or in dusty climates.
• When pulling a trailer.

Many auto technicians suggest a 3,000 mile interval.
Some manufacturers recommend every 3 or 4 months if you haven’t already changed because of mileage.
Changing more often than the minimum required will not hurt, and may extend engine life.
As oil breaks down during normal driving, engine wear increases
Allows for increased rate of oil contamination and consumption.
As wear engine increases, performance and mileage drop.
The oil and oil filter are normally changed at the same time.
Check your oil level after it is changed, even by a shop.
Many auto manufacturers do not recommend the use of oil additives.
Synthetic oils are more expensive, but offer several advantages including easier starting in very cold weather.

According to some people, Corvette restoration is a satisfying and phenomenal experience body repair , which is somewhat, challenging to finish off! Luckily one has the provision of clubs that came into the light after the introduction of Chevy corvette in to the global auto industry. Other like, minded fanatic and corvette fanciers are still out there taking part in the activities and the exercises that the club comes with. People from this zone can offer exemplary guidance and suggestions in the process of transforming ones dented old beauty into a stunning variant.

Though it is disheartening to have a look at a picture of a dented and crashed bonnet and body of a corvette, steps have to be carried out efficiently as this involves one of the best car that has ever hit the international auto market. Many rate it as one of the best cars that they got to fly on and still cherish those long drives. Corvette restoration involves some set of essential procedure, which is similar to other auto body restoration work, but still is opined to be tricky.

Look over the Corvette body carefully before deciding to renovate it. Ascertain the body is fine, as it has many of the original parts, which belong to those ages and will be uncommon nowadays. Make sure that the electrical system and other vital parts work consistently. Even be prepared to examine the bottom of the car. If you are not comfortable with this inspection, get an authorized mechanic to do this work for you.

Go to swap meets to locate genuine or exact parts. Going to junkyards is occasionally advantageous as one might be able to come across original and the accurate spare parts for your Corvette there, without paying a hefty sum. Sometimes even a retailer will not have such original spare parts in possession. So always have your options open and spend time to visit a nearby junkyard.

Purchase a NCRS Technical Information Manuals or Complete Corvette Restoration and Technical Guide by Noland Adams. Such instruction booklets can help you in the corvette restoration and will give you a satisfaction of doing things that you are aware of. Make use of the numerous Corvette restoration web portals and websites that are ready to offer expert advice for ones seeking help.

Get to learn all the conventional rules and regulations of either Bloomington Gold or National Corvette Restorers Society. The rules state what is acceptable in a restored vehicle. These may be of prominent help during your times of trouble. They are certified and ancient clubs one corvette user has to enroll into.

Decide what sort of Corvette restoration that you actually got to do. Dont go overboard and dont get speculative about the financial budget that this issue is going to make you deal with. To re,establish a Corvette to original condition is usually very expensive. Because of the expenditure, you should consider how often you are going to drive the vintage vehicle.

If you want help with your next vintage car restoration project, don’t forget Jimmy’s Auto Services in Lacey, WA for answers to your inevitable questions regarding your project.

Brake repair can cost anywhere between $100 to $1,000. Although some repairs are inevitable, there are a few things the vehicle owner can do to service their brakes and prevent major damage later on. By keeping adequate levels of brake fluid and paying close attention to the brakes, you can help ease the shock of some brake repair bills.

Brake fluid is a hydraulic liquid that transfers power from the pedal to the brakes. If the brake pedal depresses all the way down to the floor, or if it takes longer to bounce back after depressing the pedal, there may be a leak in the master cylinder. The reservoir for the brake fluid is located under the hood of the car. It is translucent with a line to indicate a full level. If the liquid falls below this line, it should be refilled, and the system should be checked for any leaks. If the system is noticeably leaky, it is best to not drive the car until it has been serviced by an auto technician, who handles this type of brake repair.

However, if the problem persists without a noticeable leak, it should be taken to a technician anyway to ensure safe operation of the vehicle. The cap covering the reservoir will indicate which grade of brake fluid the car uses; this is also listed in the owners manual. There should be some precaution with this task because adding too much fluid can force air into the system and cause more damage. A mechanic can bleed the system to add fresh fluids.

Leaks elsewhere in the braking system can cause a hard pedal that does not depress with the normal force. This is usually caused by a leak in the vacuum hose to the brake booster. This can be diagnosed by pumping the brakes with the engine turned off to release any vacuum that is still in the system. With the foot depressed on the brake, start the engine. If the pedal still requires more force, then there is a leak in the hose that should be replaced.

Other problems with the brake pedal include a sticking pedal, which is usually caused by a build up of brake fluid or grease on the brake pads. Sometimes the culprit is a bad drum or rotor that needs to be resurfaced. If this is the case, there may be some chatter along with a sticking pedal when the brakes are applied. Applying a de-greaser to clean the rotors and replacing the pads should fix the problem. However, further investigation is necessary to find the cause of the contamination, such as a a leaky caliper or hose.

The brakes are the single most important safety system in a vehicle. To avoid unsafe driving conditions and expensive repairs, it is important to pay close attention to how the brakes behave. The brake pedal is one of the first indicators of an issue, so pay attention to how it behaves to diagnose any potential issues. Hopefully, there will be no surprises when it is taken to a mechanic for brake repair, especially if the owner is aware of the potential issues and the costs involved.

For top quality brake repair in the greater western Washington state area, see Jimmy’s Auto Repair in Lacey, WA.

After a while, automotive parts inside a car’s engine, braking system, and other important areas will start to wear down. When this happens, it’s important for drivers to take their automobiles to reputable repair shops in order to have their cars treated properly.

Unfortunately, not every repair shops do a passable job. Faulty auto repairs, besides potentially costing owners hundreds or 1000s of dollars, could possibly put drivers and their passengers in serious danger.

Since auto repairs typically handle important and potentially life-threatening or life-saving aspects of the auto, faulty repairs may actually further damage these parts of the automobile, which often can potentially put those involved with your vehicle in peril. This is also true of harm inflicted around the engine, that might explode as it is full of flammable liquids and it is in charge of producing sparks.

Additionally, bad repairs could cause some safety features useless. As an illustration, mechanics which can be not really acquainted with certain types of vehicles might accidentally shut off sensors or damage them, which may imply airbags usually do not deploy when they’re needed.

Besides faulty repairs, using inferior replacement materials could also put drivers in danger. These replacement parts may wear out quicker or might not be the proper replacement parts for any particular car.

In spite of why repairs fail, the shops that did the maintenance tasks may be in charge of any injuries that derive from their faulty repairs. Victims of the faulty repair jobs could be eligible to financial compensation readily available shops when they file a lawsuit.

How will you avoid problems like these?

1) Talk to trusted friends and relatives, ask what body shops they’ll use. Has anybody used the same people for years without incident? Are available online reviews in the work done it is possible to examine?

2) Research who’ll work for you. Are they licensed? Could they be members from the local chamber of commerce or Better Business Bureau. Do they have any complaints about this shop on file?

3) Find out about communication on the shop. Just how do employees act when approached? Is he easy to talk to and eager to help? Do they answer all queries directly? Is it complete in their procedures and contracts?

The greater you discover the individuals who be given your house or focus on your automobile, the higher prepared you’re for the repair that hopefully won’t amount to more in the long run.

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The regulation that requires a dashboard tire pressure monitor system in passenger cars, light trucks and vans appears to be working. This is one government directive that offers benefits to automotive consumers without significant increases to manufacturing costs. However the same cannot be said for independent tire dealers who will see operational cost increases from obtaining the automotive technology and training their employee’s on it.

Also to be considered is the time involved in accommodating tire replacement on vehicles that have the tire pressure monitor system or tire warning lights installed. Tire dealers will have to make an initial investment of about $1500 per location in equipment such as electronic scanning resetting tools and then another $200-$400 yearly for software upgrades and new equipment. Most importantly tire dealers and technicians will have to spend more shop time on tire replacement and even rotation of tires.

The tire pressure monitor system components are vulnerable to breakage if handled incorrectly or too hastily. For example a particularly breakage prone area is the air pressure sensor mounted on the inside base of the valve stem. The sensor is connected to a tiny radio transmitter powered by a long life lithium ion battery, which transmits information to dashboard readouts that signal tire under inflation. The system is designed to warn the driver, by buzzer or flashing light, when a tire has deflated to 25% less than recommended inflation pressure.

When it comes to handling an assembly with a valve stem mounted sensor, speed is the last thing on the list. The tire pressure sensor is very vulnerable. The process of mounting any tire on a wheel with a valve stem mounted sensor is slow and cautious or breakage of the sensor is a likely scenario. It should be the tire dealers responsibility to repair any damage caused by their technicians.

Tire pressure monitoring systems began appearing on passenger cars and light trucks in the 2005 model year. Following a congressional mandate requiring them on all vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds, by the 2008 model year. Most pickups, light duty vans, and SUVs fit into this weight category. This is why most automobile manufacturers installed tire pressure monitors systems well ahead of the September 7, 2007 deadline for compliance.

Major vehicle manufacturers and tire dealers reported no negative affects to equipping vehicles with tire pressure sensors. The national Highway traffic safety administration proposed the system after a 2001 Hwy study. The study tested 11,000 vehicles and found that 29% of the light trucks and cars had at least one tire under inflated by 25% or more.

Under inflation can cause loss of control, hydro planing on wet pavement, longer stopping distances and outright tire failure. Properly inflated tires produced better fuel economy and longer tire life, all vehicle tire manufacturers agree with this fact.

On the 2009 Silverado and Sierra pickups made by General Motors, the tire pressure warning light is in the driver information Center, located just beneath the speedometer. This system also provides the actual pounds per square inch reading for each tire. If a tire were to go below the safe pressure, a warning message would appear in the driver information center.

The tire pressure monitor system has many benefits identified by the manufacturers of these vehicles. The key benefits include improved handling as well as fuel efficiency and the ability of the vehicle to carry loads up to its recommended limits. Properly inflated tires wear more evenly across the tread contact area. They also provide greater traction and are better able to resist road hazards like nails.

Tire dealers agree that the tire pressure sensing system will help customers enjoy the performance that manufacturers design into their tires, which is severely compromised by under inflation. If tire pressure monitors systems lead to better pressure maintenance, tire performance will benefit.

Need information on how to reset tire warning lights on your car?

What is the drivers responsibility? Skeptics have questioned whether drivers will heed the tire pressure monitors system dashboard warning message. But the national Highway traffic and safety administration predicts 90% will comply with the warning message.

The convenience of being able to instantly read tire pressure on the dashboard instead of individually checking tire pressure with the old-fashioned tire pressure gauge is a huge benefit. By maintaining proper tire pressure, drivers also will enjoy extended tire life. Though the tire pressure monitor system cannot force drivers to comply. The bright tire pressure warning light will push them toward at least checking tire inflation levels.

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