Articles and Resources - Naimp.com » Automotive

5 Ways To Use Your Auto Navigation System When Traveling

Naimp — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:37:27 +0000

With the popularity of different auto navigation systems and GPS technology, it is now a major fact that almost everyone knows these. These technologies are common to some handheld special devices, laptops, and even your cellular phones. The wide use of these technologies can be attributed to the many benefits that they can offer for a better living and stress-free everyday life. With these, you can easily keep track of your children, pets, loved ones, and even your car.

The many benefits of these technologies in improving your life have not just proven in tracking all the important persons and things in your life. You can even use these technologies for better travels. Below are some of the ways on how you can use the auto navigation systems and GPS technology during your every travel:

1. Planning your trip. Before you get in your car and start the engine, of course, you need first to know where your destination will be. You may think that the auto navigation systems and GPS technology are just useful during travels. But they are also proven beneficial even while planning your trip. With these technologies, you can have a sneak preview of where you will be going and on what places it is best to stop for sight seeing or just simple break from long driving. You can even plan where to dine in or have shopping on your travel. Having a well-planned trip with the help of these technologies will surely make your long trip not only enjoyable but also hassle-free.

2. Keep track of restaurants, malls, or theatres. While you are in travel, there are some points that you might need to eat some or stop for a while to take rest. Doing these in a mall, theatre, or some restaurant is a great option. By having the auto navigation systems and GPS technology, you can easily find the nearest restaurant, mall, or theatre.

3. Keep track of your children and other family members while on a trip. Usually, family on trip hangs out together when they stop in a mall or restaurant. But with the auto navigation and GPS technology, all of you can have your separate destinations in a certain area. So your kids can go to the archive, you and your spouse can shop for some food, and your elderly can also do their own ways. Don’t worry when your family members roam away from you. You can always keep them on track with the simple use of your cell phone or your laptop.

4. Having an eye for your teens while you’re in travel. One of the common worries of parents while they are on travel is when their teens got off the house and went somewhere else. Of course, you provide independence for your teens but they are still your babies who you would want to look after just to insure their security. With the GPS technology, you can simply know your teen’s whereabouts even if you are in travel. You can even advice them to go home when you tracked them still spending time on the street late in the evening.

5. Keep your important things safe. Not only your children or your parents can have the special tracking devices. Even you important things like laptops and luggage can have this technology. Through this, you will be sure that your things will never be out of your sight. If they will be lost, you can definitely bring them back with your tracking technology easily.

These reasons will surely make you feel the need of having auto navigation systems or GPS technology. Why not? They are very helpful in times of needs and during your travels.

Car Leasing Online – Is Your Dream Car A Few Clicks Away?

Naimp — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 05:04:38 +0000

How many people do you know who have taken out a lease on their latest car rather than the traditional route of purchasing from a dealer or through private sale?

The chances are if you lived in the USA a good number of your family, friends and co-workers would have opted for a ‘car leasing’ arrangement, also known as contract hire. Car leasing has been popular for many years in the States and recently has become a phenomenon in the US motoring industry, now accounting for around one in four cars on the road.

Driving towards a UK car leasing revolution

The UK car market has been slower to act but finally it seems that the benefits are getting through and it looks like we are on the brink of an explosion in demand for leased cars. The growth potential is huge – latest estimates reveal that only around one percent of cars are covered by leasing deals in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

As scores of new car leasing/contract hire companies emerge and compete to gain early market share and establish their customer base, the UK public is being presented with an incredible opportunity to drive a great car for a really superb price.

Car leasing: take the road less traveled

The appeal of car leasing is down largely to the fact that through leasing it is possible to get behind the wheel of your dream car without paying out a fortune.

If you love cars but your aspirations are bigger than your budget, it could make perfect sense to take the less conventional route of leasing. With traditional purchasing, you need a large lump sum and as soon as you buy a new car the dreaded depreciation begins. Within a few years the vehicle’s value has plunged, which can make selling it on a real pain. As a result, drivers often stick with the same car for many years, despite longing for an exciting new drive to rev up their life.

With a leased car, depreciation is the contract hire company’s problem – and you can relax behind the wheel with a stress-free, low maintenance experience. There are many additional benefits to car leasing, which are all contributing to building the early market. Here is a round-up of the key reasons why leasing is often better than buying:

Drive down the payments: The monthly payments with car leasing are usually much lower than with typical car purchase loans
Stay in the fast lane: Keep up with the latest trends in car design and manufacture by moving to new models much more often
Appreciation, not depreciation: Cars can often be leased for less than the cost of the depreciation to a new car, so you can enjoy the fact that you don’t own a declining asset
Throw away disposal costs: At the end of the lease, you just hand the car back, and don’t have to worry about cost and hassle of selling or scrapping
Take control of your money: With leased cars, no large lump sum cash payments are required so your money is not tied-up in one purchase
Be free and easy: There is no need to negotiate with mechanics over repairs, deal with maintenance bills or road tax, as these should be the responsibility of the contract hire company.

Internet is accelerating the car lease market

The internet is proving the ideal environment for the car leasing market to flourish. Just like any other competitive market, contract hire companies are always coming up with special offers and last minute deals and the best place to find them fast is the Web.

It’s true that you may also find car leasing bargains in magazines but the key difference is that online, car leasing deals are far more current – and if you are quick off the mark you can pick up a fantastic car before demand outstrips supply or the deal expires.

Finding the best car leasing deal online

To find out more about car leasing and contract hire companies, or if you have any questions, it always pays to deal with the impartial experts.

Technical Car Advice – How to Change the Shock Absorbers on your Car

Naimp — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 04:44:48 +0000

Worn or damaged shock absorbers are dangerous, have them checked on a regular basis. Worn shock absorbers allow the wheels to bounce and the body to roll and pitch. Tyre wear is accentuated due to the irregular battering encountered and braking efficiency is drastically reduced due to tyre-to-road contact being inadequate.

Here are a few important points to look for:

LOOSE OR DAMAGED MOUNTINGS

Check that the fastenings are firm, rubbers are not missing and that all bolts are tight. The shock absorber will not do its job unless it is fastened correctly.

LEAKING SHOCK ABSORBER

Look for tell-tale smears on the unit. Make sure they come from the body of the shock absorber and have just not been thrown up from the road, sump or transmission.

TEST METHOD

Where a test machine is not available an approximate idea of the condition of the shock absorbers can be obtained by the following method:

Bounce each corner of the car several times, releasing at the bottom of the stroke. Each corner should rebound to the top of its stroke and then settle in the normal position. If it bounces more than this, the shock absorber needs to be replaced.

If the car is difficult or impossible to bounce then the shock absorber has probably seized or has a bent piston rod perhaps due to a faulty mounting bracket. Always use the correct tools for any job, this can never be overstressed. Shock absorber fitment is no different. The following tools will make the fitment much easier:

· Spring Compressor

· Brake hose clamp

· Strut vise clamp

· Torque wrench There are three main types of shock absorbers, namely; the wet strut, the sealed strut and the telescopic.

Refer to the owner’s manual for the type in your vehicle.

1. REPAIRING A WET STRUT

Here are the steps to the follow for wet strut repair.

Step 1. Loosen the piston rod nut and loosen o9ne turn using the correct size socket spanner. Loosen the wheel nuts. Jack up the car and make a match mark on one of the bolts and the rim before you remove the wheel. Use axle stands for safety.

Step 2. Clamp the coil spring with a spring compressor. Clamp the brake hose and remove the spring clip, disconnect the brake hose fittings, do not spill brake fluid, as it is corrosive.

Step 3. Disconnect the steering arm from the strut by removing the bolts. Remove the top three nuts and mark their position. Now, remove the strut together with the brake assembly, by lifting them out.

Step 4. Move to a workbench and remove the old internal parts. Clamp the strut in a strut clamp, compress the coil spring until it moves freely, and remove the piston rod nut. Note the position of the disassembled components so that they can be replaced in the correct sequence.

Step 5. Using the correct size spanner, remove the gland screw, take care as it may have to be re-used. The function of the gland screw is to centralise and clamp the internals. Remove the old internals and check for compatibility against the new insert.

Step 6. Drain the oil and discard it. Clean out the tube and threads with a solvent. Refill the tube with the necessary amount of oil, either SAE 30 or a suitable equivalent. The new insert can be slid into position.

Step 7. Carefully re-fit the gland screw and torque it to the correct specification. Ensure that the new insert is firmly positioned in the tube and make sure that the piston rod is centred with the correct amount of thread exposed. Prime the unit well to get the oil circulating.

Step 8. Align the spring with the seat hollows. Grease the bearings. Tighten the top nut just enough to secure the assembly. The unit can now be installed into the vehicle.

Step 9. Once securely positioned, the top three securing nuts should be tightened to the correct specification. Refit the steering arm to the strut knuckle and tighten the piston rod nut to correct specification. Replace the dust cap.

Step 10. Reconnect the brake hose fitting and replace the spring clip. Refit the wheel, make sure the match marks are aligned. Lower the vehicle and tighten the wheel nuts.

Step 11. Bleed the brake line. It is recommended that the tyre pressure and wheel alignment be checked and the car test-driven. The wet strut repair is now complete.

REPLACING A SEALED STRUT

Here are the steps to follow for front sealed strut replacement:

Step 1. The procedure up to this stage is exactly the same for the sealed strut as it was for the wet so we can go straight onto disconnecting the brake hose. Clamp the hose, remove the spring clip and disconnect the brake hose.

Step 2. Note the position of the adjustment cam by making a notch on the lower bracket. Support the suspension with a jack to prevent it from dropping. Remove the two securing bolts. The sealed strut can now be removed from the steering knuckle and lifted out.

Step 3. On a workbench clamp the strut in a strut clamp and compress the coil spring until it moves freely. Remove the top nut and disassemble the components noting their position. Remove the old strut from the strut clamp and compare it with the new unit. Now place the new unit in the strut clamp.

Step 4. Ensure that the new unit is well primed and carefully replace the components in the correct sequence, checking them for wear or damage. Ensure that the coil spring is aligned with the lower seat hollow. The “out” marked stamped on the upper spring seat must face the outside of the vehicle. Tighten the top nut just enough to secure the assembled strut.

Step 5. Remove the spring compressor, the sealed strut is ready for refitting. Tighten the top three nuts to the correct specification. Refit the steering knuckle to the lower bracket. Apply oil to the bolt threads and insert them from the rear side. Align the adjustment cam on the steering knuckle with the notch previously marked on the lower bracket and tighten the nuts according to specification. Finally, torque the piston rod nut to the manufacturer’s specification and replace the dust cap. Reconnect the brake hose fittings and replace the spring clip. Bleed the brake line and it is recommended that the tyre pressure and wheel alignment be checked and the car test-driven.

2. REPLACING A TELESCOPIC SHOCK ABSORBER

Fitting a telescopic shock absorber is a lot easier than fitting wet or sealed struts. However, there’s always those small but important points to keep in mind. Don’t forget to lubricate the bushings, use a rubber lubricant, not oil. For stud applications, the top mounting should be fully tightened only when the full weight of the car is on wheels.

And remember, don’t overtighten the bushings. When fitting adjustable shock absorbers please follow adjustment instructions on package ( 4 settings). General notes: To remove nuts, use Loctite penetrating oil. Never burn them off. For stubborn nuts use a “nutcracker” and throughout the job, always use the correct tools. Before installing the new unit, make sure it’s the correct one for the vehicle.

Prime the unit before fitting it and check all components before replacing them – if they’re old and worn, they too should be replaced. Don’t grip the piston rod with pliers or place the unit itself in a vise, you’ll damage it.

I hope this articale helps if you need to change or repair the shock absorbers on your car yourself.

Auto Auctioneers – What You May Not Know

Naimp — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 04:21:44 +0000

You can not have auctions to sell vehicles without the auto auctioneers. This is the person who presents the autos to the public and offers to sell them to the highest bidder. There is a lot of work involved in being an auctioneer. Did you know there are auctioneer schools where these people go to train and learn how to do this job? There are different types of schools that teach just the basic of auctioneering or ones that specialize in specific areas of expertise. The classes usually last for a few weeks and normally have only of a few students at any given time.

Auto auctioneers need a variety of skills to be able to perform this task both efficiently and professionally. There is a lot more to the job than standing before the crowd taking bids. Of course, one of the most noted skills is the chant by which the auctioneer uses throughout the bidding process. Done correctly this can be very impressive and is most likely the main thing people think of when the word auction is mentioned. This is something that has to come from within the person. They have to develop this through learning what they are capable of and practicing their own technique. The schools encourage the students to begin at small auctions to help get this type of experience.

There are many behind the scene responsibilities that auto auctioneers must also know how to handle. For instance, it is very important that they have contract writing skills. This is a big part of auctioning off automobiles. If they can not write or understand the contract this could mean a lot of confusion for everyone. They must also have cashier skills and have the ability to keep accurate and up to date records involving every detail of the auction they are participating in. They even need to be good at advertising to help bring in the potential buyers. Being an auto auctioneer is an important, all-encompassing job.

Car Liquidation – What It Can Mean For You

Naimp — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 04:20:25 +0000

There are two types of car liquidation: voluntary and compulsory. A voluntary liquidation is when a car dealership agrees to have their cars sold at a liquidation auction. There are several reasons why a voluntary car liquidation auction would take place. For one, if a business is struggling they may choose to auction off their merchandise early enough that they will be able to pay their debts before things get out of hand. An individual that owes for a vehicle may find themselves in a situation where they will not be able to finish paying for the car. In this case they may choose to voluntarily have their car sold at an auction in hopes of selling it for enough to pay off the loan.

A compulsory liquidation is when a business or individual is forced to participate in this auction. This type of car liquidation is usually court ordered, which means that they have no choice but to participate. For example, if a car dealership went out of business or filed for bankruptcy, then the cars would be liquidated and sold at an auction. Vehicles that are impounded or retrieved from criminals such as drug dealers are sold at car liquidation auctions.

What does a car liquidation auction mean for you? Why would it be beneficial to know when these auctions are taking place? The majority of these cars are in good running condition. Many of them have great warranties and they are being sold for a low price, which means great savings for anyone in the market for a new or used car. It would be easy for you to check the history of any of these cars that you have an interested in. All you need to do is have the VIN number to receive the history through Car Fax. Then you will have all the information you need to make a good decision about the car you want to buy. Basically, it means that you can get a good, dependable car at a really cheap price.

Car Bidding – What Should You Know?

Naimp — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 04:19:58 +0000

Car bidding seems like a great idea for everyone involved. Banks have an opportunity to resale a vehicle that has been repossessed to make back some of the money that is still owed on the automobile. These vehicles are normally sold at very low prices therefore; it is almost a sure thing that each one will be sold at the auctions. Buyers have the opportunity to find a good dependable car at extra low prices.

This certainly seems like the perfect solution for banks to handle vehicles that have been repossessed and for anyone needing a new automobile. However, there are a few facts that you should know before you take that step and begin car bidding. For example, one of the first things that you need to know is all the details of the sell. Always read the fine print in the contact and look for any hidden fees that you may be surprised with later before making the purchase final. Find out if there are any warranties left on the car and if so, exactly what they detail.

When you go car bidding you need to remember that these vehicles have been repossessed from their previous owners. You have no idea how well these automobiles have been taken care of. Has the car been serviced regularly or has it been the victim of abuse and neglect? Just because the outside may be very attractive and seem like the perfect car you still have to remember that it’s the condition of the motor, transmission and other vital parts that’s really important.

All vehicles sold at auctions come from many different places. Just because one car may be in excellent condition does not mean that the next one up for car bidding will be as good. What this means is that you need to know the condition of the vehicle before you begin bidding. You need information that includes the history of the car such as, has it ever been in an accident and if so how severe? What is the shape of the interior? Is it clean and in good condition or dirty with rips, tears or cracks in the dashboard? The bottom line is the more informed you are, the better the outcome will be for you.

Car Insurance Auction, Should You Buy From One?

Naimp — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 04:19:00 +0000

Are you thinking of buying from a car insurance auction? Do you know that there are different insurance companies that have auto auctions and if you are looking to get a new car for yourself or if you just enjoy collecting cars or buying at good deals to resale, you can find what you need and want from a car insurance auction? These auctions are typically held by car insurance companies that are stuck with automobiles that their insurance policy holders have claimed as totaled and not worth the repair. The insurance company gives the policy holder a payoff and they then take the car and attempt to auction it and make some of their money back.

There are different types of car insurance auctions. For example, insurance companies often auction off totaled vehicles. As you can understand, they want to get as much as possible from their auctions so they can recoup some of their losses from a totaled vehicle. But what kinds of people want to buy these totaled vehicles? If someone owns an auto repair or body shop, they might want it for parts or if you are a collector that enjoys cars or enjoys fixing up cars, you might want to get a great deal at a car insurance auction.

When deciding whether or not you should buy from a car insurance auction, you need to consider what type of insurance auction it is, how much you know about cars, what you are purchasing the car for, etc. Take all of these factors into consideration so that you do not get a car that you can not use and end up with wasted money. Insurance auctions are typically best for people that are in the automobile industry or know something about cars. These cars are almost always sold “as is” although there may be partial extended warranties included in some cases. Just make sure you read all the fine print and fully understand how the insurance auction process works.

Auction Car Prices, How High Should You Bid?

Naimp — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 04:16:50 +0000

When buying a car from auction, how do you know how to set your auction car prices and how high to set your limit? Do you know the car auction price and what fees will be involved? Do you know how to determine what the car is worth to help you set your price? Before you set out to participate in an auto auction, you should take the time to be sure you know how the auction process works and what you will want to expect. Also be sure you have enough money in your account before going to place your bids. Even if you plan to write a check, most auction houses will do a direct debit with your check to be sure the funds are available.

You also need to keep in mind that auction car prices are not the final price you will pay. There are auction fees usually of somewhere around 5% although it can be higher so be sure you find this out before bidding. What are some other things that you need to do to ensure you are successful with your car buying venture? Well, you might want to check out CarFax and sign up for their services since while at the auction you may want to run the VIN of several different vehicles. This will let you get a complete report and history of the car and what it has been through.

Auction car prices can vary quite a bit. It’s really a case of every man for himself where the winner is whoever is willing to pay the most for it. If someone else really wants the car more than you, the bids could skyrocket. In fact, there is some times where bids are placed for more than the car is even worth simply because someone wants it very badly. Don’t make the mistake and overbid simply because you get caught up in the moment. If you make a decision about your limit, be sure you stick with it when you are out there bidding on automobiles.

Auction for Cars, How to Participate in One

Naimp — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 04:14:51 +0000

Are you thinking of buying a new car? Did you know that there are many different places where you can purchase a car for less? You might want to look for an auction for cars or truck sales so you can get one for less. Before you can learn how to participate in auto auctions, you need to understand exactly what an auction is. The official definition is: “A public sale in which property or items of merchandise are sold to the highest bidder.” When there is an automobile auction, it is the same thing. When you purchase a car from an auction, you are competing against other people who also want the car and the winner is the one who is willing to pay the most and place the highest bid.

So just where can you find a car auction if you are looking to participate and try to find a good deal on a new automobile? There are many different opportunities to find an auction for cars. There are likely many in your area; you simply need to know where to look for them. There are also government and police auctions as well as military auctions. You can find liquidation sales and auctions in many locations as well. There are internet websites that will allow you to sign up to become a member and be notified of new auctions when they are available to you. This is a fantastic way to stay on top of the news and what is happening with auto auctions near you.

When shopping at auction for cars, there are two things you are going to want to be sure you do. One is to purchase an extended warranty. You never know what type of unknown problems may occur with the vehicle after you have purchased it so the warranty is a great way to protect yourself. The next thing you will want to do is run a CarFax report so you can see the history of the car and everything it has been through.

Buy Car Online With No Regrets

Naimp — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 09:38:17 +0000

So you’re looking to buy a car online? Whether the car you want is new, used or leased, we have a few tips we’d like to share so that you’ll never regret the car you buy or lease, the price you pay for it, the financing you get or anything else about it.

You’ve wound up with a car—or maybe several—that you paid too much for or wish you hadn’t bought or leased in the past. How did it happen?

This is the key question for you to answer if you don’t want to regret the next car you buy or lease. We can tell you how to not get scammed, how to negotiate and how to find the right car, but only you know why you regret past car purchases. And only you can make sure that it doesn’t happen again.

The first step in to buy a car online you’ll never regret buying, at a price you’ll always feel good about it, is to determine why you bought the wrong car before or why you paid too much for the right one. You need to decide where you went wrong.

Many people who regret a car they’ve bought or leased went into a showroom telling themselves they were just looking. An hour or two later, they were driving home in a new car. Salesmen are trained to not accept this just-looking comment. They know that almost every person who visits a dealership will buy a car within 72 hours, from one of four dealers. No matter what you say, want or need, they’re determined to be the one who sells you something.

Salesmen know that almost any new car is better than whatever you drove to the showroom in, so they’re eager to get you out on the road in something brand new. It’s hard to pass up the new-car smell, the shiny clean-ness of the car they take you out in and all the options that have come along since the last time you looked at cars.

What’s your story? Why do you regret a car you bought or leased in the past? Please spend some time on this. You can’t avoid the mistakes of the past unless you know what they were and how you’ll avoid them in the future. We’ll show you how to save money on every car you buy or lease from now on, but if you don’t figure out how to avoid what you’ve done wrong in the past, this book won’t help you as much as it could.

What’s your story, and what are you going to do to buy or lease your next car with no regrets? Only you know that. And as you work this out, please remember that:

1) the great deal dealers are willing to give probably won’t wind up being so great

2) if you live below your means, rather than at them or above them, you’ll have a lot less regrets

3) more people are trading in their used vehicles for new cars, leaving the used-car market with a glut of quality vehicles. Used vehicles are often the best values you’ll find in the automotive market. We’re not going to push them, but is there a (valid) reason you’re not considering them?

You’re looking to buy a car online or used car we sure hope this helps you find a good one for you that you’ll never regret.