Cars & Bikes News

Until recently, car owners were faced with limited choices for getting their cars clean inside and out, most of which were not green options. None of the three most common choices were all that attractive for green car owners:

Professional auto detailing services: You’re certain to get a great job done when you take your vehicle in to be detailed by a professional team, but at what cost? These jobs can run upwards of $120 depending on what services you opt for. Plus, if you’re concerned about your health and the environment, you may not like the chemicals and toxic air fresheners used to get your car clean with these companies. DIY car wash bays: Alternatively, you can take your car to the local vehicle washing bays to spray it down yourself or run it through a touch less system, but these commercial washing services use enormous quantities of water and again, questionable chemicals. It can also be costly, including your time, especially if you’re doing a thorough job on your own. Wash car at home: While this is an economical solution, it involves dragging out the rags, hose, buckets, toxic cleaning products, which aren’t healthy for you or the environment. Washing your car at home with a hose can consume up to 140 gallons of water with one wash. Not only do you pay for that water, but all of toxic chemicals, oil, gasoline, heavy metals are washed straight into storm drains. And, it can take several hours to get the job done when washing a car the old-fashioned way with a hose and a bucket and dry time.

Most green car drivers looking for an economical way to clean their vehicles feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. They either choose something that’s expensive with a few green attributes, or they do something inexpensive with fewer environmental benefits. There have been very few green car care products on the market until recently.

Thanks to some cutting edge technology and a real green spirit, the new Laura Klein’s Green Car care products will get the job done in a fraction of the time, with zero water waste, and without harming the planet. These car detailing products are biodegradable, made from plant- and water-based ingredients, and they’re non-toxic which makes them safe and healthy for you and the planet.

Laura Klein’s Green Car Waterless Wash & Shine is a truly amazing product. All you need is the spray bottle and two microfiber cloths. You simply spray the solution on a two-by-two foot square area on your car and wipe away the dirt and grime with the first microfiber cloth, then polish and shine with a second microfiber cloth (or use a clean section of the first cloth) and you’re done! No pre-wetting or rinsing required. It will not scratch your car. It cleans and shines lightly to moderately soiled surfaces, lifting dirt and soil off surfaces for easy cleaning (they admit: their Green Car Waterless Wash and Shine isn’t for caked on, four-wheeling dirt…its specialty is every day grime-fighting!). No water, no bucket, no hose, or messy clean up! One 32 oz bottle will give you 10-16 car washes per bottle (depending on the size of your car) and can literally save $100s a year in professional car washing fees (depending how much you spend of course).

Other products include, the Laura Klein Green Car Cleaning Kit that comes with the Waterless Wash & Shine, Tire & Dash Dressing, Glass & Mirror and two microfiber cloths. If buying a hybrid doesn’t fit your budget, greening your car with Laura Klein’s Green Car Kit couldn’t be easier.

How come would you deficiency to Vehicle donations a fomite to brotherly love? Matchless briny argue is that it aid the community by the kindly administration it has comprised given to. Just the citizenry most citizenry cited when called for this doubt are that allows them to deduce from their add income about that class tax bring back. About people only believe about donating their autos to these broadcasts but the accuracy are you capful donate whatever type by vehicle you could own. These admit Lorries, mobile abodes, four bicyclers, Jet Ski, commercial omits, building gear, motor bicycles, boats, bus bars, or even older armed forces vehicles whenever you have it!

One argument as fomite donating is that they bequeath save you clip and besets you could get by selling your auto. To betray you will ask to put astir and advert, do calls, go about test aims, haggle across cost, act a bill by sale, and so forth, etc. On a brotherly love donation you cognize what you are becoming to acquire, and the action is because simple because arriving at a call, signing a few documents and becoming across your keys as the vehicle are picked astir. In a few cases you bequeath also accept a greater financial do well by donating than you would by betraying your auto.

Whether you’re riding around in something fresh off the line or something you’ve had for a while now, keeping it looking new is simple with a few basic auto accessories. Simple and affordable, most car accessories, such as Toyota accessories or Ford accessories, cost less than a night out (depending on how high-maintenance your date is) and provide lasting durability that protects your vehicle’s components while adding some personal style to its appearance. Here are a few of the most popular car accessories.

Floor Mats
The primary function of a set of quality floor mats is to preserve your resale value by protecting your floorboards from spills, mud, tar and other substances that can stain, fade and ruin your interior. Floor mats are available in a wide variety of styles, including all-weather, carpeted, rubber and even popular auto and sports logos. Constructed of high-quality thermo-plastic and other durable materials, floor mats are computer-designed to your specific make, model and year to provide maximum coverage without covering up your floor controls. At the same time, they’re designed to fit your front, second and even third-seat floor areas (as well as your trunk and cargo spaces). Plus, many floor mats are constructed with smart grooves and tall sidewalls that trap the runnier messes and prevent them from sloshing around your vehicle, making them one of the most popular auto accessories on the market.

Car Bras
Specially-tailored car bras are the best way to protect the front end of your vehicle from rocks, bugs and other road carnage. Constructed from thick vinyl, car bars provide a precise fit, deflecting harmful material away from your front end and preventing those tiny dents and dings that often give way to rust and corrosion. Car bras will never flap, bubble or bunch up, increasing the sleekness of your vehicle at any speed. Plus, each car bra features padded hooks that hold the bra tight without leaving an imprint on your paintjob. They also include full hood access and don’t have to be removed to check under the hood when servicing the engine.

Dash Kits
Lining the curves and contours of your dash, dash kits keep your new dashboard looking new while preventing additional damage to your factory interior from spills, scratches or UV rays. Dash kits offer a wide variety of styles and colors, including a marbled or striped wood grain that inject a high sense of originality and character to your otherwise bland interior. In addition, you can choose from a variety of dash kits to cover your dash, stereo, gauges and vents, with some models even featuring door trim kits to complete the look. Simple to install, dash kits go on in minutes simply by cleaning the area for installation, peeling the trim piece off your kit and pressing it into place.

The 2006 Intellichoice winners are in, naming a new round of luxury car winners in terms of their Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) programs. Rankings are based on a variety of factors, namely the quality of the used car warranty, availability of special financing, tile verification, return policies, and emergency road service packages. The winners of the used luxury car 2006 Certified Pre-Owed program are in ranking order:

1. Jaguar
2. Volvo
3. Cadillac
4. Saab
5. Audi

#1 Used Jaguar Wins Top Slot in 2 Categories
According to the survey, if you’re in the market for a used luxury car, a used Jaguar offers the best CPO package. The used Jaguar ranked first in both overall CPO package and in the category of CPO warranty. The Jaguar’s original 72 month/100,000 mile warranty is seamlessly carried over to the used Jaguar following the sale. Even more appealing is that there is no deductible on many warranty repairs, a sign of Jaguar’s confidence in its vehicle.

#2 Volvo
The Volvo ranked a close second in the Intellichoice awards. With the average Volvo lasting approximately 18.5 years, these used luxury cars are a smart choice. Volvo puts its used luxury cars through a 130-point Volvo-tough inspection then gives it a 6 year/100,000 mile warranty for its new owner.

#3 Cadillac
Before Cadillac inspectors deem their used luxury car “certified” the car must pass a rigorous 100 point inspection which includes stringent guidelines on mileage, structural integrity, mechanical condition, or aesthetic appearance. Only when the used luxury car passes through all of these checkpoints is it considered Cadillac certified and ready for new ownership.

#4 Saab
The certification package of the Saab used luxury car ranked fourth this year with its automatic transfer of the original 4 year/50,000 mile warranty. Saab used luxury cars also qualified for a 72 month/100,000 mile warranty at the time of purchase. For the outer appearance, Saab used luxury cars also carry on the original 6 year/unlimited mile corrosion protection warranty.

#5 Audi
The used Audi ranked among the top 5 for best Certified Pre-Owned Package again this year. Not every used Audi passes the tough 300 point inspection required to become labeled “certified.” A used Audi that does pass the inspection is backed by a 6 year/100,000 mile limited warranty. The new owner of the used Audi also receives the balance of the original no-charge scheduled maintenance visits.

Most used luxury cars come have outstanding Certified Pre-Owned packages. The used Jaguar, Volvo, Cadillac, Saab and the used Audi take the top 5 slots this year, making these great choices for your next used luxury vehicle

It is amazing the number of people that don’t know how to properly clean or polish and wax their cars. Many people use products that were never intended for their car and others use products and equipment that should only be used by properly trained professionals. Some never even wax or clean their cars. Then they wonder why their car is given a very low trade in figure at the dealer, or why their paint is dull and flaking.

For the purpose of this article we interviewed numerous professional automotive detailers and similar professionals. We asked them what products they used and for tips that consumers could use. They pretty much came back with the same advice:

Properly clean the car: This is very important as the use of harsh, non-automotive products can actually harm your cars finish and make it wear quicker. Spray the car first and get it wet. Use the water to spray off dirt and other contaminates that will scratch your car if you immediately start using a sponge and water first. Also do not clean your car in the sun on a hot day. Do make sure you use warm water as it works best to loosen contaminates. After getting your car wet, use an automotive car wash solution and add to water in a bucket. Follow the directions on the bottle. Then wash the car. You will find it easier if you use a long handled wash brush (most auto parts stores have these). Be sure to wash and rinse in sections so the car wash soap doesn’t dry before being washed off. Then using terry cloth towels or chamois, dry the car off. Expert tip: use a squeegee. It is much faster and easier.

Remove stubborn contaminants: There will be dirt, bugs, tar, etc… that will be left after washing. There are many products that are made specifically for removing these items you’re your paint and car. The resounding answer from the experts was Meguiar’s bug and tar cleaner. Remove all the contaminants and follow the directions (some products can remove paint if not used correctly). Expert tip: 3M and other manufacturers make a plastic shield that can be applied over areas of your car’s paint like bumpers and behind the tires to protect from contaminants and rock chips.

Use a cleaner polish: This will remove any left over stubborn contaminates like ground in bug splatter on your painted bumper, acid rain etching, bird drop spots, and minor scratches. Use a circular motion, just like for wax. Follow the directions for that particular cleaner polish (some require a wet or damp applicator pad others don’t). Do the car one section at a time and use a clean section of cloth to buff once dry. Most cleaner polishes will dry to a whitish haze. Be sure to buff off all the haze and residue from the cleaner polish. When done the car finish will be really smooth. Expert tip: for deeper scratches, contaminants, etc… you can use an orbital buffer or polisher to apply the cleaner polish. Be careful and use low rpm’s (under 2000) anything above this and you risk burning the paint.

Apply several coats of polish or wax: There is a big difference between car wax and car polish. Car wax is usually a blend of carnauba and other waxes which will give a deep, wet look and new car shine. It comes in both a liquid and a paste, and it will not last as long as a car polish. Car wax is also less effective in high temperatures and can actually melt on hot areas like the hood. Car polish is a polymer blend usually with no wax. Car polishes can last 1 year between coats and is very durable protection for your paint. The experts recommend a car polish with Teflon in it for maximum protection and durability. The experts love the extra, deeper shine from car wax, but all agreed it was better suited for car shows. Whichever you choose, they are both applied the same way. Apply in a circular motion and let it dry to a haze. Then buff dry with a clean terry cloth or microfiber towel. Expert tip: Don’t use regular towels or diaper cloths as they can trap dirt particles and similar and leave scratch patterns in your finish. A microfiber cloth works best for removing dried car polish or car wax haze. 2 to 3 coats are recommended for maximum protection and shine. A good rule is to reapply the car polish or car wax at least 2 times per year. Expert tip: Apply car wax, not car polish (as car polish will leave streaks and smudges on glass), to your windows. Do one light coat and completely buff it off. The car wax will work better than the leading brand glass treatment for rain (it will also quite your windshield wipers).