Ways to Extend the Life of Your Car

Buying another car is something that most drivers either want to do or have to do. For those wanting a new car it's usually because they want an upgrade or they fancy a sports car or some other luxury.
But for some drivers they 'have' to buy another car because their old one has given up. It's probably at the stage where it's breaking down far too often to make it worthwhile keeping the car.
But before you get to this stage, you can do certain things to help extend the life of the car.
When You're Not Planning to Drive it for Some Time
If you're planning to store your car for some time then it's obviously best to store the vehicle in a garage.
Assuming the garage has a flat surface (it should do but check) then you could try not using the parking brake. This can help extend the life of parking brake.
Another tip is to fill the fuel tank as it can reduce the chance of condensation.
You can also remove the battery to reduce the chance of it running out of juice.
While You Are Driving
The way you drive your vehicle has a lot to do with how long it will last.
Don't drive like you're in some kind of race. Not only is it dangerous but it also shortens the life of the car.
When turning (especially in a U-turn) try to move the steering wheel back to the center position as soon as it's safe to do so. If you don't then it can wear out the steering mechanism.
When you start the engine try not to rev it up as this can wear down the engine.
Other Tips
If you notice a rust spot then don't ignore it as they can get worse over time and cause the repair costs to increase dramatically.
If you see a small chip in your windscreen then again, don't ignore it. Get your car to a windscreen specialist and they should be able to repair it for a reasonable cost. It will be much cheaper than waiting for the chip to develop into a large crack.
When cleaning your car use good quality wax as this can help the paint job keep in great condition for far longer. If you're parking it outside for a while, especially in bad weather, then apply a second layer of wax.
Check your tyre pressure on a regular basis as this should help extend the life of them. You should also check to make sure the wear on the tyres is even, if it's not then ask a specialist to check the wheel alignment.
And finally make sure you change the oil and oil filters on a regular basis. And make sure you use the recommend oil for your car.

Another option is for when you initially buy your car, as some used car dealers such as this one offers a presales checkup report of the vehicle that can show potential problems.
You can use this report to help make an informed purchase and reduce the chance of buying something that has expensive problems down the road.

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Audi A5: Best of All Worlds

The 2012 Audi A5 incorporates both the style, comfort and power that Audi has become known for. With the new A5, you will enjoy the combination of power, all wheel drive and efficiency since it will still get up to 21 miles per gallon during city driving and up to 31 when driving on the highway for a combined total of up to 25 miles per gallon. Within the A5 lineup, you will find three styles to choose from, each with their own set of standard features as well as optional features. The model you choose will be the one that has all of the features that you cannot live without and some that you can.
Performance
Audi is known for its power and innovative ways to put power and efficiency in the same vehicle. Starting with the patented Audi Quattro drive that provides a specialized type of all wheel drive in most Audi models. Besides the Quattro drive, you will also find Audi's very own 2.0 TFSI motor that provides 211 horsepower to the ever powerful driving machine.
The Audi Valvelift system is another feature only found in Audi vehicles. This feature takes the valve placement and puts the power where it needs to be, when it needs to be there. It takes the air pressure and ensures that air management remains at the optimal level. This feature typically reduces fuel consumption by up to 7%, making it a more efficient and powerful vehicle.
Style, Comfort and Technology
The motor and Quattro drive are both enclosed in a shell of a vehicle that boasts style and comfort throughout all models. While the motor and performance options are standard in all models, the model that you decide will have the style, comfort and technology features that you want.
In the base model of the premium, you will find standard features like the 18 inch wheels with quality all-season tires, the Audi sound system and the tilting glass panoramic sunroof. The audio system is likely the most popular standard feature in the A5 model has up to 180 watts of power with the ability to play music from any kind of music player, from your cellular phone to MP3 players and even CD's and satellite radio. Put all of these features in with the 7-inch touch screen and there is one of the top audio systems in a base model car.
As you move up in the trim levels, you will first go up to the Premium Plus level which will add features like Bluetooth connectivity, HomeLink remote garage opener and xenon headlights with LED running lights. Once you go all the way up to the Prestige model, you will have more features than ever before. Not only will you get the same features as the previous models, you will also get the safety of blind spot notification, where you receive a notification whenever an object is in your blind spot, the Audi navigation system and the smart key system that allows you to lock, unlock and even start your car without taking your keys out of your pocket or your purse.

This article was brought to you by Heather Harless at OriginalWheels.com. For more information on OEM Audi A5 Wheels or any other OEM Rims please visit us at OriginalWheels.com.

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Top Car Myths That Never Get Old

When you hear anything about cars, innovation usually finds its way in the discussion at some point. Or how engineers devised cars from the early 1900's with Model T's to much more interesting creations like hybrid cars, SUVs, heavy-duty trucks and high-performance sports cars... to name a few. Higher gas mileage and slick amenities would soon become the norm rather than the exception and the future tech of automobiles has seemingly just begun.
Yet, with all that innovation and determination to craft the finest automobile along the road, there comes some curious myths and rumors along the way. Some are funny. Others are ridiculous. And there's a select few that just make you scratch your head.
But whatever the case may be, there are plenty of myths to go around and all but confuse drivers on what to really believe. That's why I went ahead and put together this short list of some of the most (in)famous myths out there today.
1. Car auctions give you a better deal: Don't know where this one came about. Maybe it was from watching too much Antique Road Show or being fascinated with late-night ESPN clips of car shows. First of all, those road shows usually imply either one of two things: antique or exotic cars. Not your average car, but something that's won by the highest bidder.
And what about police auctions? Sure you might be getting a good deal on a car, but there's probably no CARFAX report conveniently inside nor do you know what the previous owner did to the car. And that's the main thing to debunk this myth: there's no assurance. None. Zip. Nada. You don't have the luxury of knowing if the car's been in a previous accident, and if you're bidding on a high-end car, chances are it's been restored in the past or the reliability of those old engine parts won't hold up nearly as much as a Certified used car will.
2. Clothes pins can cool off the fuel: Ummm, yeah I don't know where this one came from. Whoever thought it would be legit to "jimmy rig" the fuel line with clothes pins so that their fuel temperature would be under control might've been either really bored or watched too much Discovery Science channel.
3. Premium fuel for everybody!: I'll admit, when I was a teenager I fell for this one because my mother told me so because she had been lied to by someone before that. The very popular myth that premium fuel is vital for the average car is a complete fabrication. Just because a Mercedes or a Maserati run on it doesn't mean your 1979 Geo Prism is going to perform the same from it. Premium gas is for high-performance engines and is just a waste of money for every other regular engine. Next time, consult your vehicle owner's manual.
4. Red cars get pulled over all the time: I borrowed this one from Discovery's website on an article on the same topic and had to include it because it's so strange. And they wouldn't have written about it if there wasn't some hysteria about it previously. Why some drivers feel their red car's being targeted more than others is probably just some excuse they make because they have a lot of speeding tickets. Red, yellow, black, turquoise, teal, lime green... there's no discrimination against the color of your vehicle. Maybe it's just the fact that you have more of lead foot than the next person. Call me crazy.
5. Cold weather means you should warm your car up: I fell victim to this one also because I thought that since my car was a bit older in years that the engine needed that much more time to warm up and work properly. The truth of the matter is every car engine is built to function in the most extreme conditions. Just because it's ten degrees outside and snowing doesn't mean the engine is a frozen shell. Sure, the ignition might seem to click a bit slower than usual, but once it goes, the engine's alive and ready to go. The more time a car spends idling to warm up, the more fuel you're burning unnecessarily.
Many car myths are born because of people tinkering with things that don't need tinkering with. If it worked 1 out of 10 times, then it most likely gets passed down to a friend, who tells their friends and so on. Before you know it, articles like this one are created to defy those myths.

A freelance writer covering many topics in the automotive field including car care tips and tricks, vehicle comparisons and reviews for select models like the Chevy Camaro specs and head-to-head with competitors in its class, etc. He also does consulting for a local KC Camaro dealership.

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Mazda's SKYACTIV Technology - Light Years Ahead of Competition

SKYACTIV is a system based on efficiency: efficient engines, smart transmissions, effortless chassis and streamlined and superior car body technology. And for a company that has recently been hitting the headlines for alarming reasons, Mazda is definitely turning up the heat in auto manufacturing technology. So what exactly is this technology?
Number One in Fuel Efficiency
It's common knowledge that fuel prices are at an all-time high; these days, you can barely cover 40miles per gallon on the road. Mazda is aware of this, and is doing its part in helping car owners save when it comes to gas pump prices. A lot of car manufactures have introduced fuel-efficient sedans and hatchbacks. However, Mazda is blazing the trail with its SKYACTIV technology. It encompasses original body frames, redesigned pistons, all designed to improve the vehicle's fuel use, making it viably competitive when compared to other hybrids. Mazda intends to boost fuel efficiency of all of its vehicles by 30% using SKYACTIV technology, which will see its debut with the Mazda2.
Mazda has a few things lined up in conjunction with this technology:
Use of Lighter Materials to build a lighter body: the SkyActiv body will be built from steel that is both lighter (8%) and stronger (30%). This will subsequently reduce vehicle weight by 14% and allow for a better transmission system.
Use of New Engines: SkyActiv engines will be categorized "SkyActive G" for gas engines and "SkyActive D" for diesel engines. Both having at least 40% power efficiency rating.
An adaptable chassis: this platform will likely form the backbone of everything, from next generation Mazda3 to the very light MX-5, giving the vehicles improved handling capabilities.
SKYACTIV D
This isn't your ordinary diesel engine. Mazda engineers have broken new technological ground in creating the world's lowest diesel-engine compression ratio of 14.0:1, achieving a further weight reduction. There has also been a reduction of piston weight by an amazing 25%, while cylinders are a lighter aluminum instead of the usual cast iron. SKYACTIV D technology not only eliminates critical roadblocks to low compression ratio diesels, but it also does this while realizing 20 percent better fuel economy when compared to current diesel engines in most cars today. As an added bonus, vehicles fitted with this technology will cost about the same price as cars in the current market.
SKYACTIV G
These are Mazda's next generation petrol engines. Using the same principle compression ratio as was used in SKYACTIV D, fuel consumption is set to fall by an astounding 15% to around the same rate a current diesel engine uses. The exhaust system has been redesigned into a '4-2-1′ type, which does a great job at capturing burnt gases, which in the end deals with compression knocking and high temperatures.
Evidently, Mazda has found a niche market thanks to the SKYACTIV technology, putting its range of vehicles one step ahead in the battle of the car companies.

With impressive technology and sleek wheels and center caps you can't go wrong with Mazda's latest and greatest. This article was brought to you by Britteny Bethencourt at http://www.Hubcaps.com

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