Solar Power Tire Pressure Gauge

I just got done playing with a nifty little automotive gadget, a solar power digital tire pressure gauge.  The auto gadget in question is from BudgetGadgets.com, which shipped from Hong Kong, so be prepared for a slighly longer lead time on your order.  That aside, this Digital Tire Pressure Gauge arrived in great condition and professionally packaged for the long haul.

As for the tire pressure gauge itself, it is a phenomenal little auto gadget.  It's well made, feels sturdy, and the plastic that it's made out of actually feels good in your hand.  Although a little large, it obviously would fit perfect in a glove compartment and since it's solar powered you never have to worry about keeping batteries changed.

Some features that I immediately noticed was the red LED light positioned right at the tip of the gauge.  This enabled easy finding of the valve stem in the dark or in poorly lit areas.  Likewise the digital screen is backlit with a low red glow which makes for easy reading in any light.

As for accuracy of the digital tire pressure gauge, it appeared spot on.  I checked pressures against a traditional tire pressure gauge and found no descrepancies, other than the digital being more specific.  Also, the readings were returned immediately, no waiting necessary so less of a chance to lose air when checking tire pressure.

All in all I would recommend this $7.34 auto gadget to anyone, even if you already have a traditional tire pressure gauge.  It definately makes a no brainer for my wife and serves as a pleasant reminder to keep our tires in proper pressure condition.  Visitors from The-Grayline.com are also able to get a coupon for their purchase by using the code CM5OFF4, which will give a 5% discount at checkout.

Without a doubt there are a number of front bumpers to choose from when buying off of online auction sites like eBay.  However, there are risks involved when buying a used front bumper, that may put your passengers at risk.

Bumpers are specifically designed to work with the vehicle they are mounted to.  Furthermore most front bumpers are designed to crumple or flex a certain way under low impact.  The potential for a used front bumper to have already been damaged, but massaged back to good looks, is high, so buy with caution.

A front bumper is not an interchangable item with other manufacturers or in some cases even model years.  This may seem simple to some, but take it as a word of warning when trying to save money by buying a front bumper online.  Also, be sure to check shipping rates before jumping into a good deal, only to find out it's not UPSable and can only got freight line.

Front Bumper on eBay

CHEVY AVEO SEDAN FRONT BUMPER OEM 07 08 MR3054    US $.01

Back in September I sugested using CenterCaps.net as a source for old hubcaps and center caps for almost any vehicle you drive.  Unfortunately, the company has not held up it's end of the bargain and has done nothing but frustrate customers that I've sent to them.  This post is a warning to those looking to buy centercaps, look elsewhere.

Some comments about Centercaps.net:

It looks like a good website but these guys have no customer service and do not stand behind what they sell. I ordered a cap and they sent me the wrong one. They would not respond to numerous e-mails about exchanging the cap and they do not have a phone number you can call. BUYER BEWARE!

I agree with Unsatisfied. I also purchased from centercaps.net and the items never arrived! Called, emailed — never heard from them. Had to dispute the charge with Visa in order to get my money back.

I’ve gotten into a big mess trying to help my folks who are not Internet-savvy to find center caps for their car. Here I thought I was doing them a favor, and it’s just a ripoff.

Avoid CenterCaps.net when possible, the reviews speak for themselves and I would hate for someone else to get ripped off.  Remember, when buying online always make sure the company you are buying from has published contact information, this helps build integrity.  Furthermore, it's much safer to do business via a brick'n mortar business as opposed to a wholesale drop shipper.

On occasion I will be given some coupon codes to hand out to the Grayline visitors and today I'm posting a whole bunch of offers for Auto Parts Warehouse.com.  These automotive coupons can be used for any purchase, for any brand and only provide bigger savings the more you buy.

All of the AutoPartsWarehouse.com coupons below include free shipping:

* Get $10 OFF + FREE SHIPPING for purchases of $125 and more! (Use Coupon Code '125APW' [Expires March 31, 2009])
* Get $20 OFF + FREE SHIPPING for purchases of $250 and more! (Use Coupon Code '250APW' [Expires March 31, 2009])
* Get $40 OFF + FREE SHIPPING for purchases of $500 and more! (Use Coupon Code '500APW' [Expires March 31, 2009])
* Get $80 OFF + FREE SHIPPING for purchases of $1000 and more! (Use Coupon Code '1KAPW' [Expires March 31, 2009])

AutoPartsWarehouse offers any kind of product from air filters, auto taillights, to performance equipment like exhaust and more.  Just make sure after placing your order, to place the coupon code listed above into the checkout box.  Also, remember these coupons will only run in the month of March.  And thanks to AutoPartsWarehouse.com for clueing us in on these great coupons.

So you've decided that you need some car interior paint, but you just aren't sure what would be best.  Guess what, there are more options than good choices and the cost skyrockets if you consider having to repaint a screw up, chipping, cracking, etc..  This article will help you make the best decisions on buying car interior paint and what questions you need to answer before you tape off.

Not all paint is created equal and in my own experiences the most expensive was not always the best.  I spent a lot of time a  few years ago buyin used plastic interior pieces, like door panels and center consoles, painted them, and then resold them on eBay.  The paints which are advertised as being good for plastic, just didn't seem to work properly on the interior car parts.

Krylon was a name that stands out, which was more expensive than typical paint, and was supposed to bond with the plastic parts.  Well, all it ever ended up doing was clogging when spraying and the paint that did make it to the part actually ended up bubbling something fierce.  It was extremely difficult to lay down an even spray of Krylon, so I abandoned that as an interior paint option.

Duplicolor brand paint was the type that I ended up sticking with.  After careful prep of the item, which included a rubbing alcohol bath after a detailed cleaning, I simply laid a couple coats down of the Duplicolor interior paint.  On most items this seemed to do the job and I only added a few steps if the item was going to be exposed to wear and tear.

On items like the door handles, where they would constantly be under use, I'd add a few steps to ensure that the color lasted.  I would do the regular prep work, with cleaning, then rubbing alcohol wipe down.  Then I would use a fine grit sand paper to rough up the smooth plastic surfaces.  Afterward I would rub the item down with rubbing alcohol again, let it dry, and then add a gray or primer coat of Duplicolor paint.  In my experience either one, primer or dark gray, seemed to work really well.

By painting a few interior pieces, you can add a lot of character to the inside of your car.  A few accents the color of the outside of your car can add a nice show quality appearance.  Just make sure and take your time, if you rush at all, it will show and you'll just have to start all over again with sanding.

Duplicolor FB105 Paint Flexible Bumper Coating Black    US $5.95

Duplicolor TP70 Paint Trim Enamel Flat Black Summit    US $5.95

Duplicolor DPE105 Paint Professional Enamel Flat Black    US $5.95

The aftermarket auto parts industry is supported by enthusiasts and help shape what becomes standard on future vehicles.  Customers need better than OEM components, because they push their vehicles to the limit, they want more bang for their buck.  Of course, every industry has it's pitfalls and the automotive aftermarket is no exception.  Scams, lies, and faulty aftermarket auto parts litter the internet, so below are some of my tips on buying smart.

Buy From A Trusted Aftermarket Auto Parts Manufacturer

Just because you aren't buying OEM products doesn't mean there aren't known companies to trust.  Generally speaking when thinking of cold-air intakes, I think of BBK, and when I think of drag suspension I think of Eibach.  The point being that when buying brand name components, you are protecting your investment, and reducing the risk of getting faulty components.

Furthermore, buying from quality manufacturers in the after market auto parts industry, a warranty is generally included.  Aftermarket components are not cheap, so a warranty can help you sleep at nigt, after you place that charge on your card.

Buy From A Trusted Aftermarket Auto Parts Website

Not all aftermarket auto parts website are created equal.  It's very easy for people to throw up a website, that looks like official, but may be a fly by night company.  If the deal sounds too good to be true, it usually is, so stay away from websites offering a product for $100's less than everywhere else.  If in doubt, look for a contact phone number, reputable companies in the aftermarket auto industry will offer a way to speak directly to customer service, not just a static web page.

Stay Away From Promises That Sound Crazy

Yes, I'm looking at you 'Tornado', or super charge your car with Home Depot components manuals.  This is absurd, won't work, and will most likely destroy your car, at best.  If you just have money burning a hole in your pocket, send it my way, don't waste your time with over promised goods that are hair brained.

Speaking of over promises and under delivering, eBay is a haven for such predators of the aftermarket auto industry.  Individuals hide behind good feedback for other products and the try to sell you junk, make their money, and move on.  A few years ago, one of the hottest selling items on eBay was a chip to increase horsepower in your car.  Turns out, it was just a resistor that did nothing for your vehicle, except maybe cause lower gas mileage.  Didn't stop people from buying them by the truck loads though, just because it was on eBay and cheap.

Don't be stupid.

Return Policies On Aftermarket Auto Parts

Find out the return policy for the website that you are buying your aftermarket components from.  It's real easy when buying aftermarket parts to buy the wrong thing, say for the wrong year car, different model, etc.  Mistakes happen and knowing if the website you buy from will support you and take the product back can make or break a deal in my book.  Expect a restocking fee, but a reputable company should accept returns and help make sure you are happy with your purchase.

Conclusion

Enthusiasts help drive the automotive industry and thanks to the internet it's easier than ever to add aftermarket components to your vehicles.  Some parts are real easy to change, especially with all the information on do-it-yourself manuals that can be found the net over.  Follow some of these simple tips and buying aftermarket auto parts online should be a rewarding and money saving experience for that next project.  And it's worth repeating, dont' be stupid, if it's too good to be true, it's a lie.

Volkswagen VW exhuast stinger pipe Empi    US $14.00

91 92 99 Jeep Cherokee 40L Exhaust Manifold Gasket Kit    US $29.15

1999 99 Jeep Wrangler 40L Exhaust Manifold Gasket Kit    US $29.15

(more...)

Mitsubishi is making a statement, 'Technology is Awesome!".  Today they announced that they will be offering a Blu-Ray Player for automotive applications.

Now, there are all kinds of techno mumbo jumo explaining how they have accomplished this, but just know, this isn't your mom and dads sack of TV and DVD player hanging on the back seat.  Furthermore, adding a Blu-Ray player to a vehicle is the only logical step, considering how cheap LCD's are getting, which are easily attached to almost any car surface.

Then, the step after that, we need a PS3 installed in a car.

Article Source: Techon

Blu-Ray

The wintery season is not behind us and the slippery stuff makes us  take a closer look at our tires.  Tire Rack is willing to help you out by offering a $75 gift card for buying a set of Continental Tires.

Continental is a great company that manufacturers quality tires for almost every time of vehicle.  Their current tire offerings cover car, truck, suv, and commercial tires with a variety of differnet rubber compounds and styles.  Furthermore, as a company Continental is moving forward in these uncertain times, by completing a new acquisition as frequent as January 09.

On January 8, 2009 Continental completed their acquisition of Schaeffler KG.  The Schaeffler company manufacturers ball bearing components and has focused it's attention on commercial and heavy duty applications.  The Continental take over will most likely translate into Continental developing more products and technology focused on the service sector.  Point being, Continental Tires are not going away anytime soon and you can buy their tires knowing it's not a company that will be going the way of the DoDo anytime soon.

For this exclusive offer for a $75 Gift Card for TireRack.com please click on the banner below.

What's the point of having a big jacked up vehicle if you can't enjoy a little off road trail riding?    I'm always amazed when I see a lifted 2WD truck, with monster tires, huge lift kit, but wouldn't make it 10 ft off the pavement.  What's the point?  I guess if your goal is to get lower gas mileage, wasting money on offroad mods for an onroad truck is ok.

But what about the rest of us, looking to spread our wings, and hit the biggest offroad trails in the US?  I've been doing some searching on YouTube for what would be the best offroad trails to hit and generally it looks like self made local trails are the most fun.  Of course, if you've got a big enough vehicle the world is your trail, just make sure you obey all the trespassing laws.

This is damn near someone's monster truck being taken onto an offroad trail, obviously showing off for the spectators.  I would hate to think how much money this guy has loaded into this old Chevy.

Truck tires vary greatly in size, shape, and grip depending on what purpose you use your truck for.  The same truck tire that would be equipped for towing would not necessarily be the best choice truck tire if you plan on doing off road driving.  This article will help cover the differences in truck tires when buying a new site for your vehicle.

Truck Tire Ratings

The first difference between truck tires is the type of truck you intend on mounting them to.  A light truck, like a Ford Ranger, will have a different tire than say an SUV will.  Not to mention each OEM rim will require different sizes, but the composition of the tire will actually be different as well.

Codes help to determine what type of tire should be matched with what vehicle.  For example, a light truck tire will have an 'LT' imprinted into the tire code on the tire.  Along with denoting what type of tire classification a truck tire will also include a number code indicating the width of the tire, tread depth, construction type, and load range.  The load range is typically accompanied by PSI ratings, which change depending on how much weight is hauled.

Tires for Safety

Having the proper tires on the vehicle can make all the difference, safety wise, if evasive action is required.  Luckily, in the US, there are organizations that monitor and rate tires based on their recommended speed and use.  The DOT (Department of Transportation) and the NHTSA (National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration) are both companies that help regulate what kind of tires are allowed on public roads and what type of tire is recommended for your truck.

After selecting the proper truck tire it's also important to perform routine maintenance on your tires.  For example, having the recommended inflation pressure can keep the tire operating at it's peak performance level.  Furthermore, having the proper tread level on a used tire can insure that your truck maintains it's proper braking and steering functions.

To test if the tread on a tire is sufficient, place a US Penny upside down into the grove of the tread.  If part of Lincoln's head is below the grove level, then you are driving on sufficient tread for typical on road driving applications.  However, if all of Lincoln's head is exposed, then it's time to replace those truck tires.  Large grove treads, typical on off road truck tires, will typically wear down much faster during high way driving.  Keep an eye on your tread levels, especially if you live in an area prone to bad weather.

Tread Wear

Tread wear is the most important factor when deciding on a proper truck tire.  Buying a truck tire based on looks alone, without consideration for tread wear, could result in a very short life span for the tire.  However, there are ways to prevent premature tire wear on a truck or any vehicle.

Proper inflation will insure that the tire always has the maximum amount of tread on the road, to prevent uneven wearing.  Having a wheel alignment will also help keep even wear, as opposed to noticing lower tread on the outside or inside of the tire.  TKPH is a measurement used to gauge the work load of tires or also known as TMPH in the United States.  Making sure your tire has the proper TMPH measurement, matched to the work being done like hauling heavy loads, will insure that your tire wears as designed.

Conclusion

Remember, safety first when selecting a new truck tire.  Buying a tire based on it's meatiness or looks underneath your truck should be a small consideration when buying tires.  Safety for yourself and others on the road should rely on you making an informed decision, based on what type of vehicle you drive, where you will be driving, and if you will be hauling any heavy loads.