Research Your Options Before You Purchase Used Cars

When it comes to providing your family with the best things in life, that doesn't necessarily mean that you have to purchase new things. With so much uncertainty in the economy, more and more people are putting off making purchases until they are sure they have a reliable way to afford them. So many people are concerned about whether or not their job will be around tomorrow that it can be a bit challenging trying to make ends meet and still have reliable transportation in the process. If you don't have a lot of money and you need another vehicle, consider shopping for used cars.

Believe it or not, it is becoming more socially acceptable to purchase items that are previously owned. In today's society, if you can't afford to buy something new, there is nothing wrong with buying it secondhand, as long as you thoroughly inspect things to make sure you are getting something that is in good condition. While you may think that you can judge the condition of a vehicle by its physical appearance, you can't.

You don't want to purchase a vehicle whose shell is in immaculate physical condition and the engine is bad. Don't assume that you can simply replace the engine and be good to go. Engines usually cost more or close to the price of the vehicle and it would be a poor invest decision for you to make.

There are thousands of used cars available in the United States, and you have a ton of choices to choose from. You don't have to feel as if you don't get a fair choice in what kind of vehicle you end up purchasing. You have complete control over what you get, so take charge of the situation and do your best to make sure you are getting a good deal. Research your options and compare what you find between several lots and dealerships. Things like color, body style, and mileage are all things you need to pay close attention to as you are shopping. It doesn't matter how much money you plan on spending, you are entitled to get a vehicle that looks the way you want. Depending on what your specifications are, you may need to spend a little more time shopping.

No matter where you decide to shop for used cars, make sure you are getting the better end of the deal. That means that you need to be prepared to negotiate. Don't let yourself be taken advantage of by some of the shady professionals in the industry. Make sure you learn what you need to know about the fair market value of any vehicle you want to purchase. In this industry, knowledge is power and if you don't do your research, you could end up being a frustrated and unsatisfied customer.

4 Important Tips for Safe Driving

What is the most dangerous hazard on the road these days? Is it faulty brakes or equipment? Is it driving under the influence? Can it be debris on the road? No matter what these hazards on the road are, there are many steps that you can take to avoid them.

Safe driving not only saves your life, it also saves the lives of those on board your vehicle, other drivers on the road, and the pedestrians. The tips below could save your life and the lives of others:

1. Ensure that your car is in the best shape. Check if the fluids are at the precise levels, gas tanks have been filled up, and tires have been inflated properly. For longer travels, have your car checked by a mechanic.

2. Always pay attention. Your very first line of defense in any emergency situation that occurs on the road is your ability to perceive threats. Don't let your cell phone, MP3 player, or other things distract you. If you are distracted by these things, it will put you at a great risk of having an accident.

Studies done by the University of Utah show that distractions, like talking or texting, can increase your chances of meeting a vehicular accident by 400%! Obviously, the very first step is to keep your eyes on the road at all times.

3. Drive with a preventative approach. Do not assume that the car in front of you is going to do what you expect it do to. Drivers do unexpected things on the road and you will never know what's going to happen next.

4. Ensure your car is where it needs to be always. Even when paying attention to the cars all around you, it is still possible to forget checking your own car. Ensure that you're staying in your lane and that you have enough time to move into a different lane whenever you need to turn or leave the interstate. The best way to do this is to ensure that your speed is reasonable and that your distance from other cars will give you enough time to stop whenever possible.

You can prepare yourself for any emergency situation by following helpful tips for safe driving. These tips will not only directly help you but you can also share them with others, making them safe on the road as well. Becoming a safer driver will not only protect you but also other lives on the road.

Reckless driving charges are not to be considered lightly if you live in the State of Virginia. If you need a reckless driving lawyer in Virginia Beach or surrounding areas, then you need to give Swango Law a call today.

The Volvo S60 Polestar With 350 HP and Forged Wheels

Since Volvo was bought by Geely Motors a few years ago, the Swedish automaker has undergone numerous changes that have helped to separate itself from its previous owner, Ford Motor Company. The company has launched dramatic redesigns of their models, and introduced new and unique cars that have become quite popular. The other aspect that the automaker has focused on is bringing back performance. They partnered with the Swedish motorsports and tuning company, Polestar, and collaborated on a few performance concept cars such as the C30 Polestar and S60 Polestar. Now, Volvo has officially unveiled the S60 Polestar production model for the Australian market and it's packed with all sorts of fun, performance-oriented goodies. The engine has been tuned and modified, the suspension is now more agile with new bits and forged wheels, and the aerodynamics have been tweaked for stability.

The standard 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six cylinder engine was tuned by Polestar to create more power in a wide rev range. The team installed a larger turbocharger, new air intake system, bigger water-to-air intercooler, and a new stainless steel exhaust with polished tips at the rear. The software for the ECU was then modified to result in a total of 350 bhp at 5700 RPM and over 369 lb-ft. of torque at 2800-4750 RPM being sent to all four of the forged wheels. The Volvo S60 Polestar also benefits from a new software tune for the all-wheel drive system that sends more torque to the rear axle in driving situations. This enables the new sports sedan to reach 62 mph in just 4.9 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph.

Other areas of the Volvo S60 Polestar were given the motorsports touch from the Swedish company. The chassis was one of the main areas that was upgraded, and focused more on sport rather than comfort. The suspension was outfitted with new Ohlins shock absorbers, upgraded springs that are over 60 Nm stiffer, new front and rear stabilizers, carbon fiber strut braces, tie and end rods, and more to sharpen up handling for better performance. The factory rims were replaced with new in-house forged wheels that measure 8.0 x 19 at the front and rear and wear 235/40R19 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. Behind the new wheels are larger front and rear brake rotors with Brembo and Jurid 958 performance brake pads that provide greater stopping power with less fade.

The aerodynamics of the Volvo S60 Polestar was also a point of emphasis. The front bumper was outfitted with a new spoiler to generate downforce while new side skirts help to redirect air more efficiently away from the rear forged wheels. The trunk wears a new spoiler for extra downforce and a new diffuser sits below the bumper to improve overall stability at high speeds.

17 Things to Check Before Buying a Used Car

Buying a used car is a nerve-wracking experience for many people. There's an ever-present fear that a used car will be a lemon, costing hundreds or thousands in unexpected maintenance. Much of this stress can be dealt with by following a simple checklist when shopping for a new used car.

1. Tires: Look for worn tread and flat spots. All tires should be the same size and brand.

2. Body: Check that all body panels are the same color, and free of rust and other serious imperfections. Also, check that the seams between panels are aligned properly. Body work usually means there's a significant accident in the vehicle's past. You can run a magnet over the exterior to test that there are no plastic replacement pieces.

3. Windshields: Check for cracks and impacts. Make sure that the windows roll up and down without leaving gaps.

4. Lights: Test all the headlights, brake lights, hazard lights and turn signals.

5. Fluids: Look underneath the car for leaks. Check the oil and coolant levels. Ask to see the oil change history for the life of the vehicle.

6. Engine: Listen to the sound of the motor. Chugging and knocking may mean the engine is out of tune. A smoothly running engine should produce no odors.

7. Battery: Check for corrosion on the terminals. Check the age of the battery.

8. Exhaust: Blue or black exhaust indicates trouble with the engine.

9. Suspension: Push down on each corner of the car. There should be no squeaking. The resistance should be the same at each corner, and the car should rest level.

10. Seats: Look for stains and cracks.

11. Interior: Check for odors, stains, rips and tears -- everywhere in the vehicle.

12. Trunk: Make sure the trunk opens and closes freely. If there's a trunk light, make sure that it turns off and on as it should.

13. Doors: Test every door for easy opening and closing.

14. Safety Features: Test every seat belt. If the car has airbags, be sure than none have been previously deployed (making them useless).

15. Transmission: Gears shift smoothly. In an automatic, gears shift at the appropriate RPM.

16. Steering: Check that the vehicle goes straight when the steering wheel is straight. If the car has power steering, there should be only minor resistance in the wheel.

17. Brakes: Car stops smoothly without pulling to one side or the other. Brakes do not squeak or chatter. Stop on a slope and check that the parking brake works as expected.

The All-New 2013 Honda Civic: Bringing Something New to the Table

While the 2012 Honda Civic didn't exactly have what it takes to surpass the competition, its features are enough to earn it a good second place in Cars.com's list of top compact cars for 2011. However, things definitely started to get a lot better when Honda decided to rework the Civic shortly after giving it a complete redesign! So, what makes the 2013 Honda Civic a good candidate for the number one spot in its class? Here are some exciting new features that will give the competition a run for their money.

What Makes the 2013 Honda Civic a Clear Winner?

While the 2012 Civic managed to land one of the top spots in its class, thanks to its terrific gas mileage, luxurious cabin, outstanding reliability and top safety scores, the 2013 Civic decided to push the bar even further by enhancing the Civic's exterior to give it a little more character. The manufacturers also upgraded its interior to provide an even more luxurious feel, added exciting new technological features to keep it up to date and did the necessary tweaks to enhance the overall driving experience. Is there anything more you can possibly ask for?

A New Improved Exterior

While it is still far from being at par with a Ferrari when it comes to looks, the 2013 Civic is definitely a lot better as compared to the earlier model. The Civic now has a more bulbous hood and a more expensive looking rear. It also features the right amount of chrome accents to make it look sportier and more distinctive.

A More Luxurious Interior

Thankfully, all the cheap plastic materials that used to define the interior space were replaced with far better materials. As a result, the 2013 Civic now boasts of new soft-touch materials on the upper door treatment and instrument panel, tricot headliner, a soft-touch dash pad and nice chrome trimming surrounding the buttons.

Expanded Standard Features List

With its expanded standard features list, the new Civic is now more in line with its competitors. The base model now features a rear view camera, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, text message functionality and Pandora radio connectivity.

Mechanical Revisions for a More Enhanced Driving Experience

As if these updates were not enough, Honda decided to recalibrate the Civic's suspension and steering for a more predictable handling, installed larger anti-roll bars and stiffer front springs to suppress the car's tendency to lean into corners, and used thicker windshields, stiffer front sub-frame and additional sound-proofing to provide a quieter ride.

With these updates on top of the existing superb features of the Honda Civic, the 2013 Civic is clearly out to take the lead. Are you ready to take it for a ride?

Take the 2013 Honda Civic for a drive and experience the difference! Please visit Hudson Honda, the top Honda dealer in New Jersey, to get the best deals in town.

Facts You Should Know About Revs Check

As someone who's living in Australia, I'm pretty sure you're quite familiar or perhaps have heard about what a Revs Check is. It is one of the first and most important inspections you need to perform prior to buying a used car or truck. However, do you really understand what it is all about? Do you know what benefits you can get from it? If you're planning on investing in a second hand car and you're not quite sure about whether it is a good investment, then it is important that you perform a revs inspection. However, before anything else, you will need to educate yourself on what a revs inspection is and what benefits it can offer you.

People who are buying second hand cars for the first time often ask "What is a Revs Check?" Listed below are a few facts that one should know about this:

• IT HELPS REVEAL DEBTS OWED TO A VEHICLE - A Revs Check is basically a type of inspection that reveals whether a second hand car carries a debt or not. A revs inspection is aimed at revealing debts that the previous owner owes on the car.

• IT IS NOT ONLY LIMITED TO CARS AND TRUCKS - A lot of people generally associate a revs inspection with cars. While this does help uncover encumbrances in cars and trucks, it is not only limited to that. It also helps uncover encumbrances in boats, motorcycles, private jets and farm equipment.

• IT IS EASY TO PERFORM - A revs inspection is easy to do; all you need is to get the car's vehicle identification number (VIN), registration number and engine number. Find a website that offers revs check services and key in the information stated earlier. The result will be provided to you by mail.

Although a Revs Check is an effective way to protect yourself from buying cars with debts, it will not be able to provide information concerning the car's history. If you want to know the complete history of the car in question, then you need to perform a vehicle history check.

One should not risk buying a second hand car without knowing its history first. A history check can tell you if:

• The vehicle is registered as stolen or missing

• The vehicle is a reconditioned write-off

• There are any discrepancies on the odometer readings

• The dealer is selling the car at price higher than what it is valued in the current market

Getting a comprehensive history check on the car in question is equally important as that of a Revs Check. Understanding the vehicle's history will help bring to light information that the seller might have hidden from you. This will help you avoid any complications in the future.

The Creation of Auto Glass

Auto glass starts out just like all other glass products. It is made from an amorphous solid material that is typically very brittle and optically transparent. Many items are made from this material including windows in homes and offices, drinking vessels, and pretty items used to decorate the home. Almost all items that are created from this substance have the common factor of sand.

Soda lime glass is the most familiar substance used in making the drinking vessels and windows, and even auto glass. The big problem with the sods lime substance is that it is brittle, and when it breaks it breaks into large pieces that can injure people severely. To be used as auto glass the substance needs to be harder to break than the average drinking vessel is. The soda lime substance must be tempered before it can be used as windshields in automobiles, or as doors on commercial properties.

The tempered variety of this soda lime substance is much harder to break than the original version is. With the material in its original state you can easily break it with very little force. Once the material is tempered you can barely break it unless you manage to strike it on the very edge of the piece. The tempering process makes the material stronger and it also makes the material break into small pieces when it does break instead of into large sections. Small pieces cause less damages to humans when they come into contact with them.

In order to temper the material it is gotten hot to the point of melting, and then it is cooled very slowly. This variety of the familiar material is called annealed glass. During this process the strength of the material is made to be ten times what it was originally. The heating and cooling of this material takes place in a leer, which is a type of kiln.

This special kiln is needed to bring the substance to the annealing temperature or annealing point. At this temperature the substance is still too hard to release from its formed shape, but it is soft enough that all of the stresses it contains can relax. Once this point has been reached the item will be allowed to soak up heat until it is an even temperature throughout. Once the heat soaking process is complete the substance is cooled to a temperature that is less than the strain point. Once this temperature has been achieved it is safe for the item to be quickly dropped to room temperature. At this time the piece can be drilled, cut to size, or polished.

Auto glass is put through the annealing processes for the added strength, but mainly for the safety features annealed glass has. When a window in a car is broken it breaks into those tiny little pieces that are less likely to cause deadly injuries. The officials that oversee the production of cars and automobiles require that the safety variety be installed.