Auto Parts Information From The Expert 

Ever Heard of A Carputer?

Well, it is a computer installed inside a car. These are for the technology inclined car enthusiasts. Desktops or computers are actually added into the auto itself. For people who have these, they actually do enjoy working out the details into combining the computer’s hardware with the vehicle’s installed systems.

Yes, these carputers could not necessarily match all the true-blue accessories and equipment that are really destined for cars. They are an added accessory or technology that would add to the fascination of a car lover if the accessories and auto parts from Auto Parts Inner and other auto parts stores are not enough.

What do carputers do?

Well, basically, here are some that these carputers are capable of doing:

* Play music.
* Play videos.
* Provide tracking like GPS.
* Could receive and use satellite radio.
* Ease operation through touchscreen display.

Those are just the basics. Think about what more they could do. Maybe give you the option of which streets are not jammed with traffic. Or maybe even change your car’s exterior color, if you choose to do so. Hmmm… Perhaps the last part would have to be worked on still.

How Not To Resell Your Car

Thinking about reselling your car sometime in the future so as to get a new one? Well, here are some things that you should NOT do from CNN.com.

1. Throw away your maintenance records. For sure, there would be customers for a car that does not even have a record of the maintenance it had gone through. The thing is, records show just how much you took care of your vehicle.

2. Pick a wild color. Try painting your car with a variety of psychedelic colors. Only a few would want to touch your car.

3. Get unpopular options. Go for those vehicle models that most people do not even recognize.

4. Eat and go. Make your car your dining room. And do not forget to leave crumbs and also do not forget to spill some of your soda on your car’s interior.

5. Personalize permanently. Yes, put your name or your code name on the side of your car or on your trunk lid. That way, no one is going to buy a car with a big ‘Fred’ emblazoned on it. Unless your buyer’s name is also Fred and he would like to advertise that he owns that car.

6. Let the interior go. Do not clean your interior. Make it stink. And make it feel sticky.

7. Pump up the volume. Carve away! Replace all sound system parts and your speakers for new ones. And make sure that you destroy the original settings of your car stereos.

8. Mix and match tires. For more fun and uniqueness, try putting a new set of tires. And make sure that every one of these do not match.

9. Ignore those door dings. Do not try to fix any scratches. It does not matter, right? You do not want to resell your car.

10. Choose poorly from the start. Just buy any car as long as you like it. It does not matter if it will still be able to have a resale value in the future.

So now that you know the don’ts if you are planning on reselling your car, try checking out the dos. There are a lot of information regarding how to keep your car’s value intact. And yes, replacement parts and accessories at are of high quality would help a lot. Try checking Auto Parts Inner for these.

When You Close Your Door, You Can Open a Window

If at times you feel congested and boxed-in inside your car, there is always your option of opening one of your car’s windows. Of course, these windows were not just mounted there for design, lighting, or for you to see the view. These windows could also be your breather just in case you feel like driving and being one with nature.

There are simply those times when you feel like driving down the countryside with your window down. You love the feel of the wind on your face and tangling up your hair. It just gives you that carefree feel that does not happen often in your everyday driving.

There are some very interesting features about your vehicle’s windows. Here are some that I have found at HowStuffWorks.com.

The Automatic Up/Down. This is for power windows. With just a tap, you can have your windows go up or down, whatever your choice may be.

Window Control From Outside. This feature is actually controlled by the driver’s door module which monitors a switch in the door lock. Windows are lowered just by inserting the key in the driver’s door, turning it and then holding it.

Courtesy Power On. This is good for those times when you simply have forgotten to roll down your windows and you have already locked the door. This feature is good for those people who may have some window-amnesia.

These are just a few of the features that windows hold. If by any chance, you are interested in locating some windows with these kinds of power, you may want to check out websites. Come the time that it is auto parts or automotive articles that you are looking for, Auto Parts Inner could actually lend you a hand. With their informative site, you can also learn about the various automotive systems that comprises your vehicle.

The Early Birds

My Volkswagen needed a new fuel tank, a couple of fog lights, a new set of wheels, and some other replacement parts. I went on browsing through several auto parts stores like Auto Parts Inner for these items.

While doing that, I was got to reminisce, remembering the time my VW was still brand new. It was one of the newest models that time. Well, something sparked up in my mind and made me try locating what would be the new additions to the automobile world.

Even if we haven't yet left the first quarter of the new year, there already are some vehicles for the model year 1997 that are waiting to be sold this year. Here are some models for the sport utility vehicles category.

 2007 Acura RDX (premium midsize SUV) – this vehicle combines sport-utility versatility with sport-sedan handling. This vehicle claims to enhance traction in the snow and handling on dry pavement.

 2007 Cadillac Escalade (premium large SUV) – this vehicle shares its chassis with the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe. This also is Cadillac’s largest SUV to date. It has a unique exterior styling along with an upgraded interior.

 2007 GMC Yukon XL (large SUV) – this vehicle offers a smoother styling on a longer wheelbase along with an upgraded interior, a stronger body and frame and a full-length curtain side airbags.

 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe (compact SUV) – this is a redesigned vehicle and a second-generation SUV. It comes with the standard curtain airbags, side airbags, stability control, antilock brakes, and traction control.

 2007 Jeep Compass (compact SUV) – this vehicle attempts to reach out to customers who would not normally consider a Jeep. It has standard 17-inch wheels along with other unique options.

 2007 Mazda CX-7 (midsize SUV) – this vehicle uses the Mazda 6 platform. It has the capacity to take in five people.

 2007 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S (premium midsize SUV) – this vehicle uses twin turbo chargers so as to boost its 4.5 liter V8 engine.

 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line (compact SUV) – this vehicle features engine shut offs during stoplights so as to conserve fuel. It also holds an electric motor that provides modest assistance under acceleration.

 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser (midsize SUV) – this vehicle is Toyota’s newest midsize SUV. It has a maximum seating capacity of five people.

As per cars, here are some of the latest additions that will be on sale and on the streets soon enough:

 2007 Audi S6 (premium midsize car) – this vehicle sports the “S” badge for the company believes that this designates performance.

 2007 Chevrolet Aveo Sedan (compact car) – this redesigned vehicle comes 3 inches longer as well as 1.6 inches wider than its predecessor.

 2007 Dodge Caliber (compact car) – this vehicle replaces the Dodge Neon. It comes as a wagon sporting four doors and an all-wheel drive.

 2007 Honda Fit (compact car) – this entry-level compact car sports four doors. It comes standard with anti-lock brakes, front side airbags and head-protecting curtain side airbags.

 2007 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder (sporty/performance car) – this is a roadster made for open air driving. It features an automatic top-down soft top with a heated rear glass window.

 2007 Nissan Versa (compact car) – this vehicle holds a wheelbase 2.6 inches longer than the Nissan Sentra. This has been crafted as a hatchback on wheels fifteen inches in size.

 2007 Saturn Sky (sporty/performance car) – this is a roadster with two seats. It shares the same chassis with the Pontiac Solstice.

 2007 Toyota Camry (midsize car) – this is a 6th generation vehicle. It boasts a new styling, more features and a hybrid model in its lineup.

Here Comes the Airbag

Wham! It was a collision. A crash. Thanks to your seatbelt for being there to strap you back to your seat. But here comes the airbag so as to protect you from going through the windshield. Good thing you have one, or your vehicle has one. The airbag mostly is a flexible membrane or envelope that is inflatable to contain air or some other gas. They are mostly used for cushioning.

What is good about air bags is that it is very good when cushioning a sudden blow due to collisions. Trivia for you: the first patent on an inflatable crash-landing device for airplanes was filed during World War II. And come 1998, all new cars have been required to have air bags on the driver and the passenger sides. And yes, statistics have shown that air bags greatly reduce the risk of dying in a direct frontal crash.

What the air bag does for you is to slow the passenger’s speed to zero with little or no damage during such accidents. It is made up of three parts so as to accomplish its role. It consists of the bag itself which is made of a thin, nylon fabric; the sensor which is the device that informs the bag to inflate; and lastly, the inflation system which is responsible for the production of the gas that is used to inflate the bag.

It would be very wise to go check your vehicle for any wore down parts so much so that it could be the very reason for any collisions or crashes you may be in. Checking up on your vehicle parts would be a very good thing to do. If there are some auto parts that need to be replaced, Auto Parts Inner is ready to lend you a hand for it contains auto parts for different vehicles like BMW parts, Toyota parts, Mazda parts and more.

It would be better to be safe than sorry.

Make Your Car Different

So far, you have seen many vehicles roaming around the city and the highway that looks exactly just like your vehicle. Of course, you could not possibly ward off people from buying that very same car as yours.

I’ve been looking at several sites like Auto Parts Inner that offer auto parts and accessories. It amazed me to find out that there are many different types of accessories that also serve different purposes for your vehicle and you. There are those accessories that provides enhancement in vehicles’ aerodynamics, wheels, and performance.

Here is a list of some car accessories that I’ve seen over the Net:

* Electro-luminescent Gauge Faces and EL Dancing Flame Gauges – these light up along with your vehicles’ music and movement.
* Car covers – they come with options like “breathable” ones, and a variety of fabrics and the like claiming to allow good air circulation under it.
* Bug deflector – claims to protect the hood from everyday road damage
* Car bra – give the vehicle’s body a hugging, sleek, contoured fit that will cover and protect its finish.
* Door guards – prevents chips, dents, dings, and scratches on doors
* Cargo liners – for SUVs or wagons; also for people who are traveling with dogs or other pets for that matter
* Dash mats
* Floor mats
* Garage floor mats – catches drops of mud, slush, and grime that falls off the vehicle
* Headlight covers – protects and helps prevent expensive damage to head lights
* Leather gloves – this is for drivers, of course.
* Mirrors – designed to eliminate dangerous blind spots
* Parking mats
* Pet barriers – strong and secure, yet pet-friendly
* Roof and luggage carriers – provides an economical way to expand cargo capacity
* Seat covers
* Shift boots
* Side window deflectors
* Steering wheel covers – keeps the steering wheel warm in winter and cool during summer
* Sun and heat shields – helps reduce interior temperature thus protecting it as well
* Tail light covers
* Trunk organizers
* Wall guards – protects car doors and the garage wall as well

If Cars Could Communicate with Each Other, What Would They Be Talking About?

Safety! That’s the answer to the question. And that’s what Jeremy W. Peters, The New York Times writer for the Automobiles section, has discovered when he witnessed how the V2V technology that is being developed by General Motors work. General Motors unveiled the technology way back in October last year, but Peters’ report gave us an actual account on how the V2V really works.

The term V2V stands for vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology. It is a technology being developed by General Motors that makes use of—in a bit simplified terms—an antenna, a computer chip and the Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to allow vehicles to communicate digitally. Currently, the technology is being developed exclusively for GM vehicles. This is because the technology makes use of GM’s OnStar system for the GPS information and the Stabilitrak technology for all other vehicle information needed by V2V. GM, however, expressed its willingness to work with rival auto manufacturers and other interested agencies so that the technology may work on non-GM vehicles as well.

So how does V2V work? Using the information from the OnStar and Stabilitrak technology and with the aid of the system’s antenna and computer chip, vehicles equipped with V2V can detect the position and movement of similarly equipped vehicles in a distance of up to a quarter-mile. Based on this detection, the system can warn the driver of possible collisions and other dangers. Here are a few examples on how the V2V system can help vehicle drivers avoid collisions and road accidents:

*A yellow or amber warning light would flash on the right side mirror if another vehicle on your vehicle’s blind spot is detected. If the driver of the vehicle on the blind spot decides to turn and activates his turn signals, flashing amber light and a gentle seat vibration on the side would warn you of a potentially dangerous situation.

*If a vehicle in front of yours is stopped or is moving slowly, the V2V technology would instantly warn you of a potential danger through visual icons and seat vibrations. Should you fail to stop or if the system senses the danger of a rear-end collision, it would instantly activate the brakes to put your vehicle to a halt.

All of these, however, are but a preview of a technology that is still under development stage. According to GM, the technology would probably be used on GM vehicles for about 5 to 10 years from now.

So while the technology is not yet being fully utilized, it is important that we first take those traditional steps in making our vehicle safer to drive. One way is by replacing damaged auto lights like headlights, corner lights, tail lights and other warning lights. And as to where you can find these high quality replacement vehicle lights and other vehicle components, I would recommend Auto Parts Inner — the most complete online source for all your vehicle needs.

Driving while Drowsy: A no no

Are you the type who easily feels sleepy while driving? Well better be careful because drowsy driving can be as dangerous as driving while drunk. Like alcohol, sleepiness decreases awareness, slows reaction time, impairs judgment and thus the risk of having a fatal car crash is high.

Majority of drivers don’t seem to pay much attention to this issue, while truth is that, this must be taken into serious consideration. In fact, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported estimates of approximately 100,000 police-reported crashes annually (about 1.5 percent of all crashes) that involve drowsiness or fatigue as a major causal factor. That’s roughly 71,000 people injured in fall-asleep crashes each year. NHTSA also estimates that these crashes represent $12.5 billion in monetary losses each year. Imagine the immense economic costs!

Those most at risk at sleeping while driving are young adults (16-24), commercial truck drivers and shift workers. Since young adults are usually the ones with busy social life, tends to stay late for gimmicks and watching TV and also due to school requirements, they are more at risk than others. Fall-sleep crash is also a big threat to commercial truck drivers since they usually drive alone at night for long distances. Sleep deprivation which is typical for shift workers also put them to the same risk since they do not have a regular sleeping pattern. So to be a safer driver, we must be aware of our own biological clock. What times of day do we feel most alert? What times do we feel most drowsy? Being aware of our own personal cycle, we will be more cautious when we're likely to be feeling sleepy.

I knew some friends that fell asleep behind the wheels, some are lucky enough to arrive at their destinations safe and sound but unfortunately, many met accidents due to this, and worst some even lost their lives. This and the fact that I still want to experience many years in driving my Mazda Protege made me more cautious when I’m on the road. We might be the most cautious driver but sleepiness is not much of our control, so need I say reckless driving is just as risky as drowsy driving?
Since I usually drive at night I pay special attention to the lights in my car. I immediately had my defective Mazda headlights and Mazda tail lights replaced from Auto Parts Inner, to ensure that I get better visibility while driving at night.

So if you want to arrive home safely, just always remember that sleeping and driving don’t mix. It is better to pay close attention to early signs of a possible road mishap. This may already be a cliché, but really, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Understanding Your Cooling System

When we drive down the freeway, we were probably not aware that the heat being dissipated by our vehicle is enough to heat two average-sized houses! It is in this regard that the the cooling system plays an important role, by keeping the engine from overheating.

The cooling system is required to prevent the internal engine parts from melting from the heat of the burning fuel, thus literally keeping the engine from turning into a melted steel. Another important function of the cooling system is to allow the engine heat up as quickly as possible, and to keep the engine at a constant speed. Imagine having a less efficient engine that also emits pollution due to cooling system problems.



To better understand how the cooling system works, let us take a closer look at its main components:

• Radiator - Cools off the anti-freeze/coolant mixture by allowing air passing through the tube/fin area to dissipate the heat generated by the engine.

• Water pump - Draws the cooled anti-freeze from the radiator and pumps it through the engine block, cylinder head(s), heater core and back to the radiator.

• Freeze plugs - Is actually a steel plug designed to seal holes in the engine block and cylinder head(s) created from the casting process. In freezing weather they may push out if there is not enough anti-freeze protection.

• Heater core - Provides heat to the interior of the car by using heat removed from the antifreeze and blown in by the blower motor. May cause steam, odor or actual dripping inside the car when it leaks.

• Head gasket - Seals the major parts of the engine. Prevents oil, anti-freeze and cylinder pressure from mixing together.

• Thermostat - Controls the minimum operating temperature of the engine. The thermostat is closed when the engine is cold in order to speed warm-up and opens when normal operating temperature is reached to allow the anti-freeze / coolant to pass through the radiator.

• Hoses - (Radiator, Heater, By-pass): Connect the other main components of the cooling system.

• Fan clutch - temperature of the air coming through the radiator and either slips or binds up to pull the required amount of air through the radiator.

• Electric cooling fan - It is turned on by a system of sensors and relays when the engine reaches about 230° F and stays on until R is cooled to about 200° F.


Just as we properly maintain our electrical system, exhaust system, and other automotive systems, it is also beneficial for us to ensure that our cooling system is functioning well. Auto Parts Inner provides us not just important information on the various components that comprises our autos but also a wide array of high qualit auto parts. Having a dependable car and sufficient knowledge to its components definitely ensures a safe and fun driving experience.

Preventing Problems with your Electrical System

For some, (including me) the electrical system can be the most frustrating system to diagnose. If you cringe at the sight of OBD systems, test probes and ohm meters, then you probably need a good manual to help you through the dilemma of electrical problem solving.

Overview:

A typical automotive electrical system is composed of an energy storage device (battery), a means to replenish electrical energy (generator or alternator), and a conduit through which electrical energy may flow (wiring).



Automotive systems use conductive wires to supply electrical energy. However, since electrical energy must follow a closed loop, provision is made for the area of lowest electrical potential to act as a conduit as well. This part of any electrical circuit is called the "ground" and uses the car's metallic body structure to permit electron flow back to the battery.

Having sufficient knowledge about your car electrical system is essential to ensure safe driving. We wouldn’t want to risk our lives and that of our passengers due to lack of adequate information on this. Auto Parts Information provides helpful guides on the various automotive systems.
Here are some tips to prevent electrical system failure:

• Replace your battery every 4 years as a safety measure. It will save a lot of headaches down the road.

• If your battery is not a sealed unit, check fluid levels in each cell. Only fill with distilled water and be careful around the acid which is in the battery.

• Check your alternator belt frequently for cracks and tension. Replace per your cars manufacturers recommendations.

• Clean your battery connections at least once a year. Once you reattach the terminals, coat with a layer of heavy grease or special purpose grease sold at parts stores. This layer will block the air from reacting with the connectors and creating corrosion.

We should see to it that parts of our vehicle’s lighting system are also properly maintained. I immediately had my defective BMW headlights replaced from Auto Parts Inner. The site not just provide reliable auto parts like Volvo parts, Toyota parts and Pontiac parts, but is also a great source of car care information. Troubleshooting our car’s various systems need not be a misery on our part, we just need to know the right place to turn to.