Custom replacement seats can provide you with improved comfort, enhanced driving support for your body, and add tremendous eye appeal to the interior of your car. Searching the web provides you with any number of choices of color and style, and you can be pretty sure that your car will stand out from the crowd when you open the door.
There are several important things to consider when deciding if this is the way you want to go in your customization plan, however. First and foremost, as an automotive engineering director for a number of years, you need to understand that the seat in your car is just one piece of the overall safety system that is engineered into your ride to make it legal from a federal safety perspective. That seat has been included in tests ranging from front and rear impact, front, side and possibly seat-mounted airbag deployments, seat belt pull tests, seat frame deformation and pull-out; and several other possible tests. The passing results of those system and vehicle tests allows your car to be sold to the public.
When you change the seats in your car, unless full-vehicle tests have been performed and your car certified with the same seat you installed, the results of all of those previously made safety compliance tests are nullified. Installing a seat that is stronger in some regards can in fact cause the results of some tests to give failing instead of passing test results. Any single element of the vehicle system that changes how the test dummy (or human occupant's) body moves in a crash can alter the geometry of an airbag depolyment and cause HIC (Head Injury Criteria) numbers to exceed allowable limits, for example.
In today's highly engineered cars, changing things like seats, belts and other components is the equivalent of turning the driver into a test pilot. In the event of a crash, the others in the car can now name you, as owner, and the person and/or company who modified the car in a lawsuit, the same as they can sue the original manufacturer such as Honda, Toyota or GM. I am not certain, but I believe that the act of altering the compliance of a motor vehicle by a company could violate some federal laws in the same way that altering airbags or emissions equipment does.
The second factor to consider is comfort. I highly recommend actually sitting in the same model of seat in the same model of car that you are customizing before you buy. Car seats feel differently based upon the location of the steering wheel, shifter, windshield, etc; and nothing is worse than spending money on a custom seat and finding out after it is too late that the results are not comfortable.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Classic cars: What is a classic car?
What Is A Classic Car
The most basic definition of a classic car is a car that is 20 years or older, but a classic car is much more then that, classic cars bring back memories for a lot of us, memories of the good old days when all of our friends lived for nothing more then to cruise the boulevard.
A classic car is different things to different people, classic American cars are big imposing beasts, with long sweeping body line, and sharp contrasting chrome, cars that will always stand out from the crowd, you'll always know a classic corvette when you see it.
Classic cars are appealing to a lot of different people because they see the styling, and artistry that was used in building them, they don't look the same as every other car on the road, and they each a different personality and persona that they carry.
Such as is you drive a Cadillac your considered to hold yourself to higher standards, it's a symbol that you have succeeded in life and you can afford the best, if you drive a classic camaro your considered a high performance car enthusiast, a corvette is America's only sports car.
It's not hard to see where I'm going here, I love classic American cars, but to describe is different for everybody that has ever owned one, most of us buy one as a kid when we're in high school, and we never forget that car, we always remember the good times that we had in it.
In my option classic cars are more about fun then anything else, people love to be different, and a classic car is a great way to show your personality, your individuality, and your creativity classic cars are just a lot of fun for those who own them.
They are not just your normal car, you can modify them any way you want, unlike the new cars where you have all kinds of rules that you have to follow, and the classic cars don't all look like their cut from a single mold, they each have their own style, because their owners make them have it.
Classic cars just can't be replaced, no matter how many hippies whine about them, and want them taken off of the road, no matter what president idiot does to remove them from the road, they will always be here, because we love them, and because this is a free country.
Classic American cars have always held a special spot in my heart, because over the years I have had so much fun restoring then, building them, and just driving them, they are fun to drive and they are fun to build, my best description is that they are just fun.
The most basic definition of a classic car is a car that is 20 years or older, but a classic car is much more then that, classic cars bring back memories for a lot of us, memories of the good old days when all of our friends lived for nothing more then to cruise the boulevard.
A classic car is different things to different people, classic American cars are big imposing beasts, with long sweeping body line, and sharp contrasting chrome, cars that will always stand out from the crowd, you'll always know a classic corvette when you see it.
Classic cars are appealing to a lot of different people because they see the styling, and artistry that was used in building them, they don't look the same as every other car on the road, and they each a different personality and persona that they carry.
Such as is you drive a Cadillac your considered to hold yourself to higher standards, it's a symbol that you have succeeded in life and you can afford the best, if you drive a classic camaro your considered a high performance car enthusiast, a corvette is America's only sports car.
It's not hard to see where I'm going here, I love classic American cars, but to describe is different for everybody that has ever owned one, most of us buy one as a kid when we're in high school, and we never forget that car, we always remember the good times that we had in it.
In my option classic cars are more about fun then anything else, people love to be different, and a classic car is a great way to show your personality, your individuality, and your creativity classic cars are just a lot of fun for those who own them.
They are not just your normal car, you can modify them any way you want, unlike the new cars where you have all kinds of rules that you have to follow, and the classic cars don't all look like their cut from a single mold, they each have their own style, because their owners make them have it.
Classic cars just can't be replaced, no matter how many hippies whine about them, and want them taken off of the road, no matter what president idiot does to remove them from the road, they will always be here, because we love them, and because this is a free country.
Classic American cars have always held a special spot in my heart, because over the years I have had so much fun restoring then, building them, and just driving them, they are fun to drive and they are fun to build, my best description is that they are just fun.
The Best in Proper Car Maintenance
Car-proud individuals leave no stone unturned so that their cars are always turned out in their Sunday finery. Thus they have trendy stick-ons, upholstery matching the dashboard and carpets where the feet sink. But car maintenance is much more than having a gleaming façade. Car maintenance should be an all-encompassing routine covering both the exteriors and the interiors.
Car maintenance and repair should feature in the daily itinerary of every car owner. Tend to your car daily so that in the long run, you do not have to face major hold-ups or breakdowns. Car maintenance need not be drudgery or an expensive proposition, for there are numerous DIY car maintenance tips that can be practiced with ease and without having to tow your vehicle to the garage.
The one car maintenance tip that you should swear by is the regular checking of the tires. You should replace them immediately if you find any sort of cuts and protruding on them. Unevenly spaced out wears and tears suggest disproportionate tire balance. Rotate the tires every 7,500 miles and pump up the tires only up to the prescribed level.
One car maintenance tip to abide at all times is to lookout for seepages from any part and clogged pipes and mufflers. Always use the recommended varieties of oils and fluids for car maintenance is not a stopgap solution.
As you go about your DIY car maintenance regime, make sure that the antifreeze level always sticks to the norm and that you use only a 50:50 mixture of antifreeze and water.
Jammed brakes are the nuisances of every driver. Ensure that you are not running short on brake fluid but stop short of overfilling.
Transmission fluid, power steering fluid and motor oil checks should be an integral part of every car maintenance and repair regimen. Put the transmission fluid through the rigors of a reality check by rapidly changing gears so that any possible chinks in the armor are exposed. Change the motor oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles.
A highly recommended car maintenance tip is to periodically check the shock absorber by actually putting the car through bumps and grinds. Shock absorbers should always be replaced in pairs.
The windshield washer fluid reservoir should always be full. One oft overlooked car maintenance and repair job is to regularly clean the wiper blades and replace them yearly, if not broken or chipped by then, so that when the skies open up, you are not stuck with rusty blades.
Finally, do not wait for the car to send warning signals. Any car maintenance and repair job might be too late then. Instead, periodically check the belts and hoses, exhaust clamps and supports and replace them whenever deemed necessary.
These car maintenance tips and tricks are not meant to be broken like the New Year resolutions. Go about your car maintenance job diligently. Each car maintenance tip, practiced rigorously will ensure your car looking radiant, running like well-oiled machinery and the engines purring happily.
Car maintenance and repair should feature in the daily itinerary of every car owner. Tend to your car daily so that in the long run, you do not have to face major hold-ups or breakdowns. Car maintenance need not be drudgery or an expensive proposition, for there are numerous DIY car maintenance tips that can be practiced with ease and without having to tow your vehicle to the garage.
The one car maintenance tip that you should swear by is the regular checking of the tires. You should replace them immediately if you find any sort of cuts and protruding on them. Unevenly spaced out wears and tears suggest disproportionate tire balance. Rotate the tires every 7,500 miles and pump up the tires only up to the prescribed level.
One car maintenance tip to abide at all times is to lookout for seepages from any part and clogged pipes and mufflers. Always use the recommended varieties of oils and fluids for car maintenance is not a stopgap solution.
As you go about your DIY car maintenance regime, make sure that the antifreeze level always sticks to the norm and that you use only a 50:50 mixture of antifreeze and water.
Jammed brakes are the nuisances of every driver. Ensure that you are not running short on brake fluid but stop short of overfilling.
Transmission fluid, power steering fluid and motor oil checks should be an integral part of every car maintenance and repair regimen. Put the transmission fluid through the rigors of a reality check by rapidly changing gears so that any possible chinks in the armor are exposed. Change the motor oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles.
A highly recommended car maintenance tip is to periodically check the shock absorber by actually putting the car through bumps and grinds. Shock absorbers should always be replaced in pairs.
The windshield washer fluid reservoir should always be full. One oft overlooked car maintenance and repair job is to regularly clean the wiper blades and replace them yearly, if not broken or chipped by then, so that when the skies open up, you are not stuck with rusty blades.
Finally, do not wait for the car to send warning signals. Any car maintenance and repair job might be too late then. Instead, periodically check the belts and hoses, exhaust clamps and supports and replace them whenever deemed necessary.
These car maintenance tips and tricks are not meant to be broken like the New Year resolutions. Go about your car maintenance job diligently. Each car maintenance tip, practiced rigorously will ensure your car looking radiant, running like well-oiled machinery and the engines purring happily.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Car Gearbox Repairs - Avoid the Dodgy Dealers
Not everyone in this world is honest and trusting. It is fair to say that there are some rather cutthroat individuals out there who would do anything to make a fast buck, and in the world of cars, there are many dodgy dealers that you might come up against. So, when you need to have car gearbox repairs, where on earth do you go? You need to find somewhere with a good reputation.
Car Gearbox Repairs - Some People Don't Have A Clue
Many people assume that dodgy dealers are only really found in car dealerships rather than in vehicle repair centres, but this is not always the case. You need to be aware that there are some people out there that don't care about customer service and it would be unfortunate if you ended up with a car mechanic that did a half-hearted job and ultimately didn't fix the gearbox problem. The automotive industry has many dimensions and it is therefore recommended that you approach people with slight trepidation before handing money over or forming a long-term relationship.
Car Gearbox Repairs - Look For The Professionals
The sad thing is, that due to the high number of suspect car garages and the like, those that are good and honest don't get enough praise, and often get tarred with the same brush. This is unfortunate, because they will inevitably do a very good job and pride themselves on their customer service. Those car gearbox repair specialists that have a website, professional premises and a number of hard-working mechanics is evidence that they can be trusted and this is the sort of place you should be visiting if you need car gearbox repairs or you're simply having a few gearbox problems. It makes a refreshing change to see some places trying really hard to retain their customer base and prove that they are an honest business.
Don't Let One Bad Experience Destroy Your Trust!
Often, it is the driver that has a bad experience with a garage or car dealership and then feels reluctant to try anywhere else, which is why the genuine car repair centres have to try so much harder to convince the consumer that they are worth visiting. Check the centre out before you place your trust in them, or base your decision on word of mouth, and that way you know which place to go to.
For more information on car gearboxes, be sure to visit this very popular site specialising in Car Gearbox Repairs. Visit http://www.cleckheaton-gearbox-centre.co.uk/ today.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carli_Chaffer
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