Auto Parts Information From The Expert 

Driver Assistance Systems

New and highly advanced auto technologies have afforded newer models better safety equipments and features not provided to older models. Thus, in terms of safety, newer cars are better off. Among the best safety features of new models are driver assistance systems, which include ESP (electronic stability programme), adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and parking aid systems.

Those driver assistance systems aim to make the vehicle capable of perceiving its surroundings, interpret them, identify critical situations, and assist the driver in performing driving maneuvers, says Bosch, one of the leading car parts and systems manufacturers. The main goal of these high-tech equipments is to prevent accidents completely and minimize the consequences of an accident for those concerned.

[link=http://www.researchandmarkets.com/ ]Research and Markets[/link] report shows that six out of ten front-end crashes would not occur if the driver could react a split second earlier. Driver assistance systems were found very much helpful in significantly preventing accidents to happen.

Aside from Bosch, other manufacturers like the Continental Teves, TRW Automotive, Hella, Iteris, Valeo, Delphi, Siemens VDO and Visteon pledge to make huge investments in the development of these car safety systems.

In case you don’t have these modern equipments in your car yet, you can make your car safer and more efficient by means of adding or upgrading its performance parts. You can go to Auto Parts Inner for top quality parts for various makes and models. Among its available premium class auto parts are OEM quality BMW parts, Chevrolet parts, Jeep parts and Toyota parts.

Sky’s The Limit for New Cars

Do you know the Total Ownership and Operating Cost of the car, truck, SUV, van or minivan you’re planning to buy?

If not, better inquire about its Total Ownership and Operating Cost first before you make your crucial decision of shelling out thousands of dollars for an excessively costly vehicle that affords the same level of performance and comfort as other less expensive vehicles.

A study conducted by the Comerica Auto Affordability Index showed that the average price of a vehicle nowadays is $27,958, which is 6 percent higher than last year’s average car cost. It is the highest average car cost in four years, according to USA Today.

Comerica tells that this is due to the high financing costs and also because car users have opted to buy more expensive cars equipped with more upgraded parts lately.

Although it is not quite surprising that financing costs have gone up, as Comerica’s chief economist Dana Johnson said, it is surprising that the amount spent for every vehicle significantly increased in the third quarter.

Knowing how valuable cars are, it is a must to take care of our own vehicles for them to last longer and thus, our investment won’t be put to waste.

One way of doing this is by regularly checking those parts that are specially exposed to corrosive elements and those that perform the most difficult tasks such as the engine parts, cooling system, electrical and exhaust system components like the radiator, auto lights, battery, alternator and the catalytic converter.

Should you need to replace them, replace them right away to avoid future problems and further car repair and car part replacement expenses. Go to Auto Parts Inner for a great variety of top quality yet very affordable auto replacement parts. Explore their site and see for yourself their wide array of automotive products.

Is Your Car a Theft Target?

Every 20 seconds, a vehicle is said to be stolen in the United States. In fact, auto theft is such a big business that if it were legalized and incorporated, it would rank 56th among the Fortune 500 companies!


Recently, CNN/Money reported a list of the most stolen cars in the U.S. last year. According to the article, of the top 10 most-stolen vehicles in 2004, six were Japanese brands. All four domestic vehicles on the list are light trucks, including one minivan. These were numbers from NICB statistics which were based on data from the FBI Uniform Crime Report. A total of 1,237,114 personal motor vehicles were reported stolen in 2004.


The list:

1. 1995 Honda Civic
2. 1989 Toyota Camry
3. 1991 Honda Accord
4. 1994 Dodge Caravan
5. 1994 Chevrolet Full Size C/K 1500 pick-up
6. 1997 Ford F-150 pick-up
7. 2003 Dodge Ram pick-up
8. 1990 Acura Integra
9. 1988 Toyota pick-up
10. 1991 Nissan Sentra


Clearly, new vehicles are not the only targets for car thieves. Older model vehicles are also very desirable – mainly because as vehicles get older they require parts more frequently, creating demand for parts taken from stolen cars. Thieves look for vehicles that can be resold quickly or stripped for parts. It doesn’t matter if your car is a ten year-old Nissan Sentra, a brand new Dodge Caravan, or a three-year-old Ford F-150 with new Auto Parts Inner grilles – if it’s an easy target, the thief will take it. Remember that a vehicle's parts can be worth two to three times the value of the vehicle. Sadly, no vehicle or anti-theft device is 100% theft-proof and discouraging thieves is not an easy task.


So what’s the most effective way to guard your vehicles against theft?


Using common sense is always the first step for every car owner in theft prevention. A common sense approach to theft prevention includes such practices as always locking your car - no matter how briefly it will be unattended. In addition to always locking your car's doors and windows, common sense theft prevention also includes such practices as parking in well-lit areas and never leaving your keys (or a spare key) in the car.


Aside from using one’s common sense, other theft prevention steps include installing warning devices (car alarms, steering wheel locking devices, wheel locks, brake pedal locks, theft-deterrent decals, identification markers, and window etching); immobilization devices (smart keys, kill switches, starter/ignition/fuel disablers); and tracking devices. These devices can be expensive, but it will make a wise investment especially if your car is a favorite or a magnet to thieves. It is solely up to you to take responsible measures to protect your vehicle from thieves.

Hillary to the Rescue

Looks like the “suffering” of the big three has caught the attention of somebody big and important.

Inside Line Reports: Hillary Clinton Calls for Auto Summit as Big Three Suffer.

Apparently, the former First Lady and now U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has asked President George Bush to do something about the problems piling up in Detroit. The do something here means for the President to convene a summit of auto manufacturers to discuss the future of the industry.

Senator Clinton was concerned about the “serious ramifications” Delphi Corp.’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection has for the entire U.S. auto industry. Earlier, General Motors posted a $1.63 billion third quarter loss while Ford posted a $284 million loss. In her letter to the President, Clinton said the summit should cover healthcare issues and address foreign competition.

I was browsing Auto Parts Inner’s car articles when I came upon the news about GM’s newest fleet of SUVs, and I almost forgot that the automaker was having problems. In January, the new Tahoe will go on sale - the first in a family of new full-size SUVs GM will launch in the first half of 2006. The 2007 Cadillac Escalade and GMC Yukon will also hit the market in January, while the Escalade ESX and EXT, Chevy Suburban and Avalanche and GMC Yukon XL will roll into dealerships in the second quarter of 2006.

GM supporters are counting on this risqué move to be the “salvation” of the ailing automaker. The new GM SUVs are said to be bigger, better looking, more powerful and more fuel-efficient trucks. The big Cadillac and GMC SUVs look distinctively different from the Tahoe, thanks to unique hoods, lights and grilles. All the SUVs share a wider track -- the distance between the wheels -- and sheet metal that makes them look smaller than they actually are. (Maybe a move to placate “big SUV = gas guzzler” fears among consumers who are now looking to get out of their big trucks and into smaller cars). To address the need for more fuel-efficient vehicles, GM also has a brand-new six-speed automatic transmission that will arrive sometime in 2006 which will reduce fuel consumption further. The automaker is likewise working feverishly to get fuel-sipping diesel engines into the SUVs.

Look who's in the Gas Sipper's List!

In this age of $3 dollar per gallon gasoline, you’d never think that an SUV would ever make it to a fuel efficient list. But it happened.

The fifth most fuel-efficient vehicle in the world according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s 2006 fuel economy guide is (drum roll please) - Ford's hybrid Escape (in its front-wheel-drive configuration). Ford Motor Co., hybrid SUVs were the only American car makes to crack the top-10 list for 2006 vehicles. The Ford Escape hybrid is the most fuel efficient SUV with 36 mpg in the city and 31 on the highway.



However, this development didn’t exactly cheer the environmentalists up, who for some time now have been targeting American auto manufacturers, including Ford, for various environmental issues.

“Automakers shouldn’t try to fool consumers by pretending their vehicles get good fuel economy,” one of them said. “They should put gas-saving technology into their cars so that they actually get good fuel economy.”

Alright, alright – so you can’t please everybody all the time. But while we wait for the day when we wouldn’t have to complain about emissions and fuel efficiency – we should make the most of what we have and try not to be part of the problem by taking proper care of our vehicles, be it old or new, hybrid, SUV, gas or diesel. With every visit that I make to my favorite auto parts store - Auto Parts Inner, I know I’m not just simply ordering replacement Toyota parts for my Camry, but I will also be learning valuable and useful information through their Automotive articles about my car that I would otherwise not learn from just reading the local paper.

So really. It’s all about doing what you can with what you have. You can own an SUV and still be a responsible citizen by not making things worse with irresponsible behavior (like not properly maintaining your vehicle for example).

The Price of Being Green

In Autoweek today: Green (MPG) vs. Green ($$$): How much green being green will cost you.

If cars were competing in a beauty pageant, hybrids will certainly be the darling of the crowd. With the soaring gas prices today, hybrid vehicles are all in the rage, with drivers equating hybrid ownership to saving lots of money. But as the euphoria of owning an “environmentally-sound” vehicle slowly fades, people may soon realize that while hybrids may save money at the pump, they don’t necessarily save money overall.

Apparently, driving with a “clean” conscience does not come without a price. Autoweek reports:
For hybrid vehicles, that means paying more for fuel-saving technology that may not pay off at the pump any time soon. If saving money is your main objective for considering a hybrid car, your ambition is better served by owning a non-hybrid with good fuel economy, something like a Scion xA, which gets 32 mpg city/38 mpg highway.

According to EPA annual fuel cost estimates, the shortest period in which you will recoup the added sticker price of a hybrid is about nine years for a Ford Escape Hybrid vs. an Escape XLT V6.

If you include the $2,000 tax credit--available until Dec. 31 on all newly purchased hybrids--that duration can drop to as low as two years in the Honda Civic Hybrid. The exact figures for new tax incentives authorized under the 2005 Energy Bill can be as high as $3,400, depending on the type of vehicle and its fuel economy rating.

Obviously the higher the gas price and the more you drive, the faster the financial gap closes. All these calculations are based on car sales price and gasoline use, but do not include the eventual (and high) cost of replacing a hybrid’s battery pack.

I would like to think that whatever car you drive, be it a hybrid like a 2004 Toyota Prius or a conventional car like a 2000 [link=http:www.toyota.com/camry/?s_van=]Toyota Camry[/link], the key to truly doing your part for the environment is keeping your car well-maintained, especially its exhaust system. Regular checking of auto parts like the catalytic converter and other exhaust system auto parts will help keep you from becoming a complete environmental hazard. Malfunctioning or worn auto parts should immediately be repaired or replaced, and with reliable online auto parts like Auto Parts Inner offering premium quality Honda parts, Toyota parts, Ford parts, Nissan parts and Chevy parts just a click away – keeping your car running smoothly won’t have to be so hard.

A hybrid’s real return of investment, I agree, is knowing that every mile you drive and every trip you make to the gas station does not contribute to the further degradation of the planet. Anyone can do this too, though not as “statement-ish” as having a hybrid, but more so in being a responsible and socially-aware car owner/driver.

Cup Holder Issue

The other day I overheard a woman ranting to her girlfriend how incensed she was at her insensitive husband buying a new car with only two small cup holders in it. And I thought, well okay – this woman has issues.

Just how important are cup holders?

The Auto Prophet says: Enough Cup Holders and goes on to make a snipe at reviewers stressing on cup holders (am I repeating myself?) – their number, location, sturdiness, and size. The Auto Prophet:

Cars were meant to be driven. They are not restaurants with wheels. A car needs precisely two cup holders--one for the driver, and one for the passenger. Rear seat passengers don't usually need cupholders, because there usually aren't any. If there are kids back there, chances are they will spill their drinks all over your nice clean car, so they don't deserve cupholders. Most people drive alone most of the time--which means that one cup holder is usually enough.

Let's hear more about performance, sound, ride quality, material quality, and build quality. Enough about cupholders.

I agree. Really, no vehicle should be judged by its cup holders! But perhaps all this talk about cup holders stem out from the fact that more and more people are spending more and more time inside their vehicles. While vehicles like the Ford Expedition or the [link=http//www.toyota.com/rav4/]Toyota Rav 4[/link] aren’t created to be dining areas, cars today are basically taking on that “living spaces” principle – auto manufacturers now make cars to make us feel right at home. Which is really weird. Because we’re not supposed to, or are we?

Well, maybe lots of cup holders in their cars make some people happier car owners. I’m pretty happy having a car that drives well, and looks good. Anytime my car needs replacement auto parts I just click over to Auto Parts Information and I’m fine. Just the other day I added new Toyota spoilers to my three year old Camry, replaced its car mat, painted it a sleek new color and that’s that. No cup holder worries there.

Better Exhaust System Means Better Engine Performance

Many of us would concentrate on upgrading the powertrain components in order to improve performance but there are other ways to improve power output and thus, increase your driving satisfaction. One is by improving your car’s exhaust system.

The exhaust system is one of the most overlooked systems in a vehicle despite its very critical contribution to the car’s overall performance. It does more than channeling the gaseous wastes out of the engine. The way it removes those by-products significantly improves power output. The cleaner the engine, the more efficient it is; thus, the exhaust system must likewise be upgraded if you want to optimize your engine’s efficiency.

Aside from keeping your engine free from impurities produced during the combustion, the exhaust system, particularly the catalytic converter converts the by-products like hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides into water, carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases before they are sent out of the car. Thus, upgrading your car’s exhaust system can also help you pass strict emission requirements.

Furthermore, replacing your faulty muffler with a high quality muffler can help you reduce noise in the engine as it burns air and fuel mixture in the combustion chamber.

There have been several debates on the legislation to prohibit sale of aftermarket and custom exhaust systems in various states; however, lately, these have been modified allowing reasonable exhaust system modifications. Like for example in Virginia, hobbyists are already allowed to install and use aftermarket modified exhausts systems, recognizing that these aftermarket products make vehicles run more efficiently.

If you have a problem on your exhaust system, better check first on the aftermarket exhaust system regulations in your place. Meanwhile, you can also check Auto Parts Information for the most dependable selection of high quality catalytic converters and other performance auto parts. Moreso, this site provides added information for the different automotive systems that comprise your car.

Helpful Site for Teen and New Drivers

Starting problems, overheating, transmission problems, corrosion, fuel leakage—name it! All these car problems are traumatizing to a teen driver or for anyone new to car driving. And why not, even to old timer. There are a lot of drivers out there who are still unfamiliar with every detail of their car's mechanism and so they freak out every time a problem arises. There's nothing to worry, actually, if you know how to prevent such problems to occur.

The key to solving those problems is to educate yourself. Don't just wait for someone to teach you how each of the car parts work, learn them yourself. The Internet is there, you can use it. There's one site that offers a lot of useful Auto Parts Information ranging from how the engine system, the heat and cooling systems, the exhaust and the drivetrain works. How to troubleshoot common car problems is just one of the helpful information this site offers. It's all at Auto Parts Inner.

Auto Parts Inner is a great source of top quality replacement auto parts for various make and models as well. The finest BMW parts, Mercedes Benz parts and tough and durable Ford. Chevy, and Dodge parts and accessories are all here. Car enthusiasts and new car drivers alike are sure to love this fantastic site. Find out more, check out their site now.

Ways to a Happy Driving

When driving or riding a car, one of the first things we consider is comfort. Part of that comfort is knowing that you’ll be kept cool inside the car when the weather is scorching outside; and that you’ll be kept warm when the weather is freezing on the outside. This is the job of the vehicle’s air conditioning and heating systems .

The air conditioning system removes the heat that makes us uncomfortable and returns the air to the car's interior in an "un-heated" condition. Air conditioning, or cooling, is really a process of removing heat from an object (like air). It works this way: a compressor circulates a liquid refrigerant called Refrigerant-12 (more commonly known as Freon). The compressor moves the Refrigerant-12 from an evaporator, through a condenser and expansion valve, right back to the evaporator. The evaporator is right in front of a fan that pulls the hot, humid air out of the car's interior. The refrigerant makes the hot air's moisture condense into drops of water, removing the heat from the air. Once the water is removed, the "cool" air is sent back into the car's interior.

On the other hand, the heater core - a smaller version of the auto radiator, is what helps keep our toes warm when it's cold outside. The heater core is mounted under the dash board. Some of the hot coolant is routed through this little radiator, by more hoses. A small electric fan is also mounted there especially for the purpose of directing the heat inside the car. The principle is exactly the same as the one used in the radiator for your engine, except that the heat is released inside the car instead of outside. Most engines use the heater core to warm the air coming from the air conditioner if the dash setting is not on "cold". More efficient designs don't do this because it makes the engine work harder than it has to. They cycle the compressor on and off to lessen the cooling output.

To ensure that the weather is always good inside your car, keep your heating and cooling systems in good condition. Visit Auto Parts Information to get to know your car’s systems better. They have a selection of helpful articles for your car’s needs. Should you need auto parts either for replacement or refurbishment, Auto Parts Inner has an online store equipped with a vast array of top quality auto parts from virtually all car makes, from Pontiac to BMW parts, from Nissan to Dodge parts, from Acura to Toyota parts – all of them offered at a price that won’t leave you sweating. With just a few clicks in their uncomplicated, navigable website – you’re sure to find the perfect match for your car’s needs.