Performance Computer Chips For Cars And Trucks

Hey, look under the hood!

It's a bird!

It's a plane!

It's SUPERCHIP!

With apologies to Superman, performance computer chips or superchips are quickly becoming a popular way for auto enthusiasts to squeeze out more power from their cars. Basically what a superchip mod does is to store a new engine management program in your car's computer. Noticeable increases in horsepower and torque as well as improvements in driveability are the chief benefits of this type of chip. Installation is easy and the price is right...we'll examine just how easy and cost effective a superchip is below.

Depending on the make/model of your car or truck, a superchip can help your vehicle crank out from 9 to 60 more horsepower. Not too shabby when you consider some compact cars barely make it to 115 horses. Yeah, you could have elected for the more powerful engine with some cars but the $1000 or better mark up in price dwarfs the price of a superchip. Better to go with the superchip and pocket the savings.

So, how hard is it to install a superchip? Actually, it is really a simple procedure:

1. Locate your car's computer chip [usually found in your dashboard].

2. Remove the factory installed chip and replace it with the superchip...one chip slides out and the other slides in.

3. Place a cover over the chip to keep it in place and to keep dirt and dust out.

That's it! The hardest part will be to remove the dash, but even that job isn't all that difficult.

As I said previously, the price of installing a superchip can be done for a lot less than an engine upgrade. Prices start below $300, so it ends up being one the cheaper performance enhancing mods out there.

You can also find other types of performance computer chips that will work well including Jet Chips and the Hypertech performance chip. With either chip you stand to wring out additional performance from your car for a reasonably priced mod. Hey, if it is increased performance you want then one of these chips is for you!

RUST - The Enemy of All Car Owners Part 2 - Rust Prevention

In part 1 of these articles we looked at why things rust and the chemistry of rusting. In this article we will look at some of the ways we can prevent rusting taking place and how to deal with rusted components. If the rust has gone too far then the car parts will need to be replaced, and although obtaining replacement parts online is relatively easy, it is better to prevent rust in the first place.

We have already shown that for rusting to take place there have to be three components present. These are iron, water and oxygen. If we can exclude any one of these then we will prevent rust. We also know that if the water is more acid and contains things like dissolved road salt then rusting will be more rapid.

One way to prevent rusting is to isolate these components, for instant using paint. Paints keep out moisture to a large extent, but they are not impenetrable by moisture. Good quality car paint will prevent moisture penetration for many years, but eventually, as it is subject to the rigours of heat, cold, surface abrasion by dust and atmospheric pollution it will become less resistant and allow moisture to penetrate. One way of helping paint maintain its protective properties is by refreshing the surface using wax.

Regular waxing of car paintwork is highly recommended and to ensure that this is maintained you should never allow the paint surface to become hydrophilic, it should always be hydrophobic. You can tell if this is the case by looking at water droplets on the paint surface. If they form tiny separate water droplets then you have a hydrophobic surface and are protected against rust, if the water droplets smear out into a film then the surface is hydrophobic and re-waxing is required.

The best way of waxing your car is to use a hand applied proprietary car wax rather than a wax additive in a car wash which are not as effective. First you should ensure that your car is spotlessly clean. Take a damp sponge and either smear it with wax or apply wax to the car surface. Apply the wax evenly over a section of the car. Let it sit for a few minutes, then polish it away.

Smart Used Car Shopping - Part 7

As we are approaching the end of this article series, it is very important to discuss a factor that allows the dealerships to take advantage of your love to a certain option in the car. first lets start be recapping that I spoke about the importance of brainstorming, and how starting with a large list then narrowing down is very critical to the satisfaction level associated with the final decision. Also, the importance of gathering different quotes was discussed, along with identifying the key to an analytic test drive. But before I go on, I need to remind you that shopping for a used car is not something the average person intends to do very often or at least not as much as he or she goes out grocery shopping. If you go out shopping while hungry you may buy things that you don't need, on the other hand if you go out shopping without a list, the odds are that you are going to get home and figure that you forgot to buy something. In other words, you need to engage in smart used car shopping. So, let's get to business.

During your research you may have found an option that you found to be nice to have in your car, however this option may not be available in every car that you look at. It is not wrong to fall in love with an option, but it is very critical for you not to base your final decision strictly based on the availability of this option. You need to construct a weighted analysis, and come up with the optimum decision. The more flexible you are, the wider range of choices you will have to choose from, and this ultimately means that you will have a better bargaining power. For more information, check out the Smart Used Car Shopping.

Drive an Audi Car and Feel Like an Olympic Athlete

It was announced last week in the media that President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, awarded a brand new Audi car to each competing Russian athlete who brought home a medal from the London 2012 Summer Games. With Putin's appearance in the headlines for other reasons having overshadowed this Olympic moment, the athletes and their beautiful cars deserve to be put in the limelight and honored nonetheless.

In a ceremony outside the Kremlin, an Audi A8 was awarded to each Gold medalist, an A7 to those who won a Silver medal, with bronze medal-winners taking home an A6.

Thanks to Audi Hire you do not have to be an athlete or a medal winner to experience the same degree of elation behind the wheel of an Audi R8. With performance credentials befitting of Olympic winners, the car is even presented via Audi Car Hire UK in the silver of prize-winning medallions. This is not surprising since it is not only Audi's first mid-engined super car, but has absorbed the genes of Audi's five-time Le Mans wining cars.

The groundbreaking engineering inside this supreme example of Audi Car Hire shines through in this superb roadster. The Audi R8's V8 engine delivers a stellar act, achieving the 0-60 mph sprint in just 4.6 seconds. Even a leading track athlete would be left silent for once. The explosive 415 bhp guarantees an electrifying self-drive hire. To guide this strong speed orientation, a muscular chassis built with aluminum double wishbones at the front and back means that the car is always supremely under your control. Of course this is complemented by Audi's hallmark all-wheel drive.

It is not just the performance of this contender for leadership of the Super Car Hire crown which will leave you breathless however. The looks of this car will hold you more spellbound than the Olympic Opening and Closing ceremonies. The single-frame grill, LED lights, and multiple fins on the sports air intakes all masterfully highlight the function of this car. The Ice Silver silhouette outside is the perfect cloak for the immaculate interior on the inside. Black leather racing-style seating leaves you with no confusion as to the character of this Audi Car Rental. Yet a cocoon of comfort surrounds you for the feeling you crave from Luxury Car Hire. Brushed aluminum gear paddles nestle in the superbly soft leather interior for the right balance of performance and opulence.

An inspired choice for self-drive hire, you will easily feel like part of the winning team.

Car Performance Parts For Effective and Long-Term Customization

The aftermarket car parts industry excels in providing the most up-to-date and highest quality car performance parts for long-term modification of your vehicle. These parts have the ability to fine tune the performance of your engine, thus increasing its life and rendering it more reliable and tough. There are many types of performance parts available out there for specific car models. Since these parts are completely custom designed, they are very effective and long lasting. In addition to this, they are designed in a manner that almost anyone can install them easily at home without having to take the car to a workshop.

The most widely used performance part is a performance or power chip which can be used to change your engine's default parameters. As a result of this modification the engine delivers fuel efficiently and at specified time intervals to realize enhanced performance particularly on rough terrains and bumpy roads. Consequently gas mileage also increases, thus saving you money in the long run. A wide range of performance chips are available on the market and they are not very expensive at all. These chips can serve to be a cost-effective alternative to complete engine upgradation. And the best thing is they are quite easy to install.

Other performance parts include air intakes, performance mufflers, performance modules, superchargers, fuel saving devices, and performance spark plugs. All these parts are now easily available online for nearly all car makes and models. Some people also replace their car's oxygen sensors, catalytic converter, fuel pumps, and fuel injectors to realize a further increase in horsepower and torque. New air intakes have the ability to increase horsepower up to 25 units and other performance parts such as superchargers can increase your car engine's output by 20%. When you install these pats your engine becomes more responsive and efficient and also produces a highly intimidating rumble.

Fuel saving devices, such as fuel ionizer, can prove to be highly beneficial car performance parts. You can increase the fuel economy of your car by installing these parts, thus saving gas and money. These parts have the ability to make your engine burn fuel more efficiently and reduce fuel costs by 25%. You can find custom designed fuel saving devices for your car by specifying its make, model and year. In addition to this, you may need to enter information regarding your engine size, type and transmission type (automatic or manual) to find the best part for enhancing your car's performance.

Performance modules are composed of engine monitoring and performance units, turbo whistlers, and oxygen or O2 sensors. An engine monitoring unit is available for as low as $250 and can be used to record your driving data and transfer it to a PC for further analysis and calculations. O2 or lambda sensors are used to measure the amount of oxygen in the gas. As a result of this measurement, you can optimize your engine's fuel injection capability and emission control by changing the air-fuel-ratio. Emission control helps to reduce the amount of unburnt fuel from entering the atmosphere and causing pollution.

Eco Friendly & Green Driving - Endless Money & Fuel Saving Car Tips Part 1

Car fuel prices are on a constant hike for a good part of 2008H1. You are on a constant quest to enhance your fuel efficiency. Regardless of whether you are driving a hybrid, compact or cng driven car, you would be looking to more cost saving ways of managing your transport expenses.

Check out the following simple yet proven effective ways on achieving fuel efficiency, conserving gasoline and attaining cost savings the easy way:

• Get a car with high MPG, which calculates miles per gallon. Even better, check out the low GPM cars, gallons per mile which is logically lower the better. This is the ultimate objective, and really what we are discussing here, ie. the lesser the gasoline usage, the more miles coverage and the more savings from your higher fuel consumption.
• If you own a vehicle which heats up your car seats at the touch of a button, Do Not Touch that button. The energy consumption is exceptionally high. If your human counterparts have all survived the harsh winter without heated car seats, you could too.
• Eco friendly car washing is another money saving idea. But, let me qualify that if you have to do it at home, you need to use biodegradable soap specifically formulated for automotive parts. Do it on your lawn instead of your driveway, so that the dirt and toxic waste water are absorbed and neutralized in soil. Otherwise, just patronize your local car wash. Their toxic waste water is drained into proper sewer systems and treated before being discharged.
• In summer, run your air conditioner sparingly at a low setting. When the car is sufficiently cool, switch to fan mode instead. Ensure that windows are tightly shut and not rolled down when the air conditioning is running
• Rotate your tires to ensure even tire threading. This causes less strain to the engine.
• Avoid traffic congestion as travelling in jam condition could consume more fuel. Rise early and get to work early whenever possible.
• In all weather all season, use windshield shades to cut down the summer heat and reduce frost in winter.
• When travelling at high speed, for instance, along highways, keep windows tightly closed. Open windows cause additional drag, making your engine work harder, and consuming more fuel.
• Plan trips well ahead before you set off to reduce unnecessary driving. Remember to check out the road conditions especially when driving in hash winter weather.
• Over inflated tires can reduce your fuel efficiency. Remember to check your tire pressure and never overfill them. This is because you need to leave space air expansion when the tires get hot when driving.
• Conversely, you should avoid driving with soft tires. When soft and not at the correct PSI pounds per square inch, your car requires more energy to move and maintain speed as well as increase fuel emissions. According to a Carnegie Mellon University informal study, majority of cars on the roads are only 80% inflated to capacity and inflating tires to the proper pressure improves mileage by about 3.3%. And the best part is that it is definitely safer too.

Stay tuned and check out even more Environmentally Friendly Green car driving tips at my site.

Strong Sales for Cars and Light Trucks Forecasted

At the annual Convention and Exposition in Las Vegas, good news was shared to the car manufacturing industry by the chief economist of the National Automobile Dealers Association or NADA. Paul Taylor, who is renowned for his insightful analysis of automotive sales and the economic trends in the US, has forecasted that this year, 2007, sales of cars and light trucks will equal that of last year. He cited that the reason for the projected sales output in the year 2007 is the arrival of many high-quality fuel efficient vehicles.

Taylor said that signs in the economy and the market shows that this year will see a solid year in the sale of cars and light trucks. He added that any significant increase in the roughly estimated 16.5 million units to be sold will be hampered by steady interest rates as well as the continued slowing of home mortgage refinancing. But the two factors will definitely not stop the steady pace of vehicle sales unlike the EBC Greenstuff brake parts that can easily stop a moving vehicle.

The chief economist reported on the trends that governed the car and light truck sales last year. He said that light trucks comprise the biggest percentage of light vehicles used last year at 53 percent. Sedans also increased in sales but not enough to be the majority in the total sales of light vehicles in 2006. Another segment that exhibited continuous growth in the market share is the crossover utility vehicle (CUV) segment. CUV sales have increased by 9.1 percent over 2005 sales figures and Taylor has forecasted that the growth of the segment will continue and he even is brave enough to state that he is predicting an 8 percent increase in 2007.

Sedans, which have seen steadily growing demand, has increased their sales by 1.8 percent for the full-size sedans while for the small cars, the increase is 4.7 percent. New designs and better mileage of the cars played a major role to the increase in the demand of the public for them. This is apparent in the newer models which have radically changed their appearance to increase their aesthetic value.

A prime example of this is the cars from Volvo which has departed from their reputation of having a boxy design. The effort by car manufacturers to produce good looking cars is aimed to attract the attention of younger car buyers. The younger generation is the target now of different car makers hoping that they will create a loyal buyer base that would later see them being long term consumers.

Taylor further predicted that used car sales by franchised new car dealerships will best last year's figures. "Used vehicles sales will receive increased attention by new car dealerships," the economist quipped. He added that "dealers will look for ways to increase used-car sales, and at least 100,000 additional light vehicles are likely to sell at franchised new-car dealerships this year". Taylor also stated that "used-car sales and parts and service revenue will be an important focus for dealers this year".

Other factors that allows the chief economist to predict the steady pace of automobile sales for this year is the low employment numbers which average 4.6 to 4.8 percent in 2007. He also cited the number of people per month returning to work which rose up to 130,000 will be generating many used car costumers and a small number of new car customers.

Taylor spoke for the National Automobile Dealers Association which has been founded in 1917 and is based in McLean, VA. The association represents more or less 20,000 new car and truck dealers which has a combined number of franchises of 43,000 globally.