Honda Customers Seeing A Whole New Generation Of Vehicles

If you have been following what's going on in the news these days, it's easy to see that a lot of great things have been happening for Honda customers. It seems like Honda has been quite busy lately thinking up new ways to introduce some new high volume vehicles. For people who were looking for more fuel efficency, the Honda Fit was introduced to North American not that long ago. This was Honda's way of providing city dwellers with a fuel efficient commuter that also has plenty of cargo space.

With the arrival of the all-new 2008 Accord, there is cause for celebration. If we Look at the all new redesigned vehicle, we see that it is a very practical and unassuming car. For more than three decades, we baby boomers have matured, along with the Honda Accord. This shows us that these latest Hondas prove that maturity can also mean excellence. Equipped with a V6 engine, six-speed manual transmission, and plenty of extras the Accord actually becomes fun to drive.

With the introduction of the all new CR-Z concept car, Honda is pushing the limits on bringing true sport and the latest technology together. This new breed of vejicle is poised to set Honda apart from it's competitors in the Hybrid market. Honda calls the CR-Z a lightweight sports car, indicating that it will have the performance to backup its sporty looks. The interior design of the CR-Z has the look and feel of a Hi-tech and Sporty vehicle, which has been achieved by a very futuristic instrument panel. Honda also designed the interior to seem very airy and spacious by using mesh material on a simple framework.

Next we see the Honda SUT Concept which is a next-generation truck concept that takes a clean slate approach to the light-duty truck segment. It combines a roomy and practical SUV-style interior and a pickup-style cargo bed with traditional Honda strengths. This includes refined styling, superior ergonomics, innovative design and world-class build quality.

The truck market is evolving to meet the changing tastes of a new generation of truck buyers, so the Honda SUT Concept takes this evolution to the next level with higher levels of refinement and sophistication in a sporty and socially responsible package with Honda durability, quality and reliability.

And finally, Honda has recently confirmed it's plans to bring the exciting "green" cars into production. The FCX hydrogen fuel cell car and a lightweight, hybrid sportscar will both be built - with a production version of the FCX making its debut next month. ear And next, based on the FCX concept, the all-new FCV will be marketed to fleet and retail customers in both the U.S. and Japan. The Honda FCV will provide all the creature comforts and safety most expect while the undisclosed specifications of the Honda V Flow fuel cell stack will provide performance equivalent to most modern day sedans while producing zero emissions other than water and heat.

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5 Automotive Tools Every Auto Owner Needs

Automobiles are sizeable investments. As a car becomes older, its maintenance becomes increasingly important. There are many tools that every auto owner should have. Auto shops can sometimes charge exurbanite amounts for a simple fix that could have been done at home for much cheaper. Having the proper tools and knowledge will allow any auto owner to save money, learn more about their automobile, and maintain their car.

1. Every auto owner should have a jack and jack stands. When working on a car, more often than not, the car must be elevated. Simple procedures like rotating tires can be done at home with the help of a Jack. Additionally, all car owners should have a jack in their car with them wherever they go. In the unfortunate event of a flat tire, having a jack and a spare tire can lead to a simple tire replacement. In a garage, having a powerful jack and strong jack stands makes it possible for an auto owner to reach every point underneath the car and thus solve problems more efficiently.

2. One of the most important car maintenance practices is the oil change. To maintain an automobile, the oil should be changed once every 3,000 miles. Quintessential to a successful oil change is having an Oil Wrench that takes the oil filter off and allows the oil to be changed expediently. Without an oil wrench, an auto owner may be forced to take their car to an auto shop and overpay for a simple oil change.

3. Often when dealing with parts of the engine, or the hard-to-reach spots under the hood, proper tools are required. A 3/8-inch Socket Set can allow an automobile owner to loosen and subsequently tighten a wide variety of bolts. Different extensions allow the auto owner to obtain the best angles for torque and therefore make auto jobs quite a bit easier.

4. When changing oil, having a funnel, some rags, and a bucket is very helpful. Once again, the oil change is one of the most important maintenances for a car, and it can be done easily by anyone. However, many people do not have the proper tools or knowledge for a successful oil change. Having a funnel can also be useful when refilling any other fluids in one’s car. The funnel serves to make sure that fluids do not get over filled, which can lead to significant problems.

5. Finally, every auto owner should have a pair of solid vice grips. Some times a part will just not come loose. Other times, a car part may not seem to be tight enough despite one’s best efforts. Vice grips can hold a wide variety of car parts and allow the user to obtain more leverage for either tightening or loosening a part. When encountering a part that will simply not come loose, many auto owners will give up and take their car to a shop. Having vice grips can help one to avoid this problem.

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10 Commandments of Defensive Driving

10 Commandments of Defensive Driving:

1. Be attentive

Always pay attention. Always check your side mirrors and look far enough to see other cars not just the one in front of you. Be alert when you are near intersections and pay attention to road signals and signs. If the sign tells you it's slippery when wet, don't speed up or else... Pay attention to fast cars because you'll never know if the person driving is drunk or not.

2. Yield and give way.

Yep, you are on the right way and what you are doing is just fine. But if you see one car which is running way too fast it's wiser to give way. Because if you get hit, you may end up dead or injured, too. It pays to be forgiving and calm when you are on the road just to increase your chances of not getting hurt or killed.

3. Don't trust the other driver.

The third rule is another cardinal rule - don't trust the other driver. Because you'll never really know whether the other driver is cautious or not, it's better to pay attention and be alert at all times.

4. No alcohol, please!

Plain and simple don't drive when you're drunk! You need not ask the reason because that's plain common sense and it will not take an Einstein to realize how dangerous it is to drive while one is drunk. Defensive driving is being clean from intoxicating substances.

5. Buckle up for safety.

Yeah, that's right buckle up for safety. Use your seatbelt. Don't worry about your pants or shirt being slightly folded when you wear seatbelt because at least you can do something to fix it because you are still alive. But if you are dead, you'll never really know the difference between a well-pressed and a not so well-pressed shirt.

6. Wear helmet.

For motorists, always make sure that you wear your helmets on because experiences of many people will tell you how many lives were already saved by the mere act of wearing helmets. Defensive driving also means wearing your gears.

7. Never beat the red light.

Simply put, if you try beating the red light for sure you are going to give yourself a headache if are caught doing it. So, as a piece of advice don't.

8. Be cool.

If someone overtakes or somebody honks... be cool. It's not the end of the world anyway. Being defensive is always better.

9. Use signals.

Use your flashers and lights properly to relay your intentions. When you will be turning left it is not hard to turn on the left signal light to alert the other driver.

10. Never Play Chicken with a Train!

If you are in the Hamlet like "to be or not to be" situation, just don't if the train is coming. A few minutes of waiting is better than not being able to experience the next minute anymore. Defensive driving is all about being patient.
Source:by Alex Baumm.

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Cars That Run on Water - Fact or Fiction

Does the idea of cars that run on water sound preposterous to you? Is it hard to imagine that you can increase your car's fuel efficiency by more than 100 percent just by using a water fuel cell?

The fact is an amazing new technology has been developed to allow cars to use water to maximize fuel efficiency. This new invention is so cost-effective; scientists aren't even willing to share it with the public. They would make no profit from the product, and their expensive fuel research would be stopped almost immediately!

You may be wondering exactly what kind of cars could run on water. The answer will surprise you. With the use of a converter, any engine can use water to improve fuel efficiency. These inventions can be added both to diesel and to gasoline engines.

To say that the car actually runs on water is slightly misleading. In fact, the car runs on a combination of water and gasoline. The water is available in a quart-sized container filled with water and a small amount of baking soda that is installed beneath the hood. A vacuum diverts the fuel exhaust back into the water.

A tiny charge of electricity is supplied to this water through a connection to the battery. The electrical current splits the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is then directed to the motor's carburetor, and the vehicle is then supplied with hydrogenated exhaust fuel, which makes the fuel burn more completely.

Although you may have read about the possibilities of hydrogen power, this power is actually very dirty to produce. In addition, the process is risky; hydrogen in this form is potentially very explosive. Between the risk and the pollution, this type of hydrogen power is actually a worse alternative to fuel.

In contrast, cars that run on water can manufacture their own hydrogen power, as it is required by the car. Virtually no risk is involved. In addition, the engine exhaust is much cleaner than that of a standard engine because the fuel is burned more thoroughly. In fact, the primary end product of this fuel source is water!

Cars that run on water will save you thousands of dollars each year. Take a few moments to read about the technology, before you make the decision that will put the money you have been giving to major fuel companies back in your pocket!

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4 Simple Steps Before Buying Your Honda

There are 4 simple but very effective steps that you need to do before you want to buy your new Honda car. These things are very important so that you will buy your new Honda cars with peace in mind and save a lot of money.

Step 1:

Firstly, You should check publications at a library or bookstore or on the Internet that discuss new car features and prices. These may provide information on the dealer's costs for specific models and options. Once you have a general idea of the type of vehicle that will suit you, spend the time to do the background work that will disclose advantages and disadvantages. Several Internet sites can help you compare features and prices on new motor vehicles.

Step 2:

Second, You should find out the dealer's real cost on the car (it's typically less than invoice) and the prices that smart shoppers are paying for that car, then research any other items you might want (loans, extended warranties, car alarms, etc.).

Here's the real key to your deal: you must find out what the dealer paid for the car so you can negotiate the price you'll pay for it. You have to find out this information for yourself and you have to be sure it's up-to-date and correct!

Step 3:

Thirdly, There are other good times to buy. September and October are the usual times that new car models arrive, however new models are starting to be released year-round. Saturday mornings are good because a dealership is trying to create some momentum going into the weekend.

Also, when the end of the month is coming up, car dealers will want to boost sales figures for monthly reports, so good deals may be found then as well.

Step 4:

Lastly, everything is negotiable. The price, the trade value, the interest rate, the extended warranty - most dealerships will work with you on everything that you want to work on.

Remember, you have the power. You're the buyer. You can walk out on a deal at any time prior to signing the papers and driving away.

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Looking for a new car can be quite an adventure

After an auto accident, it may be perhaps, sadly or happily you are in the market for a new car. Looking for a new car can be quite an adventure. Most people are not aware that autos are available online through sources such as Ebay and Government auctions who specialize who in seized cars, SUVs, and trucks from all over the world. Auctions are held to sell the cars and may be purchased offline as well as online.

The savings you experience can actually run up to the thousands. These auctions offer a wide variety of cars, makes, models and years. All of these type of sites offer valuable information about each one and becomes a virtual online mall for car shopping for men, women and teens. Some teens have been able to convince their parents to purchase their new car in just such a manner since the cars are greatly reduced.

One must do their due diligence, however, especially to check out the car's VIN or Vehicle Identification Number to ensure the car has not been previously involved in a auto accident such as you yourself just experienced since it may have sustained heavy body damage which could lead to future problems.

If you are a young person, it is best to take an older, more experienced individual with you to purchase your new auto. Friends are great and wonderful support, but older adults have purchased vehicles for years and know the pitfalls of buying a new or used car. So, take a trusted source of autos with you, ask a lot of questions, and pick out a new vehicle that will last you for a few years. After an auto accident, if your car is completely totalled, is a good time to take stock of what you really need in a car.

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How To Buy A Used Car For Less

There are two basic ways to buy a used car cheap, and one good reason: To save money. It isn't just that they cost less to buy initially. The research shows a four-year-old car can cost 40% less over its lifetime. That's including the costs of gas, oil, repairs, insurance - everything. This is why almost half of the millionaires in the United States buy used cars, according to Thomas Stanley and William Danko, authors of "The Millionaire Next Door."

Buy The Right Used Car

The first approach to buying a used car for less is to look for the cheapest "type" of car for your purposes. Some cars just cost more than others, both to buy and to operate, so look for the lowest-cost one that will do what you need. In other words, whatever your negotiating skill, a four-year-old Jeep Wrangler is still going to cost more to buy and run than a four-year-old Ford Escort. So if you don't need the four-wheel drive or space of the former, consider the latter.

Here are some of the factors to consider when looking at the overall cost of a vehicle:

- Price. You can look in one of the popular auto "blue-books" or price guides to see what used cars are selling for. The accuracy of these may be suspect, but they do give you a good idea of the relative values, so you can compare various models.

- Repair costs. At a public library you can find a copy of the Consumer Reports auto edition. They have ratings for all the major systems and parts of different models, and usually an average annual repair cost for them as well.

- Mileage. You can ask an owner about the mileage he or she gets, and try to gauge their honesty. Alternately, there are websites like fueleconomy.gov where you can find fuel economy figures for used cars. If you drive 20,000 miles per year, the difference between 20 miles-per-gallon versus 34 MPG is an extra 412 gallons per year, or $1,240 at $3 per gallon.

- Insurance. Some cars cost more to insure. Ask your insurance agent about the cars you are considering, to see if there is a big difference in costs.

- Resale value. If you intend to drive the car for just a few years, you have to consider what you will lose in value. Two cars may cost $8,000 each used, but one may be worth $6,000 a couple years later while the other is only worth $4,000. You can research resale value online, or study a used-car price guide to see which models have retained the most value over the years.

Get The Right Price

The second part of buying a used car for less is to negotiate a lower price. You don't have to be a master negotiator to do well, but there are a few tricks you should know. The first is to have a good idea of what the car is worth. Get out that car price guide, and look for the wholesale cost. Make your first offer lower than that. What else can you do?

- Spend some time looking at the car. If you are interested, spend some time with a car and owner or sales person. Negotiator refer to this as "time investment." The more time the seller has invested with you, the more they want to sell to you, so as not to "waste" that time. It has been shown that you can get a lower offer accepted if you first take more of the sellers time.

- Hint at the problems. Look at the engine and under the car, even if you aren't sure what you are looking at. Point out any problems you see politely, but never contradict or insult the seller in any way. You want the seller to like you but start to doubt the value of his car.

- Be ready to walk away. Unless you really need a car today, always be ready to say, "I'll think about it," and leave. This is one of the oldest and surest ways to get price concessions. Sales people in particular know that when people "think about it" they rarely return. They will usually make their best offer at this point.

- Have a mechanic look at the car. If you can't bring the car to your mechanic, have a friend with some mechanical knowledge come with you to look at the car. It isn't necessarily cheap if it breaks down a week after you buy it. Also, everything that your friend or mechanic finds wrong is a negotiating point that may result in a lower price.

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Auto Part

Searching for that particular auto part can become an epic quest at times. There are many companies trying to simply make a profit without paying attention to what the customer really wants. What the people are looking for is becoming more customized, and the industry needs to grow and adjust to the customer as they change.

Are you tired of spending hours at junkyards trying to find your parts at a reasonable cost? Just search online for a retail or wholesale business that may be offering discounts. Great discounts are on both used and new auto parts. Make sure you check out the warranty on potential purchases.

There are many dealers on the Internet that provide discounts all year. You should be utilizing these resources. In order to do so simply fill in the make, year, model, and details of the part in question. Discounts can fluctuate in value during different seasons.

Sometimes making multiple purchases at the same place can elicit a discount. If you have certain parts that have to be replaced regularly, why not save money? Look for discounts that can reward you for what you want.

Occasionally as the lines shut down for certain models of vehicles, the parts for the auto mobiles are discounted at much greater savings for the customer. So don't forget while you are shopping for auto parts, that the prices probably won't stay the same for long. Scoop up great deals when you see them.

The dealers aside, a discount is found when buying auto parts from the factory outlet without a middle man. Yet those situations are are relative. Many of the more respected auto part manufacturers deal only with their web of proven dealers and seldom straight to the customer. Click below to find a complete resource on everything auto parts.

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Auto Repair

Auto repair is a necessity, right? Cars need to be maintained, they need repairs, and they need service. Certainly convenience is nice, but it's an added bonus. One would think that convenience and the necessity of auto repair are indeed complementary - albeit rare. What few understand, however, is that the auto repair industry charges for convenience. In other words, you could and should be able to get your car repaired for less - sometimes lots less - but because you broke down here and not there, you pay more.

Repair prices vary greatly from shop to shop for a numbers of reasons (discussed at length in RepairTrust literature). The focus here is the mind-set in the auto repair industry that it is ok to charge customers extra for convenience.

For perspective, here's a break down of an actual transaction.

After a careful analysis of a $1600 auto repair bill, it was clear that $200 of it was excessive. The excessive charges were as follows: an extra $10 for a battery (compared to MSRP - Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price), an extra $125 for an alternator (compared to MSRP), and an additional $65 in labor (compared to industry guidelines).

While this particular customer was a busy executive and was glad for the quick service and convenience, what about the single mom struggling to make ends meet? An additional $200 in repairs might mean a late rent check.

Convenience charges are extremely common, but hard to prove. The justifications for these charges are numerous. They include, but are not limited to the following:

Overhead Expenses - the cost of doing business is repeatedly passed on to the car repair customer, very often unjustifiably

Competition - to keep a competitive edge against competition, shops will mark up prices stating that the client would have paid even more somewhere else. They will also use their own inferior parts from their own suppliers, despite the availability of better quality parts for less money.

Profit Margins - in the name of customer convenience, prices are frequently jacked up to maintain profit margins. For example, a repair shop will tack on an additional 20% to MSRP for a part that you could get for 20% less at a dealer.

Ego - you will pay extra for ego-inflated diagnosis and repair because most technicians are ill-qualified and thus self-conscious, which in turn fills them with feelings of grandiosity when they actually fix something right - how convenient for you!

What should you do...

In an industry that lacks standardization (that's adhered to anyway) and an effective regulatory system, the auto repair customer stands alone.

Here are a few quick tips if you suspect convenience charges.

1) Get it in writing - get your estimates and repair orders in a detailed printout to enable you to scrutinize the charges

2) Ask questions - if you don't understand a charge - ask. Don't just pay and "assume" that you were treated fairly

3) Call another service center and request an estimate

4) Compare part prices with MSRP

5) Don't be afraid to negotiate - ask for a discount if you're having lots of repairs done. Check for specials, senior citizens discounts, coupons...etc

6) Be nice, sincere, and shrewd. Repair industry folks respond much more positively to someone who is sincere, and genuine. But be cautious and question everything.

It's clear that auto repair is a necessity. The nature of the automobile and the conditions under which it must perform demands it. Car repair and maintenance is vital for the community and the economic structure of the world in which we live. Yet, the industry is run and controlled by a pack of wolves. Since we're not talking about running into a convenience store for an over-priced gallon of milk, perhaps a little more help (by way of transparent pricing standards) from Uncle Sam is in order.

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Performance auto part

With advance auto part store locater you can easily find a suitable auto part store where you can buy all necessary parts for your car. But you can get a better and more rewarding alternative, learn how.

Buying performance auto part for your car is necessary when you want to carry out repair and maintenance work, so you need to locate the right auto part store to patronize, this is a major and important task because it determines what you get.


Advance Auto Part Store Locator: What Destination

When you buy your replacement auto part you need to consider two important points.

1. You must buy quality parts which can adequately replace factory-fitted ones and enhance the performance of your car.

2. Buy at cheap rate, or get discount for your purchase. You should let this two points guide you whenever you search so that you can always get the best in price and quality in the market.

Unfortunately an advance car part store locator can only land you in an auto part store which has integrated the phrase "advance auto part store locator" in their site, and they may not necessarily deliver the service.

To get the best result, use a better alternative to search for your desired auto parts.

Advanced Auto Part Store Locator: A Better Alternative

The best auto part out fits that deliver on price and quality today are wholesalers who partners with manufacturers directly.

1. They cut off all middlemen, and reduce overheard cost.

2. They stock only original, direct-from-manufacturers parts, only the best in the market.

3. They have large inexhaustible stocks.

4. They have experts that are available 24/7 to assist any car owner in any problem they might encounter. For example if you are not sure on the part you want to buy or you can find exactly what you need, you can chat with them online free or make a free telephone call for guidance.

5. They have warehouses scattered all over, where you can easily get your product shipped to you from their nearest store.

6. No problem of lack of parts.

7. They offer free shipping services on some prices.

How It Works: Without Advance Car Part Locator

Instead of using an advanced auto part store locator and probably get a store close to you from a network of stores and nothing more.

You can just visit the online catalog of an OEM parts manufacturers and make your order, stating your address and other necessary information. They will link with their warehouse/store closest to you and make the auto part available as quickly as the courier can deliver it. You don't need to worry about the quality of what you get or on specifications. You get exactly what you request for.

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