Carmentary.com

By Christina VanGinkel

When someone mentions keeping a log when it comes to a vehicle, most people immediately assume they are talking about some sort of work vehicle or semi truck. However, keeping a log with your everyday vehicle is an excellent idea. If you are buying a new vehicle, or even a used one, that is as good a time as any to begin a detailed log of the vehicles history, and if you have had your vehicle for some time, better late than never!

Any small notebook that you can keep in your glove box or in a pocket on the door, along with a pen, will suffice. If you can find a one, that has a built in file in the front or back, that would be even better. That way you have a convenient place to store any work orders, receipts, etc. Do not tuck it out of site though, if you are going to forget you have it. My sister records her gas mileage in her log, keeping track of every gas fill, the amount she paid per gallon, how many gallons, and what her odometer reads at each fill. This way, she uses the log continually, and does not forget to record any pertinent info that she might otherwise forget to make note of. Her log is second nature to her, right along with sticking the key in the ignition and turning it over.

Information that you should record should include the date and mileage at the time of any repair or maintenance. This will include oil changes, air filter changes, repair work, where any service or repairs were done, and by whom. If any warranty is issued with a repair, keep a copy of the warranty with the log, but keep the original in a file at home.

Tire issues, such as tire repairs, and the nature of such, and new tire purchases should also be kept track of. As with the other repairs and upkeep, be sure to write down the mileage, where, and when the tire repair or purchases were made. If a warranty was issued, do the same as noted before, unless otherwise noted on the warranty. When we purchased two tires for our car not long ago, the automotive center where we purchased them had an offer of warranty on the tires we bought, for an extra ten dollars a tire. The warranty covered everything from wear and tear to road hazards, so we decided to add it. I was going to copy the warranty and file the original like I have with other repairs that were warranted, but it was noted right on the warranty slip that you should keep the warranty in the original envelope in the car that the tires were installed on. If this occurs with tires or some other repair that is warranted, still make a copy, but file the copy at home, and keep the original in the vehicle.

Keeping a vehicle maintenance log has many advantages. It will allow you to look back at what the actual cost of your vehicle has been when you figure in everything from gas consumption, and oil changes, to repairs. If you are having an issue with a repair, you will not have to worry about trying to remember where you put the slip the last time that same repair was needed, or try to second guess when that was. A log will provide you with all of that information quickly and conveniently. If you decide to trade in or sell your vehicle, a detailed log can work in your advantage by showing it to the potential buyer or dealer where you would like to trade it in. It will show that you took care to make sure that routine maintenance such as oil changes were done on a regular basis, and that there were no serious mechanical problems. If there were, it will also provide proof that the repairs were taken care of, when that was, and how long the problem has not been an issue since the repair. While logs are not always accurate, a log that has been kept up for some time is a good guide to a vehicles maintenance and repair history.

By Christina VanGinkel

Do you know how to replace the air filter in your vehicle, change a flat tire, read the air pressure of your tires, check your oil, replace a fuse, or fill the washer fluid? These and other simple maintenance checks can help you avoid hundreds and even thousands of dollars in running and repair costs.

Last summer, our truck suddenly dropped drastically in fuel efficiency. With the high price of gasoline last summer, this was no small matter. My husband asked me to check the air filter, as this could become plugged with dirt and dust, causing the drastic drop in fuel efficiency. I did not know how to check it, but in the nonchalant way he asked me to check it, I figured it could not be that difficult to do. I stopped at the dealership that we had purchased the vehicle from the summer before, and asked one of the girls in maintenance if this was a difficult task. Not only was it not, she showed me how to do it in about two minutes, and not only did I learn a valuable lesson, I also was able to report back to my husband that the filter was changed and that I had noticed an immediate increase of fuel efficiency the very same day. That had been the problem (which was evident when we pulled out the old air filter as upon a visual inspection it was not hard to see that it was clogged with dirt) and after seeing the filter, it was a wonder that the truck had run at all. Tire pressure can also affect the fuel efficiency of a vehicle, so knowing what the recommended tire pressure for your tires is, and making sure that it is correct; can also help you save money.

If you find yourself with a flat tire, calling the motor club is always an option, but if you happen to be in a hurry and do not have several hours to wait for them to arrive, knowing how to change it yourself can save you a headache and time. Learning to change one is not that difficult, and with the proper tools, not that hard at all. Have someone who knows how, show you the basics, and explain to you why it is important to have the vehicle on a flat, solid surface before using the jack to hoist the car. If you do not belong to a motor club, knowing how to change a flat can also save you on the steep fee most repair shops will charge you for this easy to learn service.

If you experience an electrical problem, such as your radio no longer working, or your plug in to charge your cell phone, you might have a serious electrical problem that needs to be serviced at a knowledgeable repair shop, or you might just need to change a fuse. Most owner manuals will provide a picture of the location of the fuse box, and instructions on how to change them. Knowing upfront which fuses your vehicle uses, and having spares of each on hand, can save you both time and frustration if one blows.

Most full service stations and oil change shops will fill your washer fluid and check your oil, but knowing where these items are under the hood, and knowing how to check and fill them yourself is better yet. People who understand the basic running of a vehicle are better apt to spot problems and notice things like oil pressure gauges. A problem with oil pressure can signify serious problems with your motor, that if dealt with immediately can save you costs that can easily creep into the thousands. A sudden drop in oil pressure that is noticed and taken care of can mean the difference between dealing with an oil leak, and dealing with a blown engine.

Basic auto care is something that very driver should know. If you drive, learn to both do basic maintenance and how to deal with issues such as gauges and lights that signify something is wrong. Ignoring problems with your vehicle will only lead to one thing, and that is more money out of pocket!

By Christina VanGinkel

I have two children who are no longer in my household, already adults and living their own lives. I also have a thirteen year old that with a pending birthday will be old enough to drive by our state's standard rules in just over two years time. I currently have a niece who is old enough to drive that goes to the same school as my son. She asked me the other day if it was okay if she gave my son a ride home from school as she has a new car. My response to her question then, and will continue to be a resounding no.

Some parents might feel that I am being harsh, but I and my husband have rules in place for our son, and as far as vehicles go, we feel they are a mode of transportation, and living rurally as we do a necessary one. They are not however a means of entertainment or a place for teens to gather. A school bus runs the route that we live on, and while we know that buses can be in accidents, and serious ones at that, we feel that he is safer in a bus driven by an adult that we both know. Sadly, a school bus was rear ended by a semi just south of us a few weeks back that had heart-wrenching consequences for several families. This just drives home the point, that driving is serious business, and should always be looked at as such. Our son will be getting his license soon enough, and until then, he does not need to be in a vehicle with another teen driver.

While two years might seem a long time off for us to even being concerned about his getting his license, with two kids already through the driving craze, the two years before our final one gets there seems increasingly close. Part of it I believe because many of his friends do drive already. One friend, whom he has snowboarded with for several years, has had his license since last year. His parents have a rule that he is allowed to drive to school, to work, and to places such as the ski hill that they all attend through the winter months. They ask him every day where he is going, when he will be back, and on the few limited occasions that he does give somebody a ride, he alerts them as to the why, when, and where to of it. There are no groups of kids allowed in the car, and he retains the right to drive as long as he keeps up his end of a bargain that he made with his parents, the bargain being good grades, no smoking cigarettes, or anything else for that matter, no drinking, no drugs. They are as straightforward with him as we are with our son, and if at any time the rules were to be compromised or broken, there is no taking his car away for a short period. The car would be gone for good, period. We have already discussed this with our son, and demand already that he follow these simple rules even before he learns to drive. We feel that they are good life lessons, and have been open and upfront since he was younger as to what we expect. A risk taker by nature who loves nothing more than to race his motocross bike around a track and over jumps, or attempt flips of a rail at the terrain park on his snowboard, he needs no other risks in his life.

When discussing these rules with several other parents, several of them felt that, they were too harsh. My response was that the word harsh would be the grief and anguish we might possibly have to deal with if we expected any less from our son.

If you have a teen approaching the driving age, or already there, sit down with them and tell them what you expect. Without you spelling it out, they might not be aware. Passing a driver's test is only a small part of being a teen driver. In order to be a responsible teen driver, they need the support of their family and the knowledge of what is expected of them each and every time they get behind the wheel.

By Christina VanGinkel

Buying a used car can be a great way to save money. However, knowing a car's history is the most important step you can take to be sure that the money you save will not be quickly eaten up by expensive repairs, to a dollar value that can cost you more in the long run than if you just bought new in the first place.

Services such as CARFAX and AutoCheck allow you to quickly, and for a reasonable amount, check out a car's history. You will be able to see if the vehicle was originally part of a fleet, was used for rental, was owned and used as a police vehicle, or as a taxi, or even if it was originally a vehicle that was leased. Any of these might point to the car being driven by someone who had no interest in maintaining the vehicle as best they could.

These services will also be able to tell you if the vehicle has been in any major auto accidents including any accidents where fire was a concern, if it was ever stolen, ever sold as salvaged after an accident, or experienced any flood damage. With the recent rash of hurricanes, flood damage is going to be a major concern of used car buyers for many years to come. Oftentimes flood damage is not obviously apparent until you have owned the vehicle for some time. Some buyers of new cars should also be alert to flood damage too. An unscrupulous seller may try to sell a car that was new on a lot, which was in a flood, as still new. These vehicles are just as prone to problems from the water damage as a used vehicle. If the car has experienced any hail damage, information on this is also often available. While small hail may not bee a real issue, mid to large sized hail can cause much worse than just minor surface damage, which if it is not fixed properly can lead to rust and other body issues down the road.

Besides the issues already listed, services such as CARFAX and AutoCheck can also alert buyers to odometer issues, such as if the odometer has been damaged, has rolled over its maximum value, in essence resetting itself to the start, or rolled back. An inaccurate odometer can be very misleading as to the quality of a used car. Many states also have lemon laws, and if a car has been determined to be a lemon, in most instances these services will be able to tell you that a vehicle has been listed as such to inform you so as not to buy someone else's problem. If there are any recalls on a vehicle, these services will also alert you to these, and if you are buying through a dealer, they should repair any recalls before letting you drive it off the lot. Recall alerts are free at CARFAX and you can check for these without even buying their service. They have a page of vehicle makes that link directly to the manufacturer's sites so that you can check for any recalls by simply inserting the VIN number of the vehicle you are interested in. CARFAX also has other services free, or you can purchase full reports. Reports are available for single vehicles or for unlimited searches. The unlimited is available for 30 days at a time, but allows you to check as many VIN numbers, as you need to during that time. AutoCheck has similar deals, with their unlimited search good for sixty days.

With the availability of these services, buying a used vehicle no longer has to be the luck of the draw that it once was. You can see many potential problems, or determine if the reason that the car you are interested in is marked low for a reason that you are willing to deal with. If a vehicle was a rental, but appears to be in good visual shape for example, and it has no other history of damage or issues, you might be willing to bargain for it. Then again, if it looks like its been around a few too many blocks, it might be that it had a history of drivers who did not take care, as it was just a rental after all! The information that it was a rental will be the key for you to make an informed decision, and an informed decision is what it is all about in the first place!

By Christina VanGinkel

We needed to buy tires for one of our trucks yesterday. My husband asked if I would call and get a quote on them before we went to town, as he knew the cost was not going to be insignificant. The truck in question, an older model Toyota, would accommodate either a P235/75R15 or a P265/75R15 tire. One number different in the two sizes not only made a difference in how the tire looked, but made a huge difference in the price. If we went with the P235/75R15, we would need four tires. The advantage was that the P235/75R15 tires could be purchased for approximately fifty dollars each. I even found a Douglas brand tire in that size on sale for a mere $47.73.

If we chose to go with the P265/75R15 tire, we only needed two tires, as my husband had two nearly new in that size. He had another almost identical truck a few years ago, that had been junked when the frame cracked on the same day that he was crushed by a tree (long story, bad day!) The tires had been just put on the truck a few weeks prior, and before the truck was junked, our son took the tires off and stored them in the basement, up off the floor so they would not rot. They were still in as good of shape as the day they were put there. The quote on two P265/75R15 tires was nearly equal to the four of the smaller size.

He decided to go with the two tires, even though the cost was nearly identical to four of the smaller ones. He uses the truck often for work, along with a Ford F150 that is newer. He usually drove the newer Ford truck for jobs further away, but with the rising cost of gasoline, he has been putting nearly as many miles on the Toyota as it gets a bit better gas mileage. Both trucks are driven down roads that are not always the cleanest when it comes to brush and such, and the P265/75R15 tires were an all around more rugged tire besides being bigger. They also came with a road hazard warranty, while the smaller tires did not. That alone was enough inspiration to go with those over the others. A road hazard may never happen, but we have experienced several actually, maybe due to the un-typical road conditions the vehicles are driven.

A tire warranty is not even something we would have thought of a few years ago, that is not until my husband had replaced four tires on his previous work truck. We had shopped for them in a manner that we thought was informed, asking all the pertinent questions about wear and how ell the average customer liked them. We has them all installed when the dealer informed us that all of the signs hanging around the shop about various warranties did not apply to the tires we had chosen. There was no fifty or sixty thousand wear warranty, not even a ten thousand mile wear warranty, essentially no warranty! The tires in question had been the recommended ones by the owner of the shop himself, yet came with no warranty. Five hundred dollars of black tread and the minute we drove off the lot, they were all our responsibility in every sense of the word. It was a hard way, and an expensive lesson, that taught us to ask about issues such as warranties, before the purchase. We also learned to never assume anything was included, not even a warranty.

While my husband stayed home to put on the two tires he already had, I took the two tires he was replacing to town to have the old tires removed from the rims and the new ones put on. We had already gone over the tire warranty, when the sales person helping me asked me if I wanted new valve stems. Huh? New valve stems were outside of my experience. I would assume that something as small and important as a valve stem would be included on a tire that was costing me one hundred dollars. It was not. I asked what the added cost was, and when she told me that it would be an additional $1.75 for each tire, I laughed and decided I could make the decision without having to consult my husband.

By Christina VanGinkel

The need for an emergency kit in a vehicle can occur at any time of the year, but with summer approaching and people heading out for vacations and weekend getaways; time we spend in our vehicles is increasing. If you do not have an emergency kit, or it has been some time since you checked all that was in yours, now is a good time to do so.

An emergency kit covers many things, including tools for the car itself and the people that travel in it. To start, check the tools and vehicle supplies. First, check the condition of your spare tire, and make sure you that all the parts to the car's jack are intact. Your trunk should also include a gallon of water for the radiator. Any kind will do in an emergency, just make the cap is screwed on tight and that it stays upright. If you have a small crate, such as an old style milk crate to keep the water and the next few items in and together, all the better. You should also have an extra quart or two of oil, road flares, a can of fix-a-flat (but only use if absolutely necessary, as many mechanics and tire shops dislike having to work on a tire that has been treated with it), small tool kit with essential such as duct tape, wrench, jumper cables, and fuses that fit the car. If traveling long distances at all, I would also carry a small gas can.

In addition to this kit, I would also pack an emergency survival kit. The most important piece in any survival kit these days is of course a service such as OnStar or a cell phone. These are by far the quickest ways to summon the help you are in need of. The next most important element in an emergency kit is a fully stocked first aid kit with all the basics including gauze, bandages, iodine wipes, and a solar blanket. The emergency kit should also include a flag to tie to your vehicle's mirror or antennae to mark your vehicle as disabled or in need. Keep in mind that if a stranger does stop to help you, lock your doors, and roll the window down just enough to ask them to call authorities, or to tell them thank you, but that help is coming. Sadly, in these times it really is not safe to let a stranger come to your aide. Stick with the professionals. For those times that help is not available, or is going to take some time to arrive, be sure your car has a flashlight with fresh batteries, a few blankets, a small utility knife, and a pack of matches, drinking water, and an assortment of non-perishable foods.

Depending on the time of year, you may also want to toss a few other assorted items. Living where we do where sub zero temperatures are common during the winter months, an extra winter coat, heavy gloves, dry socks, and a pair of boots are standard. I might run to the grocery store in nothing more than my tennis shoes and thin coat, but if I am stuck, need to change a flat, or become disabled for any reason, I have warm attire in the trunk. If you are traveling where the temps soar high, be sure you have plenty of drinking water, sunscreen in case you end up outside for any length of time, and something that could be draped for shade.

The old saying that it is better to be prepared than not cannot be said enough when traveling in a vehicle. Emergencies can and do happen. Vehicles break down, flats occur, accidents happen, people become lost on back roads seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Bad weather sneaks up, and illnesses come up. By having the essentials tucked into our trunks, stored under the back seat, or stowed in the cargo box of our vehicles, it can be the difference between being inconvenienced terribly or just a bit, or even the difference between life and death. Check your kit today, make sure your loved ones also have the essentials in their vehicles, or else take the time to pull one together before you head out on your next trip!

By Christina VanGinkel

Road rage can happen in the middle of a big city, on a congested street, in the middle of the busiest part of the day, or it can happen on a rural back road when the only vehicles in sight are yours and the other person who is experiencing the fit of rage. Both are just as disconcerting and frightening as the other, and being a target of road rage is never somewhere you want to find yourself or a loved one.

Some might argue that there is no way to avoid being a target of road rage, and I would have to agree to a point, yet there are things you can do to possibly lessen the possibility of a confrontation or decrease its volatility.

Try to avoid irritating other drivers in the first place. Do not be the exasperating driver who beeps at everything and everyone. A horn has a purpose and annoying fellow drivers is not it. Do not ride someone's bumper, or cut off someone in traffic. Being the cause of an accident or near accident is not much better than being on the giving end of the road rage. Be courteous to the other drivers on the road to the extent that you would hope others would be courteous to you. No destination is so important that you risk causing an accident, even a trip to the hospital. They will not be able to help you there for whatever reason you are going if you do not get there in one piece to begin with! If you are in a situation such as that, turn on your flashers to give notice to others around you that there are extenuating circumstances to your hurried state. Following the rules of the road is the best way to avoid angering those around you.

Avoiding eye contact with the aggressor is a simple but often effective step. By not acknowledging the verbal assault, or a flip of the middle finger or fist, you are not feeding the aggression. The person giving you the bird may be no more harmless than that, or he may be a violent eruption behind the wheel just waiting for any excuse in his mind to overflow.

If an occurrence of road rage directed at you or a nearby vehicle happens and the aggressor is insistent on stopping your vehicle or getting you to pull over, phone 911 or the emergency number in your area if you have a cell phone with you. Do not stop or pull over under any circumstances. Chances are that the aggressor just wants to scream at you, but you have no way of knowing if they have a weapon, or the intent to use it. This does happen and there is no way for you to guess whether the person experiencing road rage directed at you is such a person. If you do not know the number of the emergency service, you need to call, as not all areas have a 911 service, phone up anyone you know and tell them your location, the direction you are driving, and ask them to notify the authorities.

If you do not have a cell phone, drive towards the nearest police station. Do not stop for any reason in a place where the aggressor would be able to accost you if possible. Again, if you do not know where a police station is, head to a well populated area and do everything in your power to get the attention of those around you, including laying on you vehicles horn and flashing your headlights on and off repeatedly. Many road rage aggressors are not interested in getting the attention of groups of people and may decide to leave. If not, your actions might at the least alert someone to notify the police for you, if it does not draw the attention of the police themselves.

Do write down the license plate number of any vehicle that projects road rage towards you or others, or memorize it, and turn it into the authorities with the time and place of the road rage. This way, you are possibly helping some future innocent bystander from becoming the product of this person's misguided rage.

By Christina VanGinkel

When we purchased our Ford F150 two years ago, the first thing we did when we got it home, was to call a body shop and make an appointment to have the bed of the truck sprayed with a liner. We had investigated various liners and mats, and while we found cheaper alternatives than the spray on liners, we felt that for the lasting quality of a spray on liner versus the others, dollar for dollar, we would be getting our money s worth with the spray on version. Now, two years later, I can attest to the fact that we feel we defiantly made the right choice.

A spray on liner is just that. A seal that is durable enough to hold up under conditions that commonly take place in the bed of a truck. Activities that would easily nick, scratch, or otherwise damage the average painted surface. The spray on liner is permanently adhered to the surface of the bed of the truck, covering the paint. Because of this, there is no chance that water can become trapped beneath the liner, as it can, with drop in liners, and the liner cannot slip around causing scratches to the bed underneath, again, as it can with the drop in versions.

There are several brands of spray on liners on the market, and there are differences, though subtle. Different thicknesses are one option, and if you plan to haul, anything that might gouge or scratch the normal surface of the bed of a truck, such as cement blocks or metal, I would recommend going with the thickest liner possible. Besides the difference from brand to brand with the thickness of the liner, there is also differences in what makes up the liner's contents, so be sure to check with each manufacturer for the specifics before making a decision. Some manufacturers, such as Rhino Linings, also offer the advantage of choosing one of five premixed colors, or having the color of the liner matched to the paint color of the truck so it blends seamlessly as far as the color goes.

We chose to go with a traditional black lining in the bed of our red truck. The truck had gray and black on various other parts of the truck already, so black was a natural choice. We considered having it color matched, but there was an additional cost for this, and we felt it would look sharp with the black on the red. If the color of your vehicle is custom though, you might wish to pay the extra and have the liner color matched.

Besides the obvious benefits of a spray on liner, one that was talked about in the literature we looked at and read before making the decision to have it installed, but that we did not give a lot of thought to, was that the bed is not as slippery. While I would not say the bed is 'grippy', it does have some grip to it. We have a custom dog box that slides in the back of the truck for our four large dogs to ride in when my husband takes them out hunting, and one issue that we had with it in the past, with other trucks we owned, was that it had a tendency to slide when we hit the brakes. It did not slide often, or a lot, but even a bit could be disconcerting for the dogs. With the spray on liner, we have noticed that this is no longer an issue. The dog box stays where we place it, even in rough driving conditions.

Besides all of the other obvious advantages of having a spray on liner added to the bed of our truck, we also learned that it will increase the trade in value of our truck if we ever decide to trade it in on a different vehicle. It does this because it maintains the integrity of the truck's bed more so than any other liner ever could. If you have a newer truck, or are in the process of purchasing one, consider adding a spray on bed liner to the bed. Two years from now, you will be pleasantly surprised at how well the bed of that truck will still look, even if you do some major hauling in it!

By Christina VanGinkel

Anyone who has ever undertaken the task of restoring an older auto to its former glory, in whole, or even in part, can attest to the fact that it is not always easy to find replacement parts, especially if you are searching for authentic replacements. In the very recent past, there has been one outlet that has grown rapidly, making it at least a possibility to find the perfect parts no matter where you might live, and that outlet is eBay Motors.

With categories to search through for that elusive part, corresponding to nearly every make and model of vehicle ever made, finding the part you just cannot seem to find anywhere else might now just be possible. When I checked eBay Motors to see how the categories were broke down, I found the following vehicles listed:

Acura, Alfa Romeo, AMC, Aston Martin, Audi, Austin, Austin Healey, Bentley, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroen, Cord, Daewoo, Datsun, DeLorean,
DeSoto, Dodge, Eagle, Edsel, Ferrari, Fiat, Ford, Geo, GMC, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, Infiniti, International Harvester, Isuzu, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lamborghini, Lancia, Land Rover, Lexus Lincoln, Lotus, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mercur, MG, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nash, Nissan, Oldsmobile, Opel, Packard, Peugeot, Plymouth, Pontiac, Porsche, Renault, Rolls-Royce, Saab, Saturn, Scion, Shelby, Studebaker, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Triumph, Volkswagen, Volvo, Willys, Replica/Kit Makes, Other Makes

Each of these categories is further broke down. For example, under Ford, I found:

Aerostar, Aspire, Bronco, Bronco II, Contour, Crown Victoria, Escape, Escort, E-Series Van, Excursion, Expedition, Explorer, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, F-100, F-150, F-250, F-350, Fairlane, Fairmont, Falcon, Focus, Ford, GT, Freestar, FreeStyle, Galaxie, Model A, Model T, Mustang, Probe, Ranchero, Ranger, Taurus, Tempo, Thunderbird, Torino, Windstar, Other Pickups, Other

While under the category listing of Edsel, it was much more limited, though there were several complete vehicles listed. This just goes to show you that in the field of car parts, there will always be certain cars and parts that will be difficult to discover anywhere!

There are also categories available such as Car and Truck Parts, Vintage Car and Truck Parts, Manuals and Literature, and Other vehicle parts, just to name a select few. With all of these choices, uncovering the needed part to fix your project car is at least easier than it once was. When compared to searching through newspaper listings and the sales section of magazines devoted to vehicles, and then possibly driving hundreds of miles to search through someone's back yard / junkyard in hopes that you find the part you want or need, eBay is like a dream!

eBay is also just as great a place for you if you happen to be the seller of such items. Maybe you have a garage full of classic auto parts, and you have lost interest in the hobby for whatever reason, or maybe you completed the car of your dreams and realized that in the process of restoring it to its glory, you somehow ended up with quite a few parts left over. You would like to sell these extras off, but the market where you live in really not a hot spot for such items. Instead of taking a loss on all of them, eBay could be your answer. Check their listings to see if similar items are selling, and if the cost of shipping them is not too expensive, you can list them as you would any other auction, with the option to ship the parts anywhere the buyer wants them shipped to. If they are parts (or a complete parts vehicle for example) that are not going to ship easily, still list them, but be sure to list that the parts or vehicle are available for pickup only. Remember, the price of gas is rising almost daily, so the extra dollars you make cleaning out your garage or shop might come in handy when it is time to fill up the tank on whichever vehicle you are currently driving!

eBay Motors is also an ideal spot to buy and sell complete vehicles and parts for ATV's, boats and various watercrafts, aviation listings, go-karts, snowmobiles, scooters, pocket bikes, and just about anything imaginable to do with these, such as tools and literature. Shop eBay Motors for just about any part or complete vehicle you can possibly want or need.

By Christina VanGinkel

Customizing a vehicle means different things to different people. Maybe adding new seat covers is a major production for you. On the other hand, you could be like those who the words customizing a vehicle, probably means building the whole auto almost from the ground up, replacing stock parts with top of the line replacements, and when necessary, replacing worn out parts with new originals. Whichever is more of an adequate description of the meaning to you, JC Whitney has products that can make your own version of customizing easier for those involved.

The Warshawsky / JC Whitney Company, are the largest direct marketer of auto parts and accessories, and as such, have earned the right to say that their company is 'Everything Automotive'. With a history dating back to 1915, they have been in the automotive industry for the long haul, and have proven themselves just that.

To make shopping their huge collection of 'Everything Automotive' as easy and simple as possible, they have developed a catalog and website to reach all of their past and potential customers, offering products for sale that they house within their 360,000 square-foot Operations Center in La Salle, Illinois. By operating their business through the mail, they have made it trouble-free for anyone in need of parts, no matter where they live, to obtain them.

A visit to their website will offer you the immediate choice of shopping for Car, Truck, Motorcycle, Sport Compact, Volkswagen, SUV, Jeep, ATV, RV, Van, or their Parts Counter. Each of these headings is then broken down into an extensive selection of categories allowing the shopper to easily, and quickly find just about any imaginable part or piece of automotive accessory they might want or need to find.

Their Car category for example is further broke down into the following categories:

Air Conditioning & Heating
Alarms, Keyless Entry & Security
Apparel
Audio, Video & Electronics
Automobilia
Batteries, Chargers & Cables
Body Repair Parts
Brakes
Bras, Nose & Hood Protectors
Bumpers & Bumper Guards
Car Care & Chemicals
Car Covers
Cargo & Trunk Organizers
Carpeting & Floor Protection
Carriers, Racks & Ladders
Consoles & Organizers
Cruise Control Kits
Deflectors & Visors
Electrical Systems
Engine Cooling Systems
Engine Parts
Exhaust & Emissions
Exterior
Filters
Floor Mats & Cargo Mats
Fuel Systems
Garage Tools & Equipment
Gauges
Graphics, Decals & Accents
Grilles & Grille Guards
Hand Tools
Hitches, Towing & Trailers
Hoods, Scoops & Ornaments
Horns
Interior
Jacks, Hoists & Winches
Lights & Lighting
Manuals, Videos & Software
Mirrors
Navigation Systems
New & Hot - Car
Performance
Ramps
Safety & Emergency
Seats, Covers & Seat Belts
Suspension & Chassis
Test & Diagnostic
Tools & Equipment
Transmission & Drivetrain
Weatherstripping
Wheels, Tires & Accessories
Windshield Wipers & Washers
Parts Counter

Their parts Counter is separated into:

Under Car
Electrical
Interior
Engine
Exterior

Each of these then offers further breakdowns, making finding what you are shopping for as simplified as can be. If you have a parts number already available, you can also type that in to the correct field, and find your part even faster.

From within these categories, if you cannot find what it is you are shopping for, chances are you really do not need it. Body Repair Parts for example, is further broke down into Body Gaskets & Bushings, Door, Trunk & Hood Hardware, Replacement Repair Panels & Parts, and Windows. If you know which vehicle, you are shopping for, their search engine also allows you to narrow your matches by simply typing in the make and model, and it will then provide you with suitable matches, further separated. For example, I typed in 'Ford Focus' within the search box, then on the next screen told it to provide me only with custom matches, and was supplied with the following:

Air Conditioning & Heating
Audio, Video & Electronics
Batteries, Chargers & Cables
Body Repair Parts
Brakes
Bras, Nose & Hood Protectors
Bumpers & Bumper Guards
Car Covers
Cargo & Trunk Organizers
Carpeting & Floor Protection
Cruise Control Kits
Deflectors & Visors
Electrical Systems
Engine Cooling Systems
Engine Parts
Exhaust & Emissions
Exterior
Filters
Floor Mats & Cargo Mats
Fuel Systems
Grilles & Grille Guards
Hitches, Towing & Trailers
Hoods, Scoops & Ornaments
Interior
Lights & Lighting
Manuals, Videos & Software
Performance
Seats, Covers & Seat Belts
Suspension & Chassis
Transmission & Drivetrain
Weatherstripping
Wheels, Tires & Accessories

If you are in the market for automotive parts or accessories, be sure to check out JC Whitney Company today.

By Christina VanGinkel

Choosing a new vehicle can be a tough decision in today's market, especially if the vehicle you want is not an energy efficient model. You will have to take the time to weigh in all the factors regarding the reasons you want such a vehicle. Surprisingly there are many.

An acquaintance of mine had been complaining about the high cost of gasoline during a conversation we shared, when we had met up with each other while out shopping, especially the amounts of it that her gas hog (her words) large SUV was capable of going through. This same acquaintance was in a horrendous automobile accident a short time later. She was driving the very SUV that she had been complaining about. The person, who was at fault in the accident in having run a stop sign, was in a much smaller vehicle. The person at fault, a young woman, almost lost her life and spent months recuperating. My friend, the driver of the larger SUV walked away from the accident nearly unscathed, even though her vehicle was a total loss. When asked what she was getting to replace her large SUV, she replied without any hesitation whatsoever that she was replacing it with a nearly identical vehicle, just the newest model, as she was unable to find the same model she had been driving. When I pointed out that this would be the ideal time to get a more energy efficient car, she firmly replied that she would never drive a small vehicle again, high gas prices or not.

My husband works at a variety of jobsites and must haul his tools and chainsaws with him from job to job. A car is out of the question because he must also carry gasoline for his chainsaws with him, and carrying large containers of gasoline in an enclosed vehicle is just not wise. He must also have a four-wheel drive vehicle because many of the roads leading into jobs are often mud covered, icy, rain slick, and worse. He does have a second work vehicle, a Toyota truck, but when he needs to haul all of his equipment, he needs the larger capacity of his full size Ford F150 4 x 4. He also has a higher ground clearance with the Ford than he does with his older model Toyota, and when traversing ground that can have stumps of trees, brush piles, and rocks, he needs all the ground clearance he can get to keep from causing unnecessary damage to the vehicle he is driving. Many jobs require the use of larger vehicles such as trucks and SUV's.

For reasons such as these, there will most likely be large trucks and SUV's on the market for a long time to come, even as the price of the fuel to run them continues to climb. To combat the cost of the fuel if you happen to be someone who for personal or business reasons decides to go large, as many of us still are, there are steps you can take to help keep your fuel costs under control.

Change your oil and check your other engine levels and belts as recommended. A clean running engine will use less fuel than a dirty one.

Make a list of things to do before heading out each day. Combine three or four small stops, saving both fuel and miles.

Drive the speed limit. Driving at erratic speeds will eat up more fuel than driving consistently.
Check the recommended fuel octane for your vehicle. Pay attention to how your vehicle runs on it, keeping a log of how many miles per gallon you receive. Test a higher octane if you desire, but unless you are reaping many extra miles to make it worth the extra costs, or you notice engine noises when running a lower grade that are not present when running a higher octane, stick with the recommended octane.

Check your tire pressure. This might sound like something your father told you when you first started driving, but running the correct tire pressure in your tires will affect your gas usage in a positive manner.

If you find yourself stuck in line at the bank drive up window, or anyplace that you figure might take longer than a couple of minutes, turn off the motor. You will save gas, and the gas used to restart the engine will be less than if you left the motor running for five or ten minutes.

Check back soon and check back often as we will soon be adding automotive related articles here.