Car

Used Car Loan

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 01:23:00 -0800

Tips on Financing Your Used Car :
Used cars are not as easy to finance as new cars. Lenders are more hesitant of financing vehicles with unknown pasts. However, you can find reasonable rates on auto loans by lining up your financing before you go car shopping. A down payment of 10% or more, plus shopping with a car dealer can also improve your rates.

Get Financing First :
Pre-approved auto loans have a number of advantages. First, you find out what you qualify to borrow before you get stuck in a contract. You can also play around with loan terms to find a reasonable monthly payment. And sellers are eager to close a deal with a buyer that has secure financing.Used cars loans often require a slightly higher rate, usually .6 or more, than new car loans. However, rates vary widely between lending companies, so it pays to shop around. Processing your loan before your car purchase relieves you from the pressure of signing with the first lender you find. It also saves you money in lower rates.

Plan On 10% Down :
10% is most often required for a used car loan. It signals to the lender that you are investing in this purchase and are willing to make payments. A larger down payment can improve rates and offset low credit scores.Another way to save money is to choose a short term loan. Since a used car probably won’t last as long as a new car, five and three year loans make the most financial sense. You save on interest costs and can start saving for your next car.

Shopping With A Dealer :
Some lenders also offer better rates when you purchase through a car dealership, even with used cars. You should weigh all your options when applying for this type of car loan.Dealerships usually provide a partial warranty for their used cars; they also charge more. You may be able to find an excellent deal in the classifieds, but there is a level of risk with that purchase. However, the difference in interest rates between these types of loans is more than 1%.

By: Terje Brooks Ellingse

For more information pleas visit:
http://www.mycarcraze.com/car-loan

Where To Find an Easy Car Loan

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 21 Jan 2006 02:12:00 -0800

An easy car loan can be found on the internet. Online car financing is actually the most simple, easiest and less time consuming way to get financing for your vehicle purchase and in addition, you are able to do a thorough comparison between the best offers on the market. According to reliable sources (Consumer Federation of America), vehicle buyers are often overcharged by 3% or more on loans they are taking through a dealership. This can mean an extra loan cost of $1,000 or more. The best loan websites are the cheapest, your job is to find those sites and select the loan that fits you best with regard to interest rates, fees and other terms. On these quality sites you don't have to pay application fees, or down payments and your new or used auto loan is approved in minutes.

Here is how you do it:
You must decide which vehicle you are looking for, what it cost and how much you need to borrow. Also, do some calculations upfront to find out how much you are able to pay on a down payment and what monthly payments can be, along with interest and fees. Then determine how long a period of time you'll need to pay it back. Use an online car loan payment calculator.

With these figures written down, go to the internet and
either look for a recommended online car finance company or
do a search for ["car loans"+review]. Then you will get a list of loan companies and references from other people that have dealt with these companies before.

Select 3 to 5 of the companies that appear to have the best offers and apply. The application process is very easy; in most cases you only have to fill in 4 to 5 cells of information, that's all. Then sit down and wait a few minutes and you will receive their offers either by email or directly on the website.

With all the offers in front of you, start the comparison process: You should compare interest rates, fees, and other terms that might affect your loan costs, especially the part in small print.
When this is done select two lenders and contact them over telephone. This will give you a feeling of which people you deal with; whether they are friendly and service minded; ask yourself "would I like to do business with them?"

Then you should have a good platform for choosing your vehicle lender. Choose the one you like best. Give them a feed back either by phone, email or via their website.

Now, sit down and wait for your money to come; it will take only a few days.
In the mean time, go to the dealership and start the price negotiation. When you know you have the money, you are in a much better position for negotiating a really great auto deal.

By: Terje Ellingse

For more information please visit:
http://www.mycarcraze.com/car-loan

Best Car Loan Rate

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 01:36:00 -0800

Your credit score is the most important factor to getting the best car loan rate. Many shoppers make the mistake of going to the car dealership and applying for a loan before checking their credit report and score. By checking your credit score ahead of time, you will know where you stand before seeking a lender. If you have an excellent credit score, you should expect the best car loan rate possible. Do not expect the lender to tell you that you could save money by applying for a loan elsewhere. Make sure you do your homework before applying for the loan. The little time that it takes to receive your credit report from the three major agencies could end up saving you a lot of money.

Understanding Your Credit Score
Your FICO credit score is more than just a number. Understanding how your credit score is determined can help you to maintain or improve your credit rating. Most credit scores will range in number from 300-850 points. The higher your number, the better your credit rating. Your credit score will be determined by five different categories. Some items will have a greater affect on your credit score than others.

1) How timely you pay your bills carries the greatest amount of weight on your credit rating. While it is a good idea to always pay your bills on time, lenders will look more at your recent payment history.

2) Amount of debt- lenders will look at your total debt and the outstanding debt on your credit cards. It is a good idea to keep credit card balances well below the maximum amount allowed.

3) Length of your credit history- how long have you had open credit accounts? Do you use credit on a regular basis.

4) How many credit accounts do you have open? What types of credit accounts do you have?

5) Recent credit inquiries and newly opened accounts – lenders will look unfavorably upon your credit record if you have had numerous recent credit inquiries or if you have opened several new credit accounts in a short period of time.

By : Carrie Reeder

For more information please visit:
http://www.mycarcraze.com/car-loan

Modern Materials in Hubcaps and Wheel Covers

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 01:28:00 -0800

Our father’s and grandfathers’ wheel covers were gleaming orbs of chrome plated steel, glittering wire spoke patterns, or flat chrome Frisbee look-alikes. Before 1980, chrome plated steel was the only material light and strong enough to do the job. Unfortunately, plated steel thin and light enough for hubcaps was easily dented, and if scratched or driven in winter, i.e., in salt conditions, was likely to rust.

ABS plastic (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) was introduced as a standard material in plumbing pipe in the 1970s, and became the universal material in hubcaps by the mid 1980s. ABS has the attributes of rigidity, strength, and high resistance to salt, chemicals, heat, cold, pressure, and impact. It has excellent resistance to breaking, scratching and chipping, even at low temperatures.

Parts made of ABS plastic weigh only a fraction of their steel counterparts. They can be painted or chrome plated to produce a range of visual effects. Scratches or dings on the surface of plastic are stable, and look the same years later as they did the day the scratch occurred. Whereas, when chrome plated steel is scratched, it will then rust. These qualities make ABS plastic an ideal material for hubcaps, wheel covers, and many other automotive parts.

Today, nearly all wheel covers for passenger vehicles, including original equipment and aftermarket replicas, are made of ABS plastic. In fact, the majority of non-structural auto trim items, including company logos, lettering, grills, cowlings, bumpers, frames, light reflectors, bezels, etc, have been made of (chromed) plastic for nearly 20 years.

One category of modern hubcaps still made of metal is known as ‘Wheel Simulators’, which are made of highly polished stainless steel. Wheel simulators are designed primarily for the larger wheels supporting heavy utility vehicles, dual wheel trucks and RVs. A few models are available for single wheel trucks and trailers. ‘Simulators’ are so named because they look like, but they are much less expensive than, chrome plated wheels. Further, stainless steel is highly corrosion resistant, which can not be said for chrome plated wheels.

By :Phil Sollecito

For more information please visit:
http://www.mycarcraze.com/car-accessories

Buying: How to Buy a Car DVD Player

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 01:44:00 -0800

Nowadays, there isn’t a home without a DVD player, but one of the latest and coolest ways to electronically enhance your life is installing one into your car! Car DVD players come in all different varieties and prices, but even the cheapest ones will send you into movie viewer heaven!

Steps:

1. Look for a car DVD player that you can afford. Car DVD players can be simple or very extravagant. Portable units that sit between the seats and plug into the cigarette lighter are generally more reasonable as opposed to a full-blown in-car theater system (from $100 to $3,000 and more).

2. Most people who are looking to add electronics to their vehicle will want to future-proof their purchase by choosing car DVD players. Anything else that is not as advanced will simply be outdated.

3. Inspect your car for the best place to install a car DVD player. You'll want your car DVD player to take advantage of the best-quality inputs available.

4. Bring a DVD with you when you shop. There are three competing, incompatible formats: DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM. Even if a player says it takes your format, make sure to test it.
5. Buy an all-in-one car DVD player or individual components if your budget is small (under $250) and your needs are simple. An all-in-one unit includes a videocassette player (VCP) or a DVD player, speaker and screen.

6. Component systems tap into your vehicle's stereo and pipe sound directly to headphones for quiet viewing. Most high-end car stereo retailers carry these systems. Choose a component system ($400 and up) where a single video source can run several screens, usually liquid-crystal displays (LCDs). The car DVD player screens can pop out of the dashboard, drop down from the car's ceiling or mount in headrests.

7. Make sure any component system is expandable, so you can adjust your system in the future for more or different screens and input devices.

8. A diversity antenna, also known as a dual-antenna, is used for better TV reception when the car is moving and is recommended.

9. Making sure that your vehicle's electrical system can handle the demands of a mobile entertainment system is very important. You may need a professional installer to determine this for you.

10. Remember that the audio encoding-Dolby Digital or digital theater system (DTS)-on the DVD itself is critical.

Tips:
Car DVD players can also play audio CDs. If you burn CDs on your computer, bring along a homemade disc to test it.

-A laptop computer with a DVD drive can serve as an entertainment system for smaller cars with one viewer. Mobile entertainment systems are theft targets. Invest in a good car alarm.

Warnings:
Front-seat viewing is illegal, not to mention idiotic while a car is in motion. Make sure to install your car DVD player in a proper place!

By: Daniel Urmann

For more information please visit:
http://www.mycarcraze.com/car-accessories

Add-on Accessories To Enhance Your Ride

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 00:19:00 -0800

There are many add-on devices and gizmos for cars that can provide features to make your ride better. A power cord plugged into the cigarette lighter socket will keep your cell phone running without draining its battery. An iceless cooler will conveniently keep a drink cold. A heated mug will keep coffee hot as long as the car is running. There are other useful functions that add-on accessories can provide to make time in your car more enjoyable. Many car accessories are low enough in price so that they may be well worth installing. This article concentrates on accessories priced under $50.

Below is information and comments about each type of accessory. At the end of the article is a link to a web page that provides online sources to purchase each product mentioned in this article. Details on each individual product are given at the purchase sites.

12 volt heated mug
A mug with a plug for getting power from the cigarette lighter socket. It keeps a liquid, such as coffee, hot for as long as the vehicle is running. Some models have a thermostat to set the temperature.

Example models:
Wagan Tech Heated Travel Mug,about $30.NexxTech™ Travel Mug with Thermal Control, about $20.Power Up Thermal Mug, about $20.

Cooler/warmer
These give the choice of keeping food or beverage hot or cold. Some are sized to hold a can of soda or a mug of coffee, larger units might hold a six pack or more.
Wagan Car Cooler/Warmer, about $75Koolatron 8 quart Food Cooler/Warmer, about $80Vector 6-can Portable Food Cooler & Warmer Chest, about $50.

Cell phone charger
Plugs into the cigarette lighter socket to power or charge your cell phone. Example models: Custom Accessories Deluxe Power Cord Charger - Motorola, about $20. Custom Accessories Power Cord Charger - Motorola, about $10. Radio Shack 273-1288 Car Power Adapter for Hitachi SH-P300 Wireless Phone, about $30. Quick Cell 3900 Car Charger Nokia, about $15 12 volt coolers - These range in size to hold 2 soda cans up to full size refrigerators for recreational vehicles.

Example models:
VDP Road Chill 2-pack Cooler, about $30. Multipurpose lights - Can be incandescent, flourescent or led. Some plug into the cigarette lighter socket, some are wired directly into the car's power circuits, and some are battery operated and portable. If used while the vehicle is not running, a consideration may be that LED models will drain the battery the least (but in general produce less light).

Example models:
Bonatrade International 6-Watt Single Tube 12V Fluorescent Light, about $15.Custom Accessories 10716 Power Lite: Magnet Mount. Plugs into cigarette lighter jack, about $10. Custom Accessories 76665 Utility Light 12v, about $3. Voltec Industries 0800255 Trouble Light: 12 Volt, about $4. Alert HC20 Halogen Worklight 12v, about $20. Compass - Some are mechanical; some are electronic and battery powered with digital displays, some are lighted to read at night, some have additional features such as time, date, and/or temperature.

Example models:
Wayfinder V100 Digital Compass, about $24. NexxTech™ Digital Compass with Calendar, Clock and Temperature, about $30. Radio Shack 63-1221 Digital Vehicle Compass, about $20. Custom Accessories 18100, about $10. Custom Accessories 55558, about $5. Type S Compass, about $5. Flashlight - Dozens of types available including windups that don't require batteries, solar rechargeables, flourescent tube (bulbs last much longer), and LED models that will run many hours on one set of batteries.

Example models:
Energizer Folding LED Compact Mini Lantern Model # LED4AA1BP, about $15. Dorcy Waterproof LED 4AA Flashlight, about $15. Dorcy Mini LED Zoom Spot or Area Hanging Lantern, for about $15. Himount Windup LED Flashlight, about $20. 4 point safety harness - Has four anchor points with a restraint for each shoulder. These are more likely to get you through a crash with less injury than if you had been using a standard belt (across one shoulder and across the lap). Many are made to attach to a roll bar, so make sure the one you are getting is appropriate for your vehicle. example models: Peak Racing Equipment PEK-507-2, about $75.

Power inverter
Plugs into the cigarette lighter socket, clips to battery, or wire it in. The vehicle's 12 volts dc is changed to 120 volts ac to power things like laptop computers, coffee makers, cell phones, camcorder battery chargers and other small appliances. Don't go bigger than 400 watts unless you want to go directly to the battery with heavy wire. Even then, using high power devices will drain your battery quickly and could fry the alternator if the engine is running.

Example models:
Coleman Powermate CMN-PMP400 400 watt, about $60. Motor Trend power inverter HDL-MTI-12-3716, about $60. Xantrex X Power Mobile Plug 75, about $30. Go Power GP 175 Modified Sine Wave Inverter, about $30. Other accessories that can be used to enhance your car include seat covers, floor mats, steering wheel covers, sun shades, head rest covers, litter bags, can and cup holders, inside/outside thermometer, gps/map devices, extra loud or novelty-sound horns. Items to keep in your car for repair, emergency, safety - Jack, lug wrench, trouble light, flares, jumper cables, maps, cell phone and phone numbers, emergency alert radio, coolant for radiator, drinking water, long storage food, empty container for gasoline, various hand tools, gloves, coat, hat, blanket, rain poncho, and a first aid kit.

By :Alan Detwiler

For more information please visit:
http://www.mycarcraze.com/car-accessories

Clutch Kit Essentials

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 16 Jan 2006 01:39:00 -0800

If your vehicle’s clutch has failed, then you could be faced with an expensive repair bill depending on the make and model of your car and the garage doing the work. Between high parts prices and labor costs, you could easily face a bill of $500, $700, or even $1000 or more. Perhaps you should consider doing the job yourself? If so, let’s take a look at clutch kits and the best way for you to obtain one at a reasonable price.

All clutch kits come with three items standard, with a fourth item included with some kits.

Your clutch kit will contain:
Clutch friction plate
Clutch pressure plate
Release bearing

Some clutch kits also come with pilot bearings or bushings.
For the performance car driver, there are specialty kits available that contain superior friction materials, stronger springs, and more exact engagement than stock clutches. Without a doubt, a stock Acura clutch kit or BMW clutch kit would be adequate as they meet all stringent OEM requirements.

Popular manufacturers of stock and performance clutch kits include: Valeo, Sachs, Centerforce, ACT, and Exedy. Most of these types of kits are what your garage will use for your vehicle and they are available through your dealer’s auto parts department as well.

To save money, you can also purchase clutch kits from wholesalers. A wholesaler deals directly with the manufacturer which ensures that you receive the best price without the mark ups and the parts you receive are genuine.

Wherever you choose to purchase your parts, make sure that you can return them if there is a problem and, that the manufacturer stands by their product. Unfortunately, with counterfeit parts “industry” is a multi-billion dollar per year problem. It goes without saying that you should avoid generic or no name brands when shopping for any automotive replacement parts.

By : Matthew Keegan

For more information please visit:
http://www.mycarcraze.com/car-accessories

Car Parts Online

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 00:20:00 -0800

For the recreational car hobbyist, there are few better places to buy parts than on eBay. Think of it like this: if an auto parts swap meet had a child with Godzilla then eBay Motors would be their offspring. Here are the reasons why the Internet is the best place to buy parts:

1. Convenience:
Thanks to the Internet, people can buy things online when they want and where they want (at work, in the comfort of their home, wherever) and they don't have to wait any longer for the first Saturday of the month when the swap meet happens.

2. Quality assurance:
Which is better: car parts that can be had really, really cheap on eBay, and other such sites, or haggling over a part by some fast-talking guy who knows there's something wrong with the part but won't budge on price?

3. Lots of choice:
You may not get the price you want at the swap meet, but you need the part, so you're willing to spend a little more for it. The great thing about eBay is that you can pass on the stuff you don't like because you know something similar will probably come along shortly.

4. Price:
At the swap meet you can barter back and forth, but it involves some give and take on both sides. Neither of you end up with the dollar figure you want. On eBay, though, you can set your price. If you don't get it at that price, you can revisit your bid, but if you ride the auction till the end and bid just a dollar over the last bid, you'll have a great chance of winning the bid at a price you'll be happy with.

5. Background check:
eBay has a feedback rating which allows you to check up on how well the seller has lived up to their word. But at the swap meet, all you have to go on is your gut instinct when you're face to face with the guy who's trying to push his parts on you.

6. Pay any way:
Many sellers on eBay, though PayPal, accept checks, money orders, and credit cards. At the swap meet you're either exchanging parts or cash. Paying for parts with a credit card lets you put off the payment until it's convenient for you.

7. Warranty:
On eBay, you actually get a warranty when you buy products from them. The warranty is offered by eBay, and your credit card has a “chargeback” option, too, to protect you from getting ripped off. Was there a warranty at the last swap meet you were at?

EBay Motors is a great place to find cheap car parts. The prices and convenience is unbeatable. Forget those old swap meets, stay home, stay in your pajamas, and click for more convenience and savings.

by: Jeff Lakie

For more information please visit:
http://www.mycarcraze.com/car-accessories

Quality Cadillac Alternator

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 00:09:00 -0800

Cadillac, one of the finest names in the automobile industry, is known for its high performance vehicles which include features for added comfort and safety to its users. And these features include a car stereo system, car air conditioning system, defogger and various lighting components. All these operate because of a vital car component called the Cadillac alternator.

The Cadillac alternator is a part of the charging system of your Cadillac vehicle that produces electricity for many devices. It is used to charge the battery and to power all the car's electric systems when its engine is running. The main function of the alternator is to convert power from the gasoline engine to electrical energy in order to keep the battery in superb condition. It creates alternating current rather than direct current. Although it generates electricity by the same principle as DC generators, it is considered to be simpler, lighter, and more rugged because it does not require a commutator, an electrical switch that reverses the current in an electric motor or electrical generator from time to time.

The main function of the alternator contains different components which include mainly the rotor and the stator. The rotor is the rotating field winding which consists of a coil of wire wrapped around an iron core. It is driven by the alternator pulley and rotates when the engine runs. The stator, on the other hand, is a stationary induction winding which consists of another set of coils, particularly three in number. These three stator windings three stator windings are spaced inside the alternator and produce three separate sets, or "phases," of output voltages. The two remaining components are the rectifier bridge which is also known as the diode assembly and a control device which is the voltage regulator.

Even when a car is idle, an alternator is capable of producing a constant, high voltage because of how it works. But it is rather hard to tell when your alternator has problems because when it dies or malfunctions, the vehicle will not suddenly stop since the battery still has stored power. And once all the battery’s power is consumed, you can expect this to happen.

By: Joe Thompson.

For more information please visit:
http://www.mycarcraze.com/car-accessories

Air Deflectors For Your Vehicle

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 02:26:00 -0800

Placing a new air deflector on your car is a wise decision. Bugs, road debris, and rocks can all macerate your hood or even break your windshield. Within moments your trip upstate has come to a screeching halt because of what was tossed up in the air by the vehicle in front of you while you were cruising down the highway. An air deflector might have sent that stone harmlessly to the side or up and over the roof of your car. Instead, your windshield took a direct hit. Let’s take a look at all of the advantages of an air deflector and how installing one is a cost effective solution.

An air deflector doesn’t have to cost you a bunch of money and when you consider what you save in replacement glass, it pays for itself right away.

Air deflectors also help manage bug splatter the same way. You understand how it is to drive around at dusk in some areas of the back country: you get hit by swarm after swarm of the largest insects. Your wipers work overtime and, yet, still the bugs still come. An air deflector pushes bugs to the side, away from your windshield so you can see clearly.

An air deflector is easy to install; no special tools are needed.
Air deflectors are stylish too.

When purchasing an air deflector for your vehicle, you can order one that will fit your particular make and model. There is no one sized fits all air deflector; they are custom sized to give you the right fit every time.

Deflectors are made of polycarbonate construction to ensure that they last long and can withstand all weather and road conditions.

By: Matthew Keegan

For more information please visit:
http://www.mycarcraze.com

Custom Fit Your Vehicle

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Jan 2006 02:55:00 -0800

Hood protectors, also known as car bras, will give your car a bold, aggressive, and cool look. Other ideas include installing hood scoops and vents.

Up Front:
Fender flares, bumper protectors, front fascia, and head light covers are all the rage. Add in custom fitted fog lights and you have a real show stopper on your hands.

To the Sides:
Paintable rear side window covers will distinguish your model from all cars out there. Paintable side skirts are another crowd pleaser.

Bringing up the Rear:
Altezza style tail light lens assemblies, which are available in chrome or paintable black. Some motorists are opting for paintable or blacked out tail light covers too for that special look. Adding a spoiler or a rear skirt are two additional awesome looking accessories for any car.

Under it All:
Performance exhaust systems are all the rage. They are expensive but worth it in many driver’s eyes. Increased performance, a better look, and a million mile warranty are some of the appeals of this mod.

On the Inside:
Who said floor mats or floor liners have to be boring? Custom fitted Highland floor mats or Husky cargo liners give your interior a clean, sharp look and protect expensive carpeting and flooring. Seat covers, shifter knobs, and gauge covers are all popular add-ons with owners today.

To the Wheels:
Some cars are now custom fitted with wheel spacers which permit wheel stance to be widened, thereby improving handling. Wheel dust shields are also popular to help keep alloys and tires clean.
So, there you have it. Manufacturers of custom fitting accessories have been burning the midnight oil to bring to you products that can truly change the appearance of your car. Indeed, some models -- including the Honda Civic -- have over 200 custom designed accessories available. The more popular the car, the more likely your choices will be greater.

By: Matthew Keegan

For more information please visit:
http://www.mycarcraze.com/car-accessories

Choosing Your Air Filter

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 9 Jan 2006 04:16:00 -0800

Navigating the Confusing World of Air Cleaners
We all want to do everything we can to ensure that the air we breathe in our homes and office environments is clean and healthy. Luckily, there are now dozens of consumer products now on the market that work to filter air and reduce the presence of indoor pollutants. These air cleaners may be purchased as portable units that fit easily you're your living space, or in the form of in-duct systems to be installed as part of your HVAC system (the industry abbreviation for your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system). With such different types and so many products available for us to choose from, how to decide which is best? Let's take a look at the basic categories of air filtering devices and what each group offers:

HEPA Filters
HEPA stands for “high efficiency particulate air,” and a HEPA filter is basically a sieve that collects offensive particles so they won't circulate in the air. HEPA filters are highly effective, trapping nearly one hundred percent (99.97%) of pollutants down to a size of .3 microns (to give you a sense of scale, a human hair is about 70 microns in diameter). These filters are so good at cleaning air that they are often considered the most efficient of all filtration units. But don't rush out to buy one yet-there are a few important factors to consider. HEPA filters need to be replaced frequently, which makes sense when you consider that they function by trapping contaminants. Depending on the cost of filters and the frequency with which you need to change your particular model, this can be an expensive choice. Moreover, HEPA filters are good at cleaning the air within small spaces, but they are not a home-wide solution. Of course you could place a filter in each room, but this may not be practical. Still, if you want a great bang for your buck, HEPA filters are a terrific choice and very, very effective. Just keep the above considerations in mind when choosing one (or several) portable filter units for your home.

Pleated Filters
These may also be called "media" filters. They are similar to HEPA filters but are pleated, or folded, with the result that they are substantially less effective. A pleated filter will trap as little as half the particles as a HEPA filter, but it will do well with containing larger particles. So, for example, if your main problem is dust, this may be a good choice for you.

Electrostatic/Electronic Cleaners
Whereas HEPA filters physically block and remove pollutants, requiring replacement of filters, electrostatic or electronic cleaners work in a slightly different way. These units contain electronically charged plates that impart an ionic charge to floating air particles, causing them to be attracted to the plates (remember high school science class?) and forced through what is known as foam pre-filter. You won't have replace the plates contained in these units, but you will have to wash them periodically to clean them of debris and buildup. If you don't, you run the risk of the particles getting re-re-released into the air. A clean and well-maintained unit will keep down the amount of dust, mold, and bacteria in your home environment.

Cleaners with Activated Carbon
Filter and electrostatic cleaners grab offending particles from the air, but a different technology is needed in order to rid your living space of odors and invisible chemical contaminants. That's where carbon comes into the picture-some air cleaners are sold with mats of activated carbon, which pulls these teeny molecules out of the air to keep it squeaky clean. Note that many electronic filters do contain carbon filters.

Charcoal Filters
A charcoal filter, or any air cleaning device that contains a charcoal filter, can be very useful if you battle unwanted odors in your home environment. This is because charcoal is a porous substance with a great capacity for trapping gases with offensive smells. Charcoal, when used in a filter, may be treated with chemicals in order to enhance its ability to eliminate odors from the air.

Hybrid Filters
Simply put, hybrid filters are filters that are combinations of multiple types of air filters. For example, a popular type of hybrid filters involves both an electronic charge, as described above, as well as a pleated fabric to capture and collect particles in the air. This can be a good all-around solution to your clean air concerns, but just be sure to keep the filter itself clean, otherwise it won't function properly. In making your decision, choose based on the amount of space you wish to treat, as well as your largest areas of concern. For example, if you smoke or live in a place where the air has been exposed to smoke, you may wish to use a filter that removes odor as well as particles. If dust is your main concern, then a pleated filter may do the job for you. Whatever you choose, you will be well on the way to a healthier and happier home environment!

About The Author

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http://www.mycarcraze.com/car-accessories

Buy a new car

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 7 Jan 2006 03:00:00 -0800

Buying a car is usually our second biggest investment after our home purchase and most of us will do it more than once in our life. There is something emotional about cars, it represents our taste and style, our economic status and our character. Some women even claim that a car is a man’s extension of his reproductive organ. One the other hand (the good hand) there are women out there that might express their exhibitionism and extravagance by choosing to drive a red flashy car for the whole world to notice them. Both sexes would agree they sometimes feel they ”fall in love” with a certain car model.

There are people who get very existed from a small scratch on the cars lower side, as if it were their own skin. The beauty of the car, its aerodynamics shape, the gadgets inside, the seats the feel of it all play a major part in our decision making. In our modern life it’s almost impossible to function without one and it’s expensive to acquire, to finance and to maintain. Buying a new car is a lot of fun, the new car has its unique smell no doubt about it, the very fact you can afford to own a brand new car is a great feeling.

When is the best time to buy a new car
There are two "best times" to buy a car. The end of December is a good time for car buyers to buy a new car. Everyone is out buying Christmas gifts, leaving new car dealer lots void of customers, motivating dealers to cut costs, and break year end sales records. Another good time to buy a car is July to October as new car dealers sell off cars at low prices to clear space for new car models. Secret factory to dealer incentives can be $1000-$6000 in addition to new car consumer rebates!

How and where to search for prices:
Invoice price – what the dealer pays the manufacturer – has become the real negotiating point. Allowing for the dealer's need to make a profit, the price you pay should be somewhere between sticker and invoice. Virtually all car buying sites on the Internet show invoice and in most cases their buying tools automatically add option/package invoice amounts as you work your way through the process. Any car buyer, with very little effort, can get an accurate summation of a car's value, which immediately puts him or her in a stronger negotiating position.

The negotiation phase and the dirty tricks:
After you made your research via the Internet, it’s important you make some phone calls to car dealers and ask for some written offers to be sent to you via the fax or email for the car of your dreams. That way, you can compare prices between several dealers without being pressured by a salesperson. You would be much better off selling your old car yourself rather than to trade it in through the dealer because the dealer will have to earn some money on it as well. Remember, everything is a negotiable, car too. Buying a new car is tricky from the moment you step into the car dealership arena, you might be manipulated by scam artists, well trained sales persons that will use every trick in their fat book of tricks to extort every last Dollar out of your bank account.

There is one well known trick they teach in car dealers sales courses, it’s called “throwing a lowball”, in this tactic a customer is offered a very good price on a car, Perhaps as much as $500 below competitors prices. The good deal, however, is not genuine, its only purpose is to cause a prospect to decide to buy at this dealership and not from the other dealers. Once the decision is made a raft of purchase forms are filled out, extensive financial terms are arranged. The dealer knows, customers develop a range of new reasons to support the choice they have now made.

Then something happens. All of a sudden an “error” in the calculations is discovered, It might be the salesman forgot to add in the cost of the air conditioner and if the customer insists on having it, then $500 must be added to the price. The cover up operation is played sophistically, some times they let the bank handling the financing find the “mistake”, other times the boss is not approving the deal because “we’d be losing money”. They make it look as if it’s not that big mistake as it’s a relatively small percentage of the price of the car and as they stress out it only brings it to be equal to competitors.

The impressive thing about the lowball tactic is its ability to make a person feel pleased with a poor choice. If anyone tries to change the originally-quoted terms or talk you into buying a different vehicle, just say "no" and go somewhere else. Until all the papers have been signed there are still ways in which a shrewd dealer may add to his profit by talking you into extras you don't want and probably don't need. These can include added and overpriced insurance, extended warranties, rust proofing (absolutely unnecessary), paint or fabric protection, anti-theft plans, and more. Smile and firmly turn them all down.

Finally, before you drive away, do a careful inspection of the car, looking for scratches or dents; anything that mars the perfect finish. If you're not happy, get a written agreement (known as a Due Bill). It means you have the right to later return the vehicle in order that flaws can be corrected.

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By Amit Laufer

For more information please visit:
http://www.mycarcraze.com/buy-car