Some Gas Mileage Tips

Gas prices are rising so fast these days. Do you remember when the prices used to be a buck to a gallon? We used to complain about that already. But look what we have today. Now I’m wishing we accepted that buck rate in open arms. Prices are getting worst with each passing day. In some gas stations it’s up to $3 per gallon. Is that even possible?

We’ll never stop fuel prices from rising. So we have to deal with our current situation. For those who can’t afford new hybrids, for those who own old cars, listen up very carefully. I got a couple of tips to help you ease the pain of fuel prices.

These tips come from About.com

Avoid the drive-thru windows. They say you can save serious gas mileage if you opt to park your car and dine in the restaurant. While you’re in line on the drive-thru, you pump the atmosphere with harmful emissions. Plus, you’re always in first gear. This means your consuming tremendous amounts of gas for getting your tummy filled. Park that car!

Stopping your car is the number one gas saver. In fact, some experts advise turning off your engine while you’re in the middle of long stop lights.

Build on fuel-efficient habits. First off, you have to accelerate at a more gradual rate. If you continue stomping on that fuel on your way, there isn’t going to be enough fuel to take you home. Secondly, you should anticipate stop lights. By seeing reds from afar, you can put your car in neutral and half-brake the rest of the way. Third, drive a little more slowly along the highways. Experts advise that shaving 5-10 miles per hour off your acceleration rate will do wonders for mileage. And it doesn’t affect your travel time that much. Lastly, shift gears quickly. Lower rpm’s don’t rev up your engine. This uses less gas.

Another thing, change your air filter regularly. Clean and pure air is the best for combustion. It makes the process more productive and less wasteful. You can also invest in fuel add-ons. But experts say its efficiency effects are well under 10%. But who knows, it might help.

Maintain optimum tire pressure. I usually put in 30-33, but this depends on your tire sizes. If your tires are over inflated or under inflated, this demands more effort from your engine. More effort means more power. More power means more gas consumption.

Those are some tips. I’ll keep you posted if I hear more.

DISCLAIMER: Don’t expect to save money and gas immediately. The effects of these things will be cumulative. You will only see it after months of consistent implementation. Well, it’s the small things that count.

Dave Collins

Autopartswarehouse.com | Car Accidents

Our topic for today is car accidents. Many drivers take this lightly, but it deserves more attention. To give you an idea of how serious this should be, I’ll give you statistics from the caraccidents.com.

In 2005, the United States (US) had 6,420,000 car accidents. This cost the American consumer more than $230 billion worth or repairs, hospital bills, and other expenses. These accidents caused more than 2.9 million injuries and 42,636 fatalities. Glaring isn’t it?

If we collate the data, it says that about 115 people die daily due to car accidents. That’s one death every 13 minutes.

What’s even more disturbing is that these rates have been increasing at an annual rate. 2003 saw 6,328,000 car accidents and 2002 saw 6,316,000 accidents. What could be the cause of this increase?

For one, increases in car sales. There are more and more vehicles out there. This increases your chance of bumping into one another. Another reason is increase in irresponsible driving. People often risk driving drunk or people driving without a license. It’s stupid enough that you put your life in danger when you drive without a license, but you also put society in danger.

What can be done? Well, the government can institute harsher safety standards. But this will be met by complaints coming from manufacturers who need to develop safety systems.

What can we do about it? It would be cliché if I told you guys to exercise more discipline when you drive. But that’s true. Plus, you can get car upgrades to make your vehicle a safer machine. There are many options at autopartswarehouse.com. Safety is one of the best areas to invest in for your car. It’s well worth it.

Let’s take those stats down together,
Dave Collins

The Anti-Steering Legislation

Have you ever been in a car accident?

Usually what happens is the repair bills are sent to the insurance company (Yours or the guy who bumped you). Just when you think you’re saved from further expenses, contacting the insurance company will be very tedious work. Of course, these guys will give you the ring around. After all, who wants to spend extra money for damages they did not do. They’ll be looking for an excuse not to pay you. They tell you to contact them again tomorrow, but then tomorrow brings another tomorrow and so on and so fourth. Then you keep thinking, why don’t I just pay for the bill myself – you lose more with time. But you’ve already put forth the effort so you press on.

When all the paper work is finally drawn up, the insurance company will recommend you to a mechanic. You expect the best parts to be used for your car. The best parts are original parts. Some mechanics use second-rate replacements.

The latest scam of these companies is that they collude with mechanics. These mechanics have added revenues for aligning with these insurance companies. The insurance companies give you a pre-determined list of repair chains, that most of the time, fix your car in the cheapest way possible (how else will they make a profit?). This scam is called “steering”.

The Anti-Steering Legislation will stop this type of insurance scams. It will ensure a more fair way of getting your car repaired. With this legislation in place, you will be assured that your repair parts are the finest in the market. No more scams. This is healthy for car owners all over America. Hopefully it pulls through.

But for now, let’s endure the hard ways of insurance. Its supposed to be a comfort, but is it really one?

Keeping you car crazy,
Dave Collins

Autopartswarehouse.com | Are your Brakes Squealing?

Brakes are one of the most important parts of a vehicle. They are your primary line of defense against accidents. If their performance seems faulty, you should have your brakes checked immediately.

Are your brakes squealing? To diagnose the problem, we will need to know how it works first.

When you press down on the brake pedal, force is transmitted by the brake fluid throughout the braking system. The brake fluid multiplies the force of your foot. That is why an average man of a hundred and fifty pounds can produce a force enough to make a one ton car stop. Brake fluid transmits the force to your brake discs. The brake pads then latch on to discs that stop the wheel. Hence, the car stops. The process is more complicated, but this is as simple as I can explain it.

So, when your brakes start making noise, don’t panic just yet. It’s not as serious as it sounds, believe me. The primary cause for brake squealing is a worn out brake pad. This means that your pads have exceeded their recommended time of use. Another cause is that the brake pads collide against the caliper, to create that sound. This case calls for a little lubrication, and then you’re as good as new. It is necessary to make the braking system well-lubricated to ensure a seamless transfer of force.

Autopartswarehouse.com houses many brake parts for many makes and models. If you want to get a replacement, you may want to start there.

Sincerely,

John T.

Higher Fuel Prices: Good or Bad?

The LA Times claim that the commuting times in Los Angeles have become shorter for the month of April. Writers attribute this phenomenon to the hikes in fuel prices. They have statistical data that illustrates the decline of fuel consumption – Californians consumed 4.5% less fuel in January 2008 compared to the previous month-year.

There are some people who claim that higher fuel prices are actually a positive. And in a way they have a point. You see, higher fuel prices will force American consumers to buy smaller, more fuel-efficient cars and, even in some occasions, settle for public transportation. In addition to that, this results to lesser greenhouse gas emissions. So a hike in fuel prices does have positive externalities.

I believe that, often times, Americans buy more than they need. Bachelors want big SUVs, so that they can show it off to wanting-to-be-fooled girls. The idea creates an enormous disparity with what America needs and what Americans want. My family back in Indiana is also one example, we have an SUV. But I am aware that our small family of three (four if I’m there) can conveniently fit in a bigger compact car. Statistically, I think this will save us 20% more fuel! Isn’t that glaring?

To be fair, I think the effects/externalities of higher gas prices; largely depend on points of view. Some employees have to travel far off to reach their office, that’s definitely a minus in productivity (Referring to those who opt for public transportation). And, more importantly, a rise in fuel prices will aggravate a rise in other products like food, clothes, etc. There is a logic to this thing.

If there’s one thing I learned in economics, it’s that everything is connected. I think this deserves special mention with regard to fuel. Some services cannot compromise vehicular size, like delivery trucks and other stuff. This means that their rates are going to get higher. And if the supplier rates go higher, stock holders have to possess more money. How do they get more money? They ask for a raise, so on and so fourth. It becomes a cycle of rinse and repeat. Now, that’s bad for the economy. We all have to suffer for increasing oil prices, while the oil stakeholders become well off.

What did we do wrong? We drove conservative cars while millionaires rolled around in SUVs. They sapped the oil, why do we have to be dragged with the consequences? I maybe wrong, but America is among the top ranks when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions. This means we have a lot of gas guzzling vehicles in this country. I think its about time we start searching for alternative methods that are in keeping with sustainability and longevity.

But what do you guys think?

Dave Collins

Sources: About.com

Right-to-Repair Act

The government reserves the right to intervene in public affairs. I don’t like this. I think they make things worst 9 out of 10 times when they do this. So, I generally don’t like the idea of public intervention in commerce. Save for one occasion.

The legislation called Right to Repair Act would make a huge difference for car owners and mechanics throughout America. Matthew Wright from About.com explains, “It’s basically the automotive version of an open records law”.

Here’s the dilemma. Car manufacturers are under no obligation to share information about their car designs. Mechanics/independent shops cannot access the schematics, specs and other details about a car. The Right to Repair Act, if legislated, will compel manufacturers to share this type of information. This will allow Mechanics/independent shops to do better work on car repairs. Of course, access will not be limited to them. You and I could gain information about our cars, allowing us to deal with problems appropriately.

For the past few years, the law has been battling it out with many contenders. Some of the States have been ratifying versions of the Act. Oklahoman and New Jersey have been actively pursuing this act. But forerunners have worthy adversaries in form of disgruntled manufacturers and dealers who want their copyright protections.

They also have a good point. If this type of information can be accessed by us, then competing brands have access to competing designs. But, in theory, if all manufacturers are aimed toward increasing consumer benefits, then this is a great act. But, they aren’t. Not really that is.

Manufacturers should be aware that a car owner goes through a tremendous amount of duress to make sure their car is spic and span. It is not easy. If they really wanted to make our lives easier, then they should stop contesting the act. Yes, manufacturers offer all types of repair services. But they cost more. The average mechanic costs less. A fine line must be drawn between the intention of the company and its need for profit.

We understand that publishing these documents can compromise design secrecy. But the bottom line is, if the dealership is aimed at making the car owner’s life easier, and then there should be no debates about this Act.

This is an interesting development. It brings to the floor the old theme of public versus private. When does a liberal government exercise its right to intervene?

I think the right time is when it is most beneficial to the people. In this case, we need our car information! Once we buy that car, every nuke and cranny belongs to us. We have the right to know the needed information to make our problems go away.

Car owners should express their concerns for this topic, it would make our lives much easier. I will be keeping you posted on this. Please stay tuned for updates.

SIDE NOTE: Nice going Karen, now you’re finally getting the uncut feel of living on your own while maintaining a car. You will find it harder than college *laughs*

Dave Collins

Headlight Covers at Autopartswarehouse.com

Last Thursday, I was on my way to a dinner with friends. We scheduled a meet-up in a mall nearby. Just cheap food and good coffee. I left the apartment at around 6:00pm, I got to the meeting place at around 6:30pm.

There was a long line of cars heading to the parking lot, so I took an alternate route. I knew of this small place nearby, it was actually cheaper but a bit farther. I thought, who doesn’t want to walk in a night like this, so I decided to go to that parking lot.

When I go there, there was also a line. But it was a lot shorter. So I played the patience game. I was two cars behind the entry point, when I saw a gang of kids laughing and having fun. It was a nostalgic moment. A moment that would prove to be costly.

As I put my attention back to the front of my car. The car in front of me was in reverse. I thought, maybe his making room to make the turn inside the parking. But he didn’t stop reversing. Until he hit my car! I kept honking my horn. I was frustrated. We both got down from our cars, he was a fat guy. He looked at the car and said, “My fault… At least your car didn’t get much damage. My car is dented. But, lets just let this one go shall we?” I took a look at front of my bumper, there was no visible damage. So I said, “Good”.

I parked my car and a security guard approached me, “Maam, is everything alright?” I said “Yes, what’s wrong?” He said, “That guy destroyed your headlights”. And I took a second glance. Low and behold: my headlight cover was battered. The bulb was still functioning but the cover was shattered. I shouted out of my wits, I thought the guy got the best of me.

In desperation, I searched the mall for that fat guy. But I couldn’t find him. So I just went on to dinner. I told my friends about it. They sympathized. Then I forgot about my dilemma amidst all the small talks in the evening. The evening was drawing to a close, and I was heading back to my car (this time with a shattered headlight). Then, as fate would permit, I see the fat guy in a restaurant nearby. My anger suddenly came back!

The anger was about to get the best of me, when I uttered, “Excuse me… But my headlights are bashed. I need your insurance contacts”, he stares at me. He goes, “… But you were staying too close behind me, it’s your fault.” Then we proceeded to verbally insulting each other for 15 minutes. We had to be restrained. The ending? I went home with a broken headlight.

I told Dave about it. He recommended I check autopartswarehouse.com out. Low and behold, I got a new headlight in a matter of days. They have all sorts of replacement parts for specific models. I just used my credit card. Didn’t really hurt my budget that much. I actually ended up replacing both my headlight covers, so that they would both look new.

But, I am still hunting for that fat guy,
Karen Moore

Bad Boys Better Watch Out

A Gallardo was donated by Lamborghini to celebrate the 152nd anniversary of the Italian police.

No criminal will be able to out run this vehicle. I think even batman will have a hard time escaping from this police car. It houses a V10 engine that has the capacity to record 500 units of horsepower. Its speed tops 192 miles per hour. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a four-second sprint.

The Gallardo is one of the coveted automobiles in Europe. Not only is it fast, it has the aesthetics to make a fat cop look like Justin Timberlake. If I were an Italian, I will be applying to the police academy very soon. Just so I can get a chance to drive this thing. I drive a pickup… And it’s old. I want to complain. But to who?

My personal issues aside, this is a good example of how good cars can be put to great use. Although the possibility of a car crash can garner a very big repair bill. Its Lamborghini people!

Bad guys, forget about car escapes. I suggest you up the gear by getting helicopters… or jets!

Sources: TopSpeed

John T.

Why Go Compact?

Nowadays, fuel price hikes make life harder for drivers. So, we need cars that have good mileage (No, I don’t mean SUV’s).

That’s why compact cars have a chance to make a strong impact within the next years. With technologies being developed here and there, compact cars are no longer disadvantaged. Not like the old times, when the V-Bug was too small to hoist an air conditioning system. Nowadays, these cars are armed with the latest amenities and comforts that are normal to any car. Plus, it has good mileage –nay- great mileage. The only disadvantage I see is space.

Unless it’s for smaller families, the car would be impractical. But it’s a great option for yuppies all over the States. Or any single person. Vehicles like the new bug, the swift, the mini, etc., can be a force to reckon with in the future.

However, experts are doubtful. America has a love affair with big cars – SUVs. They like size. These behemoths consume so much gas to a gallon. It isn’t really helping. So success will be a matter of appeal.

Compact cars are cute, and America is fierce. If manufacturers can market their compacts with a certain swagger that will take America’s attention, then these babies can rule the States. But I don’t know if they have an honest shot at this.

European manufacturers had the same thing in mind when the considered exporting the Smart Car. One of their problems was the market. America is a place where size matters. It’s a status symbol over here.

I guess its time for Americans to make environmental choices.

Haven’t you heard? It’s not the size of the boat, but the motion of the ocean.

Get me?

John T.

The Trans Am

The Trans Am is one of my favorite cars of all time!

The Trans Am is actually a special edition package of the Pontiac Firebird. The Pontiac Firebird was a pony car from General Motors. It began its illustrious career in 1967. It rolled off the factory and immediately demanded attention. Its muscular coke body frame exudes vintage. To top things off, it was armed with one of the most powerful engine America has ever seen, the V8.

During the 1970’s, Pontiac released the Super Duty models. These babies were packed with the king of all LS2 engines. The car made a historic quarter-mile run, accelerating from zero (0) to a hundred and four (104) miles per hour in a span of fourteen seconds.

The Trans Am package came with a host of upgrades; modified bumpers, custom paint as well as a smorgasbord of engine enhancements. More than just eye candy, these cars boasted tremendous amounts of horsepower and torque.

It success took center stage when the Trans Am went Hollywood. It appeared in numerous feature length films, including the smash hit Smokey and the Bandit. The Trans Am was Burt Reynolds’ car (How many can say that??)

The 80’s were a time for change. The oil crisis hit America. And cars were suddenly the most expensive maintenance items in the household budget. This paved the way for the rise of the compacts. It was a great decade for fuel-efficient vehicles. Consequently, the Firebird had to change it repertoire.

The V8 was slowly getting out dated. The engineering team went back to the drawing board to figure out viable solutions. Of course, they had to change the car but they also had to retain a certain image that made the Firebird what it was. The engine was installed with the latest fuel-injects. This allowed for maximum efficiency, but it sacrificed a little bit of speed. So, they altered the exterior to reduce body weight. The Firebird was now aerodynamically designed to maximize its speed capacity.

At first, experts doubted if the new designs would catch on. Eventually, increase in overall revenue erased all doubts. The next generation of firebirds sustained a tradition of excellence. Very few muscle cars were able to make it through the oil crisis. The Firebird is one of them. Although its modern muscle car look makes it look more like a sports car now. But it still stands for power and performance.

In 2002, the car was phased out of production. Small public demand plus consistent decrease in sales led GM to abandon the project. There were rumors that a new Firebird would be released for 2009, but GM quickly confirmed, that it wasn’t going to happen.

Today, the Firebird is known as one of the best muscle cars of America. It lasted for more than 30 years, enduring societal and economic changes in America. Changing exterior, changing interior, changing engines, whatever it took to sustain it success. s

But to me, it will always be Burt Reynolds’ car.

Tips for Buying Pre-owned Vehicles (Part 3)

These are some final reminders, for all those who want to buy a second-hand vehicle.

Is the car still under finance?

If the car is still under a financing program, then you should require the owner to satisfy all outstanding debts. You have to check this, because if it turns out that the car is still under a financing program, it could get repossessed. Leaving you with nothing bought, and nothing left to sell.

Mechanical Check-up

You’ve gone through all the previous tips, now its time to take this car to a mechanic. There will always be damages to the car that one can overlook. But, you can check the following on your own,

1. Check the oil on the dip stick; if it has a mechanic look, then it is a sign of wear and tear.
2. Take out the breather cap while the engine is running. If it exhales a lot of smoke, then this indicates damage in the valve stems. This type of damage will reduce fuel-efficiency.
3. New pedals may indicate that the car has traveled more miles than what the odometer says
4. Finally, scroll thru the service log book. View the vehicle’s repairs and other services. This is a good way to gauge the car’s condition.
5. Examine the vehicle carefully during the test drive (Refer to Part 1)

Negotiating for Price

Like I said before, magazines and websites, more or less, give you an idea of how price fluctuates. Do your homework and come up with a mutual amount for both of you (seller and buyer).

If you are buying from a private seller, don’t be too aggressive. They are selling it privately because they think they can sell it at a higher rate compared to the used car garage. Collate your data about the car’s condition, and make necessary subtractions.

Look for variable offers. The seller can throw in new tires, or new pedals, whatever is workable. Those are good.

Payment and Registration

Now, all you have to do is pay the man. Checks and cards depend on where you’re buying. Some second-hand garages offer financing schemes. Private owners are less likely to accept financing schemes or checks. In either case, make sure the deed of sale is printed and legally affirmed.

Finally, make sure the car is registered under your name.

Now you’re good to go! Just comment if you have any questions.

Dave Collins

Autopartswarehouse.com | Buying Tips for Pre-Owned Vehicles (Part II)

1. Test Drive

When going for a test drive, measure two things (1) comfort and (2) stability. The vehicle shouldn’t be bouncy or feel unstable. If you feel vibrations, this usually indicates that there are damages to the car suspension – worn out shocks or struts. Whenever you corner, try to measure if the car leans too much.

2. Tire Check

Inspect the tires carefully. You will be able to discern if the outer edges look worn out. If so, this may indicate that the wheels are unaligned. In this case, you may request for a price deduction.

3. Suspension Check

Suspension is best measured by how far the car leans whenever it hits a corner. Too much lean indicates an imbalance in the suspension system. Here are some simple steps to measuring a suspension system,

(a) First, inspect the seating levels. Are the front seats higher than the back seats or vice versa?

(b) To check the springs and shocks, simply press down the front and back end of the car. If it recoils more than once, this indicates that some shocks could be worn out.

(c) Finally, if you duck beneath the car, you can catch a glimpse of the suspension. Check if the parts are bathed in oil. This indicates wear and tear damage.

4. Auto Body

Don’t be deceived by flashy paint jobs or mags. Chances are, there will be major damages beneath the hood. Make a thorough inspection of the whole exterior. Check all panels, examine if some areas have been repainted. You can check if the front panels have been replaced or realigned. One way of doing this is to inspect the colors of the adjoining panels, do the colors match? A slight difference in shade can suggest that the part has been replaced or repainted, ask deductions for those.

You can also compare the paint from the interior to the exterior.

More Tips to come, please continue reading tomorrow!

Dave Collins

Tips for picking your Second-hand Car (Part I)

In today’s society, efficiency is not relegated to economics. A lot of our lifestyle choices can affect our savings. It is always good to save every penny we can. That’s why some consumers opt to buy used cars. This is a good option, especially for those under a tight budget. You’d be amazed to find numerous cars, laying around in a garage, cars in great condition.

The first thing you have to consider is your budget. If you’re willing to stake a lot of dollars, then perhaps you can afford to buy a new car fresh off the factory. Think about that. There are many financing plans that can aid your cause. But if you don’t like any of the cars that are within the budget limit, then settle for a used car. It’s a lot cheaper, plus your repairs and customizations can probably increase resale value. All is in your favor.

You can get a used car magazine or simply drop by the sales garage. But it’s better if you skim through the mags, this way you’ll be aware of price fluctuation. Pick a make and a model. Pick many. It’s better to have more options. Then you should research about the vehicle itself – complaints, pros and cons, etc. This can be easily done through the internet.

More to come,
Dave Collins

Autopartswarhouse.com gives you something for Mother’s Day

Yes. It’s that time of the year again.

Like it or not, you have to endure that long travel back home to see mom again. Remember, she endured your annoying days as a child or your confused days as a teenager. In either case, you owe her this visit.

Now that you’ve accepted that reality, it is time for your next step: bring her a gift! No, not that same card you gave her last year. Make it different. My plan is to give a gift to my folks (Not just my mom). They’ll appreciate it more if it’s beneficial to both of them. This year, I plan to go on a radical direction. Last year, I gave them a badminton set – something to keep them busy and exercising. This year I plan to get them car gear.

I checked out Autopartswarehouse.com to view some of my options. Here is my mother’s day gift list (According to preference):


1. Travel Accessories – these will be perfect for their trips. Autopartswarehouse.com has everything from cook books to flashlights! Items which are perfect for out-of-town trips.
2. Garage Stuff – Simple household items will be practical and functional. The site clocks, stools, wall signs, etc. These gifts will be less appreciated but used to an abusive level.
3. Car Care – Not really considering this one. Though Autopartswarehouse.com offers these cool items for a cheap price. I think this will be more beneficial to dad than to mom.
4. Apparel – Yes, the site also offers apparel. The travel gear is actually very nice. The Autopartswarehouse catalog has vests, shirts, overalls and other couture.

Now, I compared the prices from the site to the actual stores. You’d be surprised to find out that the site actually sells products at a lower price (Not all, but MOSTLY). So, I’m taking the remaining days to make my decision. Regardless of what happens, I hope it makes my parents happy.

Advanced happy mother’s day to all mothers,
Karen Moore

Drink and Drive?

Since Dave jumpstarted the first car stories, I would like to share a personal experience.

When I was coming of age, my parents never thought of giving me a car. They thought I was too reckless, too young, and too impulsive. To their credit, they were right.

My friends made an effort to teach me basic driving principles. We would spend long hot summer afternoons practicing in front of the local gas station. I was more than a willing student. No accidents ever occurred. Although I could move the car at a slow pace, I was beginning to gain confidence with my driving.

One night, I took my father’s Chevrolet Citation for a drive. There was a small get-together at my friend’s house. I made my way there. Of course, I exercised all necessary precautions to make the ride safer.

I waited for my folks to fall prey to slumber. Then, I manually pushed the car out the garage. To this day, I cannot find the words to express what I felt when I began driving that car. I think the moment had too much freedom. I rolled the windows down and played Blondie. Yes, it was that type of defining moment.

I finally got to my friend’s house (After making so many wrong turns). I was there. Alcohol was there too. Then came the eternal debate of to-drink-and-drive or to be sober-and-square? Of course, the latter was always the reasonable man’s choice. But then again, I was never known to be reasonable (Ask my friends).

There we were; a small group, drinking and having fun, keeping things real. Eventually, reality told me that it was 3am. I had to make my way home. It was still dark. As I was backing up, I heard disturbing sounds from my car exterior. I extended my head out the window to see, my fenders had hit my friend’s flower pots. I sighed and told myself, they won’t see that.

So I pressed on, driving home alone. No cars were on the road, so it made me feel at ease. I hit a U-turn pike, which was a minute away from my house. As I turned the steering wheel, once again, I heard a screechy sound. It sounded like metal. I was alarmed.

I stopped the car and put it on hazard. I went out to check the exterior. To my surprise, the left side of the front bumper was pulverized. To this day, I cannot find the words to express what I felt when I saw that. It was agony. I tried re-attaching the bumper, but it was just too much. I cut my losses and made my way home.

By the time I woke up, I knew that the judge was waiting at my door.

My father had me pay for the damages. It was not pretty. It was not easy. But I got through it after several months. I never touched that car again.

That was my first experience of drinking and driving. Now “not to drink and drive” maybe a cliché, but there is much truth to that. Nowadays, cars are built with breath analyzers that ensure the driver is alcohol-free. Still, breath analyzers or not, its best to moderate your alcohol intake.

Stay safe,
John T.

Autopartswarehouse.com gives you exhaust efficiency

I used to drive an old Toyota Corona ’83. It was my father’s graduation gift. He bought it at a used car lot. The first time I saw her, she still had a shimmer. It was an old car then, but you knew she would take you places. It was colored red and, although the bumpers were misaligned, she had tremendous potential. But I did not know how to manage cars. I was fresh out of high school, so I ran that car to the ground. It got bumps, dents and all sorts of engine problems. After careful negotiations, my father paid all the repair dues of that vehicle.


I remember having to start the car and witnessing tremendous amounts of smoke funnel through the exhaust. It looked bad. The smoke was thick, to add to that, it produced smoke even if the vehicle was on a stand still. It frustrated me. My father agreed to pay for repairs and that was the first time I was introduced to the exhaust system.

I left my car at the mechanic (Joe’s I think) for a couple of weeks. I went there everyday to check on it.

See, when you step on the accelerator you actually let your engine inhale more air (Common misconception is that the accelerator allows for more gas). The air is coupled with a corresponding amount of fuel. The mix is called combustion. Now, imagine air and fuel being pressurized. This creates a series of explosions that are the source of the car’s power. This creates a lot of smoke. This is where the exhaust comes in.

The exhaust channels the gases away from the combustion manifold. The gases can compromise the combustion process. The exhaust system doesn’t simply lead the gas to the exits. These gases are still harmful to the environment. The exhaust system uses a catalytic converter to neutralize the harmful gases. A catalytic converter simply converts these gases to less harmful fumes.

Today, as most of my friends would attest, I have evolved to become some what of a “greenie” or pro-environment. That’s why I like Honda vehicles, instead of American brands. I try to do my part.

But for you guys, especially those who have older cars, I suggest you get the latest exhaust technologies available. The internet is a wide source of parts. You don’t even have to go to the garage nowadays. Here are some sites you might want to check,

(1) Autopartswarehouse.com - The search engine is usable. Almost all car parts of the known world can be found here!
(2) Partstrain.com – Good too, except some parts still don’t have write-ups. However, pictures and part other data are relevant.
(3) Partsbin.com – Great, especially for OEM replacement parts.

Just browse through them and you’ll see plenty of options and helpful articles.

- Dave Collins