Automotive Blog

Introduction

This databook shows how the light vehicle aftermarket has developed and is forecast to evolve in the next 5 years. It quantifies the size and segmentation of the market. The report details the market dynamics for key fast moving aftermarket products by product family (tyres, service parts, wear and tear parts, mechanical parts, consumables and accessories, and crash repair).

Scope

*V (continue reading…)

Introduction

This databook provides an insight into the light vehicle aftermarket in Spain. It includes detailed forecasts of market volume and market value by product family and key fast moving products to 2014.

Scope

*Value of the aftermarket at retail prices, both for “”parts only”" and for “”parts and labour”" (i.e. including fitting charges)

*Value of aftermarket b (continue reading…)

Introduction

This databook shows how the light vehicle aftermarket has developed and is forecast to evolve in the next 5 years. It quantifies the size and segmentation of the market. The report details the market dynamics for key fast moving aftermarket products by product family (tyres, service parts, wear and tear parts, mechanical parts, consumables and accessories, and crash repair).

Scope

*V (continue reading…)

Having a car is everyone’s dream, but not everybody can take care of their car. Often I find, my friends can only drive their car but can’t look after it. Many times I saw their cars dirty or scratched. It’s very much different with my father-in-law. He always takes care of his car, and thank God, my hubby has this habit too. He learned much of taking care a car from his father when he was a teenager and his father always and always told him to do this, and always reminded him that we should treat our car as our own child. No doubt, his car (and our car now) is always shiny and clean. I want to share some of my hubby’s tips of taking care of the car, which he inherited from his old man. Here they are:

1. After riding your car, always spend some time to wash it. The best time to do this chore is in the early morning. Yes, right in the morning after you use it the day before. This is no exception.

2. If you don’t have time to wash it yourself, you can go to the car wash service nearby. Well, actually my hubby doesn’t like his car washed by them because sometimes they don’t wash it clean enough. Some hidden surfaces like in the corners of the door hinges are sometimes missed. So it’s best if you can wash it yourself (should be very detailed when washing it, though). And bringing in the whole family in this car washing chore, it could be fun too! (continue reading…)

I get asked this question quite often, but in some case not often enough. Seems some people have a “problem” with a $300 a month new car payment, but they are perfectly comfortable with paying the same if not more on monthly auto repair bills and accept the inconveniences that come with them. I don’t know what “drives” people to a high mileage goal? I hear customers comment “This car has to go another 20,000 miles” or brag about how many miles they are determined to put on their vehicles. “I am going to drive this vehicle 180,000 miles whether it likes it or not”. Now if this is a challenge for you, by all means take it, but I can think of many other challenges less costly. Granted, some cars will last a long time and do so with relatively low maintenance cost, but this is not the norm.

How does one know when to throw in the shop rag and get a new car? Well, I don’t have a crystal ball bearing, but I can provide some helpful guidelines to assist you in your evaluation process or your car or when buying a used car.

First: Perform an evaluation of your vehicle yourself using our used car check out list from our Website. The used car check out is self explaining and easy to use. If you have a concern or a potential problem you might uncover with an item on the list, have your auto mechanic inspect it during the next step. A great e-book about buying a used car and how to inspect the vehicle yourself is Inspect Before you buy! (continue reading…)

Get some car care myths exposed. Learn what’s true among all those false ideas you have about taking care of your car.

(ARA) – Knowledge may be power, but that’s only the case if you put what you know into good use. Sure, it’s a common phrase that can be used in many different situations, but when applying it to car care, weeding through the myths can result in financial savings and longer vehicle life.

Myth: My car’s motor oil should be changed every 3,000 miles

It is recommended that vehicle owners follow their manufacturer’s maintenance intervals while it is still under warranty. However, if your car is no longer under warranty, try using synthetic oil that can extend your oil change intervals. The number of miles you can allow between your oil changes will depend on the way you drive and the oxidations stability of the motor oil.

Oxidation stability can be measured by the American Society for Testing and Materials’ (ASTM) rigorous Thin Film Oxidation Uptake Test (TFOUT). This test is so demanding that it lasts 1,300 minutes. Conventional motor oils typically last less than 300 minutes and Synthetic motor oils typically last less than 500 minutes. One high performance synthetic motor oil, Royal Purple, has been shown to outlast the duration of the test. Royal Purple motor oils are recommended to extend oil change intervals as much as 12,000 miles under normal driving conditions, and have also been shown to improve fuel economy. (continue reading…)

All the hazards cause severe color damage and scratches on your original upholstery. Friction is the biggest culprit that wreaks havoc on your original upholstery and wear off your seats severely. When it comes to prevent these damaging factors, it’s necessary that your seats are covered with the effective car seat cover. One of the most effective seat covers are Ballistic car seat covers.

Ballistic seat covers are custom tailored auto accessories. There are the most effective seat covers available in the market. Specially tailored keeping the specifics of your car make and model in mind, the custom tailored seat covers provide snug fitting and embrace your upholstery like a second skin. (continue reading…)

There are many factors that come into consideration when insurers evaluate motorists and assign them to a risk class. Unfortunately, there are drivers who are considered to have elevated risks to insure for various reasons, some of which may be out of the control of the consumer. To the misfortune of these riskier motorists, carriers feel that they must protect themselves from the increased likelihood of future potential losses and do so by charging these individuals an inflated premium in hopes to compensate and equalize pay out costs incurred by insuring these consumers.

Every motorist is different and while some may fall into the “preferred” or “standard” market there are those that will be considered riskier to cover for a number of reasons. While it may seem a bit unfair, younger motorists are often charged a hefty amount when obtaining coverage; this is due to the fact that not only do these youths lack experience behind the wheel and a driving record to show that are a responsible motorist, but they are statistically shown to be more involved in traffic accidents than more mature drivers.

Individuals who have a number of traffic violations and accidents may also be considered riskier to insure because carriers believe that if an individual has a tendency to commit violations or be involved in collisions, the trend may continue. If an individual has been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs they will almost automatically find themselves in need of high risk auto insurance and possibly an SR 22. Although, a driver has certain associated risks with insuring them they should not settle for unreasonable premiums and take the time to find an affordable policy.

Car Insurance Tips for High Risk Drivers

Although many motorists with blemishes on their record are usually charged higher rates than those who may have a clean record, the price of auto insurance does not have to be unreasonable. Contrary to what many believe, there are many companies who specialize and even target high risk drivers while there are those who may only be willing to accept “standard” motorists or will charge riskier drivers a very high rate. The best way for a risky driver to locate a company willing to offer affordable policies is to begin comparing the rates of cheap auto insurance and as many insurers as possible; this can be done by contacting various brokers and agents or shopping online. Comparing rates may take a little bit of time, but may also be well worth it if coverage that can be afforded is found.

Once an individual has become considered a higher risk they may be subjected to increased rates, but it does not have to last forever. There are many things that motorists can do to get themselves from under that rock and get the cost of coverage lowered. Most importantly is to practice safe driving; operating an automobile while intoxicated is something that can easily be avoided by making a good judgment call. Under no circumstance should a motorist operate under the influence and by doing so it may only cost them hard earned money in the long run. In addition, those with multiple tickets and accidents will have them disregarded by insurers after a certain number of years (usually between 3 and 5). By obeying traffic laws, these motorists can see their rates decrease over time.

Unfortunately, there are some motorists who may not be able to find coverage on the regular market, but the good news is that many states offer plans to these drivers to help get them insured and avoid driving without coverage.