Truck owners love how powerful their vehicles are. Trucks need lots of power because they’re designed to haul and tow heavy loads without difficulty. However, many truck manufacturers use fairly quiet exhaust systems on their vehicles, despite their powerful engines. If you want your truck to sound as powerful as you know it is, or if you’re aiming to reduce the constrictions on the exhaust, then consider adding to or altering your truck’s exhaust system.

The factory exhaust system already on your truck is already a pretty efficient system and doesn`t really need much modifications to be improved. The first part of your truck’s exhaust system is the exhaust manifold, which channels exhaust from individual cylinders into larger main pipes. These systems are efficient and don’t need to be changed, but if you decide you want to anyways, you’ll need a set of headers. Quality headers like the ones you’ll want will have a ceramic coating and factory mounting points for the sensors. Most of the time though, the standard manifold is more than good enough.

After the manifold, exhaust travels through the catalytic converters. These are already very efficient and legally required to be on your truck, so you’re much better off leaving these alone. The only time you’d do really do anything with the factory catalytic converter is if you were adding an extremely powerful upgrade to your engine, such as a turbo- or supercharger.

As they leave the catalytic converters, exhaust gases will cool down a bit and enter the muffler. The factory mufflers usually aren’t too restrictive, and replacing them won’t make a huge difference in the amount of hp or torque you get. The average change is about 3-5 hp and 5-10 ft-lbs of torque. After market mufflers, however, will make a dramatic change and are definitely worth the money. Your truck will sound much better! After the mufflers, exhaust exits the truck via the tailpipe. You can add tailpipe tips to this part, but it’ll be purely for decoration purposes, and won’t affect the exhaust system in any way.

Obviously, the most logical thing to do if you want to make a change to your exhaust system is to exchange the factory muffler for an after market one. It’ll produce the biggest, most noticeable results. Consider this when looking at after market mufflers:

First, do you want to hear the exhaust ALL the time? In other words, when you drive down the highway, is a little exhaust drone OK? If not, make sure you choose a muffler that’s not described as being loud. Check the web and ask your local muffler shop for advice on finding a good muffler. Many muffler manufacturers are even putting sound clips on their websites now.

Second, do you want something that people can slightly hear when you drive by, or do you want something so loud that the neighbors know exactly what time you leave for work every morning? Words like “racing” or “glasspack” usually indicate exceptionally loud mufflers, so watch out for those terms unless you want a lot of attention.

Choosing between a single or dual exhaust muffler is another important decision you’ll have to make. If your truck came with a single exhaust, then a single after market exhaust will be enough to keep good performance. If you prefer to get a dual exhaust, be prepared to spend more money in exchange for better sound and look. Make sure your installer works around your trailer hitch, or leaves room for one, just in case you decide to add one later.

Finally, what exhaust system material is best? It’s a decision that should be based on geography. If you live anywhere near the corrosive effects of saltwater, stainless steel is the smart choice. While it’s more expensive up-front, it will last much longer than galvanized or aluminized steel in these climates. People living in dry climates really don’t need to purchase stainless steel – if rust attacks their system, it will be years before anything is damaged.

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When it comes to vehicle safety, automakers are a little puzzled. How can it be that vehicle-related fatalities in the U.S. have been steady at 40,000 deaths a year even as vehicle safety measures continue to improve? Is all this vehicle safety technology really making us safer? One company has announced that the problem is not with the safety of the cars – it’s with the drivers themselves.

New research from Robert Bosch LLC suggests that two out of every three drivers don’t hit the brakes hard enough before an accident. This doesn’t mean the driver wants the accident – it’s simply the nature of the human condition. During an accident, a multitude of things are competing for the driver’s attention, from multiple warning systems going off and distractions from other passengers, to the simple act of processing what’s going on in the surrounding environment. All these combined together can delay the decision-making process a few milliseconds too long, and impair the driver’s ability to hit the brakes fast enough, or with enough force.

As a solution to this, Bosch proposes using a predictive brake-assist technology, which constantly monitors the vehicle’s surroundings to detect any likely accidents and determine stopping distance. If an accident is evident, the brake-assist technology will react by activating the hydraulic brake, which the vehicle’s computer has engaged for full-force braking as soon as the anticipated accident is detected.

There are over two-million front-end collisions each year, and while there is no way to know how much the predictive brake-assist system will reduce this number, it’s reasonable to assume it will help in some way. However, there is some argument that this technology will actually hurt safety. The argument is that because drivers will not understand the technology, they will assume the car will do the majority of the braking for them, and will not attempt to stop the car themselves. This argument seems absurd, but should not be discounted completely. More testing should be completed before this type of safety feature is mandated.

Some manufacturers have already begun using predictive braking technology in their vehicles. Mercedes-Benz, for example, uses the system in their SL550 model. The car is able to sense an emergency based on the amount of pressure the driver uses on the brake, and then applies the maximum power boost. Other manufacturers, such as Toyota, Cadillac, BMW and Volvo are experimenting with adding the technology to their future lines.

The predictive brake-assist system is just one example of a growing body of technology designed to improve vehicular safety. Another item currently in the works is the lane departure notification system. It uses an electronic eye to detect if the car is driving within the lines. If the vehicle drifts outside the lines, the system will emit an audible warning. This technology will most benefit drivers who may be falling asleep on the road.

In keeping with the idea that drivers themselves can be a safety issue, Bosch has also proposed modifying current vehicle safety ratings to include a sixth star. The sixth star will be used to rank a vehicle’s accident avoidance systems, such as predictive braking and lane departure notification. It’s a good way for consumers to compare a vehicle’s complete safety rating, rather than just its crashworthiness.

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Your new car (or your new car dealer) is giving you a headache. There’s a problem and the customer service you’ve received hasn’t been good enough. You feel like you’ve done your part, but your problem is still unresolved. How do you get it solved?

Even if you left previously with a negative experience, your local dealer is still the best person to work with to resolve your complaint. Local dealerships are interested in creating loyal lifetime customers, and they know the best way to do that is by making you happy. A dealership can spend a fortune on advertising trying to attract customers, but statistics show that good customer service is by far the best way to keep them.

Your local dealer is far more likely to help you if they believe this transaction will benefit them. This is especially true where there is a cost to the dealership involved in solving your problem. If they’re investing money in keeping you happy, they want to know there’s a reasonable chance they’ll earn that money back later through your repeat business. The best way to prove you’ll be a good customer later on is to prove that you’re a good customer right now.

The best way to show you’re a good customer is to be nice. Restrain the urge to shout or swear – a smile might not feel as satisfying now, but it will get you further. Staff that resent you probably aren’t going to be too helpful towards you. Make an effort to get along with the dealership employees – they’re probably as frustrated with the problem and eager to get it resolved as you are. Get what you want by giving the staff a reason to want to help you!

If there is one person you should talk to about your customer service problem, it’s the dealership’s General Manager (GM). GMs are authorized to do almost anything to maintain excellent customer service, and they can be an incredibly useful person to talk to. They are able to get senior executives on the phone at short notice, and are themselves professionals experienced in solving customer service problems. They are essential to contact if you’re looking to get the manufacturer to do something for you.

In the rare case that speaking with the GM of your local dealer doesn’t work, the next step is to call the manufacturer’s customer service hotline (the number can be found in your owner’s manual). You should try to contact the local regional office as well. While the local regional office will probably just refer you to the national hotline, you may be able to speak with a regional Toyota executive. Persistence is key.

In sum, your local dealer is the best place to start if you’re trying to resolve a customer service complaint. Be courteous and polite always, and give people a reason to want to help you. Remember to speak with the general manager, and if that doesn’t work, keep calling the manufacturer’s national hotline and regional office. Persistence pays off when you’re looking for great customer service!

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If you are considering replacing your vehicle’s exhaust system a performance exhaust system can be an ideal choice offering to you many benefits over a stock exhaust system. Let’s examine the benefits of installing a performance exhaust system versus a stock exhaust system.

1. More Power. One of the obvious benefits of a performance exhaust system is more power for your car. Using catalyst back [cat-back] technology additional horsepower is freed up, with horsepower increases of 5%, 10%, and even 15% possible. Exactly how does a cat-back system work? By keeping all the key emissions components in place a catback system brings in large width exhaust pipes and low restriction performance mufflers for your car resulting in a lowering of exhaust back pressure. One nice side benefit is the deeper throatier pitch created by the exhaust system. Since your vehicle’s engine is in essence an air pump a catback system helps the engine to pump and flow air with less disruption.

2. Better Fuel Economy. You will receive better fuel mileage from a performance exhaust system. As a performance exhaust system lets your engine run more efficiently thus using less fuel.

3. Long Lasting. Your car may not last as long as some performace exhaust systems. Depending on which system you get, you might be able to put in a performance exhaust system which comes with a guarantee of one million miles. The same grade of stainless steel that’s used to produce aircraft parts is what this particular part is made of. Your vehicle will easily need the parts but it will be the final exhaust system you can pay ever more for.

4. Better Resale Value. Better parts on your vehicle will help maintain its value. Many models offer sporty versions that command a premium price compared to lower cost standard models.

Having a Haynes or Chilton automobile repair manual at your fingertips is a great way to save big on parts and labor by replacing the exhaust system yourself. You will likely pay only slightly more for the system over dealer installed stock system by installing a performance exhaust system yourself, thereby maximizing the gains you will realize in electing to go with the performance exhaust system over the stock exhaust system.

Drivers often neglect exhaust systems when upgrading there automobile although they play an important role in the way a car drives. A good exhaust system is an excellent sound insulator and it also purifies the gases coming out of the engine. Another importance of the exhaust system is that it helps the engine develop more power by eliminating the unneeded gases.

There are several parts that make up the exhaust system, such as the intake, the manifold, the exhaust manifold and the muffler. It is recommended that you purchase all the performance auto parts from the same manufacturer when available as that will ensure maximum compatibility. When purchasing an exhaust set you have a higher chance of knowing that the three main items characteristic to it (sound insulation, gas purification and improved engine output).

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Most people don’t have very much time to spend getting a car loan. If you don’t have much time to get the loan that you need to buy your new vehicle, there are several things you can do that will help you get your car loan fast.

Regardless of your credit score or credit history, here are some tips you can use to save time:

1) Collect all the necessary paperwork. Be sure to include a paystub, which will prove your income. A recent electric, phone, or cable bill should be included to show your residence. If you have filed bankruptcy and/or have collections or other credit issues, find all that paperwork as well. The last thing you must be sure to do is to include any paperwork dealing with problems arising from a messy divorce. All of this paperwork should be gathered together and taken with you when you go to see a lender to prevent you from having to make several trips.

2) Most loan applications ask for three or more personal references, friends or relatives that do not live with you. Don’t be one of those people who scrambles around looking for the name, addresses, and phone numbers of their personal references while they are filling out their application. Write down their information beforehand, and you will save a lot of time when you complete your loan application.

3) Talk to your boss, office manager, or human resources department. When you apply for an auto loan, most lenders will call and verify your employment. Let the person in charge of employment verification know that you’re expecting an auto lender to call about you – that way they’ll be ready to provide what the bank needs quickly and accurately.

4) If you have a trade-in, you should find out the exact payoff amount rather than estimate it. Many people estimate their payoff, which either costs them more money or wastes more time. When you estimate your payoff, the lender may calculate your interest rate as if it were the actual payoff. If the exact payoff amount is lower than your estimate, your interest rate will be higher than it could have been. If your lender approves you for a loan amount that is based on your estimated payoff, you will have to be re-approved if the actual payoff is significantly higher. Finding out the exact payoff amount before you apply for a new loan could save you time or money.

5) It is important that you complete your credit application as accurately and truthful as possible. If you are required to provide former employers, former residences, etc., accuracy helps your application to be processed faster. The lender will most likely know if you lie on your credit application and then check on every aspect or your credit, which will slow down your application approval significantly. However, lying may also cause your application to be turned-down completely.

Next time you apply for a car, follow these five tips for fast and efficient car loan processing.

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You’ve just exited the store and are striding confidently towards your new car when you notice something isn’t right — the paint is SCRATCHED! You look around, hoping to see the culprit, vainly wishing they were still around so you could vent your rage. Then, you walk up to the scratch hoping it will “rub-off”. Alas, that doesn’t work either. What do you do next — get out the touch-up paint?

For God’s sake NO! The sound of the words “touch-up paint” always make me cringe.

10% of the time, touch-up paint is the right way to fix a scratch. If the scratch is large, if bare metal is showing, and if the scratch is a circular area the size of a fingernail, touch-up paint is the way to go. But I don’t think anyone who isn’t a pro should use touch-up. It’s hard to apply, and most of the time it’s overkill.

Most scratches can be fixed with a process called “wet-sanding”. Wet sanding is done by a professional, and it involves moving paint and clear coat molecules around to reduce the appearance of a scratch. It works on light scratches, but deep scratches are another matter.

You can find out if your new scratch is big or deep with a couple of simple tests. When you gently pass your fingernail over the scratch, can you feel a bump? Does the scratch stretch over the entire length of the vehicle or of an individual body panel? If the answer to either of those questions is “yes”, then you need to see a body shop and you may need to call the insurance company. Big or deep scratches can be expensive to fix, but not always. Make sure to check around.

If the scratch is light, your local body shop should be able to fix it up for less than $40. Make sure the shop you’re going to us has a written guarantee and that you understand it. Usually the person repairing your car will tell you what it’s going to look like when they’re done.

Finally, make sure you realize that either one of the above methods will greatly diminish the appearance of the scratch, but the scratch can’t truly be “fixed”. It’s never going to look the way it did before. Hopefully though it will be too hard for anyone else to see it and no one will know about it but you.

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You’ve just exited the store and are striding confidently towards your new car when you notice something isn’t right — the paint is SCRATCHED! You look around, hoping to see the culprit, vainly wishing they were still around so you could vent your rage. Then, you walk up to the scratch hoping it will “rub-off”. Alas, that doesn’t work either. What do you do next — get out the touch-up paint?

For God’s sake NO! The sound of the words “touch-up paint” always make me cringe.

Unless the scratch is HUGE, touch-up paint in the bottle is a bad idea. It’s hard to apply (unless you’ve got experience) and it’s usually overkill. The good news is that there are some methods that will remove or greatly reduce the appearance of the scratch on your new car, and they’re surprisingly inexpensive.

The best way to fix a light scratch is called “wet sanding”. Essentially, a paint pro will do an EXTREMELY light sanding on the scratch which will reorganize the paint/clear-coat molecules and make the scratch “disappear” — provided of course the scratch isn’t too big or too deep.

You can find out if your new scratch is big or deep with a couple of simple tests. When you gently pass your fingernail over the scratch, can you feel a bump? Does the scratch stretch over the entire length of the vehicle or of an individual body panel? If the answer to either of those questions is “yes”, then you need to see a body shop and you may need to call the insurance company. Big or deep scratches can be expensive to fix, but not always. Make sure to check around.

If the scratch is light, your local body shop should be able to fix it up for less than $40. Make sure the shop you’re going to us has a written guarantee and that you understand it. Usually the person repairing your car will tell you what it’s going to look like when they’re done.

With all repairs, nothing works 100%. There’s a good chance that the local body shop will remove most of the scratch, but often times a small scratch remains. Relax. You’re probably the only one that sees it because you know where to look. You can be happy that it looks a lot better than it did before.

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Buying a car can be a stressful experience; having a clear idea of what you want from your car even before you head to the car dealership is important. As with most things in life there are pitfalls to avoid and certain elements that you may wish to pursue. As an expensive piece of equipment it is very important you get the choice right, try not to be tricked at the dealership, stick to what type of car you want and the price you are willing to pay.

Doing your research is essential when getting a new/used car and should be carried out extensively before you even head down to the car dealership. Use the internet to look at the various makes and models that fulfil your requirements; whether you are looking for a sporty car or a car to transport your family around, the internet will include information on all aspects of motoring. Websites reviewing cars are in abundance and are guaranteed to give a more objective view that the salesmen down at the dealership. The internet can also allow you to price prospective cars. Getting a good idea of the price you should be paying is valuable knowledge when you visit the dealership.

The next thing to consider before you head down to your local dealership is whether to buy a new or used car. While a new car will have the nice smell and the knowledge that you are the first to drive it, depreciation is a major concern and once the initial outlay is made, you may lose thousands of dollars when it comes to resale. Used cars make an appealing alternative, usually far more affordable and in many cases reconditioned so they are almost new, they can bring new car luxury at a fraction of the price.

One helpful piece of advice when looking at getting a car is to head down the dealership near the end of the month, due to the fact most dealerships have monthly targets that are often aggressive. As they work on a monthly basis, the end of the month often sees prices falling as dealers attempt to meet their monthly targets. The attitude of ‘drive it away today’ fills the salesman’s head and hence, great deals can be found.

The test drive should a be major element before picking a car up, understanding how a car handles and performs is essential. If this is a used car this can be extremely useful to assess the condition of the car and whether it will be worth owning. Added to this, if buying a used car from your dealership ensure to get an independent survey of the car by an objective professional who will be able to give you a true idea of the state of the vehicle. After all you do not want to jump in a car only for it to break down five minutes away from the dealership

Of course when at the dealership and in the closing stages of a deal there is alot of paperwork to contend with. Signing a contract will be a major element, so remember to take your reading glasses as there will be plenty of small print to read over. Making sure you are sufficiently protected should be your main concern and try to avoid expensive add-ons that may be a part of the contract you fail to pick up on. The devil is in the detail so take your time and consider everything carefully.

Buying a car can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life, the freedom of your own set of wheels and the open road is unsurpassable and should be enjoyed by everyone at least once. Just try and follow this advice and your car should bring you great driving experiences for years to come.And remember,have fun and enjoy

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If you’re considering buying a hybrid car or truck, you’ll be happy to know that the U.S. government offers certain tax incentives for your purchase. The Energy Policy Act provides a tax credit for those who purchase certain energy efficient vehicles. Since that act passed, it’s been up to auto manufacturers to certify to the Internal Revenue Service that certain passenger autos and light trucks qualify for the credit and the amount of the credit. All the consumer needs to do is check with their dealer. If the vehicle qualifies, the amount will be posted at the dealership, usually right on the vehicle itself.

As a buyer, you’ll need to meet certain requirements in order to declare a tax credit on your return. The requirements are basic and straightforward. Here they are for your reference:

1. The vehicle must be placed in service after 12-31-05 and purchased on or before 12-31-10, and the original use of the vehicle must begin with the taxpayer claiming the credit.

2. The credit may only be claimed by the original owner of a new, qualifying hybrid vehicle. Used vehicles do not apply.

3. The vehicle must be acquired for use or lease by the taxpayer claiming the credit.

4. The credit is only available to the original buyer. Leases don’t count as buying. In a lease situation, the leasing company can claim the credit.

5. The vehicle must be used predominantly within the U.S.

Tax Credit Phase Out

The hybrid vehicle tax credit begins to phase out when the manufacturer sells 60,000 qualifying vehicles. As an example, hybrid vehicles produced by Toyota Motor Sales USA qualify only for a lesser percentage of the tax credit. This applies to all hybrid vehicles sold by Toyota Motor Sales, which encompasses both Toyota and Lexus. Check with your dealer, but as of this writing most of these credits are 25% of the original amount.

Finally, when determining what year your tax credit can be applied, you’ll need to consider the year in which the vehicle is placed into service. Let’s use an example. Let’s suppose you purchased a qualifying hybrid vehicle on December 27, 2007 and take possession on January 5, 2008. The amount of your eligible credit can be taken for the 2008 tax year.

The purpose of these tax cuts was designed to stimulate consumer purchase of hybrid vehicles. While we expect some level of tax incentive to remain, we also predict the amounts will lessen over time. The rationale appears to be that hybrid vehicles will be much more accepted over time, thereby negating the need for tax credits.

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One of the most interesting, for many, hobbies are cars. Cars provide so much to do and so many aspects to appreciate that people fall in love with the entire concept. From car shows to show off your beauty, clean engine, clean insides and perfectly restored Plymouth barracuda, to talking about the many things that are not viewable from the outside, cars have become an incredible crowd pleaser.

You may think the best place to find out about a Plymouth Barracuda for sale would be at a car show, where you can talk with other admirers of this vehicle, but the likelihood is that if they know of a Plymouth Barracuda for sale they’ll be purchasing it themselves. This car is a classic and a beautiful ride that captures the attention and imagination of anyone you drive past in it, but the real fun is in restoring her back to factory and getting into the guts of this American classics’s chassis.

Although many people who own this model are set against selling it, you can find a Plymouth Barracuda for sale in good condition online, on a car website that helps connect buyers and sellers.

You can find a Plymouth barracuda for sale for a steal if you know where to look. While in the real world, you’d have a hard time finding one cheap, you can find one online, in decent shape, for sale for under $1,000. The Internet is great in that it allows people who would never meet normally to connect and collect similar items for sale in one spot. Car sales sites or classifieds are a wonderful tool to use to find whatever your looking for fast, often in the same city or state your in, but if need be you can use the web to find cars that are hard to find in other states as well as a great price.

Websites often give you more information on the car than you’d find in classified ads, and you can easily research any questions you may have. For example, imagine you find a Plymouth Barracuda for sale, but the details mention that it’s missing a part from the engine. You can jump on a search engine since your already online, and find out if that piece is easy to find and how much. This will help you to determine if this Plymouth barracuda for sale is worth the price they are asking!

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