Car Audio Blog

It’s obvious that used cars will be cheaper than buying a brand new one. When age, mileage and condition are taken into account, some used cars can be purchased for as much as seventy percent lower than the original new price for the vehicle. Buying a used car can save you money while still providing you with a great run around.

Buying used cars is a simple procedure nowadays, especially with the advent of the internet. Using an internet search engine, you can just type in the words “used car” along with any other info you require such as the area or region, and it will bring up hundreds of results for you. As well as this though, there are still the traditional methods of locating one, such as newspaper and magazine ads.

Some people worry about buying used cars, especially via private sales. It would be a good idea to check the car out before buying it. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, or are mechanically challenged, get the car over to a friend that knows about these things or a mechanic. They can then check the car over for you to make sure all is in working order. Another good point is to take the car out to test drive it, this way you will get a feel for it while making sure there are no obvious issues.

There will also be some other things that have to be considered before making a commitment to buy the car. You should check out the make and model of the car and research online whether spare parts are readily available for that make of car. Knowing the fuel consumption is also a good idea as it is better to buy a car with lower fuel consumption per mile. Find out all about the cars service history and whether any repairs have ever had to be carried out on it. Knowing if parts have been replaced on the car is always a great idea.

For outstanding used cars, or a great used toyota or used Peugeot would it not be superb to drive a new used car?

Technorati Tags: automobiles, cars, second hand cars, used cars, Vehicles

Your car’s alternator won’t last forever. Neither will your catalytic converter. Actually, your fuel injectors, ignition switch, and muffler can fail as well. Every auto part under your vehicle’s hood can unexpectedly expire and need to be replaced.

If you take your car to the dealership, they’ll use Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. Conversely, the mechanic at your local garage is most likely going to use aftermarket alternatives. Which is better?

Claiming one choice is always better than the other is overly-simplistic; it ignores subtle pros and cons of each. Below, we’ll compare the advantages of investing in OEM parts versus buying their aftermarket equivalents.

The Advantages Of Aftermarket

Aftermarket components and systems are less expensive than their OEM counterparts. However, the percentage you’ll save will vary by the item your vehicle needs. Be cautious. A lot of aftermarket units seem low-priced, but hide defects that can leave you stranded at the side of the road.

Another advantage is that the quality can be just as high as Original Equipment Manufacturer Systems. The reason is because the automaker is often forced to offset the performance of the component with other factors. For example, consider anti-lock braking systems. The manufacturer has to make sure the pads don’t squeal; otherwise, customers will complain. The problem is, ensuring the brake pads are silent requires accepting a mild loss in performance (to that end, high-performance brakes are often noisy).

Yet another advantage of buying after-market components is that they’re widely available. Mechanics can easily obtain any replacement part your vehicle needs. In fact, they’ll often have them in stock.

The Advantages Of OEM

OEM parts also offer significant advantages. First, you’ll always know what to expect from them. They are nearly identical to the systems that were installed within your vehicle at the time it rolled off the factory floor.

Second, you won’t need to examine a given component in order to spot defects. Original Equipment Manufacturer parts are designed to be seamless replacements and possess a consistent level of quality. That means there is no reason to be concerned with compatibility and performance issues.

Third, they’re typically supported by a one-year warranty. For example, if you have your alternator replaced and it malfunctions within the first year, the automaker will replace it with another OEM alternator without cost. The experience might not be the same if the alternator were an aftermarket unit.

Which Is The Most Appropriate Choice?

There are a few reliable rules of thumb to follow. First, if you’re replacing anything on your car’s frame (for example, a body panel), you should opt for Original Equipment Manufacturer replacements. Second, if you’re leasing your vehicle, you should also choose OEM parts. Otherwise, you’re likely to lose your deposit when you return the car. Third, for key components (like an alternator or fuel pump), OEM is always a better choice.

On the other hand, if you’re willing to take a risk (and the risk can be substantial) in order to save a few dollars, aftermarket parts may be a good investment.

Technorati Tags: automobiles, Car Maintenance, car repair, Car tips, cars, Vehicles

Transmissions are one of the most complex Systems under the hood. In fact, that’s the reason many auto repair garages will refuse to work on them. Some might perform minor repairs, but will refer you to a transmission shop for anything more extensive. There are a lot of parts involved in making sure that the system runs smoothly and mechanics are loathe to cause bigger problems.

This level of complexity often makes transmissions one of the least understood components to drivers. Adding to the confusion, they’re designed differently. Some are designed for front wheel drive while others are designed for rear wheel drive. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the differences. I’ll tell you all about your transmission’s job and help you understand the pros and cons associated with RWD and FWD.

Understanding Its Job

Your car’s engine generates power through its 4-stroke combustion process. That power must be delivered to your drive wheels in order to turn them. Also, it’s worth noting that your engine has a range of RPMs in which it operates at maximum efficiency. Your transmission has two jobs. First, it needs to deliver the power generated by the engine to the drive wheels. Second, it needs to perform this task while keeping your engine operating within its optimal range of RPMs.

It accomplishes this through several gears. In low gears, the engine must turn more quickly in order to power the wheels. In higher gears, it doesn’t have to work as hard. The transmission helps the engine advance from first gear to higher gears while keeping your car moving at higher speeds.

RWD Versus FWD

If your vehicle operates on a rear wheel drive configuration, the transmission will be positioned on the back portion of your engine. A drive shaft will connect it to the rear axle. As your engine generates power and turns the crankshaft, that power is transferred though the transmission to the drive shaft and ultimately, to the rear axle. The rear axle spins, which causes your tires to rotate.

While the concept behind the power flow is similar, a front wheel drive car works a little differently. The transmission is still located near the engine. With the final drive, it forms a transaxle. A front axle connects to the transaxle, which in turn delivers power to rotate the front tires.

To keep the explanation simple, I’ve ignored the torque converter. In reality, power travels from the engine through the torque converter into the transmission. The other components work as described.

Is One Better Than The Other?

Most modern vehicles are designed with front wheel drive. An FWD weighs less, costs less to manufacture, and usually delivers higher fuel efficiency. On the other hand, an RWD distributes the weight more evenly across a car’s frame, which improves braking ability. Plus, because the design is less crowded than an FWD, it’s easier to service without taking everything apart. In the end, when choosing between RWD and FWD, consider your driving needs and the factors on which you place a high priority.

Technorati Tags: automobiles, Car Maintenance, car repair, car transmissions, cars, transmission, Vehicles