Thursday, August 31, 2006

Tips to Prevent Carjacking

Carjacking of parked vehicles depends on the car owner being inattentive to their surroundings. Carjackers, like street robbers, prefer the element of surprise. Most victims say they never saw the carjacker until they appeared at their car door.

To reduce your risk of being carjacked, we have listed some common sense steps below:

- Always park in well-lighted areas, if you plan to arrive/leave after dark.

- Don't park in isolated or visually obstructed areas near walls or heavy foliage.

- Use valet parking or an attended garage, if you're a woman driving alone.

- As you walk to your car, be alert to suspicious persons sitting in cars.

- Ask for a security escort if you are alone at a shopping center.

- Watch out for young males loitering in the area (handing out flyers, etc.)

- If someone tries to approach, change direction or run to a busy store.

- Follow your instincts if they tell you to walk/run away to a busy place.

- As you approach your vehicle, look under, around, and inside your car.

- if safe, open the door, enter quickly, and lock the doors.

- Don't be a target by turning your back while loading packages into the car.

- Make it a habit to always start your car and drive away immediately.

- Teach and practice with your children to enter and exit the car quickly.

- In the city, always drive with your car doors locked and windows rolled up.

- When stopped in traffic, leave room to maneuver and escape, if necessary.

- If you are bumped in traffic, by young males, be suspicious of the accident.

- Wave to follow, and drive to a gas station or busy place before getting out.

- If you are ever confronted by an armed carjacker, don't resist.

- Don't argue, fight, or chase the robber. You could be seriously injured or killed.

- Never agree to be kidnapped. Drop the car keys, run, and scream for help.

- If you are forced to drive, consider crashing your car near a busy intersection so bystanders can come to your aid and call police.

- Call the police immediately to report the crime and provide detailed information.

Stay safe! Visit www.UrbanSafetySupplies.com and www.HiTechHiddenCameras.com for all of your self defense and security item needs.

About The Author

Robert Young is the owner and operator of Urban Safety Supplies and Hi-Tech Hidden Cameras. Stay safe! Visit www.urbansafetysupplies.com for all your security item needs. Stun guns, pepper spray, personal alarms, and more! Also visit www.hittechhiddencameras.com and see our hidden cameras, spy, and surveillance equipment.

mail@urbansafetysupplies.com

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

9 Steps to Wheel Care

Have you ever bought a wheel cleaner from your local auto parts store, only to have it bleach out the finish on your wheels? It happens all the time. Here are 9 steps to properly cleaning your wheels.

9 Steps To Wheel Care

1. Wheels should be cleaned with warm water and mild non-detergent soap, using a cotton cloth or soft sponge applicator.

2. Do not use spray wheel cleaners, which can contain caustic chemicals that could stain and/or spot the finish of your wheels.

3. Let the wheel cool down completely before applying any cleaning product. Failing to do so may result in unwanted spots or stains.

4. Do not use tire cleaners containing harsh chemicals (any acid based cleaner), which can also stain or spot wheels.

5. Use only 100% cotton cloths; this avoids scratches caused by synthetic rags or cloths.

6. Always use a quality wheel polish like Metal Madness (available at Metro Wheels).

7. Carefully polish with the grain of the wheel. Baby powder in the final wipe down will remove fingerprints and oils left from polishing.

8. Occasionally clean the back side of the wheel to remove road grime, road salts, brake dust and grease.

9. For the final finish, apply a thin coat of car paste wax. Allow to dry and wipe off with a cotton cloth.

About The Author

Tim Gowens has over 16 years experience in the wheel and tire industry and has been the owner of Metro Wheels & Accessories since 1989. He built a 22,000 square foot facility to house the wheel repair plant and a retail/wholesale show room. Tim is also a classical guitarist.

metrowheels.com

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Gas Saving Tips

The price of gasoline increases everyday, and it doesn't stop. It continues to rise even as you read this article. However, there are gas saving tips that you can do to be able to save some money and maximize your use of gasoline.

Buy your gas first thing in the morning or late at night. Gas is denser at a cooler temperature. You will be getting more for your money when you stock up your gas in the morning or late at night than stocking up during the day.

Compare gas prices within your community and look for the one that offers the best value for your money. Here's a hint - you can check gas prices online. This way you will not need to drive out just to compare prices in your area. This will surely help you save some gas, too, right?

Keep your car well-maintained. Cars in top condition do not consume too much fuel. Tune your car regularly so that your fuel consumption will be reduced by 20 percent. Always check the condition of the tires, too. Make sure they are inflated and aligned properly. Under inflated tires will increase your fuel consumption by 6 percent. Another important parts of your car that need to be monitored are your oil and air filters. They need to be changed regularly in order to keep your car running smoothly. The overall health of your car greatly influences your gas consumption.

When driving, always stay within the speed limits. If you are driving too slowly, you will consume a lot more gas. If possible, you should sometimes use overdrive. This will help save fuel as well as improve the wear on your car engine. When you go out, make a list of all your errands so that you will be able to get all of them done in one go. Remember that you consume too much fuel if you keep on cold starting your car engine.

These are just a few gas saving tips that will help you save money and maximize your fuel stock. Gas prices are increasing to ridiculously high prices these days and of course, it is important to save money whenever you can.

About The Author

Luke Cameron is owner of Auto News Inc. - an online magazine offering news, tips and articles on automotive related topics. His website can be found at: http://www.autonewsinc.com

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

How to Choose Rims for your Vehicle

Nothing else enhances the look of your car or truck more than custom wheels, the bottom line is that rims make the look of the car. Within 15 minutes you can install chrome mags and the look of your car is totally different, from boring to show stopper. Everyone likes the look of aftermarket wheels, but how do you choose the right rims for your sports car?

Custom mag wheels are available from so many aftermarket wheel manufacturers it is truly amazing and the list grows every year. Some of the most popular names include Eagle wheels, Chip Foose rims and Weld wheels, to name a few. When choosing aftermarket wheels you can get cheap prices which sometimes means cheap quality or you can spend a little bit more and be 100% completely satisfied with your purchase. You get what you pay for, so you have to make sure you know what type of quality you are getting. But quality can be very expensive, so can the style of the wheel.

Wheel styles range from regular 5 spoke alloy wheels, to wire wheels, to the latest and greatest, chrome spinning wheels that run up to $3,000 per rim. Chrome spinning rims are the newest invention to hit the custom car crowd, "chrome spinners" as they are called actually spin, even while you car is standing still!

Now back to how to choose your rims, if you are looking stricly from an appearance perspective, then it's easy, just choose custom wheels that you feel fits with the style of your vehicle and your personal preferences. If you want perfornance for racing, then light alloy wheels are the best way yo go. Steel rims are no good, they will only slow your automobile down. Heavy wheels add unnecessary weight to your car, which in return lower the driving performance.

If you do lots of city commuting in traffic, then alloy wheels are a great choice. Alloy rims actually offer cool air flow over your car's brake system which will prevent overheating. Alloy aluminum wheels are lighter than chrome or steel wheels you can also improve your gas mileage slightly.

Another tip to help the performance of your auto is to install rims that are one or two inches larger than the stock factory wheels. Larger wheels also give your SUV truck or sports car a more sporty look and feel. Also make sure the custom wheels you purchase have a maximum-load rating compatible with your vehicle, and you have to find wheels that match the bolt pattern of your automobile.

The offset is also very important If you install the wrong offset size, there will be problems with the steering and handling of your car, so make sure to find the right offset. A sales person at the wheel shop will be able to help you choose the right offset for your vehicle, so don't worry if it sounds complicated.

Where can you buy wheels from? You have a few choices here, you can shop at the local car accessory store or you can shop online for your wheels. Each has their own benefit. If you shop at a brick and mortar store you can touch and feel the rims before you and if you have questions a sales person can answer your questions. If you shop online you have less help, but the benefit is in the savings, you can save hundreds of dollars compared to retail stores. It's a give and take situation, if you have the knowledge I suggest you shop online, why pay more if you don't have to.

About The Author

Richard Gazzo is a successful writer offering advice on where to buy car rims, custom rims including chrome wheels, spinning rims, wire wheels, car rims, truck wheels. Read articles on all brands from American Racing wheels, Weld, Lexani and more. reprint permission as long as all link are kept intact. http://www.custom-wheels-n-chrome-rims.com.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

5 Most Common Auto Performance Part Upgrades

If you want to turn your regular car into a highway beast, all you need are some good performance parts. You can boost your horsepower, sprints and top speed by installing the right parts. And the nice thing about such upgrades is that you can get them for virtually any car model or manufacturer. Let's have a look at the most common performance part upgrades:

Air filter intake

Cold air intake filter systems turn your average car into a real beast, allowing the engine to develop more power in all situations. Try to purchase street legal air filter intakes and not get in trouble with the law. Installing a performance cold air intake gives our car up to 15 HP, a change that you will definitely notice in city and highway situations.

Performance Exhaust Mufflers

Not only to they offer better power but they also produce an amazing sound, distinctive to select racing machines. Exhaust mufflers and headers will transform your car into a great looking customized driving machine. But they are not all looks - they also add up to 20 HP to your vehicle, regardless if it's a sedan or SUV.

Springs, Shocks, Suspension

Power is great but if you do not have control over it the ride can turn dangerous. There are several things you can do to improve your car's handling and stability - such as like lowering springs, adding shock absorbers and installing a high performance suspension system. When installing such upgrades, your car clearance will be lower - this has an excellent visual effect as well as better airflow dynamics, which means excellent handling and grip.

Electronic Upgrades

Performance aftermarket auto parts can make your average car look and feel like a sports car. Electronic upgrades are often used to boost engine HP. An average of 30 HP is obtained with such an upgrade and the electronic chips are usually created for particular engine types.

Clutch and Brake Upgrades

A clutch upgrade might seem like one of your last options when considering a performance tuning - however, the clutch is one of the essential elements that contributes to vehicle performance. A brake upgrade is absolutely necessary when more HP has been added to the engine. Remember to always balance power and control in order to get a fast but safe driving machine.

If you would like to receive updated information on high end auto performance products, please visit our website at: Auto Performance Parts

About The Author

Jason bibb

It's very important to choose the correct upgrades for your car, so choosing the right auto performance part is crucial. Visit http://www.racingzilla.com for more information on performance auto parts.

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Rainy Days Driving Tips

Lately, the rains have been pouring sporadically in the metropolis. One minute it’s cloudy and humid. Then suddenly, it’s dark and gloomy, followed by the inevitable heavy downpour. If you are caught in a heavy downpour while driving, here are some helpful tips to help you get safely to your destination.

1. Slow down. During the initial downpour, the rainwater pushes the oil from the road tar, grime, oil patches and asphalt towards the surface. Since oil is lighter than water, an oil film emerges between the contact patch of your tires and the road surface, making the road slippery. Thus, if you need to brake hard or steer abruptly, chances are your tires will just skid and you’ll lose control of the vehicle. But this road condition only happens for a few minutes since continuous heavy downpour will wash the oil towards the roadside or the gutter. Roads are much more slippery in a light drizzle than in heavy rain, so take the extra precaution when driving in a light drizzle. Remember that Michael Shumacher is an accomplished F1 driver in wet conditions, but only inside a racetrack. He still drives sensibly on public roads.

Read the rest of this entry >>

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Carjacking Tale in the Philippines

I did. Last February (bday month ko pa man din!)

I was waiting for my gf to get some laundry along Dos Castillas st. near UST. Nasa loob ako ng auto with my parking lights on and the passenger door left unlocked

Biglang I hear in the distance the sound of wang wangs going towards me..so my attention was quickly focused on that. Then after 2 secodns of listening to teh wangwangs, this guy in a black jacket, a cap, opens my passenger door and goes iniside while shouting "mag drive ka!". It took me around 4 seconds to notice he was holding a gun. He point it at me when all I do is stare instead of follow his orders. At that point, I say "saan?". He tells me to go on reverse. Of course, going on reverse leads me to Dapitan street..eh traffic dun diba. So I stop. When I stop, he again shouts "MAG DRIVE KA!" while pointing the gun at me and shaking it. At this point I was beginning to get scared because he was obviously in panic mode and any wrong move can prompt him to pull the trigger. So, stuck in traffic, I say "Sa iyo na lang ito, alis na lang ako". He thinks about it then nods and waves his gun at me as if to say "sige alis ka na". So I leave the car, run to my gf and call 117.

Calling 117, I tell the cop every detail about the car and where it happened. Turns out the robber was part of a larger group of robbers who were attacked by policemen as they tried to rob a car worthy of robbing (i drive a 6 year old corolla hehe) along Lacson st. The band of misfits split up, and I was unfortunate enough to be parked along the escape route of one of them.

Anyway, I go home via cab that night hehe.

The next day, my gf calls telling us that a cop called her..he found her laptop's ID card on the backseat of my car which was abandoned along Rizal Ave. Buti na lang kilala ng dad ko yung chief of police in that area. They returned the car AND my GFs laptop with no hassle. The only things missing were my airsoft Glock 19, and my favorite pair of shades which the cops probably took.

According to witnesses, the robber parked my car in Rizal Ave., then left it while running towards Sta. Cruz. The bastard. At least he didnt take the laptop.

Dami rin kwento ang mga pulis about their experiences with holdappers...some are shocking hehe.

Lesson learned na lang ako, I minimize parking and waiting inside, and I always make sure locked ang doors and naka off ang parking lights if I do wait inside.

Friday, August 11, 2006

The Most Recalled Cars of 2006

So much for Toyota's vaunted reputation for quality. On July 18, the Japanese auto giant announced a recall of 418,570 vehicles worldwide for faulty engine parts. This follows an even larger global recall of nearly one million cars and trucks at the end of May for faulty parts that could cause drivers to lose control of the steering wheel.

Full Story

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Next Generation Corolla in 2008

Toyota will not change the design of its Corolla, the world's best-selling small car, until 2008, Automotive News, a trade publication, reported.

The current Corolla design is in its record sixth year, the story said. Toyota has sold more than 30 million Corollas since the model debuted in Japan in 1966 and none of numerous generations has been on the market for more than five years, according to Toyota's Web site. The current version was released in March 2002.

Full Story

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Japanese Cars in the Philippines

Reliability is not subjective, I tend to agree with JD Power & Consumer Report Surveys. And geography doesn't matter that much anymore because even Europeans rate Japanese marque's to be more reliable. Yes JAP cars do experience alot of Shock absorbers, Bushing, Tie-Rod replacement but that's more due to the crappy road surface we have. Even my Civic '95 ESi is not immune from problems, (1) A/C evaporator replaced due to leak (but i'm almost sure its because the chemical cleaning done to it) and (2) Radiator replaced (after it cracked in the upper portion because of tightening i made because leaks started to develop). (3) Speedo sensor replaced as well because of corrosion (i'm its Manila's flooded streets fault). so despite of all the problems i've had still like my car, still think its reliable despite the harsher condition it has to endure in the Philippines.

- parakitoJDM

Sunday, August 06, 2006

Top Ten Fuel Efficient Cars (by class)

Top Gear - January 2006

Sub-Compact

-Honda Jazz 1.3 CVT (Gas)
12 - 16 km/l - city
18 - 25 km/l - highway

-Honda City 1.3 CVT (Gas)
12 - 16 km/l - city
18 - 25 km/l - highway

-Kia Picanto (Gas, 1.1 MT, likely...)
14 - 18 km/l - city
20 - 25 km/l - highway

-Toyota Vios 1.3 J (Gas, might be MT)
10-14 km/l - city
16-20 km/l - highway

-Hyundai Matrix CRDi (1.5 diesel MT)
12 - 16 km/l - city
18 - 25 km/l - highway

Mid Sized Sedans

-Chevy Lumina (2.5 V6 Gas AT)
9 - 11 km/l - city
10 - 14 km/l - highway

AUV

-Mitsubishi Adventure GLX MT (2.5 Diesel)
9 - 11 km/l - city
14 - 16 km/l - highway

Compact SUV

-Nissan X-Trail 200X (AWD 2.0 Gas AT)
8 - 10 km/l - city
10 - 13 km/l - highway

-Hyundai Tucson CRDi (2.0 Diesel AT)
10 - 12 km/l - city
12 - 14 km/l - highway

Full Sized SUV

-Mitsubishi Pajero GLS (3.2 Inline 4 Turbodiesel, AWD)
10 - 12 km/l - city
12 - 14 km/l - highway