Friday, April 30, 2010

November Auto Shows: Don't Miss 'em

November may mean Thanksgiving turkey and football to many Americans, but if you're an automobile enthusiast, you already know that November is a great month for auto shows too. With five gargantuan auto shows spreading from the east coast to the west coast, there's bound to be one near you.

The month begins with the Central California Auto Show on the weekend of November 2nd at the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center in northern California. Admission is only $7 for adults and college students with proper ID are admitted at 2-for-1 prices. Isuzu will be present with its 2008 version of the popular SUV Ascender 5-Passenger and high-performance line of pickup trucks including the i-290 and the i-370. Other renowned domestic and foreign car companies are slated to make an appearance – Ford, Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Lexus just to name a few.

The following weekend, you'd better head cross-country if you don't want to miss the Tampa Bay International Auto Show starting on November 8th in sunny Tampa, Florida. If you're lucky, you may get a glimpse of Isuzu's very own concept car – the VX-O2. This stunning open-air crossover vehicle features leather-trimmed Recaro Sport seats; GPS navigation system; an infrared data port; a Clarion AutoPC system with real world command, control and communication abilities; and text-to-speech e-mail, address book, voice memos and vehicle diagnostics. Wow.

If you can't make it to Florida, maybe Texas is a better fit. On the same weekend, San Antonio holds its International Auto and Truck Show at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. This year marks the auto show's 39th event and features Isuzu, Porsche, Jaguar and Lotus.

There will even be a special area on the south side of Bridge Hall celebrating Chevrolet's heritage. Three hundred-fifty 2008 vehicles will be on display.

The South Florida International Auto Show takes place mid-month as well. From November 9 – 18 in Miami, the Miami Beach Convention center will be teeming with cars designed to capture the interest of any car-lover. Known for its "Million Dollar Alley," this show boasts an entire segment dedicated to cars that only the wealthy can afford:

Maserati, Aston-Martin, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, and Lamborghini.

Then it's time to head west for the last auto show of the month – the Arizona International Auto Show. Scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend, the show begins on November 22nd at 9:00 AM and runs through the25th in Phoenix. The 25th is Family Day – children under the age of 12 are admitted for free with an accompanying paid adult.

As 2007 comes to a close, what better time than to see what's new for 2008? Whether you're in the market for a new car, intrigued by the concept cars of the future, or fascinated with the history of the automotive industry starting with Henry Ford's Model T, auto shows are a great way to spend time with friends and family. As the holidays approach and our lives grow increasingly hectic, auto shows can be a day of fun amidst the chaos. They offer something for everyone.

Now Is The Time To Spruce Up That SUV - Save Cash

It may be time to spruce up your truck, car or SUV. Perhaps the bird droppings this summer and fall have been hard on your SUV’s finish. Perhaps you wish to you’re your car. Or perhaps you are tired of the colour and just want a change of scenery. It is true that automotive vehicle painting can be quite expensive if you want to have a really great and proper paint job done. Sure there are third party get it out the door shops but is that what you want. It would be as if your new Toyota was badly damaged and the insurance company instead of writing it off wanted to patch it back together. Get the job done properly. Of course, you can find auto body shops that offer really cheap paint jobs. Your car is the image that you portray. Auto painting is one of the situations where you truly get what you pay for. Get your car painted properly. However there are preparatory steps that you can make which will reduce the cash outlay out of your pocket substantially.

A cheap paint job will look cheap. The shop will spend little time properly masking the areas that shouldn't have paint applied. You've probably seen a car where the trunk lock was painted; the formerly shiny chrome door handles were painted over; that is what you get when you elect to get really cheap auto painting.

However, you can get a great paint job and save money by doing some of the work yourself. About 86 % of the cost of auto painting is the preparation before paint is applied to the car. This offers you an opportunity to save money on your paint job if you don't mind doing some hard work.

When you visit the auto paint shop, ask what you can do to prepare the car and reduce the price of the painting. Many shops will reduce the price if you remove chrome parts in advance. They may reduce the price if you clean the surface and remove old silicone-based wax and grease. To do this, you purchase a good quality wax and grease remover and find a well-ventilated place to work. Don't perform this task in a closed garage because the fumes can be hazardous and disabling.

You can also remove old wax and grease using scrubbing pads or an abrasive household cleaner like Comet. Use a bit of caution with these procedures because it is really easy to scratch chrome or even glass.

Another step you may be able to perform yourself is the feathering of scratches and paint chips. These areas must be smoothed and evened out using sand paper. The initial sanding can be performed with 80 or 100 grit and change to finer and finer sand paper until the final sanding touches are done with 220 grit.

Ask the body shop if you can do some of the larger masking yourself. Masking is simply the process of placing painter's tape over areas that should not be painted. Some body shops will not guarantee the quality of paint if you mask the car or any part of it yourself, so be sure this will actually save you money without infringing on the paint guarantee.

Remember laddie it never hurts to ask. Your car is the best representation of ourselves and our self image that we carry around and present to others. Make sure that it is proper.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Now You Too Can Beat Speeding Tickets - Easy Tips To Help You.

So you are it yet again, cruising down the highway in your stylish Porsche 911 Turbo, with the sun roof open and the wind blowing through your hair. Its Friday today, and you’re all stoked up as the weekend lies ahead. Everything seems just perfect! But, then it happens. There it is again, that menacing sound struggling to drown out your CD player. Just when you shoot a quick glance at your rearview mirror, that perfectly happy face turns into a tight frown. Sure we all know that mean…oh boy! you are been pulled over. How you wish it was not those annoying red and blue lights again. Perhaps you change lanes and hopes he goes the other away, but as it turns out he’s in fact chasing you.

Ah, those wonderful speeding tickets. Sure, you were going 76 in a 65 lane. Or maybe you were simply trying to keep up with the flow of traffic. Hey, whatever you do, “thank you” is the last word you need to say, after he passes you the ticket. Now who doesn’t hate speeding tickets, that’s for sure everyone does! Personally, no matter who you are or how wealthy you are, no one wants those dreadful speeding tickets. Sure, I remember the first time I received one when I was 19 years old. I was cruising home from college in my neat little Mazda Miata, which was one of those fun cars to drive in. Unfortunately cops are always looking out for sports cars. And apparently the colors red and black seem to get the worst.

Though it may have seemed quite inevitable, I was pulled over and handed the lousy speeding ticket. No matter how much I dreaded and hoped, I still got stuck with it. Now what to do? The next thing I did was talk to my older brother about speeding tickets, and then decided to show up in court and plead it out. My court date arrived and I must admit that I was quite nervous.

Luckily the judge turned out to be rather compassionate. I pleaded with her and she said it will not go against my record. At the end, I had to pay up a ticket fee and court costs, but that was the end of it. Showing up at court was a better choice rather than simply sending in a payment. In any case when it comes to speeding tickets, you clearly and simply don’t want them. This can cause your insurance to shoot up! Now, that’s not good for the old bank account.

How many speeding tickets have you received over the years? I hope there aren’t too many. Despite the consequences, you should try and have your ticket resolved as best you can. Of course if you can avoid it going on your record, you're doing well. Obviously the best way is to not get speeding tickets by sticking with the posted speed limit. On the other hand if you do receive a ticket and you feel as though it was wrongly issued, I suggest pleading it out. No mater what make the officer prove it was you speeding past his radar gun.

Off-Road Driving Glove Guide

The hand stiff feeling is a big problem of off-road driving. Every off-road drivers use hand power for car controlling. If you ever extensively drive off-road car on badly various surface (rough, wet, mud, etc.), your hand will feel stiff. And it is beginning of hand muscle ache. The over hand pressing is the inducement of pain. Many drivers forget to manage their hand pressing power on a steering wheel while control their car.

It’s easy to solve this problem. The expert off-road drivers use gloves to reduce their pressing power. Good gloves are thin, increase friction between driver’s hands and steering wheel, and have quick air-flowing attribute. However, you should comfortably grip your steering wheel even if you have great driving gloves. You should train your steering wheel gripping skill while drive on normal road.

For forest crossing driving, you may use winch to tow your car (or your crew’s car) or you may use any tools that it may hurt your hands (sharp knives, chainsaw, etc.). Therefore, the hand protection is the essential thing. But it isn’t unsuitableness if you put on the driving glove for hard usability. Thus, you have to keep another glove for hard working on your car. A gardening glove is a good choice if it should happen that you don’t have a winch glove.

If you want to buy a driving glove as a gift. It’s harder than clothing buying because looking and estimating the hand size are very hard. First, you must know recipient's glove size before buying. You may peek to his old gloves or pretend to read his palm for hand size finding. Usual glove sizes are XS (Extra Small), S (Small), M (Medium) and L (Large). Second, you should select gift glove’s color which he likes. Find out matching color by cognizing his clothing color or his car interior. Fourth, look around for the best price. Department stores and Internet stores often carry a large selection of driving gloves. Don’t forget to check return policy. At last, you should purchase the leather or suede cleaner and the spray-on water repellent with your gift.

You can shop a new driving and winch glove at a neighboring off-road store. The store shopping has many merits. You can select a new most matching glove by size, material, color, style and price and some shops allow you to try gloves before you buy it. But the internet shopping is another good choice if you don’t convenient to go out.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

On The Horizon: Future Fuels

Between elevated gasoline prices (which show every indication of staying that way) and the current concern about the environmental impacts of vehicle emissions, you've probably been hearing a lot of discussion about the use of "alternative fuels." It sounds like a good idea, you think...but do you know what alternative fuels are actually in the running? Here's the shortlist of the alternative fuels to keep an eye on, and a major advantage and disadvantage for each:

Electric

Electricity is a source of power that we already produce, store, and use. To power an electric vehicle (EV), electricity is produced by a power plant or other standard means and is then stored in the battery that will operate the vehicle.

Pro: A vehicle powered solely by electricity produces no emissions.
Con: In current models, batteries need to be recharged frequently.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is a fuel that is made from vegetable oils and animal fats through a chemical process called esterification. When the oils and fats are mixed with alcohol, their molecules break down into methylesters, which are then used as fuel, and a waste product of glycerin. It can be used in some diesel vehicles with very little, if any, modification to the existing engine.

Pro: Potential fuel sources vary from grain crops to used cooking grease.
Con: Biodiesel thickens and freezes at low temperatures.

Ethanol

Ethanol is a type of alcohol that is created through the fermentation of substances with high starch or sugar contents, such as corn or sugar cane. In this process, yeast bacteria consume the sugars and starches and produce carbon dioxide and ethanol as by-products. The use of chemical catalysts can be used to make the process faster and more productive.

Pro: Ethanol can be produced from renewable agricultural resources.
Con: Contains less energy than the same amount of gasoline.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Hydrogen fuels cells harness the electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The bonding of hydrogen and oxygen atoms results in two products: energy, which is then stored as power in the cell, and—you guessed it: water.

Pro: Hydrogen engines are typically more efficient than gasoline engines.
Con: Current vehicle designs can only store enough hydrogen for short-range travel.

At first, you’ll most likely see these fuels used in combination with current gasoline-engine technology. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) utilize both a standard gasoline engine and a rechargeable battery, and are already offered by several car manufacturers. Hybrid vehicles with a gasoline engine and a hydrogen fuel cell are currently in development, and are estimated to hit the market in 2008 to 2009. Vehicles that are designed or modified to run on mixtures of gasoline and biodiesel or ethanol show promise, and are already in use.

While some types of alternative-fuel vehicles aren’t yet readily available to the public, keep your eyes open—a combination of research, public encouragement, and lively market competition brings that day ever closer. Honda and Toyota, the first automotive manufacturers to market HEVs in the United States, have already been joined by a handful of others…and the rest are likely to follow suit.

On Vacation - Do You Need Rental Car Insurance?

If you’re in the planning stages of your next vacation and they include a rental car, you may want to talk with your insurance agent about the rental car insurance options that you may have.

When it comes to traveling and more specifically rental car insurance, the market is extremely competitive for your dollar. This is because not only do the insurance companies compete for your dollar, but so too do the rental car agencies, and your credit card companies as well. And while all this competition may sound as though it works to your advantage as a consumer, all the marketing hype may change if you have an accident.

Start by contacting your insurance agent and see if your policy includes rental car insurance. Most auto insurance policies do including covering you in a rental car as well. Of course, verify this with your agent. Make sure it includes collision and liability insurance (damage to your car and to the other vehicle). Make sure your current coverage doesn’t fall short of the type of car you may be planning on renting. For instance, if you drive an older car with minimal coverage, you may be putting yourself at risk if you’re going to rent a top level newer car. So, check on any limitations that your policy may have. Find out what the conditionals are ahead of time so you don’t get caught short.

If you are considering getting your rental car insurance through one of your credits cards, then you should shop carefully. Call your credit car company and ask them to fax or mail the details to you. Either way get their coverage in writing. Again, ask specifically about collision and liability coverage and if there are any limitations or stipulations or complete exclusions. Don’t assume that just because they offer you ‘insurance’ that you will have the coverage completely protects you.

Thinking about getting your coverage directly from the rental car company? You’ve got some more investigating to do. Insurance coverages from rental car companies are all over the place and generally can be fraught with all kinds of stipulations and exclusions and certainly not all rental car companies are not on equal ground.

Don’t base parts of your decision to go with insurance from the rental car company thinking that if you are at fault in an accident that you can avoid a potential rate hike from your home insurance company. Your regular insurance company can raise your rates no matter who cuts the check. If you are involved in an accident make sure that you report this to your insurance company back home because if the credit card insurance or the rental car company insurance doesn’t pay… and you haven’t reported it to your insurance company, you could paying out of your own pocket.

Make sure you ask a lot of questions and get them answered well before you go on vacation. And as a side note, you may want ask your agent with whom you have your homeowner’s policy about what is the coverage in the event you have personal belongings stolen from a rental car. It may sound like a bunch to get done before you go on vacation, but getting yourself the proper insurance can literally save you financially.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

One Of The Most Attractive Car Auctions Are Poole Car Auctions

British car auctions are the largest in Europe; nobody gives the customers more choice of cars; the cars are coming from fleet and leasing companies, direct from the manufacturers, or dealer groups. Poole car auctions offer heavy commercials, caravans and motor homes, vans and cars. Customers can find also motorcycles. Poole car auctions offer a huge range of vehicle sales and used cars auctions; the stock locator software can find any car being offered, by model, mark, registration plate. Mileage is also a criterion, as well as the gearbox type, number of doors, engine size or fuel type.

Poole car auction website lets the client view car auction catalogues, by location, mark, fuel type or model. The prices are daily updated, giving a useful guide to the real market value of cars at Poole car auction.

Buying and selling cars at Poole car auction

If someone is looking to buy cars, Poole car auction must be the first choice; it is simple to search for cars online and then buy at physical Poole car auction. The software makes the research easy, the navigation menu is intuitive and the customer services are always ready for more information.

Poole car auction state of the art website is making possible a simple research to find real time buyer for almost any car. Auto dealers and auto wholesalers can easily obtain as many cars as they need, for business. Online buyers are ready to find their vehicles today. The auctioneers and their staff are dedicated to serve the buyers and sellers needs, with commitment and professionalism.

Poole car auction is allowing any buyer car to place a free request; all car sellers begin to compete in a reverse auction online until the best price is established. Any car buyer or seller can register as a car auction partner. To sell a car, registered salesperson can view all available requests and provide his quotes to the buyer. Poole car auction website works as a reverse auction, where salespersons have to provide the most competitive prices to sell. There are also other factors to characterize a request, such as car condition, option, mileage, fuel and model.

To bid on any car from the Poole car auction catalogue, the buyer must only click on the corresponding button and he will have a daily updated list, for excellent condition cars at significant low prices.

Poole car auction specialists will make easier to purchase cars at a good price. Providers from all over the world are able to make offers for vehicle globally appreciated for their qualities. The entire process to sell or buy a car from Poole car auction is an enjoyable experience. Poole car auction is to become one of the best free online car auction web sites. Poole car auction events attract the crowds and best prices for the sellers and buyers, in a fair and honest way.

Online Used Car Auctions Versus Live Used Car Auctions

Are you interested in buying a used car? If you are, have you ever thought about buying a used car from an auto auction? Buying a used car through an auto auction, which is also commonly referred to as a used car auction, is a great way to find a large selection of quality, reliable, yet affordable used cars for sale.

When it comes to buying a used car from a used car auction, you will find that you have a number of different options. Two of your most common options include attending a live used car auction or participating in an online used car auction. If this is your first time attempting to buy a used car from an auto auction, you may be unsure as to which type of used car auction you should choose. When it comes to making a decision, it is best if you first take the time to familiarize yourself with both online auto auctions and live auto auctions.

As you likely already know, online used car auctions are auto auctions that take place over the internet. These auctions, themselves, come in a number of different formats. For instance, it is possible to buy a used car from an online auction website. Over the past few years, the popularity of online auction websites has skyrocketed. That is what has led many car owners to list their used cars for sale online. The only downside to doing so is that you honestly know nothing about the car seller. It can be difficult, if not completely impossible, to tell if they even have the for sale car in their possession. Also, online auction websites allow car owners from all across the country sell cars online. While this does give you a larger selection of cars to choose from, it can make the delivery costly.

Another type of online auto auction that you should be able to find online is auto auctions that are operated by traditional auction houses or companies. Due to the popularity of the internet, a large number of auction owners are rethinking the way that they do business. Many are now starting to replace their live auctions with online auctions and many are even deciding to do both. When an auction house or company decides to have an online used car auction, they often do so right on their own webpage. What is nice about participating in this type of auction is that you should be able to find a local auction company. This would make the delivery of the vehicle in question easier and it may give you the opportunity to stop by and examine or inspect the vehicle that you would be interested in bidding on.

While online auto auctions do sound appealing, mostly because of their convenience, there is nothing like attending a real, live auto auction. In fact, it is often recommended that those who want to buy a used car from a used car auction attend a live one. Live auto auctions are nice as you are able to choose which auctions you would like to attend. This means that if you live in a specific area, like the Chicago area, you can choose to attend a local used car auction, instead of one that is located too far away. You also have the option of choosing to attend a free used car auction or one that requires the payment of an admission fee; the decision is yours to make.

Perhaps, the greatest benefit of buying a used car from a live used car auction is the fact that you are able to see the car for yourself. In fact, you can often do more than just see the car. Many used car auction houses or companies have scheduled inspection sessions. These sessions are where you are able to inspect each used car that you may be interested in buying, inside and out.

Of course, the decision as to whether you would like to buy a used car from a live used car auction or an online used car auction is yours to make, but you should know that many car owners report success when buying from a live auto auction. For starters, you may want to check out the live used car auctions hosted by North Shore Auto Auction. Should you not find what you are looking for, you can then continue to examine your other options; options that may include online used car auctions.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Orbital Air Sander

For any sanding or polishing jobs that require an excellent finish, on almost any surface, an orbital air sander is the tool that you need. Orbital sanders have quickly become the tool of choice for anyone wanting to either prepare a surface for painting, or alternatively, to get a superb finish afterwards.

An orbital air sander is a flexible and easy to use air tool, which is considered essential for professional auto body repair jobs, and is also the kind of equipment that every hobbyist will want to have in their toolkit in order to ensure that they can do a great job.

An orbital air sander features a sanding pad that moves in a random manner around a specific center point. It is this random movement that is the key to the success of the air tool. Rather than with traditional sanding devices such as a belt sander, where the tool leaves a mark on the surface and can lead to an uneven finish, with a random orbital air sander, the finish is even over a much wider area, meaning that the finish that you can expect is much better and smoother.

The combination of a circular and random action of the sanding disc on an orbital air sander means that it is able to sand in any direction, cover a larger area relatively quickly, and avoid concentrating too much sanding action on one area. This means that the finish will be more even than with a belt sander or even old style orbital devices that did not have a random aspect to their movement.

You can add different sanding discs to an orbital air sander to ensure that it is properly set up for a huge variety of different jobs. From heavy duty sanding paper for tough jobs through to buffing cloths in order to get a final polished finish at the end of the job. With most orbital air sanders, changing the disc takes just a few seconds, allowing you to get a variety of jobs done a lot quicker.

Perhaps the most immediately obvious application that an orbital air sander can be used for is in preparing an area of auto body for painting. You would start off with a fairly rough grade of abrasive paper in order to strip back the paint and leave bare metal. Within a couple of seconds, it is possible to change to a finer abrasive in order to smooth the metal out and get it ready for paint. After each coat of paint, an even finer abrasive can be used in order to get a great finish, before the disc on the orbital air sander is changed for the final time and replaced with a buffing cloth to get the perfect finish.

Pretty much every power tool manufacturer produces their own version of the orbital air sander, and they range in price from basic inexpensive models that are useful for anyone wanting to do small jobs around the house right up to high quality professional air tools that are designed for the professional auto body shop, and will provide reliable service for years.

OTC Genisys

The OTC Genisys is one of the latest and most advanced scan tools on the market, and features all the advanced is essential for any workshop that deals with vehicles from a lot of different manufacturers. Designed with mechanics in mind, the OTC has been created to make scanning modern engines as straightforward as possible, and features many time saving advances to improve efficiency in all areas of the process.

With the latest software installed on the OTC Genisys, it boots up in just 10 seconds, meaning that rather than wasting time waiting for the scanner to be ready to use, you can get to work straight away and get the job done.

Most major auto manufacturers are now supported directly on the built in software on the OTC Genisys, so you can use the tool confidently to diagnose engine management software on GM, Chrysler, Ford, Jeep, and Saturn, and thanks to the flexibility of the system, you can now install the appropriate software packs to scan engine systems on most major European and Japanese models too.

Easy to use, and hard wearing, the OTC Genisys takes just a few minutes to set up initially, and then will provide years of functionality. The tool can be easily updated with new cars throughout its lifespan, and connects easily to your PC via a USB cable, or alternatively can be updated with a flash card.

Automotive scan tools are essential in keeping a car in the best possible running condition, and with the current concerns about the climate impact of vehicles, making sure that they are running as well as possible is even more important than ever. One of the biggest concerns that people have about cars is the emissions that they produce. One of the main functions of the OTC Genisys is in assessing exhaust gases to ensure that they are as clean as possible. The better the engine is running in terms of its efficiency in burning fuels, the cleaner the exhaust gases will be.

With a scan tool like the OTC Genisys, it is possible to quickly diagnose what the problem with a malfunctioning car is, so as a mechanic you are able to spend more time fixing the problem rather than scratching your head and trying to figure out what the root of the issue is.

With everything you need to streamline the diagnosis procedure, from its quick boot times, through easy one key access to the most popular functions, and access to all the codes you need, the OTC Genisys is intended to boost all aspects of your workflow and straighten out any problems.

OTC is one of the leading automotive tool manufacturers in the world, and is renowned for the high quality of workmanship that they apply to the equipment that they supply. Tools like the OTC Genisys, the Robinair, and the Leak Tamer are amongst the best equipment available for any workshop, and mechanics across the USA have put their trust in them for years.

With System 2.0 pre installed on the OTC Genisys, and its full coverage of the Global OBD II Scan tool Mode available on demand, this tool is immediately everything that you need to get started, get finished and get it right first time thanks to the most efficient diagnosis tools available anywhere.

For any mechanic who wants to spend their time fixing problems with cars, and who wants to enjoy satisfaction from their work with none of the frustration that comes from being unable to drill down to the main cause, OTC tools like the OTC Genisys are ideal. They are designed and builtwith the mechanic in mind. From their easy to use functionality, and reliability to the hard wearing construction that makes them so well suited to a rough environment, the OTC Genisys is truly the next generation information system.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Over Weight and Over Heating

Vehicle weight is a major issue that many Four Wheel Drive owners are often unaware of or just ignore. This is not only a performance issue but also a safety issue and not just for the vehicle owner but also for other road users. At Berrima Diesel Service ( www.berrimadiesel.com.au ) they usually see half a dozen 4WDs in their workshop every day for tuning, performance problems or turbo charging. During the process of their work they weigh the vehicles as part of the job. They do this as they have most vehicles coming in for a power gain. It might end up with the power gain at the wheels, but it may not push the vehicle as thought. This is where the weighing process comes in, sometimes with surprising results. They utilise a modern electronic weighbridge that is accurate to within 10kg.

Considering that the average 4WD wagon only has a payload capacity of just over half a tonne, it doesn't take long to swallow that up with 2 or 4 occupants, oils in the engine, diffs, gearbox, fuel in the tank/s, the normal accessories like bull bar, towbar, heavier suspension (big springs and shocks are literally heavier). Even different tyres can weigh substantially more than standard .Generally, the big wagons have a maximum GVM (max loaded weight) of 2.9 tonne to 3.1 tonne. Berrima Diesel see the average ones weighing 2.9 tonne to 3 tonnes and they are certainly not loaded for a trip. When they get the accessorised big wagons in they start to reach towards 3.2 tonnes and they have seen the odd 100 series Landcruiser in their workshop, obviously with a lack of power problem, weighing in at 3.5 tonnes. When you talk troopies, they regularly weigh over their GVM as they are stacked up with all the heavy gear needed for the trip. Large steel fuel tanks not only carry a lot more fuel (weight) but weigh in surprisingly more than the factory poly or tin tank. One recent GU Patrol went over 3 tonne and the vehicle wasn't what you would call heavily modified, just the usual 'steel gear'.

A big problem arising from the ever increasing weight of 4WD's is fuel consumption. A standard 4WD diesel can start off with a happy consumption figure of around 10-12 litres/100km only to have it blow out to 16ltres/100km once modified.

Tyre blowouts are common on a lot of trips and this is an area that weight can have a huge effect. Standard tyres are designed to work within the working parameters of the vehicle but once it is overweighted the standard tyres are often working very close to their maximum weight limit. Throw in an extremely hot road and the working weight of the tyre gets lower. When considering loading up next time, check the loaded weight of the vehicle and check the combined load rating of the tyres. Make sure you have a good percentage of difference between the tyres and the weight of the 4WD they are carrying. Eg. probably 20% to 30% less weight of the vehicle than the maximum tyre carrying load.
Wheel bearings are another thing to consider. Make sure that they are greased if you are carrying weight.

Overweight vehicles are the main reason for performance problems. Not only that but they are often illegally overweigh. Ask the people how much they think their 4WD weighs and the general answer is 2.2 tonne or 2.4 tonne. When Berrima Diesel explain that it weighs in at 3 tonne or more they have trouble believing it!! Add to this the 2 tonne trailer and you have, for example, a 3 litre Nissan trying to move a combined weight of 4.5 to 5 tonnes!!

Overweight vehicles can also become an insurance issue in the case of an accident. A listed weight, initiated by the accessory manufacturer on accessories, would be of a great benefit to people.

Some other areas to consider that can effect vehicle weight areas steel refrigerators, larger tyres, upgraded suspension also lends itself to more weight as well as thicker springs, storage drawers, roof racks, dual batteries, different seats, HF radios. People usually need these for trips but at least an awareness of where the weight is coming from can help with controlling it.

Find a reputable weigh bridge or just turn into an RTA truck weigh bridge for free and get ready for a possible shock!

Radiators and Air flow:

* Consider a larger radiator. Some Factory radiators are a 2 core and can be increased to a 3 core radiator.
* Please… resist fly screens where possible.
* Consider the size and positioning of driving lights, winch, number plates and particularly bull bar air flow.
* Check to make sure air conditioning condenser fins are clean!!
* If an Intercooler is mounted in front this can add considerably to hot air flow over the radiator and restricting air flow to the radiator.
* Consider installing a few small bonnet vents on the left and right of the rear region of the bonnet. This has proven to be a popular addition and has huge effects on under bonnet temperatures. Considering how tight most engine bays are after a few accessories are added, this venting addition can reduce heat stress on a variety of products under the bonnet.

Engine set-up:

* Over fuelling is usually the major cause of high combustion temperatures.
* Make sure the fuel injection system has been thoroughly checked and setup correctly.
* If the vehicle is fitted with a turbo or super charger, over fuelling may be the cause. It is very easy to over fuel a diesel once plenty of air is available as possibly no smoke under load may be visible. Visible smoke under load can be a warning of over fuelling!

This article and the technical advice was taken from an interview with Andrew Leimroth of Berrima Diesel Service. Andrew is one of The Diesel Experts who have been working exclusively on diesels since 1965. His wealth of knowledge and skill with problem diesels is well known in the automotive industry.

Paint Your Own Rims Yourself Professionally

Paint your own Rims? Who would have thought something previously done by professionals could be done in your own home.

While, the concept of painting your own rims has been around a few years now, many questions pop up of how to do it and I thought I would share my own experiences with painting my Integra stock rims. I have read up many examples of how to do this, but my first time trying was this year when I chose to refinish my winter rims. I was quite please with the outcome.

First, what the hell do you need to paint your rims? Paint of course :) This is where Duplicolor comes in with their wheel paint. They offer paint colors to match your style coming in white, gunmetal, classic silver and bronze as well. I chose to do mine in gunmetal leaving my lip the stock polished style look. So here are your options:

So you chose your color, bought your paint and are semi-ready. First, you need to sand down your rims. Why? This gives the surface a rough texture so the paint has something to adhere to. Reference the article to polish your rims on how sanding of the rims works. The only difference with this is how far you want to go. In my case, being winter rims painted I chose not to go through the process of stripping the paint on the rims completely. I simply sanded down the surface with 300 grit sandpaper ensuring to make everything sanded equally. This gives the rough surface required for the paint to adhere, and as long as your rims had no damage it should be good enough.

Your rims are sanded; you have your paint and now are ready. First, make sure you clean all sanding dust off the rims and ensure a totally clean surface so the paint will stick and not flake off after your first drive out with your newly painted rims!!! Here are my rims washed and ready to completely dry before painting:

My rims are masked off with newspaper and masking tape. Of course you want to do this so you don’t turn your tires into the color you are painting. I don't want gunmetal painted tires. Also if you look close enough, you will know that the lip has been masked off as well. So I carefully applied the masking tape on the lip to protect it from being painted as well. Also, you know the little thing you pump your air into, mask that off as well unless you want that to have a color change as well :)

The rims are dry, you have masked off what you don’t want painted and now you are ready. Put some newspaper on the ground and place the rim on top of the newspaper. You don't want to paint the concrete underneath the rim so keep it clean with the newspaper.

Now apply your first coat of paint. Let the paint dry well and next day admire your handiwork and results.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Paintless Dent Removal

Thanks to advanced techniques and the availability of new tools designed to offer precision results, many garages now offer a service called paintless dent removal. Unlike traditional panel beating, paintless dent removal is achieved without damaging the existing paint on the metal, and can offer excellent results at a fraction of the cost of other methods of dent removal.

The secret behind paintless dent repair is that rather than being an aggressive method of straightening out dents in the metal, it is a gradual process more akin to a massage than a piece of traditional metal work.

A panel beater will remove the panel from your car and then use a mallet and a former to bash out any defects. This will involve beating both sides of the metal in order to get it back into its exact original shape. The percussive damage of repeated blows from a mallet will inevitably do damage to the inflexible paint that covers the metal, causing it to chip and flake in the area where the metal has been beaten. This means that the panel will need to be stripped back and then completely repainted, which adds significantly to the cost of the repair. The results of panel beating are generally excellent, and can leave a car looking as good as new.

Like panel beating, paintless dent repair is a highly skilled procedure, and to get the best results it takes a great deal of patience, plenty of experience, and of course the right tools. The actual method of removing dents does not require the removal of the panel from the car, or indeed removal of any trim to allow access to the rear of the metal in order to push out the dent from behind.

The actual technique used for paintless dent removal will vary slightly depending on whereabouts on the car the repair is being carried out, but the essential method remains the same. Basically, the repair man will use special tools on the reverse of the panel to straighten out any dents. This is done by gradually pushing the metal back into place in small sections. It is a slow process, but it can have excellent results when carried out properly. Because the work is done in situ, and the paint is not damaged by the hammering, and all the work is carried out on the rear of the panel, the job is usually carried out on a single day, because no paint needs to dry once the job is done.

Specific paintless dent removal tools are required in order to carry out the work properly. A full set of tools will allow a skilled operator to carry out a repair on any panel on the car. The paintless dent removal tools are designed to offer access into panels from small gaps such as the window slot in the top of a door. They are typically long and flat, in order to slide into place, and very rigid to allow pressure to be applied to the metal without deforming the tool.

The operator will slide the long flat tool into the gap behind the panel and then expertly guide it to the dent. The next stage of the process is to gradually press the metal back into place from behind, slowly massaging the metal into its original shape a little at a time in order to minimize the shock to the panel, and to eliminate any possible damage to the paintwork on the other side of the panel.

The repair will gradually restore the panel to its original shape, and will deliver results almost as good as traditional panel beating, although at a much lower cost, thanks to the fact that no repainting will be needed at the end of the job to repair the damage that is caused when the panel is being straightened out.

For small dents and minor damage to the panels of any car, paintless dent removal is a highly recommended alternative to conventional methods, and thanks to its lower cost, and quick completion it offers excellent value and convenience when carried out by an expert who can provide you with the best results thanks to his extensive experience and training.

Performance Improvement Using A Fuel Booster

Adding an optimizing fuel your diesel machinery or vehicles can vastly improve the performance of your vehicles. This is something that farmers who have known about biodiesel blends for years. However nowadays you can also get fuel boosters that are commercially created for both gasoline and diesel run vehicles to make them perform better.

Here are some facts about how upgrading your fuel with a biodiesel blend (FuelBoost is a good example of one of the new blends) can optimize all of your machinery or vehicle’s operations in general.

First of all, adding a biodiesel blend to your diesel fuel (whether it be Diesel No. 1 or 2) can optimize it in terms of power, torque, economical fuel consumption and haulage. If you are using diesel it can also chemically transform it into a less polluting fuel that emits lower sulfur emissions.

If you use optimization blends from a quality company like FuelBoost you will see that you have a choice of choosing a blend for gasoline or for diesel. A good product will have no negative impact at all on operating performance and always enhance it. However if you have any doubt about whether your vehicle or machine should be using a fuel-optimizing blend like Fuel Boost then check your owner’s manual to see what it says. You should definitely not use any type of blend in your fuel line that might void your vehicle’s warranty.

Why use as fuel booster at all? These blends lubricate your machinery far better than ordinary petroleum gasoline or diesel. It is crucial for your machinery and vehicles to be lubricated, especially for machines that have a lot of moving parts such as rotary and distributor type fuel injections pumps. This is because when these pumps operate, the fuel moving through the parts of the car, not by the engine oil, lubricates them.

Diesel fuel systems—which include unit injectors, injectors, unit pumps, and in-line pumps are also partially fuel lubricated. This is where a fuel optimizing blend can come in handy as it can cut down on scuffing and the adhesive wear resistance that is associated with the use of all fuels, but especially with biodiesel fuels.

Some of the fuel boosters on the market are so good that they can practically save you from buying a new car. Before you trade in your car’s fuel injection system try lubricating and cleaning it first with one of the new designer blends such as FuelBoost. This type of formula can clean up your entire fuel system and make it run more efficiently.

However having a car that is running like new is just one of the perks of using Fuelboost. You will also enjoy increased mileage and have less cause to worry about water and other bio hazards that can grow when your vehicle is stored.

Most diesel fuel start to develop these issues only after being stored for more than 28 days. If you run a fuel boost additive you will see better starts and shorter lag time in your starting cycle.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Performing Mountain Bike Tricks

There is no shortage of mountain bike tricks that can be performed with each having its own level of difficulty and among the more well known ones is dirt jumping, cross country and a lot more. For example, when a mountain biker tries out cyclo cross, which is something between mountain riding and road biking, riders race on as well as off the course, goes over obstacles and even need to traverse rivers. The most popular mountain bike trick would be downhill biking which is very fast and is something that most downhill mountain bikers love to do, and this is all about extremes as well as intense riding that is loaded with thrills and spills.

And, when bikers take to dirt jumping they will be performing mountain bike tricks that involve jumping high above dirt hills that have been especially created for them and whilst the biker is airborne there is scope for performing amazing tricks with his or her bike. Essentially, mountain bike tricks involves performing loops and jumps as also twirls in the air and when these are done to perfection, there is a great deal of artistic content which makes each mountain bike trick very beautiful to view. Learning mountain bike tricks is not all that easy and it can take bikers years to perfect them, especially if they wish to perform at competition levels. The backbone of mountain bike tricks is sure to be bike jumps even though they may not be exactly the ones that mountain biking is most well known for.

It is usual for the majority of mountain bike tricks to be performed whilst the rider is in mid-air, and so knowing the right moment to make the jump is crucial to performing the trick properly. And, the number of different jumps can boggle the mind with the one most often used is the double which in the main means doing the jump in two segments with the first obviously being the take-off and the second is the landing. In between, the biker can perform whatever new trick he or she has learnt up and this trick is known as the gap jump.

Yet another type of mountain bike trick is the one known as tabletop which is a jump recognized as being a trick that consists of the take-off, table and then the landing and this is the jump from which the roller jump derives its inspiration. When a mountain biker performs such tricks it will be sure to leave the spectators gasping, and when a biker is particularly adept at his or her trick, it will all seem too easy to perform. However, one should not attempt to do any of these tricks without proper guidance and with someone around to show you the ropes. Some of the amazing mountain bike tricks involve turning the bike at right angles to one side and the whip is another famous trick that involves making the back of the bike flips to the side. All that is required is proper equipment which will ensure that the biker can perform even the most dangerous tricks with ease and this equipment is more than the bike, and includes protective gear also. So, before taking to doing mountain bike tricks, makes sure that you have the necessary equipment to protect you in case of a mishap.

For buying and selling used or new (second hand) bikes and motorcycles check the link http://www.bharathautomobiles.com/motorcycles-s2_0.html

Personal Car Loan

Instead of going through a dealer for a car, you may have to go through a private dealing that requires you to get a personal loan. You will need to file a lot of paper work and be prepared to be at the creditor's office for at least an hour filling out all the paper work. When it comes to personal loans, they tend to be very specific. You need to make sure that you understand all the questions and answer them truthfully.

You don't want to claim that you are purchasing on thing and then buy something else. That's considered fraud and you may end up in a lot of trouble over the act. Don't break any laws trying to get a personal car loan. What you need to do is go to your bank or credit venue and ask them how and if you are eligible for any credit. They may just open up a line of credit for you, depending on the price of the car.

If you really want to avoid all the high interest rates, you may want to ask a close friend or family member with lots of money to help fund your new investment. You may be able to find someone willing to give you a personal loan, but make sure that you go to the bank and sign an IOU. This will help them feel secure about getting the money back and it is a legally binding contract. The thing with IOUs is that you have to come up with terms. You need to state the payment methods and when you will have the amount paid back. This is one way to avoid the interest rates, however, not always.

To go through a personal car loan with no hassle is impossible. You need to file all this paperwork at your bank if you plan on using them. You need to wait a long time to get approved. It could take a week or two for your credit to be approved. Personal loans are a hassle. You have to prove exactly what you plan on doing with the money. You need to give the creditor tons of information and practically your first-born.

To cut the hassle, you should go online to some of your credit card companies and see what the rates would be to get a loan for personal use so that you can purchase a car. Then you will get your response within a few days and be able to make the transaction if approved within a week.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Pets And Cars: Protecting Both (From Each Other)

We love our pets. We love our cars. And we love to put our pets in our cars and take them with us to the park, to the beach, on vacation.

But pet fur and paws can do a number on our car's interior. Luckily, it doesn't have to. There are several ways to protect a car from canine (or feline) family members. A seat cover is a great way to do this; you can find them online or at most large pet supply stores.

Depending on the type of vehicle you own, you may also want to check with your dealer to see if they sell a seat cover as an accessory.

For example, the Isuzu Ascender 5-Passenger offers a rear seat protector as an option to protect the second or third row seat upholstery. The Isuzu's seat protector is a heavy-duty, water-resistant poly-cotton fabric that can be easily washed in a washing machine.

Keeping your car in pristine condition is important, but so is the safety of your pet. Letting your dog or cat move about the car without being strapped in is like letting a child sit in the back seat without a seatbelt. Even a minor accident could cause your pet to be injured.

The best way to prevent injury to your pet during a car accident (or even routine driving in which quick stops might be unavoidable) is to install a pet car seat. Several different models exist. For dogs under twenty pounds, you may want to consider a car seat that mounts temporarily to the front or back seat using the seat's existing seat belts. Many of these types of car seats mount high enough that the dog can look out the window but will still stay protected during an accident.

For larger dogs, we suggest the hammock style back seat protector which prevents the animal from being thrown to the floor or into the front seat in the event of an accident. Hammock style protectors mount to the back of the front seats and to the front of the back seats, and run the entire width of your vehicle.

Pet seat belts are also an option. The seat belt is worn like a harness and attaches to the regular seat belts in your vehicle.

Should you get into an accident with your pet in the car, the restraint will prevent him or her from flying into the front seat area or out a window.

For a cat, the safest option (for both pet and driver) is a soft or hard case pet carrier. Push the seat forward just enough to fit the carrier on the seat and behind the dash. Too much space will allow the carrier to slide forward or even off the seat altogether on impact. Many vehicles can now sense when there is something in the front passenger seat other than a person, and if so, a mechanism prevents the air bag from deploying during an accident. If your vehicle doesn't have this feature, it's best to keep your pet in the back seat since the force of an air bag is likely to severely injure a small or medium-sized dog.

Pick A Good First Motorcycle

The market for motorcycles is huge, and there are more and more motorcycles that are specialized and they are selling better than ever. The industry is taking advantage of all the new technologies that are available. You often hear a lot about these "dream" bikes, because that is what they should be for someone who is a beginner to the sport of motorcycling. You don't hear so much about motorcycles the beginner should be riding, until they have the skills to move on to a motorcycle with a little more muscle.

In the 60s and 70s a motorcycle that was considered small was one that had 50cc to 125cc; the intermediate motorcycles were the 150cc and 200cc. Motorcycles that have 250 through 500cc were considered midsize, and motorcycles whose engine was 600cc or more, was considered a big bike. Motorcycles come in 1400 through 1800cc these days and those are the big bikes. It is no wonder as these are heavyweight bikes.

It is true that the motorcycle world is mostly made up of experienced riders, but it has given new riders very little choice when it comes time to buy his or her first motorcycle. Motorcycle manufacturers are selling bikes with up to 800cc as beginner's bikes.

As an example a bike that was 800cc or more was considered a bike for an experienced rider, and now because larger and larger bikes are being manufactured, 800cc seems low compared to the monster motorcycles you will see at the dealership that has 1800cc. For dealers to recommend that a beginning rider purchases any 600cc or larger is like putting your kid in the car with the keys and saying, "Have at it."

Don't despair; there is a bike out there for you to learn safely on until you are ready for the bigger guns. Standards and cruisers are a much better for the beginner than a sport bike. Riding a standard or a cruiser is a much more versatile ride. You can drive them on the interstate, country lanes or city streets. You can use this kind of bike to commute to work, or take a ride in the country over the weekend. The novice rider will find that a standard or a cruiser handles easier when you are traveling at lower speeds. This is usually when a tip over is most likely to happen.

Experts in the world of motorcycling recommend that for your first bike a 125cc-250cc is the best choice. They are typically easier to maneuver, cheaper to repair should you have a mishap; they are lighter and easier to balance. In short, this type of bike will be less likely to cause the novice rider to get into any trouble.

You can find websites for more information about purchasing a good beginners bike before you go out and buy that fantasy bike. Once you learn proper riding methods and safety techniques, you will be ready to trade your old bike for something with a little more power and a bit more speed.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Pick Me Up

Chevrolet Silverado from Chevrolet is the last and latest findings of full-size pickup trucks launched from General Motors. General Motors introduced its first pick up truck in 1930. The term ‘Silverado’ is a designation used only to feature the highest level trim for Chevrolet pick up trucks from 1975 and 1999.

This is a creased sheet metal that gives the truck a controlled robustness. It hearkens back to the earlier Bowtie classics. The Chevrolet Silverado is the first and foremost car-like pickup truck ever made. This pickup truck has been the main stay of American byways and highways. It was originally used and respected by farmers, construction owners and some business owners. As you can see, this is a wide variety of user base. It is known for its reliability and longevity. However, the Chevrolet Silverado key chains can be used by anyone and not limited to the above-mentioned section of people.

Chevrolet Silverado is known for its strong performance, sophistication and quiet ride. So are the key chains with this name. The vehicle’s robust and well finished cabins remain a solid pick of the day, no matter what the purpose of use is. Customers are more interested in the function and performance than in flash of the vehicle. However, it is the other way round when it is about choosing a key chain. Each year, the car company strives to bring in new designs and models, which keep this brand in the vanguard of the automotive industries. Similarly, Chevrolet Silverado key chains are known for their sophistication and uniqueness.

Furthermore, it is world class in manufacturing its own accessories. The key chain is one such accessory that is made of improved quality. Chevrolet Silverado key chains have a striking appearance and are crafted from superior materials. They are unique and durable, and are backed by the manufacturer’s lifetime warranty against any defect in the material or workmanship.

Chevrolet Silverado has many years of experience in the design and manufacture of automotive goods especially key chains. These key chains are made from extreme engineering, research, professional graphic design and cutting edge manufacturing techniques. This brand’s key chains are designed with quality and excellence in mind. It helps keep the keys secure and safe.

You can get them in a variety of models depending on their varied tastes and likes. It comes in light weighted, colored, plastic, engraved and molded key chains.

Plasticolor key chains are the highest quality molded ones available today. Its attention to color and the world class logo are some of the features and characteristics of this very likeable piece of metal. It is made of pliable rubberized vinyl. All these key chains come with a standard key ring with a zipper hook, which allows it to become a zipper pull on a back pack, brief case or a jacket. Very versatile!

Chevrolet Silverado key chains are durable and attractive and it outlasts even your keys. This elegant keychain would make a great addition to any set of keys.

Pick Up Trucks: The Symbol Of Today's Middle America

Middle America geographically refers to the area of land between the east coast states and the west coast states, but the term is more often used as a cultural label rather than a geographical one. It tends to suggest a suburb or small town where most of the residents are middle class (households earning approximately between $19,000 annually – considered lower middle class – and those earning up to about $55,000 per year – upper middle class). The paradigm of "Middle America" often includes a highly Protestant, highly Caucasian concentration of Americans, but both the religious makeup and ethnicity of those groups are evolving to a more diversified composition.

What isn't changing about "Middle America," is its economy. Traditionally, those living in "Middle America" work in some type of agricultural field with the exception of those living in suburban
locals. Housing prices tend to be lower there, home prices tend to appreciate much more slowly, and the people living there tend to be less affected by urban sprawl, traffic, and the other social ills that come with major industrial and residential growth associated with bigger cities.

Politically, "Middle America" tends to encompass the "battleground states," in which no candidate of either party has overwhelming political support. Despite the cliché that Middle America supports "traditional family values" (which tend to learn toward the more conservative political positions), voters there have been known to vote for whichever candidate supports the hot button issues that affect those living in the region, since many of the issues that affect city-dwellers do not affect them.

So what does this mean for pickup trucks? Interestingly, quite a lot. Pickup trucks, such as the extended cab Isuzu i-370 and others like it, are popular vehicles in "Middle America." Their versatility is a key factor; they make hauling farm equipment and supplies easy, able to fit much more in their open beds than could be wedged into an SUV, while also providing an ideal vehicle for family outings most seating up to five or more people comfortably. They fare well in adverse weather conditions as well. Because much of "Middle America" deals with constantly changing seasons, from harsh rains in the summer months to blizzards in winter, pickup trucks can usually press on where smaller vehicles equipped with a lower wheel base, cannot.

Because of their power and versatility, the pickup truck is more than just the preferred vehicle for Middle Americans. Over the years, it has become a symbol of hard work, of perseverance, of longevity. For manufacturers and distributors of pickups, this is a good thing. Sales of pickups don't rise and fall the way they do for other types of vehicles. While trends for city drivers can change dramatically based on which models have the best safety features, which are friendlier to the environment, which are most attractive, pickup trucks appear to be exempt from such peaks and valleys. People who drive pickups continue to drive pickups. They know what they want and pickup trucks meet their needs as well as support their identity and beliefs as a symbol of the working class. Pickups are, in short, as American as baseball and apple pie.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Pickup Sales Falling: There's A Good Reason Why

Pickups, for years, have been the best-selling vehicle in the United States. But recently released year-to-date sales are showing that overall, pickup truck sales have fallen this year. Sales for the Nissan Titan have dropped more than 9% this year. In September of 2006, more than 6,000 Titans were sold. This past September, sales barely beat the 5,000 mark. Chevrolet's Colorado and Ford's Ranger are faring far worse. Sales for the Ford Ranger are down more than 20% over this time last year. September sales for this year are down by 43% compared to 2006. Chevy's Colorado is down more than 18% in overall sales for the year and even sales for the popular Chevy Silverado are down nearly 2%. Nissan's suffering as well with an 18% drop YTD (year-to-date) with the Frontier, and GMC's Sierra is barely holding on to market share with a 1.6% drop in sales over last year. This can be alarming for some people looking for a car, van, or SUV but most buyers agree that the risk far outweighs the reward.

On the flip side, Dodge's Ram is holding steady—actually up one percent over last year and has sold more than 500 more Rams in September '07 than it sold in September 2006. Toyota's also doing well. Even though sales for the Tacoma were down by almost 3,000 vehicles this past September compared to the September prior, year-to-date sales of the pickup are up by 1.2%. Tacoma's sleek older brother the Tundra is doing exceptionally well, up more than 50% over last year.

So why are the sales of certain companies on the decline while others are holding steady or shooting toward the stars? It could have to do with the minor improvements made in safety features to last year's pickups. Since safety has shown in multiple studies to be a "very important consideration" among consumers of automotive vehicles-- and to those who bought pickup trucks specifically-- companies that have upgraded safety equipment seem to be garnering favor.

Isuzu is one of these companies. Isuzu's i-290 offers advanced safety features like Dual-Stage Airbags, an airbag suppression system, a Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Braking System, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Daytime Running Lights, and Child Seat Lower- and Top-Tether Anchors for those with young children. The bigger i-370 includes similar features as the i-290, but also offers Head-Curtain Side-Impact Airbags, a Day/Night Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror, Electronic Traction Control, Shift-On-The-Fly 4-Wheel Drive, and Automatic Locking Rear Differential. The i-370 sports all of these features in both the Extended and Crew Cab models.

The 2006 Toyota Tacoma also performed well in crash tests, proving its worth. With a "G" rating (the highest of four possible ratings) in six out of seven categories, according to IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), it certainly deserves to be mentioned along with the Isuzu i-290 and i-370.

In addition to active and passive safety features, comprehensive roadside assistance programs are now being considered as a valuable part of a vehicle purchase. Isuzu offers one of the best roadside assistance packages available. It offers free roadside assistance for up to 7 years or 75,000 miles.

Pickup Truck Accessories

No matter what make of pickup truck you own, chances are you want to change it from the way the factory supplied it. Whether you use your vehicle for work, off-road play or some of both, you can find performance parts, accessories and customization products to make your pickup truck unique. When you want your pickup truck to look and perform better, accessories will help you customize it.

While it's possible to get some accessories from the Chevy, GMC, Dodge, Ford, Jeep, Mazda, Nissan or Toyota dealer where you bought your truck, you will find a much bigger selection of items online. You may also get better bargains shopping this way. Some popular makers of pickup truck accessories include Lund, Westin, Dee Zee, Outland, Auto Ventshade, Warn, Saddleman, Thule, PIAA, Vector, Wolo, Deflecta Shield, Pilot, Hoppy, Grizzly and Protecta.

Exterior accessories

There are many types of exterior pickup truck accessories to enhance the appearance of the outside of your truck. They include air dams, bras and masks, bug shields, bumpers, fender flares, graphics and emblems, grille guards, hood ornaments, hoods and scoops, mirrors, racks and cargo accessories, roll pans, running boards, splash guards, tool boxes, truck steps, tire covers, visors, wings and spoilers and wiper cowls. Select items that will complement your truck's basic lines and that will work well together instead of looking cluttered.

Interior accessories

Installing interior accessories is all about improving the comfort level when riding in your truck. Some examples are 12 volt accessories, cargo trays and liners, consoles and racks, dash covers and trim, door accessories, floor mats, horns, instrument panel covers, pet accessories, seat covers, seats and steering wheel covers.

How about adding some electronics to enhance your ride? Choices include CBs and scanners, cruise controls, GMRS radio, GPS and navigation systems, power inverters, radar and laser detectors, remote starters, security systems and antennas. You might also want to upgrade the standard radio that came with your truck to a stereo CD or satellite radio system.

Accessories cushion the load and improve the ride

Trucks are all about hauling things, so why not do it in style? Pickup truck accessories for your truck bed include cargo control, bed mats, bed liners, bed protection, bed rails, tailgate accessories and tonneau covers. You might also want towing accessories like hitch balls, hitch mounts, hitch covers, hitch steps, hitch wiring, hitches, tow hooks and straps, towing mirrors, winch accessories, winches and winch mounting systems.

By improving your pickup's suspension and brakes you make the ride both smoother and safer. To do this, you might need anti-sway bars, bars and arms, bushings and shackles, hubs, lift kits, lowering kits, shocks and struts, skit plates and trusses and springs. Adding more lighting not only improves the truck's appearance, it also improves safety. Some typical lighting pickup truck accessories are accent lighting, auxiliary lighting, back-up lights, bulbs and lamps, driving and fog lights, headlights, interior lights, light bars, light covers, light guards, marker lights, neon lighting, spotlights, taillights, tow lighting and wiring, turn signal lights and warning lights.

Electrical and exhaust systems are essential

If your pickup won't start, it doesn't matter how good it looks. If you've got this problem or fear it might happen, try buying alternator accessories, battery accessories, battery chargers, chassis wiring or jump start systems. If the problem is on the exhaust end, you might need catalytic converters, exhaust systems, exhaust tips and extensions, headers or mufflers.

To do all this work yourself, you'll need some tools and equipment. Useful items include tire pressure gauges, car care products, computer software, creepers and seats, diagnostic equipment, engine hoists and stands, garage and parking accessories, jacks, stands, ramps, paint, sanding materials and abrasives.

And once your truck is tricked out to your heart's desire, get out your camera. You're going to want to showoff your new, improved truck to all of your friends.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Pickup Truck Hauler -- Discover The Bigger, Tougher Brother To Sports Utility Vehicles

Pickup truck haulers are the more sturdy, practical alternative to sport utility vehicles, and many people are now making the switch. They are certainly a growing market, but a number of obstacles stand in the way of sales. Rising gas prices and environmental pressure influence many people's decisions of whether or not to buy, as well as the current dominance of sport utility vehicles on the market. Can they oust the competition and find their place in an over-crowded marketplace, or will they fall by the wayside as practicality gives way to political correctness?

Uses

Pickup truck haulers have a variety of uses, and in fact the phrase can mean a number of things. The hauler can be separate, like a trailer, or even an add-on at the back to hold motorbikes. Mostly, though, pickup truck haulers are elongated pickups, designed to carry much larger items and cope with a heavier workload. Apart from motorbikes, jet skis, powered parachutes, canoes, snowmobiles, rafts, and balloons can be transported to their destinations, and they are frequently used as mobile skips and organic waste disposal units. They are getting larger and more versatile by the year, and are so reaching broader markets and appealing to a wider range of users.

History

The humble pickup truck has been around since 1925, when Henry Ford introduced the "Ford Model T Runabout with Pickup Body". Selling at $281, they quickly established a new market in motor vehicles, which was seized upon by the general public. Farmers found them particularly useful, but during the Great Depression banks would not lend money for luxuries such as cars, but they would for utilitarian vehicles such as pickups. This changed when a farmer sent a letter to Henry Ford asking, "Why don't you build people like me a vehicle in which I can take my family to church on Sunday, and my pigs to town on Monday?"; and so the utility vehicle was born, and it has gone from strength to strength since. Nowadays they can be used to move far more than pigs or people, but with their increased size has come an increased consumption of fuel, with damaging consequences.

Fuel Consumption

The larger the vehicle, the more fuel it consumes, and the greater the effect on the environment. sport utility vehicles have received widespread criticism over the last few years from environmental pressure groups, and rising gas prices have shaken the market considerably. Polls in the summer of 2006 suggested that most people wanted to move away from utility vehicles and into the smaller car or hybrid sector. Nonetheless, the opposite appears to be happening, with sales of utility vehicles rising while car sales fall. Pickup truck haulers are definitely at the higher-consumption end of the market, but they fill a niche that cannot be otherwise filled by cars or smaller vehicles. If you need to move large items, then you need a large vehicle. Period.

The Future

Pickup truck haulers have a large role in the utilitarian market today, and will no doubt continue to do so in the future. The main criticism of sport utility vehicles is that they are are very often used by those who don't actually need them, such as couples or small families. So the question to ask yourself is: do I really need a pickup truck hauler? I cover this topic and the different varieties of haulers in my webpage, so I won't go into it here, but at the end of the day only you can answer that question, based on your career and lifestyle. One thing is for certain, though: pickup truck haulers are here to stay, and the time is right for them to overtake the competition and move into the fast lane.

Pimp My Lorry!

When you spend more time in your lorry than you do at home, it’s only natural to want to make it into a comfortable living environment. But did you know that some of our country’s lorry drivers have installed stylish portable fridges and cookers and even Christmas trees to make their lorries more lovable?

In the US, truck accessories and truck beautification are a major commercial industry, so much so that in February last year a trucking version of the popular MTV show ‘Pimp My Ride’ was launched on cable channel CMT called ‘Trick My Truck’.

In the show, the Trick My Truck team surprise a deserving truck driver and transform their run-down truck. They aim to remodel each truck driver’s vehicle by incorporating truck accessories with themes and luxuries associated with their personal lifestyle and needs. The show is so popular that it now has its own spin-off. Named ‘Trick My Trucker’, it gives the truck drivers themselves makeover - beauty experts shave off unsightly beards, dye their hair and help them get into shape.

In the UK, lorry drivers are now well on the road to catching up with their transatlantic friends. While they may not have as far to travel (at least not all at once), the majority of our lorry drivers are just as keen to soup up their vehicles with cutting edge devices and lorry accessories. One Birmingham lorry driver told me he has recently installed a Christmas tree with fairy lights, because ‘it can get lonely out there on the road on your own’.

Meanwhile, gadgetry such as sat navs, laptops and mobiles, often linked together and with specific docks, have become commonplace. CV radios are a must, as are PDAs hooked up to flat screen monitors for easy reading. Some lorry drivers have swanky TVs with integrated DVD and Freeview and specially designed aerials fitted to their cabs. For the outside, there are a number of new must-have lorry accessories including spotlights, air horns and chrome steps.

But the most sought-after lorry accessories are the creature comforts. Fridges, microwaves, toasters and portable cookers with pots, pans and utensils are becoming more popular for fine dining on the road, as well as luxurious sheepskin seat covers and air-conditioned seats.

For that real living room feel, one learned lorry driver I spoke to has installed a set of shelves with books about the best café stops, top truck stops and other essential reading matter for the modern trucker.

When our lorry drivers decide it’s high time to show off their works of art, it’s off to ‘Truckfest’. For 25 years, thousands of visitors have attended each of the six annual Truckfest events, which take place all over the UK. Many exhibit their jaw-dropping show trucks and the event has been called ‘an image booster for the road haulage industry’.

So - say goodbye to those horrible hub caps ladies, because our lorry drivers are hauling themselves into the modern age with a host of glamorous new mod cons and plush lorry accessories.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

P-L-A-N Your Personal Safety On The Road

If you are concerned about your personal safety while out and about on the roads here is a simple 4-point guide from GEM Motoring Assist, the leading UK driver based road safety association. The guide offers practical advice for any driver, whether they have just passed their test or have years of driving experience.

P - Prepare yourself

- assess your risks. We can all take responsibility for our own personal safety, taking steps to
modify or change our behaviour according to the risks

- try to be relaxed. You can exacerbate a difficult situation if you are rushed, stressed, or afraid

- avoid confrontation. Do not meet aggression with aggression. Talk your way out of problems: stay calm, speak gently, slowly and clearly. Breathe out slowly to help you relax

- respect other people’s space. Each of us has our personal buffer zone which we are quick to
defend

- avoid an aggressive stance: crossed arms, hands on hips, a wagging finger or raised arm
will challenge and confront. Avoid looking down on anyone or touching someone unnecessarily

L - Look confident

- a confident person is much less likely to be attacked
- be alert when out and about
- keep fit. Good posture, stamina, strength and tension control can all aid personal safety
- hold your head up, be aware of your surroundings and potential hazards
- know where you are going and how to get there

A - Avoid putting yourself at risk

- your aim is to remain safe!

- thinking things through and planning for the unexpected helps you to feel confident and
react well in emergencies

- read this page often. ‘If this were to happen - then what would I do?’ Take a few moments to consider what you would do if a problem should occur

- let someone know, with at least a note to say where you are going and when you will be back. Tell them if your plans change

N - Never assume

… it won’t happen to me. Nobody is invincible. Even though the chances are slight, don’t bury your head in the sand

… your fears are unfounded. Do not ignore your instincts or the ‘funny feeling’. ACT straight away

… a ‘good samaritan’ is what, or who they appear to be

… that your mobile phone will work

Plastic Speed Bumps And Car Stops

Maintaining a safe and steady traffic flow through any environment will boost safety and reduce the risk of speed related accidents from happening. Slowing traffic down makes an area safer for drivers and any people on foot in the area, and is relatively easy to achieve with simple traffic calming measures such as plastic speed bumps.

By installing plastic speed bumps in an area where you need to control the flow of traffic, you can reduce the average speed of vehicles effectively straight away. Drivers will no longer be able to drive fast through an area with speed humps in the thoroughfare, as doing so could potentially cause damage to their vehicle as well as being very uncomfortable.

Plastic speed bumps are very easy to install, and because the job only requires basic tools and skills it can be carried out very quickly, and with a minimum of disruption to normal business. The first stage is to prepare the area fully by clearing it of any major potholes and existing lumps. This will ensure that the new traffic calming bumps sit flat on the ground and are not subject to being damaged when cars go over them.

Once you are satisfied with the area where you are installing the bumps, the next step is to either use spikes to fasten the bump onto an asphalt road, or use special bolts for a concrete surface. This will ensure that the bumps are secure and do not move when vehicles pass over them.

Thanks to the relatively light weight of the plastic speed bumps at around 40 pounds, they are extremely easy for a single person to fit, and at 72 inches long, they can easily be joined together to fit almost any size of roadway, and even be cut to size for an exact fit as required.

One of the biggest benefits of plastic speed bumps comes from the nature of the material used to produce them. Being constructed completely out of recycled plastic, these high quality speed bumps are automatically weather proof, hard wearing, and require no special treatment or painting as the color is built into them. The speed bumps can also be removed quickly if necessary and then placed elsewhere if required.

Unlike alternatives such as wood or tarmac, a plastic speed bump needs no maintenance, will not rot, and is resistant to damage.

Additionally, in the event that a hump is damaged or becomes dangerously worn by the volume of traffic passing over it, it is possible to replace it very easily and quickly to ensure that no long term inconvenience is caused.

With the latest plastic speed bumps, you can also benefit from using them as a protective device and run cable through them. The range of speed humps available have a pair of ready cut 1 inch cable channels running through them. This makes the bumps ideal for use in a situation where you need to run a cable across a roadway that cars use. The bump will protect the cables from compression damage and chafing from vehicles, and ensure that any vital services are well protected, as well as controlling the flow of traffic effectively.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Playing It Safe: What You Should Know About Vehicle Safety

Car safety is much more than just airbags. Most people envision a safe vehicle as one that performs well in those ever-popular crash test dummy commercials. But in reality, it's much more than that.
Consumer vehicle safety is based on two things: how well a vehicle fares in a crash and the features it possesses to help the driver of that vehicle avoid a crash to begin with. Both are equally important.

Avoiding a collision is ideal, but there will inevitably be collisions that are unavoidable due to weather conditions, other drivers, or unforeseen circumstances. When it comes right down to it, are you safe in your car or SUV?

Let's start with crash protection. Should you get into a collision with another vehicle, how well will your vehicle fare? There are three types of crash tests: full-frontal (two vehicles hitting head on), side-impact (broad-sided accidents that most often happen when a driver runs a red light), and off-set frontal (the most common type – when one car turns into another car and the brunt of the impact is taken by either the front seat passenger or the driver). Airbags are probably the most important feature when considering the three types of crash tests. The vehicles that rate the best have both frontal airbags and side-impact airbags. Many models now offer head-curtain side impact airbags – like the popular Isuzu 5-Passenger Ascender SUV – which are airbags mounted above the side windows instead of below them and better protect the head as opposed to the torso in an accident.

Many other vehicles also offer a variety of crash safety features (sometimes referred to as 'passive' safety features) like steel cage or steel side bars built into the vehicle's frame or collapsible steering columns that "give" by retracting into the dash to avoid causing torso injuries like broken ribs for the driver.

While it goes without saying, seatbelts are also important in surviving accidents. They may be the single most important feature of a vehicle in terms of safety. Shoulder harnesses as well as lap belts are now standard in almost every new car in both the front and back seats.

As we've already stated, features that help us avoid an accident are just as important. These are sometimes referred to as 'active' safety features because the driver can control the avoidance of an accident by using them. One such feature is an antilock braking system (also known as ABS) which frequently helps to avoid accidents.

Other features include responsive acceleration (a vehicle that has the ability to accelerate rapidly can merge into traffic more safely), internal visibility (a design that provides drivers with the ability to see the road and other cars clearly by minimizing blind spots), external visibility (a vehicle that can easily be seen by other drivers on the road), and emergency handling (the responsiveness of the steering wheel and how quickly and efficiently a vehicle responds to the driver's control).

Poor Credit Car Loan

There are many people that want to get a new car. They may not be able to afford a new car, but they will want to get some kind of car that they can feel good about and depend on to get them where they need to be. Some times a person finds that they have poor credit. When this is the case, they will have to make sure that they are trying to get a poor credit car loan that will be right for them.

It is important to make sure that the poor credit car loan that a person gets will be best for them. They need to make sure that they will be able to get the financial items that are essential for the loan together. You will want to have all of your monthly income and your bills together. You will want to have it all there for you when you are ready to apply for the poor credit car loan.

Just because you have poor credit does not mean that you cannot get a car loan. However, it may make it a little bit harder for you to get a good loan that will fit your needs. You need to be aware of the bad deals that are out there trying to pull you in. Getting the best rate even when you have poor credit is important. The better the rate that you can get means that you will have a lower payment and you may also be able to get it paid off faster.

If you do have poor credit, you do not have to settle for the worse possible outcome. You can do your comparing and a little bit of research to try to find the deals that will suit you and your budget the most. You do not want to take on a bad interest rate that is outrageously high. You will want to find something that will fit your financial needs and make it a little bit easier to feel good about the large purchase that you are making. Getting a good interest rate with a lower payment is possible even with a poor credit rating.

If you do end up getting a poor credit car loan with a bad interest rate, you should know that it may be possible for you to refinance later on. This will allow you the chance to lower the payments by getting a better interest rate later on once you have proven yourself and your credit in the eyes of the bank. This is achieved by paying your payments on time and getting that balance as low as you can and as fast as possible.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Popular Truck Bed Liner Options

A truck is a common vehicle choice for men and women of all ages. A truck is often purchased for convenience. Many individuals will need a truck to move or transport large items that will not fit into a traditional car.

The need for trucks is increasing and they are highly popular among many consumers. The prices of all vehicles, including trucks, have been on the rise. Purchasing a truck, for personal or work use, is a fairly large investment. To protect that investment many truck owners are using a truck bed liner to protect their asset. It is a known fact that the better a used vehicle is, the more money will be obtained later on from a trade in.

Truck bed liners can come in a wide variety of different styles and options. A truck bed liner can be a drop in model that is specifically designed for specific truck makes and models. The drop in style truck bed liner is nice because they can be removed and reinstalled whenever needed. These models are often plastic.

Although the previously mentioned truck bed liner is a popular choice, the most common form of truck liners used today is are spray on. Just like the name, a spray on truck bed liner is sprayed on the bed of the truck and it literally comes a part of the truck. A spray on truck bed liner can be installed personally or by a professional.

A spray on truck bed liner can typically be finished in less than one day. The majority of individuals will choose to a have a professional install their bed liner. There are supplies and the option to prepare the bed liner yourself, but it is somewhat difficult to do. Many professionals have a system already down. This allows them to produce quality work in a little bit of time. Many professional truck bed liners can be installed in around two or three hours. Another benefit to having a spray on truck bed liner professional done is that their work is often guaranteed or insured. This would come in handy if a mistake was made or damaged occurred to the truck during the procedure.

Each brand of a spray on truck bed liner will be different and may contain different chemicals. The majority of all spray on bed liners will be strong and durable. Just like a traditional truck bed liner, a spray on liner will protect trucks from a wide variety of scrapes, scratches, and other debris marks. A spray on truck bed liner is popular among construction workers, farmers, and everyday individuals.

Spray on truck bed liners can come in a wide variety of different colors to go with any truck or owner preference. It is important to remember that although spray on truck bed liners are popular, there are still other bed liner options available. Protecting your truck is an easy and convenient way to ensure itís value will not decrease more than it should.

Porsche Or Ferrari?

Porsche and Ferrari are German and Italian sides of the same coin, respectively. Each represents an unique interpretation of the concept of a sports car. Both were founded by a dominant patriarch, both designs are more than 50 years old, both honed their craft in racing, and both possess engineering and styling integrity. Whether they are on the track of Le Mans or on urban streets, the two brands have constantly been put head-to-head to be compared and contrasted. Even those motorists unmoved by sports cars associate these two names with both performance and style.

Take for example the methodical Porsche 911 Carrera 4S and the passionate Ferrari F430. Both cars astonish the driver with their performance while successfully maintaining a respectable amount of practicality, but neither pretends to be anything aside from a sports car.

There are certain characteristics every modern sports car should possess. It must be started easily. It must maneuver around town competently and politely. It must be able to, when demanded, blast along country roads. It must, both in looks and performance, echo it's roots on the racetrack while at the same time being perfectly safe on any road.

Since both cars meet and exceed these expectations with aplomb, and all the various intangible qualities are largely decided by personal taste, perhaps the easiest way to compare the two cars is by measuring the facts and figures.

One number that immediately impresses is the Ferrari's lightning fast 4-second 0-100km/h acceleration. The new generation 4.3-litre V8 pushes out 368 snarling kilowatts, pinning the occupants to their seats. While the Porsche's acceleration also offers that amusement park ride thrill a super car should deliver, it is 0.8 seconds slower at the 100 km/k mark.

Of course such acceleration performance isn't worth much unless the cars also excel in the braking department, which both do. Each car comes with optional ceramic discs brakes, allowing for impressive stopping.

In the engine department Porsche gains the upper hand. With its more refined motor, Porsche scores points for economy, earning 18.3 liters per 100km while the Ferrari brings up a distant second with a mere 11.8 liters per 100km. Both cars deliver the power through impressive 6-speed gearboxes and stay glued to the road with top rate handling performance.

Even if the space is somewhat limited, both the F430 and Carrera 4S offer great interior comfort. Occupants won't feel cramped or claustrophobic. Although Ferrarri sports an impressive mix of suede, carbon fiber and aluminum, the Italians simply can't answer the precision fit and finish attained by the Germans.

Key elements for any super car are speed and silence. The car's styling and stance draw buyers more than raw numbers. True to its Porsche roots the Carrera 4S, despite the new proportions, is visually recognizable as a member of the 911 family. While it is certainly a great looking car, somehow the styling no longer creates the jaw dropping reaction that it once did. Even though traditionalists may insist that Porsche pay homage to its roots, the truth of the matter is that Ferrari F430 draws the attention and turns heads.

Regardless of whether the Ferrari F430's stops you dead in your tracks with its appearance, the super car title must go to the Porsche Carrera 4S, which represents a more complete package.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Powered Air Purifying Respirator Masks

For complete respiratory protection in an environment where there are hazardous airborne chemicals or particles to contend with, wearing an appropriate face mask and filter system is absolutely essential for any worker. Of course there is a drawback with wearing a regular face mask for hard physical work, and that is that it is really hard work having to breathe through an air filter, making work more tiring, and causing fatigue to set in much more quickly.

By opting for one of the latest PAPR masks (Powered Air Purifying Respirators) over traditional variants, there are a number of outstanding benefits to be had. The first and most immediately obvious one of these is that instead of the worker having to work hard to breathe through a filter, the battery powered air pump attached to the PAPR masks drives air through a comprehensive filter system, and delivers it straight into the face mask. The air is cool in the PAPR mask because of the length of the pipe allowing turbulence to settle away, and depending on the filter used in the system almost all particles can be removed.

The next major benefit for workers using a PAPR mask when working is that because all the heavy components - the motor and filters - are contained within a belt mounted unit, the mask itself is much lighter than a regular model. This makes it much more comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and also reduces the amount of muscle fatigue felt by wearers when they are using the PAPR mask.

There are a variety of different PAPR masks available, and although they all share the same basic features of having the purifier and air pump attached to the belt and the mask as a separate item, they can be used for different purposes, and buyers should consider what their exact needs are before investing in one of these products.

The biggest advantage of a PAPR mask over a hood with an air filter is that it is a great deal more flexible for the wearer, because it is lightweight, and offers excellent visibility. Most of the available models have a large full face visor made of high impact plastic that offers excellent protection against most airborne debris, and prevents it from getting into the eyes of the worker. The full face visor offers excellent visibility and increases the range of awareness that a worker can have, increasing safety. With a conventional soft hood mask, the peripheral vision of the wearer is reduced, making them unsuitable to wear within a dangerous environment.

In order to get the maximum benefit from wearing a PAPR mask, you need to ensure that it is properly fitted, working correctly, and regularly tested and maintained. The air purifying pump should be kept clear of obstructions, and the wearer should check that the mask has a good seal around their face to be sure that none of the gases that they are trying to protect themselves from is able to get in through the sides.

The other vital consideration when choosing or setting up a PAPR mask is to ensure that you have the right kind of filters fitted. If you are planning to work in an environment where the main air pollutants that you have to deal with are dusts, you will need a filter system designed to remove dust and debris from the air stream. If on the other hand you are planning to use paint spraying equipment, you will need a different kind of respirator kit that protects you from the toxic chemicals that are released when painting

If a PAPR mask is worn correctly, it will offer excellent levels of protection from a wide range of airborne contamination and gases. It is important to make sure that batteries are well charged and will last for the duration of the work that is being carried out.