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Checking your engine coolant

editor — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:00:00 +0000

One of the most important things you should check for in your car is your engine coolant. Low coolant levels will cause your engine to overheat, causing even more problems for your car.

In the picture above, the level of the coolant should be between the full and low marks. If the amount is lower, then fill it up until it reaches the required level. Have your car checked if you have to fill up your coolant tank often, as there might be a leak or some other problem in the engine. It’s important to NEVER open your coolant overflow tank or your radiator when the engine is running or is still hot. Put the coolant into the tank when the engine is off and cool already.

The Secretive KB1

editor — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:39:35 +0000

A newly introduced car, known internally as “KB1″, was launched in late 2004 for early 2005 and is much a resemblance of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Even still, if not for the talked about V8 engine which features a posh all-wheel drive system which Acura fondly calls “Super Handling All-Wheel Drive”, it would not have been as successful. The Acura RL is the best automotive innovations of 2004, in fact, it earned the 2005 “Tech car of the year” from cnet.com. For 2008 surely marked the end of its predecessor, the Corolla 2007. Although it is obviously inferior to its rivals in terms of design, safety and power, the new Toyota Corolla remains to be one of the most gratifying investments for the middle class.

Won’t Start ?

editor — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:10:05 +0000

Everybody who drives a car knows that turning the engine and not getting it to run is enough to ruin your day. Hold your horses for there are a few things you can check assuming you know your way around the engine (even if you don’t, “You can do it!”) and know the basic parts. First thing you do, is there electrical power in the car, a quick flip of the interior lights would indicate that there is indeed power coming from the battery. If no lights come on, pop the hood and wiggle the battery terminals for they might simply be loose. Next, is that power enough to kick the starter and thus start the engine? Turn on the headlights and see if they are as bright as they should be (give a couple of bursts with the horn to add load to the battery). If they are dim, then you have a dead battery that is easy as a phone call to the nearest batter center for a quick change. A quick boost from the battery of another car may do the trick but be sure you know how to do it for if not, you risk damaging both your car’s electrical components. Quick Tip: To save you all the trouble – If you don’t have a clue what I’ve just said, call for a mechanic!

2007 MINI Cooper S

editor — Mon, 26 May 2008 03:21:29 +0000

The new Mini looks very much the same with the old Mini but it’s better and faster. It is exactly how the engineers at BMW, Mini’s parent company, planned it. The new version is bigger in every way, but the proportions and deep-fried retro styling cues haven’t changed to preserve the good things about the Mini.

The new Mini is definitely larger then the old one with its exterior length goes up by nearly three inches. The use of aluminum for the engine construction and the rear suspension gives the ‘07 Mini Cooper a weight similar to the ‘06 model. Its driving power comes from a 1.6-liter, aluminum-block four-cylinder that generates a 172-horsepower with direct injection and a the newly designed twin-scroll turbocharger that gives 11.6 pounds of max boost.

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Honda Fit Base – Small but Big in Fuel Savings

editor — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:49:05 +0000

Honda is known in this country with small cars, cheap to buy, cheap to run, and seemingly allergic to repair shops. It has responded to the demands of car users to build smaller vehicles that consumes less fuel. With the high prices of gasoline, the new Honda Fit Base, small in size, inexpensive and easy on fuel consumption that provides big savings on fuel.

When performance and fuel efficient is your first priority, then Fit is the car for you. It has excellent division of space between the front seats and the back seats plus the cargo area, great fuel economy and is equipped with standard safety features for great riding comfort.

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M DCT for BMW M3 Convertible

editor — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:28:01 +0000

Cruising through the wind at 8400 rpm with the brand-new BMW M3 Convertible with the seven-speed M DCT double-clutch transmission is probably all the intensity most of us will ever experience.

The new $2700 M DCT transmission has seven gears, you get a stubby “gearlever” as a giant switch with R and N on one plane, N in the middle, and +/- signs to the right. Like any other competition-car practice, it’s forward for down, back for up. There are also steering-wheel paddles with nice firm metal jobs attached for navigation with – on the left and + on the right.

A Drivelogic button controls the degree of aggression of the shifts which runs from 1 to 5, plus a position 6 for launch control that would you get an enhanced feeling of speed. Thus, with this design, you get plenty of choice as to how the thing operates and maximize your intensity.

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Lancer Sportback Invades US Car Market

editor — Mon, 12 May 2008 10:34:17 +0000

Mitsubishi, which has confirmed in a press release that its new Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback will be headed to the States in 2008 in response to the consumers demand.

The Lancer Sportback, Prototype-S is a five-door hatch has the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that is expected to provide 235 horsepower to the 2009 Lancer Ralliart. With Mitsubishi’s Twin-clutch SST gearbox and the all-wheel-drive system of the Sportback, it is surely be a great addition to Mitsubishi’s U.S. lineup. The invasion of the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback in the US car market is either late this year or early next as a 2009 model.

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI

editor — Sat, 10 May 2008 09:38:46 +0000

The Evolution VI is the latest Lancer model of Mitsubishi’s array of World Rally championship cars. The RS-2 model is spectacular to drive, it produces excellent acceleration numbers including 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds and 13.0 at 106.9 in the quarter mile.

Power of Evolution VI comes from a 2.0-liter/276-horse DOHC four-cylinder engine pumped up by a titanium/aluminum turbocharger (the first application on a production car). It is a five-speed manual transmission with its all-wheel-drive system puts the 275 pound-feet of torque to the ground and its braking system uses huge Brembo ventilated discs on all tires that can bring the 2822-pound thrill ride to a full stop in 118 feet from 60 mph.

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Choosing the Right Fuel for Your Car

editor — Wed, 07 May 2008 08:56:50 +0000

It is important to use the right fuel for your car to avoid engine breakdown. Review your Owner’s Manual and find out what is recommended. Stick to what is recommended unless another grade is suggested. The type of fuel that is recommended for a specific car is calculated into the way the engine is designed to perform and should not be substituted for a gasoline with a lower grade.

You can use high octane fuel in motorcycles, luxury and high performance vehicles, which usually require premium grades. High octane fuel is also used for cars with smaller engines that generate more horsepower through high compression. These engines require high octane fuel so that damages doesn’t occur, which can permanently destroy the pistons. The higher the octane content (regular is only 87), the higher the performance. Indeed, there are three “grades” of fuel for passenger cars, unleaded, super unleaded and premium unleaded.

Fill your tank completely at busy gas stations, where the fuel supply is frequently replenished. This can prevent you from getting a bad tank of gas. Using a lower grade fuel than required will most likely void any warranty on the car.

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Focus on Ford Focus

editor — Sun, 04 May 2008 13:00:29 +0000

Buyers looking for an affordable, fun-to-drive compact, and high performance cars should focus on the Ford’s newest baby.

The Ford Focus has been redesigned for 2008, new styling inside and out, a new model lineup, and a new two-door coupe are hallmarks of the 2008 Ford Focus. Technically, the all-new Focus isn’t all new as it is based on the last-generation Focus One of the highlights of the outgoing Focus was the fun-to-drive factor, that’s one thing that hasn’t changed. The old Focus was bouncy and playful, the redesigned one is a bit more mature yet still involving and enjoyable.

You can choose from three trim levels of the 2008 Ford Focus: S, SE and SES. Pricing starts at $14,695 for the S coupe and $14,995 for the S sedan, with a $1,000 bump for each trim level.

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