Protecting Your Ride

Plug-In hybrid vehicles are eco-friendly and practical, with this new technology car drivers will also be considered environmentally friendly. Normally, these new model cars can get around 50 miles on just one battery charge. The good thing is that if you are traveling a long distance and do not have time to stop and charge up, it also runs on gasoline. Specifically the Kia Ray, a new hybrid not yet on the market, has incorporated a material designed to reflect heat and sun to limit use of air conditioning which will decrease emissions and battery/gasoline use. With these revolutionary designs hybrid cars will take over the auto industry.

With the 2010 North American Auto Show touring around now I feel like it’s appropriate for me to discuss my favorite concept car ever—the Jeep Hurricane. The Hurricane was unveiled in 2005 at the Detroit Auto Show.

As you can see from the images of the Hurricane, it has a very unique four-wheel steering system. This steering system allows the vehicle to move sideways, or even in circles. As badly as you may want to own one of these—they’re unfortunately not expected to be put into production. The concept car was not a complete waste for Daimler-Chrysler though, many patents were secured during the development of the Jeep Hurricane.

RECALL: Toyota announced they will be recalling a number of vehicles due to a ‘sticky’ accelerator pedal. There are several consumers who have already experienced the effects of this dangerous flaw. These runaway cars are causing quite a stir and Toyota has scrambled for a solution. All affected vehicle owners were notified via mail notification concerning the faulty car part and they are encouraged to get it repaired as soon as possible. These consumers can not afford to wait to address this life threatening problem. Toyota dealership’s service hours extended to expedite the repairs for every customer.

If you are a victim to a sticky accelerator pedal you are instructed to push on the brake pedal hard (do NOT pump the brake) and put your car into neutral, when you follow these instructions your vehicle will come to a stop. If you are not already aware of the vehicles affected, here is a list:

• Certain 2009-2010 RAV4
• Certain 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Avalon
• Certain 2007-2010 Camry
• Certain 2010 Highlander
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2008-2010 Sequoia
• There is a talk about recalling 279,000 Prius Hybrids as of 2/5/2010.

Be on the safe side and bring your Toyota into a dealership near you to be sure you are not going to be affected by this design error.

If this were your Ford Mustang, I am sure you would want to keep this custom paint job protected with a car cover. Even if your ride is not as fresh and new as this one, it is still a good idea to protect the investment you made in your vehicle. Ford Mustangs have a great resell value – best way to maximize your asset’s worth is to protect it with a cover, even if it is stored in a garage.

Ford, as a brand, has been extremely successful in manufacturing vehicles that last and maintain value. Whether you are contemplating getting a Fusion, Taurus, F-150, or Mustang, you can rest assured that your money will be well spent. In all types of vehicles, Ford is a leader in resell value to its direct competitor. Ford has gone out of their way to produce vehicles that last from the inside out. It is your job, as the owner, to protect its aesthetics of the paint and get a car cover.

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This ‘transparent truck system’ has the potential to help safe driving on winding roads. The way this system works is by projecting a video from the front view of the truck to the back panels – giving the illusion that the truck is transparent. With this apparatus cars that are driving behind a tractor trailer will not have blind spots in the event that they need to pass a slow moving truck. Drivers can be sure that there is not going to be a vehicle traveling in the other lane.

The down side to this invention would be that, if it is utilized at night, it would impede your night vision because you would not have the ability to see anything but the image depicted on the screen. This idea is revolutionary, however, maybe not ready for implementation.

According to Forbes, this BMW X6 is one of the most popular crossover vehicles for 2010. This vehicle has been given great performance reviews and has a sleek coupe look. With a V6 engine and 350 horsepower it proves to drive similar to a sports car. Reviews call this an activity vehicle – it is practical for everyday driving but does not skip out on performance. If you are lucky enough to own one of these crossovers make sure you protect it with an SUV cover to preserve its brilliance.

Start the New Year off with reliable and affordable auto insurance. It would be a heavy financial burden in the event an accident occurs and you are uninsured. Being insured with at least minimal coverage is a wise decision to protect your financial assets.

There are affordable insurance policies like liability plans. For example, if you opt for only liability it will protect you from having to pay for bodily injuries and vehicle damage of the other party, if the accident is deemed your fault. This type of policy will not cover you and your vehicle; however, this is a basic plan that is necessary. Preventative action, like having active insurance, should be taken in order to keep yourself and others safe in 2010.

Winter months create hazardous conditions for driving due to snow and ice so it is necessary for road salt to be distributed for safety. Unfortunately, this can damage your vehicle’s paint and cause rust to the undercarriage. Plan ahead, apply a heavy coat of wax to your vehicle to give an extra layer of protection when expecting a storm. In the event you are unable to avoid driving, or exposing your car to these conditions be sure to wash your vehicle when the salt on the road has dissipated. If you live in an area subject to inclimate weather it would be a good idea to cover your car.

In preparation for wintery conditions it is a smart idea to prepare accordingly to protect the integrity of your paint. By thoroughly washing and waxing your vehicle you will be able to prevent corrosion and rust. If you detail your car before the harsh winter months the maintenance will be significantly easier.

After every snowfall or icy condition that requires salt distribution on the road surfaces, it is essential to wash your car. If the salt is left on the paint of your car it can erode the clear protective layer. By washing your vehicle you will preserve your paint job. Be sure not to neglect your undercarriage. When mud and salt is coated on the undercarriage, rust can occur which decreases the life span of your car. This can affect the performance of your car as well.

Purchasing a car/truck/SUV cover is a good investment for these weather conditions. By covering your vehicle before a snow fall you are preventing pollution from causing damage. If you do not have a garage, especially, covers are an essential tool. When snow lays on that paint job for an extended period of time it will break down the protection layer of the paint. This can cause spots of vulnerability and ultimately result in rust. Car covers will ensure long lasting cars and their paint jobs.

This Winter, remember to protect your vehicle. Prepare according to the weather in your area. Apply wax to the paint for an extra barrier of protection against the elements. Be sure to wash your car after every storm, including the undercarriage, to clean off excess salt and mud. Car covers are a good solution to protect your vehicle in harsh conditions. Follow these tips about protecting your vehicle from Winter weather and preserve the value of your car.

Although we can’t protect your car with an electromagnetic field, we do make great car covers. If you are worried about your car getting stolen, a car cover is a great way to keep it protected. Did you know that taking/ripping the cover off is considered breaking and entering? That’s why covering it can keep people out of your car. We also have cable and lock kits that you can use to lock your cover onto your car, which would make it even harder for someone to get into your car. Buy a cover today and you’ll significantly decrease the chance.

Winter can be a wonderful time filled with holiday cheer and snowflakes. It can also be extremely harsh. Plants, humans, animals, and even cars feel the brunt of winter furry. Although it may not seem like it, Old Man Winter can be incredibly cruel to your vehicle. Aside from ice build up, fluids and hoses can freeze up, not to mention those cold leather seats at 7 am! There are a few precautions one can take in order to help prevent the damage that winter can do.

Most importantly, buy yourself a high quality, weatherproof car cover. We recommend the Empire Waterproof or the Max cover. Both of these covers have high water resistance to block out snow and ice. (Note: In unusual circumstances, a layer of ice may form between your vehicle and the cover. This layer of ice must be thawed before removing your cover. You may expedite this process by pouring warm water over the cover and gently lifting it as the ice begins to melt. If any resistance occurs, repeat the process.) The cover can also be protected against wind by installing grommets that come with it. By tying it down, you can keep fierce winter winds from blowing your cover off.