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Save Money - Maintain Your Car

Men often complain about women being slower and incompetent drivers on the road. But ladies, don't get too affected yet. Men may think women are the worst drivers out there, but they are also the safest drivers. Plus, when it comes to car maintenance, most men are sissies just like women. You can't expect them to be mechanics themselves. As long as their cars look good and have a full tank, they don't really give much attention to their vehicles.

But men and women alike should be responsible drivers. By responsible drivers we mean not only in driving, but in taking care of vehicles as well. It doesn't really take long to check your car. Five minutes is enough to see if there are parts that need to be repaired or replaced. Doing so, you'll save a lot of time and money in repair expenses. Whether you are a guy or a lady, here are the things you need to check in your car.

Air filter replacement

As the first line of defense of your engine against contaminants, the air filter has to be kept clog-free at all times. It usually takes only a few minutes to check the air filter. Before opening the hood of your car to check the filter, make sure that the engine is off. It's best to check your operating manual for precise instruction on how to check and replace the air filter.

Antifreeze refill

Because the engine operates under harsh conditions, keeping it cool at all times is critical. This is the job of the antifreeze in the cooling system. It's important that you have the right level of antifreeze in the cooling system to guarantee that the engine don't overheat while you are on the road. A good rule to follow is to always have antifreeze in your trunk. It's best to shed a few bucks in antifreeze that lose thousands of dollars in engine repair.

Battery check

Although most car batteries these days no longer need much maintenance, it's still best to check your battery regularly. This way, you are ensured that it is still in good shape and doesn't have leaks. Regular inspection would also allow you to address any battery problem early on.

Light check

A classy car won't be any good if you can't even take it for a drive at night. As such, it's important that you check your car lights regularly. Before you drive off in the morning, turn on your auto lights and check if they are still properly aligned and able to provide good light output. As a rule of thumb, replace both your headlight bulbs even if only one bulb is nearing failure. This will ensure that you get maximum road visibility when driving in dark roads.

Practicing these simple maintenance tips will help avoid costly repairs in the end. So, if you don't want to see your money going down the drain because of pricey repair or replacement, then don't neglect

Francis Romaine, a journalism grad, is most adept in writing about cars which is among his interests. now, he's a freelance writer who's interests don't just concentrate on cars alone but also on other related topics such the how to's of a car, nifty info on different parts such as the aftermarket headlights, ac condenser, car mirror, and so on.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francis_Romaine

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New Car Buying Center - Review of the 2010 Volvo V70

It will hold everything you love and safely too! There have been slight changes to the Volvo V70 for 2010. As a FWD only the V70 has two trim levels (V70 3.2 and the V70 3.2 Premium) and an R-Design Package is available. The Volvo V70 is equipped with a 3.2-litre, 235-horsepower, in-line six cylinder engine producing 236 lb.-ft. of torque. It comes standard in a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The entry-level V70 3.2 comes standard with: 16" alloy wheels, dual-zone Electronic Climate Control, Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, Bluetooth, power driver's seat with memory, heated front seats, T-tec seating surfaces and a 6-speaker audio system. Stand alone options are: metallic paint and dual-stage integrated booster cushions for the rear seats.

The 3.2 Premium adds a list of additional features as standard equipment and includes: sunroof, leather seating surfaces, power tailgate, Blind Spot Information System, 8-speaker audio system and power passenger seat. Two option packages are available. The first, a Luxury Package (Active Bending Lights, Four-C active chassis, front and rear parking assistance, heated rear seats or dual-stage integrated booster cushions, speed sensitive steering and rain sensing wipers). The second, is the Tech Package (Premium Sound system with 12 DynAudio speaker, a 650-watt amplifier and Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound processing, 6-disc in-dash CD changer, satellite radio, Personal Car Communicator (PCC) with keyless drive and Collision Avoidance System (CAS)). In order to add the Tech Package you must also include the Luxury Package. Available options specific for the 3.2 Premium include: wood inlays and wood steering wheel.

The available R-Design Package on the 2010 V70 includes: 18" alloy wheels, active bending lights, parking assist front and rear, heated rear seats, metallic paint, lowered sport chassis, rear spoiler and rain sensor. Other elements of the R-Design include: sport exhaust tips, grille and steering wheel with R-Design emblem, sport aluminium inlays, gear shift knob with aluminium inlays.

Stand alone options for both the Premium and R-Design Package include: bright roof rails, child booster seats, navigation and the rear seat dual DVD sytem.

What is the Personal Car Communictor (PCC)?

Within 100 metres of the V70 this system on the key fob will notify the driver if the car is locked, unlocked, if the alarm was activated and if a heartbeat has been detected inside the vehicle at the press of a button. Beyond 100 meters, the driver can check if the "lock" button was pressed when the wagon was left.

What is the Collision Avoidance System (CAS)?

This system utilizes long-range radar and a short-range digital camera to deliver a Collision Warning system with Auto Brake that will visually and audibly warn the driver of a potential collision and autonomously apply up to 50 per cent braking power should a collision become imminent. CAS also adds Lane Departure Warning, Distance Alert to help maintain a safe distance to the vehicle in front and Driver Alert to evaluate the driver's control of the vehicle and warn them if there is increased likelihood they are asleep or distracted.

What Else About the V70 and the Rest of the Volvo Line-Up You Might Not Know?

The V70's body structure as well as the rest of the Volvo line-up, is composed of four kinds of steel to distribute collision energy around the passenger cabin. The interior is equipped with a collapsible steering column, a full complement of airbags and the company's unique Volvo Whiplash Protection System to reduce the likelihood of soft tissue injuries in a rear-end collision. The V70 is also equipped with braking aids such as ABS and Electronic Brake Force Distribution. Security features include approach and "Home Safe" lighting to illuminate the area around and in front of the vehicle to bring attention to any hazards, such as ice.

Dennise Ryder is the Business Manager at Volvo of Durham in Toronto Canada. If you are looking to buy a new or quality used car and want to avoid the expensive pitfalls visit her blog Cars Canada for Sale.

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Insight to 2010 Audi A3


The 2010 Audi A3 will be a value addition to the strong lineup of Audi, which will retain the Typ 8PA 3.2L VR6 engine capable of churning out 247 hp of power. Initially the A3 was available only as a three door hatchback, but over time high performance versions of the A3 were rolled out.

Currently, the 2010 A3 incorporates the PQ35 platform Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI), as well as 6-speed manual gearshift. It will be offered in front wheel drive and an optional all-wheel drive.

What's more, there are plenty of options in terms of features, styling and powertrain as the 2010 A3 will be offered with choice of Quattro on-demand four wheel drive, and S-Tronic semi-auto gearbox.

During the last two decades, Audi A3 has been a consistent performer, offering great reliability to its customers throughout the world.

Currently, the petrol engine will be offered in the European and Asian markets, while a diesel variant is expected to be available in UK and few other European countries; otherwise the standard gasoline version of the vehicle will be seen across the world.

The new A3 will have sufficient power for the usual needs, though definitely not too much for the speedsters and those who're crazy about extreme power and high speed maneuvering. What will be more interesting is the response that it receives from the customers in the higher segments.

Only time can tell whether the 2010 Audi A3 will be really able to live up to the expectations of its countless fans, or is it going to be another ordinary release from Audi this year that would fail to deliver just what the doctor ordered!

You may also want to know more about the 2010 Audi A3 and check out the latest Audi A3 reviews, pictures as well as specs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Geof_Ryan