Auto Magazine

7 Classic Cars Just Begging To Be Restored

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/01/12 in Auto Restoration with Comments Off

If you like repairing old cars, there are seven classic cars that are begging to be restored. Locating parts for these vehicles won’t be very difficult, so major delays will never be a huge concern.

1963-1965 Buick Riviera

Although the Buick Rivera doesn’t have a typically size, it is still a fast and powerful vehicle. In its era, the Rivera was a well-designed car, which is why many people are now restoring it.

1953-1954 Chevrolet Bel Air

The Chevrolet Bel Air is a popular collector’s item because the replacement parts are quite affordable. Automotive part manufacturers also offer a variety of upgrades for the Bel Air that improve performance, such as disc brake conversions.

1971-1972 Pontiac GTO

If you are on a budget, the GTO should be considered since it is very affordable. However, if you have money to spend, purchase one of the earlier vehicles instead. Automotive parts manufacturers produce plenty of parts and components for the GTO that increase gas mileage. However, the vehicle is not in high demand, so it won’t have a great resale value when you list it for sale.

1961-1966 Lincoln Continental

Among collectors, the Lincoln Continental is a popular car. The replacement parts for this vehicle, however, are somewhat limited. Though, if you can find the components, you can purchase them at low prices.

1928-1931 Ford Model A

This car is a great choice for rookie restorers; the demand for the vehicle is low, and the parts are readily available. If you run into problems during the restoration process, you can easily contact an expert for advice. The only disadvantage is that you may not earn much money when you sell the vehicle. However, if you want to test your restoration skills, you can tackle this project without spending thousands of dollars.

1951-1954 Packard

In the 50s, Packards were efficiently-built cars. Today, replacement parts can be purchased at low prices, but trim components are not very easy to find. To restore the vehicle, you must join a car club so that you can get helpful advice and store recommendations. Tackling this project is high recommended because the Packard sells easily.

1964-1968 Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang is another ideal vehicle for beginner car restorers. Parts for this vehicle are readily available in almost every city. Beginners typical buy early Mustangs since they are easy to sell.

Each of these vehicles are worth restoring. For additional advice about cars, contact the experts at Speedy Apollo Auto Service Centres or local service center.

Skeptics Abound: A Look at Why Self Driving Cars Could be Potentially Dangerous

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/01/09 in Auto Design with Comments Off

According to Google, the driverless car will reduce the number of car accidents experienced yearly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the number of fatal crashes as well as how many can be blamed on excessive speed, inattention and alcohol is in the thousands annually. Based on the data, it would seem that Google is providing a very useful answer to address the problem of excessive crashes due to driver inexperience, inattention at the wheel and drowsy driving.

However, as with any new technology that pops up, there are skeptics who worry about the potential dangers that self-driving cars can present. Driverless vehicles will create new problems and could be potentially more dangerous than distracted driving. Read on to learn why self-driving cars could be potentially dangerous, and the details that are worrying current skeptics:

Malfunctions

When a vehicle malfunctions, you reduce speed and pull over to the side of the road quickly. In a driverless vehicle, a malfunction could catch the driver unaware. Supporters of the driverless vehicle have remarked that people could sleep on the way to work while the car does the driving. If there’s a malfunction and the driver is sleeping, there’s no way to quickly correct a malfunction or avoid an accident.

Roadway Disasters

The latest technology in the Google self-driving car will scan the roadway ahead for pedestrians and obstructions in the street, but the driverless vehicle won’t be able to make logical judgments of right and wrong. If you’re driving and a squirrel hops into the way, you can decide whether it’s more dangerous to keep going or swerve into the next lane to avoid the squirrel. The computer in the vehicle will not be able to make that judgment call.

According to professionals at the Ladah Law firm, these vehicles will also pose the problem of determining who is at fault during an accident. If the car is technically the driver, this could present some serious insurance issues in the future.

Hackers

The Google Driverless car utilizes computerized mapping, radar and cameras to operate the vehicle safely. There’s a computer on the vehicle, which leaves it open to hackers. New self-driving vehicles are being manufactured without steering wheels and pedals. This could make them dangerous since the driver has no way to take over for the computer if and when there is a hacker driving the car dangerously.

Criminals

If the self driving vehicle doesn’t need an operator, then the car can be used in criminal enterprise. In a recent FBI report, that factor was raised as a valid concern. For example, without the need for a driver, the car could be used to deliver bombs remotely. The FBI is also worried about the ability of criminals to multi-task while riding in a self-driving vehicle. Criminals will be able to shoot more accurately at the police or other drivers when the car is driving on its own.

It is important to keep in mind that these cars are still being heavily tested, and many of the bugs will be worked out before the vehicles actually hit the market. Many features are still in development, so some skeptics are jumping the gun by saying that driverless cars will be dangerous.

These concerns are valid, however, we will have to wait to see how the vehicles develop since many of these issues might be resolved by that time. While Google wants to focus on the pluses delivered by a self-driving vehicle, there are definitely minuses that need to be addressed before we’ll see more driverless vehicles introduced to the public.

Truck on the Fritz? 5 Truck Issues to Keep an Eye out For

by Anica Oaks on 2015/01/07 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off

As a truck owner, there is nothing more irritating that discovering that your truck is not as reliable as it once was. The big-bodied, private passenger pieces of machinery, while they are tough, are prone to breaking down when they are not properly maintained. If your truck is making unusual sounds or it is not responding like it should when you press the accelerator, check for these five common truck issues before you experience a breakdown.

Fuel Pump Issues

The fuel pump drives fuel from the gas tank of your truck to its engine. If you have a malfunctioning pump, you will experience chronic problems on the road. If your engine begins to sputter at high speeds or it loses power as you accelerate, do not assume you have bought dirty gas. When the vehicle has a sudden loss of power, it generally means your pump is weak and could be failing. Identifying these issues early can save you money in expensive repairs.

Transmission Issues

Trucks have a high gross vehicle weight. Vehicles that are heavier are harder on their transmissions. This is why it is common for trucks to experience transmission failure earlier in their lives than a compact car would. Transmissions can be rebuilt, but rebuilding a faulty transmission takes time and can cost more than the vehicle is worth at times. If your transmission is slipping or sticking, be sure to price the cost of new, used, reconditioned and rebuilt transmissions from reliable and professional parts shops like 99 Truck Parts & Industrial Equipment Ltd.

Oil Leaks and Burning

If you smell oil burning from under your hood, there are chances that you have an oil leak somewhere in your engine. Even well-maintained trucks are prone to oil leakage as the engine ages. The most common causes of oil leaks in trucks are wear and tear or failure to change seals and gaskets regularly. Be sure to actually solve the problem instead of using a stop-leak additive that is simply a temporary fix.

Engine Overheating

If your vehicle is suddenly overheating, the problem may not be a slow leak but something else faulty under the hood. A truck is heavy, and the heavier the vehicle, the harder the workload on the engine. The stress could lead to a loss of coolant, a faulty cooling system, or fluid issues in the transmission or braking system. Find where the heat is coming from and then remove this heat by replacing parts or servicing the system the problem is affecting.

Warning Light Problems

Warning lights indicate when a problem is detected. Unfortunately, they cannot tell you exactly what that problem is unless you have an expensive computer system. You may drive when the light comes on to see if it will turn back off, but if the light stays on, you have a problem on your hands and should have the codes pulled to diagnose what is wrong.

Driving is an expensive privilege. To reduce financial obligations associated with owning a truck, look for signs that there may be a problem early so that you can find the replacement parts before you are in a bind and desperate for a fixed truck.

Tips for Driving More Economically to Save You Money on the Road

by Anita Ginsburg on 2015/01/05 in Saving Fuel with Comments Off

In a struggling economy, everyone is looking for new ways to save money. This certainly includes saving money at the gas pump. To help, below are six tips for driving more economically to save money on the road.

1. Lighten Your Load

One scientific fact you should be aware of is that it requires more fuel to move more mass. This is certainly true for your vehicle. One way to spend less on fuel is to make sure your car isn’t hauling anything that heavy. If you have a habit of storing heavy junk in your trunk, put it in your garage instead.

2. Properly Maintain Your Tires

Your tires are another part of your car that may be causing you to spend more at the pump. For example, if your tires are under inflated, this could be negatively affecting your fuel efficiency. To fix this problem, perform routine maintenance such as checking your tire pressure.

3. Less Aggressive Driving

While driving aggressively may give you a cheap thrill, it can also hurt you in your wallet. Actions such as speeding and performing sudden starts and stops come at a significant price in terms of fuel. Instead, try to drive more defensively. It’s both safer and more cost effective.

4. Buy a Motorcycle

Cars are bulky. They include a lot of parts and a heavy exterior. However, cars and trucks aren’t your only options. You could, for example, choose to use a motorcycle instead. Motorcycles weigh far less than cars and get far better gas mileage. Look for a Motorcycle permit test online to help you prepare for driving on a motorcycle if you are just learning.

5. Consider Alternative Fuels

These days motorized vehicles do not need to be fueled by gasoline alone. For example, hybrid cars use a combination of both gasoline and electricity to operate. You should also consider biodiesel. Biodiesel is a form of fuel created from plants as opposed to oil. Both these options can save you money.

6. Start a Car Pool

One way to lower the price of gas is to split that price up. You can do this by forming a car pool. Each person that uses the car pool could donate some money towards the price of gas. This will cause your personal share to be much lower than if you were riding alone.

Overall, there are plenty of ways to save when it comes to how you travel. If you can still get to where you want to go while saving more money at the same time, you should certainly consider that option.

Determining Your Needs When Buying Your First Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/01/02 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

For most people, the moment they get behind the wheel of their first car is the moment when their first real taste of genuine freedom begins. Unfortunately, it is also a time when so many people purchase more car than they really need. In order to avoid acquiring a first car that does not fit your needs, it is smart to make a realistic assessment of why you need a car.

Establishing A Budget for Your First Car

Before running out and dropping a wad of cash on the first automobile you see, it is best to take an inventory of your available funds. It is also important to determine if you will need help with financing and how much additional money you will need for a purchase. Though a lot of first-time car buyers will need financing, this is not a reason to buy the most expensive car you can obtain a loan to purchase. Rather, it is far more responsible to sit down and realistically determine how much of a monthly car payment you will be able to manage for the next five-years. The greater your down payment, the smaller the car loan you will need to obtain to purchase your first car. Working this out ahead of time will certainly help to ensure the car you obtain fits your financial needs.

How Much Gas Guzzling Can You Put up With?

When purchasing a first car on a tight budget, it is best to be conservative in the spending department. Not only do you want to get your first car at a great price, you also want to avoid purchasing a gas guzzler. Even if prices of gas appear to be heading down over the short term, it is prudent to anticipate that oil and gas prices will eventually surge back above three dollars a gallon. That being said, it may not fit your particular needs to purchase a car that is fuel efficient. Consequently, if money is not an issue, and you simply want a fast car, then you may be in more of a position to skimp on concerns associated with the purchase of a gas guzzler.

What Will You Be Using Your Car For?

One of the most important needs to consider when buying your first car is why you need the car you want to purchase. If, for example, you happen to be a live-at-home student, it is unlikely that you will need a car for long distance traveling. Consequently, a slightly used car with low miles is potentially a smarter purchase than a brand new car for meeting your particular needs. On the other hand, if you happen to be an executive who spends most of your time driving a lot, then a more reliable new car with a high fuel efficient rating is the smarter choice. If you need a car that reflects your high status, a more expensive luxury car will better fit your situation and help you to maintain your image.

Other Passengers Or Not

An often-overlooked aspect of first-time car buying is the issue of how many people will be riding in the car being purchased. You might be a young first-time car buyer, but you might be married or have children in the near future. As a result, you may need a car that has a little more room to tote others around with you. In addition, you might need a car for transporting people other than family–especially if you are involved in other social functions. Or, you may be the only one who ever sets foot in your car. Alternatively, you may only transport an occasional passenger. In such cases, a smaller two-seater may suffice to satisfy your transportation needs.

There are many factors that must be considered when searching for the right car that best fits your particular needs as a first time car buyer. With careful planning and a little attention to detail, you will be able to find the right car for your purposes. It is important to keep in mind that the right car is not always a new car. It is not always necessarily the most expensive car you can afford either. Rather, the right car will simply do what you need it to do most, which for most people is getting them from Point A to Point B.

Informational Credit to Valley Driving School