Project Arise

Archive for September, 2010

Car accessories can be broadly categorized into internal and external car accessories. Accessories such as custom dash covers, seat covers, air perfume, floor mats, come under interior accessories whereas light accessories, Fog lights, gas caps, car wheel covers, spoilers, body covers and snow and ice accessories etc come under car exterior accessories.

There is no limit to spend on as much accessory you want to make your car glamorous and comfortable. After buying the car from showroom, next thing you do is to visit a car accessory store. Some customers prefer buying genuine accessories only from the showroom where car has been purchased, while some buy from normal retailers to get more choice and cheaper price. No matter from where you buy the accessories, what it is important is that you want to decorate the car.

Car accessories can be further classified into essential and non essential accessories. Some essential add on are required to enhance the performance and comfort of a car besides some interior and exterior accessories that can only increase the look of car. Usually, car exterior accessories are meant to attract interest of passer-bys’.

Car accessories can be looked upon as products required to give an improved look to the car. Besides, it can also make your ride comfortable. This part of accessories’ should not be ignored and must comprise an important part while making annual maintenance cost sheet for your car.

Car accessories must be purchased from reputed stores or from the original manufacturers. A poor quality accessory can harmfully affect the performance of your car and may cause for a lot more expenditure by getting it replaced quite frequently. The branded car accessories may initially cost high, but eventually prove to be cheaper than the repairing and replacement cost of sub-standard accessories.

You must do some initial research on the internet or take advice from people when planning to fit new accessories in the car. Internet is the best way to find numerous sources for Car Accessories. However, there is a drawback in buying accessories online, that you cannot see the products actually in front of your eye. Since there are many options available on the internet, you can compare the feature and price of accessories offered by distinct sellers.

So, before you are set to buy accessories for your car, prepare a list of all accessories that you want and classify them as interior & exterior car accessories. Then start looking for a reputable supplier to buy these accessories. Try a number of options before making any final choice. If you feel assured, you may buy it online.

Genuine accessories can improve your car performance and will also make your driving pleasurable.

What Is An Intercooler:

If you are a car enthusiast and own a turbo charged car then you should know that what actually an intercooler is,its purpose and how does it work??If somehow you happen to be one of those lucky chaps who possess these cars but unfortunate enough not to know what an intercooler is because all the headache of mantaining your car is done by your car mechanic and what you do is that you empty your wallet in front of him as an end user.Then still there is nothing to worry about because after reading this article you will be knowledgeable enough to know the basics of the car intercoolers.

An intercooler is somewhat similar to a car radiator but it is specific to a turbocharged and supercharged cars.They can be fitted to both petrol or diesel car.They are also known as charge coolers.The purpose behind its installation in a turbo charged car is to reduce or lower the temperature of the air going into the car engine.

How Does An Intercooler Work?

As said above,it is by its working nature nearer to a car radiator.When the heated air contacts with intercooler it passes through intercooler’s vanes where the air is cooled down by the external air passing through the vanes.In simpler words an intercooler uses external cold air to lower the temperature of internal hot air.Simple physics seems to operate here where the hot internal air tends to loose its heat by trying to make the cold external air warm thus loosing its heat and becoming cold enough to boost the horsepower of your car.

Where An Intercooler Is Installed?

Intercoolers are installed right behind the front bumper so that it continuously comes in contact with the external cold air. Why Does A Turbo Car Need An Intercooler?

Turbochargers compress the air which is being fed to the engine.And if you are or have been a good student of science then you must know that compressed air has got higher temperature than air at a normal pressure and ofcourse less oxygen than cool air.Oxygen,which is essential to burn the fuel.so if you install a turbocharger without intercooler as its remedy than it would have serious implications on your horsepower.I guess this makes sense.

How To Measure The Effectiveness Of An Intercooler?

If logical measurement of the effectiveness of an intercooler is not so difficult.The important thing is to identify what to measure?The answer is simple.The core purpose of an intercooler is to cool the air therefore its effectiveness can be measured by observing to what extent it has lowered the temperature of the air which was compressed by the turbochargers.

For Example:

If the temperature of compressed air from turbocharger is 50′c and after passing through an intercooler its 40′c then its efficiency would be(note:10′c fall in temperature)

10/50 * 100=20% efficiency.

Gaze around and you will find cars which are not only attractive to look but also extremely powerful. Yes we are talking about hybrid car. A hybrid car is a vehicle that uses primarily three distinct source of power. Those are:

o An on-board rechargeable energy storage system or known as RESS and a fueled power source for vehicle propulsion

o A normal bicycle where rider can get extra power battery

o A sail boat with electric power

The term hybrid is basically used in relation with cars also has other uses. However, earlier the word hybrid was used in the United States to mean a vehicle of mixed national origin. If we travel few years back we come to know that it was a European car fitted with American mechanical components. But now this meaning has completely fallen out as now hybrid is often used to describe an engine swap. Few expert motor analysts have also referred to flexible-fuel vehicles as hybrids because they can use a mixture of different fuels, typically gasoline and ethanol alcohol fuel.

With people getting environment conscious, the one main consumer decision most people try to make which impacts the greatest on the environment is the choice of car or vehicle we drive. That’s why hybrid cars are gaining importance and popularity. Hybrid cars offer drivers a pioneering, competent, and reasonably priced option. After continuous running on roads, hybrid cars have become a practical choice for consumers.

At times people think are hybrid cars competent enough and provide same features and facilities. The answer is yes, a hybrid car features a small fuel-efficient gas engine which is combined with an electric motor that assists the engine when accelerating. Thus, the electric motor is motorized by batteries that recharge mechanically while you drive. Talking about its efficiency, hybrid cars are power packed with the following features:

1. Smaller and more efficient engines

2. Regenerative braking – Herein the electric motor that drives the hybrid car can also slow the car. Thus, in this mode, the electric motor acts as a generator and charges the batteries while the car is slowing down

3. Periodic engine shut off – This is the main highlight of hybrid cars. When a hybrid car is stopped in traffic, the engine is temporarily shut off. It restarts automatically when put back into gear

4. Advanced aerodynamics – This has reduced the drag considerably

5. Low-rolling resistance (LLR) tires – It is powered with narrow, stiffer tires have less drag

6. Lightweight materials – It subsequently increases the efficiency of hybrid cars

Thus, owing a hybrid car will not only do wonders for you and your pocket but also to environment.

For those who are lucky enough to have the skill to fix their own cars and trucks, the obstacle becomes finding the best and cheapest auto parts available. While junkyards and auto dealers are sources for finding the required car and truck parts, the best way to find these items is online.

There are several reasons for purchasing truck and car parts online.

Convenience

The mechanic, searching for a particular part, does not have to drive from store to store or junkyard to junkyard searching. Going online saves valuable time as well as gas from driving around the city. In addition car and truck parts are delivered right to your door saving a trip to the auto parts store.

Price Comparison

Shopping online allows the Internet surfer to look at several online stores at once. Prices can be compared and the on-line store offering the cheapest price can be used. However, be sure to compare shipping charges as well as some companies will make up in shipping and handling what they do not charge in price.

Finding a Rare Part or Accessory

For the car enthusiast, restoring and rebuilding older and antique cars can be a headache when it comes to finding the appropriate car parts as they are rare and hard to find. On-line truck and auto parts are easier to find using the Internet search.

Finding the Right Auto Parts Store On-line

When looking on-line for an auto parts store you want to make sure of a few factors. First make sure the store is secure, as you will be providing your credit card information. You want a store that has toll free customer service with a fair return policy (many will charge a restocking fee and this is to be expected). Check to see if there is a warranty on parts sold as this should be expected.

Auto body parts are items which are needed from time to time. No matter whether you own a car, truck or a motorcycle these necessities will come in handy when you want to fix up your current vehicle or repair a part which is broken. Since most individuals like good deals there are ways to find inexpensive auto parts for your car.

Consider Buying Used Parts

A great way to save money on car parts or motorcycle parts is to buy them used. These items can be used or refurbished which allows the individual to save money yet still get a quality auto body part. Used parts can be purchased through auto garages or even auto stores which sell used parts. Just be sure to ask about the quality of the used part and ensure that it is in good enough shape to be used in your automobile.

Buy Auto Parts Online

Another wonderful way to save money on this type of equipment is to find a part over the World Wide Web and buy it online. These days there is very little which is not sold online and one is sure to find a number of websites which specialize in the sale of inexpensive parts for automobiles and motorcycles. The best way to locate these parts online is to shop around at various websites, see what they offer, note the condition of the parts and determine how much you will have to pay for them including shipping and handling fees. You can use a search engine and enter in key phrases such as “auto parts” or “auto body parts” which will provide you with a number of good results.

Buy Auto Parts in Bulk

If you find that you need multiple auto parts for your car, truck or motorcycle, try to buy them in quantity. Buying auto parts in bulk will enable you to get all that you need while achieving an economical result as well. Bulk discounts often exist with various auto parts stores and online auto parts dealers. Check out bulk rates and get all the parts you must at a discounted rate.

Shop Auto Store Sales

Frequently auto parts stores will have sales on the items which they sell. You may not be able to find exactly what you need on sale however this is always an option to consider and inquire about. The store may not offer set product discounts but may have storewide discounts such as 10% off deals storewide. Also, you may find that you are able to use discount manufacturers coupons on auto body parts which you need therefore inquire with the manufacturer or look on their website for coupons prior to heading out to the auto parts store.

The Internet has changed the way people buy things. It doesn’t matter if that purchase is a small ticket item or a larger ticket item like car parts. In fact, major online auction companies like eBay.com have an entire section devoted strictly to cars and car parts.

For the professional

If you are a professional searching for car parts, running an online search for “discount auto parts” or “wholesale auto parts” will yield a treasure trove of sites that offer huge discounts, free shipping, and great warranties for a minimum purchase. You can take advantage of these online stores which buy in bulk from the manufacturer and resell them at close-to-wholesale prices to you. And, if you are a reseller or have a business license, you may even qualify for tax minimized purchases as well! Often these are great places to purchase parts if you run a shop that has a tight schedule since overnight delivery is available in many areas, allowing you to get that one part quickly to get a customer’s car on the road again.

For the hobbyist

However, if you are not a professional auto parts purchaser, you are still able to buy car parts at a discount. If you are a car enthusiast or a backyard mechanic, you may find that you meet the minimum purchase requirements from some of the discount auto parts sites mentioned above, simply from the amount of work you do, since the minimum purchase requirements are surprisingly low. If you can get a good deal from these online shops, go ahead and order!

If you don’t think you qualify initially, there is a chance that you may still be able to qualify. Here’s how: find one or two fellow car enthusiasts, either people you trust, or people you can find from a taking out a small classified ad in a newspaper. When you’ve found these people, you can pool your purchases in order to qualify for the minimum discount.

And don’t forget about eBay.com and other auto auction sites where you can bid on great car parts and get them at really low prices!

Whether you are a professional car parts buyer or a hobbyist looking to fix up that project car, you can find inexpensive parts online.