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Car Care Tips
Long Fuel Pump Life
Fuel pumps in most new cars are located in the fuel tank where they can be expensive to replace. A submerged fuel pump needs at least ¼ tank or more of fuel surrounding it to cool and lubricate the pump properly. In addition, a low fuel level also concentrates dirt and other contaminates within the remaining fuel where they are more likely to be drawn into the pump creating more problems. For optimum fuel pump life, keep plenty of fuel in your tank and change your fuel filter every 30,000 miles.
How Often Should
Your Oil be Changed?


One of the great debates in automotive service is oil drain intervals. The correct oil change interval is the one prescribed by the engine manufacturer that can be found in a vehicle owner’s manual. Oil drain interval is determined by the engine type, drivetrain, vehicle type and expected use. Each OEM tests its own vehicles to determine the proper drain interval.
Some OEMs may have changed to longer drain recommendations as engines and motor oils are far more advanced over those produced even a few years ago. However, this is not always true, so you should check the owner’s manual for the specific drain interval for every vehicle. Understanding the type of driving a customer does with their vehicle is also beneficial. Generally speaking, most consumers drive a severe cycle of short-trip or stop-and-go type service, so using the severe service drain interval is recommended. With summer comes increased travel, which may include towing a boat or trailer. Those who use their car, SUV or light-duty truck for towing should also follow recommendations for severe service.
Woman Walking Towards Car on Sand Dune Ridge, Khor Al-Adaid, Qatar
oman Walking Towards Car on Sand Dune Ridge, Khor Al-Adaid, Qatar Photographic Print
Daffey, Mark
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There are no downsides to more frequent oil changes. A shorter drain will provide the best defense against harmful engine deposits, better oil consumption control, improved fuel economy and lower wear on engine parts. More frequent oil changes also may help you discover a more serious engine problem, such as a coolant leak, before serious damage occurs.
Engine deposits and wear are slow, sure killers of performance and engine life. In most cases, by the time you are aware of an issue, the damage has been done and often cannot be reversed without an engine rebuild. Changing the oil in a vehicle at the appropriate drain interval is the easiest, most cost-effective insurance against lubricant-related engine damage....Source: Pennzoil Oil Company
1953 Black VW Beetle
1953 Black VW Beetle Photographic Print
Greenberg, Jeff
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TECHNICAL
RESOURCES
Ask a Technician Repair Information Service
Diagnosis, Wiring Diagrams, R&R Information
$25.00 Per Inquiry
E mail for details

OBD-II Trouble Codes
1996 and newer

OBD II is an acronym for On-Board Diagnostics II, the second generation of on-board self-diagnostic strategy. On-board diagnostic capabilities are incorporated into the hardware and software of a vehicle's on-board computer to monitor virtually every component that can affect emission performance. Each component is checked by a diagnostic routine to verify that it is functioning properly. If a problem or malfunction is detected, the OBD II system illuminates a warning light on the vehicle instrument panel to alert the driver. This warning light will typically display the phrase "Check Engine" or "Service Engine Soon." The system will also store important information about the detected malfunction so that a repair technician can accurately find and fix the problem. Required on 1996 and later vehicles sold in the US.
36th Salon de l'Automobile et du Cycle
36th Salon de l'Automobile et du Cycle Giclee Print
Delpy
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OBD I Trouble Codes
1995 and earlier

On-Board Diagnostics I (OBD I) required manufacturers to monitor some of the emission control components on vehicles. Required on all 1991 and later vehicles, OBD I systems were not as effective as possible because they were limited to monitoring only a few of the emission-related components and they were not calibrated to a specific level of emission performance. OBD II was developed to address these shortcomings and make the system more user-friendly for service technicians.
Dare County Gasoline Prices
New EPA Fuel Mileage Ratings
Find Recalls for Your Vehicle

2008 Fuel Economy Guide
OBD-II Trouble Codes
Automotive News
Hyundai Says Rising Commodity Prices
Cause of U.S. Accent, Elantra Price
Hikes of $200 and $300 Respectively
US Government Crash Test Ratings get Upgrade
General Motors Stock Falls Below $10 Share,
Analysts Say Bankruptcy is Possible for Company
Smart for Two Earns Top Ratings for Protection
to Occupants During Front & Side Crashes
Chrysler Boss Says U.S. Auto Sales Tanking in
08, Company Vehicle Sales Down Almost 20 %
NGK Spark Plugs Made in USA
NGK Spark Plugs Inc. recently opened its third manufacturing facility in the U.S. with a grand opening ceremony on Monday, May 19, 2008 for its new state-of the-art plant, located in Sissonville, near Charleston, WV.
  US Drivers Cut Back on
Driving at Record Pace

 
The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced the largest decrease in driving ever recorded in the USA. During March, 2008 Americans drove 11 billion fewer road miles than they did during March 2007. The 4.3% drop represents largest decrease in driving ever recorded n the USA since the federal government began keeping records in 1942.
  Toyota Prius Hybrid
Sales Pass One Million
  New Sports Car Runs On Cell Phone Batteries

The Tesla Roadster is the world’s first electric powered zero emissions sports car. Powered by 6831 Japanese-made lithium-ion cell phone batteries, using Lotus lightweight engineering, and Silicon Valley high tech, the car can push itself down the road at a top speed of 135 miles per hour. In addition, the speedster can jump from 0-60mph in less than 4.0 seconds and cruise more than 200 miles before needing a charge.
Tesla Roadster
Price from $98,950
Engine: 245 bhp at 8000 rpm
Max torque 192 lb ft at 2500 rpm
Performance 0-62 mph 4 sec, Max speed 135 mph
Charge Time 4 hours
Emissions 0g/km
Ford Recalls Pickup Trucks
Ford Motor Company has recalled more than 650,000 Ford F-150 and Lincoln Mark LT pickup trucks. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a defective brake hose on the 2005 and 2006 model year Ford F-150 and Lincoln Mark L-T trucks could poor braking and needs to be fixed.
Hybrid Cars Gain Popularity
with Gas Price Increases
The Ladies of the Cars, 1883-5
The Ladies of the Cars, 1883-5 Giclee Print
Tissot, James
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Plug-in Hybrid Cars Are in the Pipeline
Plug-in hybrids cars and trucks will soon be rolling on American roads. Toyota has confirmed it will have a commercial plug-in hybrid on the road by 2010. The Japanese automaker has early versions of its plug-in, based on the existing Prius, undergoing tests.
General Motors will begin selling a plug-in version of its existing Saturn Vue, plus the more exotic Chevrolet Volt, an electric car that uses a small gas engine solely to keep the batteries charged for extended range.
Ford has developed a small fleet of plug-in hybrids that are undergoing testing. Chrysler has the first plug in van on the road. Called the “Sprinter,” it’s being sold as a limited edition. Fisker automotive announced ambitious plans for an $80,000 plug-in sports car to be available by late 2009. Chinese carmaker BYD said it will build a plug-in sedan for US highways in three to five years.
General Motors to Slash Production of Full
Size Pickups and SUVs by 143,000 Units.

Beijing, China Hosts Largest Auto Show in World
more that 100 Manufacturers Display Products
GM to pay Customers up to $800
Each Over Use of Defective Coolant
General Motors Corp. has agreed to pay as much as $800 each to millions of its customers to settle lawsuits over the use of Dex-Cool, a coolant it first introduced in its vehicles in 1995. Thousands of customers complained of problems ranging from small coolant leaks to complete radiator and engine failure in cars that came from the factory filled with the long life coolant. Court documents revealed that GM received thousands of repair requests linked to Dex-Cool. GM sold about 35 million vehicles between 1995 and 2004 with the faulty coolant.

Troubled Ford Motor Company Sells Jaguar
and Land Rover to Indian Car Manufacturer
Tata Motors of India has reported that it will buy Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford Motor Company for $2.3 billion, less than half of what Ford paid for the two luxury brands. Ford bought Jaguar for $2.5 billion in 1989 and Land Rover for $2.7 billion in 2000.
Volkswagon Owned Lamborghini
Launches Gallardo LP560-4
1953 Black VW Beetle
1953 Black VW Beetle Photographic Print
Greenberg, Jeff
Buy at AllPosters.com
The sleek new car can travel from zero to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds. The high performance was achieved by improving the friction of the mechanized gears, improving the power to weight ratio and engine design by drawing on technology from the Volkswagen AG, which acquired Lamborghini in 1998.


Consumer Reports Names 10 Best
and Worst Cars for Depreciation
Canada Gives Its Auto to Industry
$250 Million to Make Things Right
The Canadian Federal Government says it will dole out $250-million to the auto industry in the country over the next five years in an effort to help it research and develop new green technologies. However, the manufacturers, auto parts makers and the Canadian Auto Workers union have blasted the Government’s effort as being too little to stop the massive numbers of layoffs that are occurring in the industry.
German Domestic Auto Sales Grow by
17 % in the first two months of 2008
General Motors Development Chief
Calls global warming “a crock of sh*t”
General Motors product development chief Bob Lutz recently told reporters in what he thought was a a closed door session that global warming was “a crock of sh*t”. Lutz is part of the same General Motors team that invested $hundreds of millions redesigning full sized trucks and SUVs in 2005 and 2006 while fuel prices were starting their steep rise. Those vehicles are not selling in today's tough economic times costing the auto giant dearly.
Ferrari 250 Monza
Ferrari 250 Monza Giclee Print
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Arnold Schwarzenegger Tells
Detroit to "Get Off Your Butt"
Search Car and Truck
Models for Fuel Economy
Consumer Reports Names
Best Models for 2008

OBX Familly Loses Home after Ford
Truck Parked Under House Catches Fire
Kevin and Candice Miggels Kevin and their two sons, Andrew and John, resided in the home located at 7001 Old Manns Harbor Road. The structure was valued at $360,600.
Smart Cars Coming to America
Brooklands, The British 1000 Miles Race
Brooklands, The British 1000 Miles Race Art Print
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SMART CAR
SPECIFICATIONS

Length: 106.1 in. Width: 61.4 in.
Height: 60.7 in. Wheel Base: 73.5 in.
Curb Weight: 1653 lbs. Gross Weight: 2248 lbs.
Interior
Luggage Capacity: 7.7 cu. ft.
Maximum Cargo Capacity: 8 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 2
Number of Cylinders: 3 Engine Size: 1 liters
Engine Type: Inline 3 Horsepower: 71 hp
Torque: 68 ft-lbs. Drive Type: RWD
Turning Circle: 28.7 ft.
Fuel Tank Capacity: 8.7 gal.
Fuel consumption (City/Highway) 40/45
Maximum speed 90 mph
Acceleration 0–60 mph 12.8 sec

Top Fuel Economy Vehicles
for 2008 by Model Type

TWO-SEATER CARS
Mercedes-Benz Smart For two 33/41
Mazda MX-5 manual 22/27
MINICOMPACT CARS
MINI Cooper automatic 26/34
MINI Cooper manual 28/37
SUBCOMPACT CARS
Toyota Yaris automatic 29/35
Toyota Yaris manual 29/36
COMPACT CARS
Honda Civic Hybrid automatic 40/45
Toyota Corolla manual 28/37
MIDSIZE CARS
Toyota Prius automatic 48/45
Nissan Versa manual 26/31
LARGE CARS
Honda Accord automatic 21/31
Honda Accord manual 22/31
SMALL STATION WAGONS
Honda Fit automatic 27/34
Honda Fit manual 28
Volkswagen Passat Wagon manual 21/29
SMALL PICKUP TRUCKS
Toyota Tacoma 2WD automatic 19/25
Ford Ranger Pickup 2WD manual 21/26
Mazda B2300 2WD manual 21/26
STANDARD PICKUP TRUCKS
Chevrolet Silverado C15 2WD automatic 15/20
Chevrolet Silverado C15 2WD automatic 15/20
Chevrolet Silverado C15 2WD automatic 15/20
Dodge Dakota Pickup 2WD automatic 15/20
GMC Sierra C15 2WD automatic 15/20
GMC Sierra C15 2WD automatic 15/20
GMC Sierra C15 2WD automatic 15/20
Honda Ridgeline Truck 4WD automatic 15/20
Mitsubishi Raider Pickup 2WD automatic 15/20
Dodge Dakota Pickup 2WD manual 16/20
Mitsubishi Raider Pickup 2WD manual 16/20
CARGO VANS
Chevrolet Van 1500/2500 2WD automatic 15/20
GMC Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)automatic 15/20
MINIVANS
Mazda 5 automatic 21/27
Mazda 5 manual 22/28
SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES
Ford Escape Hybrid FWD automatic 34/30
  Also See the 2008
Fuel Economy Guide
 
Best and Worst Vehicles According
to Consumer Reports Magazine

Small Cars
Most reliable

Honda Fit
Toyota Yaris
Honda Civic Hybrid
Toyota Corolla
Least reliable
Chevrolet Cobalt
2006 Nissan Sentra
Volkswagen Jetta (5 cyl.)
Chevrolet Aveo

Family Cars
Most reliable

Honda Accord Hybrid
Toyota Prius
Honda Accord (4-cyl.)
Ford Fusion
Mercury Milan
Least reliable
Volkswagen Passat (4 cyl.)
Sport cars
Most Reliable

Lexus SC
Toyota Camry Solara (4-cyl.)
Subaru Impreza WRX
Honda S2000
Mitsubishi Eclipse
2006 Mini Cooper hatchback
Least reliable
Pontiac Solstice
Mercedes-Benz SL
Mercedes-Benz CLK
Mercedes-Benz SLK (V6)
Chevrolet Corvette
Porshce 911 Carrera
Ford Mustang (V6)
Midsized SUVs
Most Reliable

Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota Highlander
Honda Pilot
Lexus RX400h* (hybrid)
2006 Acura MDX
Least reliable
Mercedes-Benz M-class
Land Rover LR3 (V8)
Cadillac SRX (V8)
Mercedes-Benz R-class
Volkswagen Touareg
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Hummer H3*
2006 BMW X5 (V8)
Volvo XC90 (I6 and V8)
Ford Explorer (V8)
Mercury Mountaineer (V8
  Pickups
Most reliable

Subaru Baja
Toyota Tundra
Toyota Tacoma
Nissan Frontier (V6)
Least reliable
Nissan Titan
Ford F-250 (diesel)
Dodge Dakota (4WD)
2006 Cadillac Escalade EXT

Large SUVs
Most reliable

Toyota Land Cruiser
Lexus LX
Toyota Sequoia
Chevrolet Tahoe
GMC Yukon
Least reliable
Nissan Armada
Infiniti QX56
Lincoln Navigator
Hummer H2

Wagon/Minivan
Most Reliable

Pontiac Vibe
Scion xB
Toyota Matrix
Toyota Sienna
Least reliable
Buick Terraza
Chevrolet Uplander
Saturn Relay
Nissan Quest
Small SUV
Most reliable

Toyota FJ Cruiser
Honda Element
2006 Honda CR-V
Toyota Rav4*
2006 Mitsubishi Outlander*
Subaru Forester
Least reliable
Kia Sportage
Luxury Cars
Most reliable

Lexus LS M
Least reliable
Cadillac STS (V8)
2006 Mercees-Benz S-class
Mercedes-Benz CLS
Mercedes-Benz E-class sedan
BMW 7-series
Jaguar S-type

Large Cars
Most reliable

Lexus ES350
Lincoln Zephyr
Hyundai Azera
Acura TSX
Acura TL
Least reliable
Jaguar X-type
Chrysler 300 (V8)
Saab 9-3

   
Citroen C4 Automobile
Citroen C4 Automobile Giclee Print
Buy at AllPosters.com
Special Features Mini Cooper
Mini Cooper Poster
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Automotive Learning Library
How does a hybrid car work?
How do Automobile Ignition Systems Work?
Transistors and Chips,
birth of modern electronics
How Harley-Davidson Works !
4000 Automotive tools with Free Shipping 
Links
 
Automotive News
AutoWeek
Consumer Guide
Detroit News
Edmunds.com New Car Info
Free NC Road Map
Import Car magazine
Kelly Blue Book
Maintenance Schedules and recall Info
Motorcycle News
Motor Magazine
Motor Age
Motortrend Magazine
Nascar News
National Map Viewer
NC DOT
Outer Banks Free Press
Technical Service Bulletins
The Auto Channel
Underhood Service

Vin Number Trace
Wards Auto News
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G'Day Mate
G'Day Mate
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at AllPosters.com
Surf City
Surf City
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at AllPosters.com