Car Primer

Recovering After an Accident

CPA — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:02:00 +0000

No one ever hopes to get in a car accident, but sadly it happens anyway. You might take all the precautions in the world, but where there are cars, there are bound to be mishaps – they just haven’t got rid of human error yet.

Unfortunately for me, I am in the process of recovering after an accident. You see, just a little more than a week ago, the temperature dropped below freezing and there was rain. The result was ice all over the road, and that is something we are just not used to out here on the coast.

So, when I was out getting groceries, someone behind me hit a patch of ice and slid right into my vehicle. I happened not to be paying attention at the time as I was looking for something in the glove box and ended up hurting my neck due to the collision.

I was a little mad at first, and it was sad to see my car injured, but I am most worried about my lost wages because I won’t be able to work. Supposedly I should be feeling better in a couple of weeks, but in the meantime I will have to live off my savings until I can go back to work.

It has definitely not been the highlight of my year.

Technorati Tags: car accident, recovery

Learning to be a Better Parts Person

CPA — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:49:00 +0000

One of the things that I love about my job is that I get to learn new things each and every day. You see, I work as a parts man at a Fort Worth auto dealer and with that comes a lot of responsibility. We want to give our customers a great price on car parts, but at the same time, we want them to buy the right part the first time.

So, I will be starting some training tomorrow for the next week on Mitsubishi parts. Even though I am not new to them, it is important to stay up to date on changes to our existing offerings and to take a look at what is coming out so that we can better serve our customer’s needs.

It won’t be all work, as we will get to spend some time relaxing at the hotel. I guess I forgot to mention that it will be out of town, so it is a paid vacation of sorts. It will be a well deserved break.

But on that note, I should go get packing as we will be leaving early in the morning and I have some errands to run before I go.

Technorati Tags: Fort Worth auto, Mitsubishi parts

Buying and paying for used cars in Arizona

CarpMan — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:09:40 +0000

A rapidly expanding segment of the market for used cars in Arizona is the opportunity to find financing for your purchase right on the premises where you buy your car or truck. The concept of owner financing is nothing new, however, as more and more used vehicles enter the marketplace, the consumer is seeing more opportunities to make the purchasing process easier.

Buy here pay here car lots are seeing steady increases in overall sales numbers. The better used car dealers are now offering favorable trade-in allowances as well as extremely competitive financing options. These offerings are also quite welcome by those consumers that may not be able to qualify for some of the mainstream financing.

If you are interested in trading your old car or truck, and would like to deal with a one stop shop, here’s a few things to look for. First, make sure the used car dealerships have the vehicles you are interested in buying. Next, look into who’s providing the financing for the dealer. Consider whether or not you want to go with a completely no name financial service. Finally, since you are spending your money with this car lot, if you can find one that has a top quality service department, you’ll be happy when time comes to get repairs and service done to your vehicle.

Technorati Tags: buy here pay here car lots, used cars Arizona

2 Types of Toyota Accessories

MsCPrim — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:00:05 +0000

Toyota owners frequently have an interest in purchasing accessories for their vehicles. If you’ve never looked at Toyota accessories before then your first foray into this world may be a bit overwhelming. That is because there are hundreds of different accessories to choose from. The newbie should know that these accessories basically fall into two categories: for fun and for function.

The first type of accessory that someone might get for a Toyota is the fun accessory. Decorative decals for the vehicle are an example of this. New rims for the tires are another example. Stereo systems and new speakers are yet another example of this type of Toyota accessory. Fun accessories add to the aesthetic appeal of the Toyota. They may or may not also increase the value of the car.

The other type of accessory for Toyota owners to purchase is the functional accessory. Sometimes people buy these because they have to. If you’re looking for genuine Toyota parts then it’s probably because a part of the vehicle is broken and you need to replace it. Alternatively, people may buy things that improve the function of the car just for fun. For example, a new muffler might make the car sound quieter and function better at the same time. Both types of accessories are good buys depending on what you’re looking to get.

Technorati Tags: genuine Toyota parts, Toyota accessories

Keeping Your Car Under Wraps

Primr — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 18:40:04 +0000

If you own a car that is not your daily driver, that you keep because it is collectible or for sentimental reasons, it is important to keep it covered as much as possible. Keeping a car in a garage extends its life, as it is less susceptible to rain, snow, hail, and road salts that encourage corrosion.

Unfortunately, not all of us have garages in which to store our cars — or if you do, there may only be enough room for your daily drivers, and you may really need the convenience of not having to clear your car on snowy days and so on.

Luckily, there is another option that many people forget to consider: self storage. A self storage unit can usually be found in a large enough size to hold a car, and if it’s not one you frequently drive you won’t have to worry about it being stored away from home.

Besides, in this case storing the car away from home is totally for the good of the car. By keeping a car in storage, you can prevent it from getting wet and rusting, or the finish from becoming dull and faded from sun, dirt, and precipitation. Since you are not very likely to go get it and drive it when the weather is not nice, you will also greatly reduce its exposure to road salt and other corrosive elements.

Garaging a car that you mean to keep for a long time, especially one that you want to keep in good condition for a long time, is important! Where do you keep your car?

Technorati Tags: road salt, self storage, self storage unit

Finishing the Layout for the Paper

CPA — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:52:43 +0000

I come from a long line of journalists and it should come as no surprise that I work for a newspaper (or have a blog for that matter). It was the career that I was encouraged to enter, and I had no objections when I took the job at the paper.

When I first started out, I was a junior reporter, but quickly decided that chasing around the news just wasn’t my cup of tea. I asked my boss for a transfer to another department, and I was moved to obituaries.

Now, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that working on obituaries can be a little depressing, and I only lasted just two short years in that position. Sadly, that was a record for our paper and there is a plaque on the wall there with my name on it - not quite a gold medal, but at least I achieved something, right?

Anyway, from there I was moved to the department that I am in today - doing the layout of the newspaper. Today we are having some issues with the ads that a Fort Worth auto dealer wanted in the paper - we just don’t have the room. It is all because of the used cars in Fort Worth ads are at an all time high, and we are looking like we will be one page short for the next issue.

I guess I should quit blogging about my problems and take the issue up with my boss - that is what he pays me for, right?

Technorati Tags: Fort Worth auto, used cars in Fort Worth

A New Life

CPA — Sun, 31 May 2009 13:19:45 +0000

Last night was the last day of my old job. I had to drive around the country a lot for that job, which I didn’t used to mind. In fact I liked it. I like feeling that I’ve seen a lot of the country, and cruising along the highways gives me that feeling. I know hot shots that have been to most of the major cities in the nation, and around the world, too. That impresses me, of course, but there’s more to the country than the cities. I’ve driven through breathtaking scenes and natural wonders. Also, someone who zips in a plane from point to point does not get the sense of America’s extension.

Anyway, it’ll be the last business trip of that nature that I take in my trusty old Camry. It’s fifteen years old (already?) and probably ready for a rest. I did take good care of it, though. Mileage wears some parts out, and I installed the replacements myself, ordered online. It’s easy to find Toyota accessories online, just with a Google search. I look for the genuine Toyota parts, though, because they seem to hold up quite a bit better. Anyway, I’m getting away from the point. Guess there wasn’t really one. Cheers.

Technorati Tags: genuine Toyota parts, Toyota accessories

Eloping in Vegas

CPA — Sat, 23 May 2009 04:19:44 +0000

The city of Las Vegas is a wedding destination for couples looking for quick, fun nuptial celebrations. Visiting the White Wedding Chapel for a midnight wedding or having Elvis perform the wedding service at Heartbreak Hotel are excellent backdrops for memorable weddings. Each year, couples come to Vegas to elope and begin their lives together as man and wife. Whether with family and friends or just the two matrimony bound individuals, Vegas is a lively place where memories are made.

If a spur of the moment decision brings you to Vegas, upon arrival at the McCarren International Airport, you can make your way to the strip by hiring a rental car in Las Vegas. With relative ease, you can rent a car to take you to the Strip and begin the celebrating, planning where to get married and where to party.

From the time a soon to be married couple arrives in Sin City, it is fun and excitement. From the opulent hotels to the decadent restaurants, the sights and sounds of the city are a perfect backdrop for love. Once the couple has tied the knot and returned the Las Vegas airport rental car, it is back to reality and beginning their lives together as a married couple.

Technorati Tags: Las Vegas airport rental car, McCarren International Airport, Rental car Las Vegas

What is your foot’s MPG rating?

CarpMan — Sun, 03 May 2009 20:54:27 +0000

We’ve all heard that the way we drive can have massive effects on the gas mileage of our vehicles. Just how much more fuel does that “lead footed” cousin of yours burn compared to you?

As it turns out, quite a bit. With more hybrid vehicles coming into the market place, learning to drive with fuel consumption in mind will be an increasingly important. As Americans attempt to do whatever it takes to reduce dependency on foreign oil, making what we have to use go further makes sense.

AOL Auto’s Rex Roy has a fantastic article (highly recommended reading) instructing us on “How to get 100 miles per gallon“. Having a newly minted hybrid will work wonders in getting closer to that goal, however, the tips and techniques he reveals will help anyone maximize their fuel mileage. Here’s just a few:

Accelerate easy, and then glide just above the friction point required to keep your speed constant.
Know what the traffic is going to do and drive defensively as a result.
Reduce highway speed to increase MPG
Go slow up those hills. You’ll make it up on the down hill side!

Ultimately, by just planning to take a few extra minutes to get to your destination, you’ll feel less stressed and your journey will be safer and more economically sound. Try it; the penny’s you save will add up!

Technorati Tags: cars named as best for city driving, fuel efficiency, Urban transport

Why Should Truck Owners Add Truck Bed Rails to Their Vehicles?

pattya — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 04:16:40 +0000

There is a dizzying array of truck accessories you can invest in for your precious truck, but not all of them are worth the money you spend on them. Some of them just make your truck look snazzier without serving any useful purpose. On the other hand, some add-ons you can get for your truck not only make it look cool; they can make your truck more useful, too. Take truck bed rails for instance, they were originally designed to make it easier to lash down whatever cargo you’re hauling, but many truck owners also liked the way they made the truck bed look, and added them not just for their utilitarian qualities, but also for their aesthetic qualities as well. So not only will investing in some rails for your truck bed make it more useful to you, it will also add to its visual appeal. If keeping your truck looking good is one of your priorities, you could do far worse than investing in some rails for your truck bed. You might also want to add to your truck’s versatility with truck accessories like ladder racks and truck tool boxes. With add-ons like those, you’ll be ready to take on just about any kind of job. A recent online article gave some good tips about picking out the right ladder rack for your needs: http://www.articlesbase.com/trucks-articles/how-to-choose-a-ladder-rack-for-your-truck-569713.html.

Technorati Tags: Truck bed rails, truck tool boxes