Saturday, July 29, 2006

Pros and Cons of an LPG Converted Vehicle

Pro:

1. cheaper cost of fuel - auto LPG is cheaper by 12.60 pesos per liter at current rates (before EVAT). Although LPG gets less milage (per liter) than gasoline, overall the cost per kilometer with LPG is still much lower than with gasoline.

2. cleaner exhaust - as combustion is made easier for the engine due to the
type of fuel used, it is easier on the environment as there is less emissions.

3. dual fuel system -switch between LPG & gasoline anytime. Its even possible to drive from metro manila to baguio and back without refueling if you started with both fuel tanks full.

4. less maintenance cost - oil life is extended and the need to change oil less frequent.



Con:

1. limited refilling stations. NAIADSS will have 2 in November and a third station by December 2005. Petron will have 10 stations operational by Feb 2006.

NAIADSS stations: (for installation & refilling)
pioneer rd, mandaluyong city - November 2005
edsa ext, pasay city - november 2005
visayas ave, qc - december 2005

PETRON refilling: (currently operational)
petron station @ Valle verde 1 c-5 rd ugong, pasig city (also installs LPG kits)
petron station @ sen. gil puyat ave corner makati ave makati city


2. expensive LPG kits. its about P30,000 to P35,000 for a typical EFI engined car. Slightly cheaper for carb engines. Note: even if the kit is expensive, its still cheaper than buying a new fuel efficient car.

3. a major portion of your trunk will be used up by the LPG tank. approximately 1/4 to 1/3 trunk space will be used up in a typical 1.6 sedan

source: ghosthunter of tsikot.com

Friday, July 21, 2006

Illegal Street Racing: A Growing Problem

It's not an uncommon sight. Two vehicles line-up at a streetlight, one challenges the other, and once the green light appears they take off as fast as they know how. Illegal street racing is not a new thing. It's been going on ever since the days of the Model T Ford. Over the years, speeds have increased and with the advent of cell phones and GPS systems, so has the technology. But the consequences of these careless actions have never changed. Thousands of accidents occur each year due to thoughtless, aggressive driving on our streets. But the trend continues to grow. Movies like The Fast and The Furious have helped to spread the virtues of street racing. Movies like these don't show innocent victims getting hurt, but rather they portray the characters as misunderstood good guys who have a passion for cars. It's easy to see how young people are able to accept the notion that street racing doesn't hurt anyone when everything they see in movies confirms it. Videos of illegal street races are downloaded off the web at a growing rate only to fuel the desires of those who are unable to see the dangers in it.

Racing is not a bad thing. In fact, it's an exciting sport that requires training, discipline and skill. But the streets are no place for racing. Unfortunately, any young person (the majority are young) can get into their car, mash the throttle and drive. No experience, no talent, no discipline. All of this while innocent drivers use the streets for their day-to-day activities.

So what are the solutions. Racing on our streets will never stop, but it can be reduced. What needs to be understood is that street racing is a social activity. People gather in a parking lot, hang out with friends, challenge someone to a race, and come back to the same parking lot once the race is over. Some cities recognized this and have opened drag strips for people to race, socialize and interact. For a small fee, they can prove themselves in a safe, supervised environment. This is also a great way to integrate local police with the participants. In order to reduce racing on our streets, local authorities need to control it. Larger fines won't reduce street racing. Hundreds of people have died racing on the streets in this country and if the possibility of death doesn't stop someone, a fine won't either.

In the end we need to understand that the only way to reduce street racing is to provide an outlit for which it can occur. Until then, the masses will do what they know; they'll continue to race on our streets.

About The Author

Peter Johnson is the chief writer for http://www.all-about-car-selection.com.

pjohnson@all-about-car-selection.com

Thursday, July 20, 2006

How To Slash Your Car Insurance Costs

How much do you pay for Car Insurance every year?

Eight hundred dollars a year? One thousand? Two thousand?

Whatever the amount you're paying now, you can slash that amount by more than 50% by simply following a few simple strategies.

Can you cut your car insurance costs by investing only 30 seconds of your time? No, that can't be done.

But if you're willing to spend 30 minutes today, this week, or next, I'll show you how to save up to $6,000 on your Car Insurance over the next 10 years.

Okay, here we go. Grab your Car Insurance declarations page (the page in your policy that details all the coverage’s you're paying for) and follow along. Make sure you take some notes. If you don't have your policy, or can't find it, call your car insurance company and get one - they'll send it to you pronto.

STRATEGY 1 - Make sure you're getting all applicable discounts for your vehicles safety features, such as:

- Front, Side or Head Curtain Air Bags;
- Automatic Seat Belts;
- Anti-Theft Alarms or Tracking;
- ABS or Traction Control....and many more.

Think about the safety features you have....and write them down.

STRATEGY 2 - Review & Change Deductibles For Comp & Collision.

Most Car Insurance Policies have two deductibles - one for "collision" (you hit someone or someone hits you) and one for "Comprehensive" (all other damage or loss).

For both of these, have at least a $500 deductible - preferably a $1000 deductible.

Here's why - If you are currently paying a $100 - $250 deductible, you'll save up to 40% per year on your monthly premiums by moving it to $500. That means if you're currently spending $1,000 a year on insurance, you're going to get to keep $400 every year. If you jump to a $1,000 deductible, you could keep almost $600 extra a year in your pocket.

I can hear some of you saying, "Wow, a $1,000 deductible. That's a lot of money." Yes, it is.

So is paying $1,000 a year with that $100 deductible....versus $400 a year with a $1,000 deductible.

The odds are in your favor - go with the $1,000 deductible.

STRATEGY 3 - Review & Change Property Damage Liability.

Have you ever seen a $100,000 mailbox? Car Insurance Companies must have. Here's why....

Property damage is not damage done to an automobile but rather "property" like a mailbox or a utility pole. So, why in the world would you need $100,000 dollars of coverage?

In most cases, almost 100% of all property damage claims can be taken care of with only $50,000 of coverage. So take a look at your policy to find out what you're currently paying for. And if you have little or no Net Worth, drop your coverage even lower - to $25,000 or your States minimum. You can find your States minimum by doing a Google search for "car insurance state minimums."

Here's what to look for on your policy - Many will have your liability coverage's listed like so - 50/100/100 - The first two numbers refer to bodily injury liability coverage. The 1st number is the dollar figure covered per person. The 2nd is the dollar figure per accident.

The 3rd number is the "Property Damage Liability." That's what you need to change. What does yours say?

STRATEGY 4 - Review & Change Bodily Injury Liability.

Although Bodily Injury Liability Coverage is a must, almost all of us end-up overpaying for the coverage we need. This type of coverage specifically covers:

- Any and all occupants of an automobile, whether it's yours or someone else's;
- Any and all occupants of another vehicle;
- And Pedestrians

Your only goal with this type of coverage is to have just enough protection to protect what is yours....in other words, your assets. And in order to protect your assets, you need to figure out what your Net Worth is - here's a well known site for calculating your net worth - www.kiplinger.com/personalfinance/tools/networth.html?

A great way to slash your premiums is to have no more in bodily injury liability than what your net worth is. Here's a common example of the coverage most people have - If your net worth is only $20,000 and you have $100,000 in coverage, you're throwing money away.

And if you have little, or negative net worth, just get the required State minimums. You'll need this info to get the lowest car insurance rates. Again, you can get see your state minimums by Googling "car insurance state minimums."

Here's what to look for when trying to figure out how much coverage you have now. As I said earlier, most Policies today have your liability coverage's listed like so - 50/100/100 - The first two numbers (whatever they might be) refer to bodily injury liability coverage. In this example, there is $50,000 in coverage per person and $100,000 per accident.

What does your policy say? Are you paying more than your net worth? If so, change it.

STRATEGY 5 - Review & Change Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage.

The uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is a fantastic deal for car insurance companies....and a lousy one for you. This premium alone can increase your auto insurance by a couple hundred dollars a year.

Most folks think that uninsured/underinsured coverage is there to get your car repaired if it is hit by someone without insurance....or someone with lousy insurance.

Wrong.

Any damage done to your car is already covered - by the premium you're already paying for collision.

First things first....check your policy if your paying for uninsured/underinsured coverage now. If you are, Google "uninsured motorist state requirements" to see if your State requires it.

If it's not required by your State, cancel it.

If the State you live in does require uninsured/underinsured coverage, make sure you have the absolute minimum required. These minimums are not advertised, change every couple of years and are very difficult to find. So, here's how you handle this.

Do a Google search for your State Department of Insurance, go to the "Contact Us" page, find a phone number, then call and ask what the minimums are.

Don't try looking for it. Finding the minimums listed is almost impossible on most State Web Sites - they've buried it so deep you'll never find it. Just call your State Department of Insurance.

I know it's a bit of a hassle to get the info yourself. Yet relying on the Insurance Companies to give you the correct information isn't very wise.

Next – Part 2 of “How To Slash Your Car Insurance Costs Up To 54% In 10 Easy Steps”

About The Author

Tom O'Leary is an Automotive Portfolio Analyst based in Cincinnati, Ohio and Publisher of http://www.mynewcarpurchase.com, a consumer focused web site that assists with buying a new or used car, car insurance quotes and finding cheaper car & truck financing.

The Luxury Of The Volvo 740

When someone says Volvo, the image of both safety and power come to mind. Volvo has developed a solid reputation for these characteristics. However, many of you may not know where and how the company began.

The original Volvo Company was started in Sweden in 1927. “Safety cage and crumple zones” was their motto and this sparked the interest of consumers who were in their 60’s. As now, back then their focus was on the security and safety of all their passengers.

In 1998, Volvo was acquired by the Ford Motor Company to become a member of its Premier Automotive Group. That has proved to be a great investment for Ford.

One of Volvo’s vehicles, the Volvo 740, which was produced from 1984 up until 1992, was said to have a lifespan of a decade. Over the years Volvo has actually been powered by many different engines, such as the four-cylinder in-line OHC, 986 cc or 2,316 cc, six-cylinder in-line 2,383 cc Turbo Diesel.

In 1985 the Volvo 740 SE was introduced. It had fewer options as compared to the Volvo 740 model. But it was a great start for the Swedish manufacturer since it was actually supposed to be a midsize car that offered more style, performance and overall luxury. It had been offered as a four door sedan; initially it was known as the 744. And the five-door wagon was known as the 745. Though production stopped in 1992, the older models were useful. They provided engineering information as well as components, such as the vehicle’s engine, transmission, chassis and many other important parts. This was used when the Volvo 940 was being built.

If you own a Volvo I don’t have to convince you about its luxury and style. You already know how great it is. Now you just know where Volvo started out and how they have successfully changed over the years.

About The Author

Claire Sessions is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for http://www.garage-plans-n-kits.com/. Her articles have also been featured on related sites such as http://www.bestcarpartguide.info/ and http://www.bestcarpartsforme.info/.

Replacing Dodge Mirrors For The Winter

If you own a dodge you should read on, because many might not know the pain that all Dodge owners must go threw every winter. Replacing their side view mirrors. But luckily Auto parts Fast is now offering new discounted Dodge mirrors on their site. So go out and save yourself some money.

With the heavy snow falls, side view mirrors are most affected in the winter, there no match for the snowstorms.

Side view mirrors are called exterior rearview mirrors; they can easily fall off when the vehicle is hit by snow. But even if it doesn’t there’s a chance that their surface be broken.

It is too important to ignore this factor, it could be possible that they fall off while you are driving, then what are you to do? Stop your car in the middle of the road? That can create a big accident, so don’t take a chance. Side view mirrors help you see what’s going on in the back of your car. It is so important that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has set up regulations regarding side view mirrors. Per FMCSA regulation, all passenger vehicles must be equipped with a properly mounted exterior rearview mirror on the driver side. Further, the use of passenger's side rear view mirrors is also required for vehicles not equipped with a standard interior rear view mirror.

Auto Parts Fast has come up with new products on their online auto parts catalog. Among the products are the new Dodge passenger side and driver side exterior rear view mirrors. So there is no reason to not be safe this winter. No more worrying about your car, go out and have some fun skiing. Enjoy the winter while it lasts.

About The Author

Mitch Johnson is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for http://www.atv-parts-n-accessories.com/. His articles have also been featured on related sites such as http://www.bestautopartresource.info/ and http://www.bestautopartresources.info/.

Buying BMW Auto Parts

Do you own a BMW, or are thinking about purchasing a BMW in the near future? Well, having a BMW for some is quite a big deal, and most like to keep it in good shape and take care of it. It can be car that they’ve been dreaming of having for many years. So once they’ve finally got the car of their dreams, would it be better to take care of it?

That is why it is good to use BMW parts when changing anything, even a fan belt. You should always replace them with genuine BMW parts. To always ensure good performance from your BMW and to maintain its authenticity.

But of course that doesn’t mean you have to pay dealership prices for the parts. A better place to get the parts is online, do a little research. There are many stores online which specialize in BMW parts new or used. The prices are lot less then dealership prices, but be cautious as they might not have knowledgeable staffs like at the dealership. They might sell you a part that isn’t right for what you need.

But if you want to get your parts threw the dealership, the mechanics might tell you exactly what you need, and you can also ask them questions. That is a great way to ensure you get what you want. At the end of the day, you don’t want to be made a fool of.

But indeed the best place to buy any type of BMW parts is at the dealer. They either have the item in stock or they can order it for you. Yes, they will be more expensive, but it does give you peace in mind that you are getting the right genuine BMW parts. Take care of your investment; you’ll be sorry if you don’t.

About The Author

David Johnson is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for http://www.go-cart-plans-n-kits.com/. His articles have also been featured on related sites such as http://www.bestcarpartsforme.info/ and http://www.bestcarpartsforu.info/

Finding Classic Auto Parts

If you finally got the classic car of your dream, finding the car parts for it is will be a hard task. Classic car parts are hard to come by because they are no longer in production, they don’t make the parts for them anymore. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be found.

One place to start looking would be online auction sites. For example, Ebay might be the easiest place to start. Ebay motors have a wide range of classic car parts, so it’s possible you might find what you are looking for.

You might also want to check out local swap meets, they are a good way to find classic car parts you’re looking. You can locate older model accessories and other outdated items.

As a last resort you can always check out car part dealer magazines. The problem with that would be the fact that you probably have to pay more money, but if you do indeed find the part you’re looking for it might be worth it.

But if it you wish to look further you can always check out clubs and organizations. More then likely many clubs and organizations are geared toward cars, or classic cars.

You could check out the internet. It seems today that theirs nothing you can’t find on the internet. You can search and find clubs you can join; it’s a good idea to search on yahoo.

If you are really desperate you can also go to the junkyard. Though it will be like looking for a needle in a hay stack, but it’s worth a shot. You can either visit or phone to see if they have the part.

But the more you take care of your car the less you’ll need to go running around looking for parts, and the more you actually enjoy your car.

About The Author

Jenna Simpson is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for http://www.garage-plans-n-kits.com/. Her articles have also been featured on related sites such as http://www.carparttips.info/ and http://www.coolingsystemsguide.info/.