The front grill on your car performs a number of functions, both aesthetic and mechanical. Primarily the grill is there to allow air into the engine compartment for cooling purposes. As the car moves forward some of the air that would otherwise be deflected up & over the car is allowed into the engine space through the open lattice at the front of the car - the grill. The fact that it is way out in front of the car means that it is a highly visible item to other road users and passersby. Such a visible item cannot be allowed to be just a functional item - it must have style. That style needs to be instantly recognised by an onlooker such that the car brand is immediately associated with the car.

The style, shape and emblem are there on the front grill to reminder us of the car manufacturer - it is mobile advertising. It is not just an image statement for the manufacturer, it is a part of the style and looks that the owner has bought into and is showing to the world.

Part of the front grills weakness is, alas, is the fact that it is at the front. Any stray object in the car's way is likely to hit that grill. A cracked and damaged grill, although relatively inexpensive of itself, can make an otherwise well maintained car look shabby and uncared for. It would spoil the looks and image that suit car and owner. Why not have a stronger grill?

Designed to fail.

A stronger grill may prevent minor damage to itself but what about other parties involved? Directive 74/483/EEC says in item 5.2. 'The external surface of vehicles shall not exhibit... any projections of such shape, dimensions, direction or hardness as to be likely to increase the risk or seriousness of bodily injury to a person hit by the external surface... in the event of a collision'. Your grill is made so that it doesn't injure people in a crash. No wonder it can be so easily broken, but don't worry there is a cost effective way of finding replacement parts.

Searching at up to 255 breakers and scrap yards at one go could greatly improve your chances of finding that quality used front frill or the body parts you need. It will probably save you time and money. Let us help your search for cheap vehicle parts.

Cheap scrap car spares could help your car stay on the road at a reasonable price. Click on the accompanying links to start your search.

Article Source: EzineArticles

Auto collisions are one of the leading causes of vehicle damage. They are unfortunate incidents that damage outer auto body the most and also cause technical problems in automobiles. However you cannot stop all those unfortunate incidents to be happened, you can actually get your vehicle back in its shape and working condition with the help of some experts automobile collision repair services that are dedicated to help those who are seeking a professional help to take care of their damaged vehicles.

Collision body repair is not an easy task to do as it sounds; it is a complicated process that needs expert hands and a long experience to be done right. Automobiles are complex machines that are made up of various parts with every single part performing its own unique task making a machine fully functional to serve you in its best condition. There is also a big role of the outer body of the machine that has its own importance in making a machine successful on the roads. So, experience and expertise is all that is required to repair a vehicle after an incident of collision.

When it comes to repair a damaged vehicle after a collision, a professional Automobile collision repair service can help you to get your vehicle back in its full working condition. They help you fix auto body damage of all kinds ranging from door dings, fender benders, unibody and frame repair, bumper repairs, paint less dent repairs, hail damage repairs to all paint color matching and custom painting repair services. With the help of their latest tool and technology, they help you a lot to fix your vehicle the way it should be fixed and to your satisfaction. With the expertise to do auto body repair on foreign as well as domestic vehicles, they also offer you expert assistance in claiming insurance for your damages.

Professional collision repair services always give you satisfying results and your car a rejuvenating look that enhance the beauty of your vehicle forever! They straighten unibody and frame damage to factory specifications to help you feel relaxed knowing your vehicle will drive correctly after the repair. By offering paint less dent repair, towing scheduling, accident report assistance, insurance claim negotiations and many more, they help you to make your life easy even after an unfortunate incident and your vehicle in its previous condition to actually return the safety, structure and appearance of your vehicle to factory specifications to ensure your safety on the road.

Article Source: Ezine Articles

It is very easy to repair car paint scratches and chips if you have good instructions and right tools. A scratch can go into 4 layers, clear coat, paint, primer and metal. Depending on how deep the scratch is, you would use different car paint repair technique. Here is what you need to do:

Before starting the repair, wash your car. Use auto soap that is specially designed to remove all the grease and wax to wash the scratched area. Next, determine how deep the scratch is. Knowing that, will help you to choose right tools and products.

Light Car Scratches

If the scratch damaged only the clear coat, it is very easy to fix. All you need is a good quality rubbing compound. Next, apply polishing compound for shine and paint protections. Finish it with wax.

Medium Car Scratches

If the scratch went into the paint, but have not damage the primer, start by sanding the area with a fine sanding paper. When the area is smooth, apply touch up paint in layers. Make sure to give each paint layer enough time to dry. Since each paint has different drying time, check the label for the instructions. When paint is dry, apply clear coat. To blend it in use rubbing compound, following it with polishing compound. Wait for a month before applying wax.

Deep Car Scratches

Fixing deep paint scratches will take just few more steps. First, check for the rust. If you see some rust development, sand it with a lower grit sanding paper and smooth it out with a fine grit. Now, you are ready to apply the primer. The main function of priming is to ensure that any successive layers of paint adhere to the surface properly. Apply 2-3 layers of primer giving each layer enough time to dry. After primer is dry, sand it with 600 grit paper. Touch-up paint should be applied also in layers. Paint can take anywhere from 30 minutes up to few hours to dry. When paint is dry apply clear coat for surface protection and shine.

After all layers are dry, repaired area might still stand out. To blend it in with rubbing compound or sand it with a find grit sanding paper. There is also a new product on the market called "clear coat blender" This product does exactly that, it blends the newly applied top coat with the old one. It needs to be sprayed when clear coat is still wet. Wait 30 days before applying wax.

As you can see it is very easy to repair car paint scratches at home. All you need is a good weather, right products and instructions.

The title of this article may open up a can of worms. A proclamation that, in theory, there is one sound system that fits perfectly for a given automobile without taking into consideration who will do the listening is missing the mark. Sure, if you are a person who enjoys plenty of thumping bass, then a system with all the appropriate gear and sub-woofer(s) is an ideal set up. Now, if you are a person who demands less pronounced bass and a more balanced performing sound system in your car, the gear will be different.

Every day in the U.S. a consumer is trying to decide on which auto audio system is best for them. It might be best to keep the process simple. The kind of sound the potential buyer finds enjoyable should help make the decision easier. He or she doesn't want to choose a lousy sound system just because they thought it had all the latest bells and whistles.

Car systems do not require that they be the loudest to be the best. In reality an auto sound system with poor sonic performance will come across as noise rather than music when played very loud. Bigger is not always better also. If super thunderous bass is desired, the likelihood of vast areas of your trunk of your vehicle being occupied greatly increases. Dynamite comes in small packages might be a important thing to remember. Your car, truck, or SUV might benefit from the same thinking. While speakers are not the most critical in regards to big sound, they are vitally important in determining the sonic performance of the whole system (you here that - it's another can of worms being opened). It must be said, though, the best equipment is only as good as its weakest part.

Finding the sound you like at the price you like is one of the challenges when selecting the sound system that is right for your car, truck, or SUV. Shopping around and comparing prices, and careful consideration should be applied before making a decision. A good auto sound system is not an impulse buy.

When buying a auto sound system, there are an abundance of things to consider. The first criteria should be that you like and are satisfied with the performance of the system. After all, only you can determine what is right for you. The money you spend will be put to good use if you keep this in mind.

Article Source: Ezine Articles

There's nothing more enjoyable than driving with your favorite music blasting through the speakers. That's why some folks like to invest in a good car audio system. Every vehicle comes with its own stock car audio system, but there's a large market industry where consumers can replace many or all the parts in the system. There are always new and more innovative models and devices with added features and stylish designs coming and going that keeps this industry alive. Consumers don't have to settle with their original car audio electronics, they can custom-make their own with better sound and quality.

If you feel that yours is insufficient or it simply does not suit your personality, you can always replace some components in your system or you could change the whole thing altogether for a more rockin' effect. But before you head to your local electronics store or check the online sites, here are some things that you need to know first.

Car audio electronics are usually composed of a head unit, which is the primary control device that sits on the center of the dash panel between the driver and the passenger. It's a multi-purpose device that usually houses multiple types of components such as a radio tuner with AM/FM bands, a CD player, DVD player, and a small amplifier for driving an audio signal to the speakers. Some may feature a USB flash memory and hard disk drive. Sometimes it comes with a DSP component and equalization component such as bass and treble controls.

A car audio electronic system is not complete without its speakers. Car speakers are basically identical in function to their larger counterparts with the exception of some key components specialized for mobile use. One difference is the multi-axial mounting of different types of speakers in the same footprint. The tweeter is mounted directly on top of the woofer. Another is the non-circular cone shapes, they could be square, oval or triangular. They are specifically designed to fit small spaces.

The construction of the speakers may also include more unique components more suitable for mobile use. They may contain some form of plating to prevent corrosion, they may be coated with a substance to help resist expansion and contraction under varying cabin temperatures.

Car audio electronics also need an amplifier, or most commonly known as car "amp". Although some head units contain an amplifier, some don't or they simply don't have enough power for the desired effect. In these cases, an external amplifier would do the trick. External amplifiers are usually mounted in different parts of the car. In most cases, they are installed in the trunk. Most external amps are commonly found in premium audio packages or in luxury cars.

Sub-woofers may also be included in some car audio electronic systems. They are a specific type of loudspeaker for low frequency reproduction. They are often used when the existing low frequency production is insufficient in frequency range and volume.

Modern and sophisticated mobile audio products are available for purchase online or in your nearest home electronics store. They vary in prices, designs and uses that would suit your preferences and needs. But be careful in choosing your car audio electronic system. There are some states and municipalities that have ordinances against extremely loud sound systems. Some places even outlawed those so called "boom cars" with loud stereo systems. They are said to disturb the peace and even cause some health problems. So choose wisely and make sure you don't end up disturbing any peace or causing any health problems.

Article Source: Ezine Articles

There are several different ways to connect your iPod to car audio system. In this article I want to talk about how to connect iPod to car radio. So you do not have to burn CD's anymore only to enjoy your favorite songs, it is really waste your time and money. The happy news is it does not require any wire to connect your iPod to your car radio. The only thing you need is an FM transmitter.

How it works?

The iPod FM transmitter uses an empty radio station in your location to play the iPod. Then it transmits the music from the iPod to your car radio in full stereo sound.

Here are the steps:

1. Plug your iPod into the FM transmitter.
2. Turn on both devices.
3. Choose the suitable frequency. And it must be less interfered.
4. Tune the car radio to that frequency.

With the 4 easy steps then you are able to listen the music from your iPod. It can be a simplest and cheapest choice. Choosing the FM transmitter that plugs into the car cigarette adapter is recommended because it allows for your iPod charging while the music is being played by the iPod.

Here are the benefits:

1. Wireless connect to your car audio system.
2. It is small and easy to carry.
3. Although it uses signal to transmit the sound to the car audio system, but the sound is clean and listenable.
4. You will never continually switching CD just in order to change the music.

Article Source: Ezine Articles

Seized car auctions are excellent events to attend if you are interested in finding a vehicle for much less than its blue book value. Another top feature of these auctions is the fact that there is such a huge supply of vehicles to choose from. Vehicle auctions from the government are truly a buyer's paradise for vehicles!

You may wonder just exactly how you can get the most out of a visit to the vehicle auction location in your state. How can buyers get the most out of these visits?

Know what you have come for. I've seen many people attend auctions without a clear goal in mind. They are overwhelmed by the selection of vehicles there to choose from. Know exactly what your needs are and why you have come.

If you have come to one of these auctions to buy the vehicles and resell them it is a good idea to look for vehicles that people in your market are interested in buying. As an example most people are interested in smaller vehicles that get better gas mileage. It would make no sense to look at bigger SUVs that maybe priced really low but may not sell in the market you are selling to.

If you are a buyer know exactly what your needs are. For instance if you are a family person a vehicle with four doors would suit you. Looking at small sports cars, that do look attractive, really is not a goal for your attending or buying at one of these car auctions.

And particularly important is to have some kind of mechanics background. If you don't ask a mechanic that you trust for tips in what to look for and used cars that you wish to buy. There is no need for them to come to the car auction but they can provide you with tips that will assist you.

Article Source: Ezine Articles

It is difficult to decide which is best among the various car leasing offers being advertised by manufacturers. Each person has their own particular situation, so leasing a vehicle may or may not be right for them. There are many factors to consider, such as:

How much time is best? Car leases are usually offered for 24, 36, or 48 months. Since new vehicles depreciate the most during the first two years, the 24 month lease will be the most expensive. The lease rate is calculated by the historical depreciation rate of a particular make and model, minus any dealer rebate and manufacturer discount. Thus a low depreciation vehicle will have the lowest lease rates, since the dealer knows it will have a high resale value at the end of the lease. Most manufacturers offer a comprehensive warranty for 36 months, so it is not a good idea to lease a car for longer than that, since major components begin to wear out during the fourth year.

Credit rating. Since a car lease is offered with little or no money up front, the credit history of an applicant becomes more critical. If it raises any red flags, they may have to pay higher rates, or be denied altogether. It will be difficult to get out of the lease if the lessee is unable to continue making payments.

Allowable mileage. Most leases specify twelve thousand miles a year, with extra charges for more than that. The contract specifies that the vehicle will not be driven over rough unpaved roads, will not exceed the mileage limit, and returned in good running condition with only minor wear and tear. If fuel economy is a concern, it may be best to lease an economical car for three years, and then see what is on the market. More hybrid and electric cars will be available.

Insurance. An automobile insurance policy should cover any minor accident, but if the vehicle is totaled, it may not cover what is still owed on the lease, so extra coverage may be needed.

Leasing a vehicle may not be for everyone, but it might be the right step for you.

Information is always at your disposal any time you get connected to the internet. The internet is also the best place to visit when you want to buy a quality automobile at affordable price. The internet has a long list of online auto auction companies where you can register with and make your purchase. You can visit a lot of sites in order to improve your knowledge on how to get the best value in your locality.

Times are hard, and everyone wants to cut down on cost. Online auto auction helps you cut down on cost, while helping you get vehicles of best quality. Going to a showroom is one idea you do not want have anything to do with. These are certainly not the ideal period for such high spending. Why go to a showroom in the first place if you can almost certainly get a quality and inexpensive vehicle on the internet.

You can buy an SUV, a racy bike or any other expensive automobile at rates that are far below normal market value. Online auto sales avails you the rare opportunity of buying flashy automobiles at best value yet. As a matter of fact, you have great opportunity of choosing from a wide variety of vehicles on display.

Online auto sales almost like the live and physical government car auctions. Since you already have an internet connection and a computer, you make your bid by clicking on the car of your choice. This is your best chance to give wings to your dreams and imagination that you have been having for years. Participating at internet car bid is easy, and helps you save a lot of cost in the process.

Interestingly, these vehicles are seized by the police and other government law enforcement agencies. The highest bidder takes possession of his vehicle the moment payment is completed. Online car auctions is one of the most attractive ways people make use of when they want a cheap, but high quality vehicles. If you do not wish to physically present at government car auction venues, you can try register with any of the online automobile bid companies.

If you are a very busy person who may not have all the time in the world to visit government car auction venues, this is one opportunity you do not want to miss. It saves you a lot of time, energy and money.

Article source: Ezine Articles