Automotive Blog

Audi is presenting a new vehicle concept – the Audi A5 Sportback. The five-door model with the long, flowing rear end unites the best of various vehicle genres: the emotion and elegance of a coupe, the comfort of a sedan and the practicality of a station wagon. The Sportback joins the Audi A5 Coupé and Cabriolet as the third member of the Audi A5 model family.

The Audi A5 Sportback will be rolling into Audi dealerships in September 2009 featuring an emotion-packed design, high everyday practicality, a sporty character and engines that are as efficient as they are powerful. Sales have already begun, with prices starting at 33,650 euros. A further, specially-priced model to follow in 2010 will make the Audi A5 Sportback the entry-level model in the A5 model series. Continue reading 2010 Audi A5 Sportback

Van drivers generally spend the most time behind the wheel and this can potentially increase their chances of being involved in an accident. These tips have been put together with van drivers in mind but can equally be applied to all drivers with a view to becoming safer on the road.

1-Essential maintenance checks

Check under the bonnet as well as on the outside of your car including your tyres. The main things to check under the bonnet include fluids and then check the tyres for wear and tear to ensure it’s safe to drive.

2-Positioning and seating in the car

Your seating and positioning in the car is also quite important to ensure you have a comfortable journey and can see everything clearly in the two wing mirrors as well as the rear view mirror. It also means that you don’t get back or neck pains when trying to see what’s behind you etc.
Continue reading 7 Safe Van Driving Tips

Warranty Administrator
This is the company responsible for paying your automobile warranty claims. You should know, many times this is not the same company that you purchased the contract from. We recommend companies where you are dealing directly with the administrator, or a business where the contract is reinsured and managed by an “A” rated insurance firm. This way you are able to research their claims handling history before buying a warranty.

Extended Warranty
An auto extended warranty is a vehicle service contract between the automobile warranty company and you. If you buy a Toyota warranty for example, the company pays for repairs to your car that are covered by the contract. Extended automobile warranties are not to be confused with insurance policies. The service contract money is deposited in a “claims reserve account”, which is insured in the event the administrator goes out of business. An car extended warranty is the most confusing and lucrative merchandise that auto dealers sell. The terminology is difficult, and if you don’t read them carefully you may be in trouble. Some people erroneously believe they will get double the warranty coverage by waiting until the manufacturer warranty runs out to purchase their extended warranty. This is wrong, Auto extended warranties merely extend the original manufacturer’s car warranty beyond the basic warranty period of time. They do not pay you double coverage. The earlier you purchase, the cheaper it is. Should you buy a warranty for your new car purchase? Repair shop labor hour rates are climbing, and today’s vehicles have more pricey gizmos like DVD, power roofs, navigation and Bluetooth. When those expire you may pay thousands whether it’s on a Toyota or Honda or Ford. It’s recognized, these items will break and you may spend money. I choose to spend it on my warranty today at the most reduced price, than to spend thousands afterward on a BMW fix.
Continue reading Car Warranty Terms

Many people have developed a certain level of dependency to mechanics when it comes to handling their problematic bikes. Perhaps many of these people are plain busy or do not have any clue on how to handle the problem. To those who are gifted with enough mechanical skills, they can personally attend to their bike’s minor repairs. But those who do not have any understanding on how the machine works tend to submit their bikes on the hands of a motorcycle mechanics. In any relationship, such act is called ‘trust’. Trust is something that should not be easily given.

As you submit your vehicle for repair, expect the mechanic to quiz you on your problematic bike. He will ask you of your knowledge on the problem, the information that you provided will help him/her diagnose the problem and recommend what kind of repairs are needed; or give him the idea on how little you know about motorbike repairs.
Continue reading The Truth About Motorcycle Mechanics

Fluid leaks on automobiles – whether it is your new car, SUV truck or van can be downright frustrating and costly. Few problems on modern vehicles can be downright as pesky and expensive – whether it the alarm and concern that fluid leaks can create to many novice and first time buyers , the unsightliness and damage it may do to the concrete and paving of your driveway or present health risks to family and pets.

Ignoring a slow leak – as many motorists often do – means that for sure that some point that the leak will become inevitably worse. In late model vehicles repairs that were a hop skip and a jump to repair are now crammed into hard to reach, if not inaccessible places on your engine. That means expensive repairs – especially with labor rates at good shops with experienced mechanic help being what they are at most garages now a days. Not only that leave that leak alone and it will not be the repair to the leak itself but you may well be in for additional repairs both within that particular system of your car but also other components and systems as well. For example ignoring a simple fluid leak may result in damage to the radiator pump – an internal expensive to replace device , and as well to the entire engine itself as a result of that radiator fluid getting into the engine oil resulting in poor lubrication to the engine itself and a damaged or seized motor. As a result of ignoring a simple radiator leak you may well be looking to purchase or finance a brand new automotive product.
Continue reading Inspect For Fluid Leaks