UND-Pilsa Blog

When I first started taking interest in cars I guess I was just a kid watching my Dad work on our old 1963 Chrysler New Yorker. I remember him doing his own home version of car customizing including changing out the factory steering wheel and changing the dash, something that really wasn’t regularly done at that time. We also worked on several rebuilds, literally starting with the old chassis and building collectors cars from the frame up. We both just did it for fun and I really never thought of it as anything but a way to spend my spare time.

When I got a bit older my friend wanted to add fog lights to his Chevy truck and was amazed when the dealership wanted a small fortune for this addition. I told him I would do it for about half the price, and before you know it I had guys from all over town calling up to have something added, subtracted or upgraded on their vehicle. It wasn’t long until I learned that my skills with automotive innovation and customization were in big demand. Before long I had my own shop and several mechanics, bodywork specialists and even my own custom paint shop. When I look back I just can’t believe this whole career started by just trying to help out a friend.

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A properly functioning car exhaust system is critical toward keeping the environment clean, reducing noise, as well as preventing a deadly build up of carbon monoxide [CO] inside of your car. You can stop problems from occurring if you keep in mind the following four safety tips.

1. Annual inspection. If you own the correct equipment [such as a lift or jacks] you can perform a visual inspection yourself. Things to look for: corrosion, loose mountings, leaking joints, damage to various parts including the catalytic converter, muffler, pipes, and other exhaust components. Many garages and retail establishments offer free exhaust system inspections as well if you prefer to leave it up to a mechanic. Tip: Always check your exhaust system immediately after bottoming out from a pothole or running over road debris. Do not wait for your annual inspection; inspect it right away.

2. Keep windows cracked open. Carbon monoxide can build up in the cabin of your car without warning. You can’t see it and by the time you realize its effects it may be too late. A slightly opened window will help gathering poisons to leave your car’s interior. This is especially important to do if you are stuck in traffic.

3. Station wagon precautions. If you own a station wagon and you leave the tailgate down while driving, make sure that windows or vents are open.

4. Open up the garage door. Letting your vehicle run inside a closed garage can be deadly. Fumes will quickly accumulate in the garage and spread to the remainder of the house if you have an attached garage. If you must run your car inside of the garage, vent it by opening up the garage door. Always keep the door from the garage to the rest of the house closed when your car is running inside of your garage.

If you determine that your exhaust system does need maintenance, you can do the work yourself and save plenty of money. Top performing exhaust system brands include Bosal Exhaust, Dynamax Exhaust, Gibson Exhaust, Flowmaster Exhaust, Magnaflow Exhaust, Remus Exhaust, as well as others. Selecting the right system for your car can help you reduce noise, increase torque, and free up horsepower. Above all, a well fitted, properly installed system will protect the environment both inside and outside of your vehicle.

Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for Car Parts Stuff, an online supplier of high quality and well priced automobile parts.

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Let’s dispell a myth, cheap car insurance for woman drivers is
not really any different than cheap car insurance for men except
that in some cases it might be a little cheaper or at least a
little easier to get.

The factors used to compute cheap insurance are many and usually
place prospective policyholders in rating groups that categorize
level of risk. Obviously, in one rating group, gender, there’s a
difference.

Are women better car drivers than men, though? Only your
insurance company actuary knows for sure, but generally young
men are considered a higher risk to insure. In that age rating
group, auto insurance best quotes might favor women.

Cheap Based On Your Needs

What really counts, though, is whether car insurance for woman
drivers is cheap insurance based on their own needs. Best quotes
for woman drivers can be obtained online at automated websites
that return quotes from several competing insurance companies
simultaneously.

Women who know the ins-and-outs of car insurance for women need
only choose the lowest quote to get cheap insurance.

Get Help If You Need It

If you’re not familiar with auto insurance, however, you may
want to contact an insurance agent who can guide you through the
process and better ensure that you purchase the coverage you
require.

They can also show car drivers ways to lower their rates by
increasing deductibles or lowering Comprehensive or Collision
coverages which become less practical as a vehicle ages.

Just remember, there are six main types of car insurance–Bodily
Injury Liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Property
Damage Liability, Collision, Comprehensive, Uninsured and
Underinsured Motorist Coverage–that cover your liability to
others, pay your immediate medical and other expenses, cover
damage to property, pay for repairs to or replacement of your
car, cover expenses due other causes of damage, and insure you
against those without insurance.

Most of all, don’t forget that what’s cheap insurance in the
short run can put your finances in jeopardy in the long run, and
that auto insurance protects your assets, not you.

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