4 Factors To Consider When Buying Your First Honda Civic Intake

If you are looking to increase horsepower and torque cheaply then an intake might be the way to go. There are several factors to take into consideration when purchasing your first Honda Civic intake. These are price, intake design, the filter that is used, projected total power gain. Here are some tips to help you make an educated purchase decision.

1) Price - When choosing your first Honda Civic intake the price is an important factor. There are intakes available to fit nearly any tuner’s budget. However cheaper Honda Civic intakes may skimp on filter choice to save cost.

2) Intake Design - Honda Civic intakes usually come in two different varieties. First you have the "cold air intake," second there are "Short-Ram" intakes. The cold air intake collects air from outside of the hot engine bay, hence the name "cold air." These intakes are usually more expensive than their short-ram counterparts, however the horsepower gain is usually more pronounced. Short-Ram intakes are physically shorter than cold air intakes and they collect air from within the engine bay. The horsepower gain is smaller, while the torque gained tends to be a hair larger than the cold air intakes. This style of Honda Civic intake is usually cheaper than the cold air intakes.

3) The Filter - The air filter that is used can make a difference in the price and overall net gain of your Honda Civic intake. Many cheaper intakes use low quality filters to shave production costs. While this provides more profit for the manufacturer we tuners are left with a sub-par intake, providing little to no power gain over stock. The more expensive brand name Honda Civic intakes will use a high quality air filter. These high flowing air filters will provide a nice gain over stock power.

4) Total Projected Power Gain - When shopping for your first Honda Civic intake, be wary of the manufacturers projected horsepower gain. These manufacturers are making intakes for the sole purpose of making money, therefore they will inflate these numbers to make their product more attractive to potential buyers. This aspect of buying your Honda Civic intake is going to require a little research on your part. I suggest that you consult online communities of Honda Civic enthusiasts, and ask for opinions and dyno sheets( which will show you a car's wheel horsepower rating).


Taking each of these factors into consideration will land you with the Honda Civic intake of your liking. Upon installing one of these fine pieces of equipment you will at first notice an increase in throttle response. Then you will notice the aggressive induction sound. You may or may not feel the increase in horsepower when driving your car, however a trip to dyno before and after installation will give you concrete evidence of a successful power gain after purchasing your first Honda Civic intake!

The author Garland Robinson is a die-hard automobile nut. He especially loves Hondas.

His undying obession with the Honda Civic has driven him to create an entire website based on them.

By: Garland Robinson
Check it out @ http://hondacivic.car-performance.net

Alternative Cheap Diesel Engine Fuel Sources

Thirteen years ago, when we owned a health food store, an old beat up VW Rabbit, parked in front of our store, and I noticed it had signs and writing on the windows. It said, “This vehicle runs on used vegetable oil”. The gentleman came into the store and I had to ask him how that worked. He was evasive and would not go into detail, but said he used oil from a deep fryer of a “Patate Frit”(french fry) stand. Being a diesel owner at the time, my curiousity was aroused.

The wonders of the internet made it easy for me to satisfy my curiosity and delve into the subject of alternative fuel sources. Trips to the library and a purchase of one particular book called “From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank” and I was on my way. I invested in all the hose and fuel lines with electrical fuel selector valves.

Heat is a necessary component in this venture. Without a heated tank the oil will not reach a combustible temperature. Feeling confident in the alternative fuel system on the vehicle, I decided to test it and made a round trip of 150km. With that being a success, I pushed the system a little harder and with tools in hand, and extra vegetable fuel on board, drove a distance of 1100km return.

The exhaust, when running on WVO, smells like burnt deep fried oil. The emissions are considerably reduced and there is no sulfur. Restaurants are more than happy to give away the oil, as they have to pay, to have it taken away. It needs to be filter down to about 5 microns before it can be used so there will be no damage the injectors or the injector pump. The possibilities are endless, as any diesel engine can run on used vegetable oil. This is a win/win situation for everyone involved.

With over 200,000 kms of driving experience and two diesels that have been converted to run on veggie oil, I have found through trial and error the restaurants with the cleanest oil. Since the exhaust fumes of alternative fuel cars can smell like french fries, next time the scent of greasy fries hits you as you are on the highway, don’t look around to see if there is a restaurant close by, check to see if you are following a diesel car!

By: Deb Wood

Maintaining Your Volvo S70 And V70

All cars need maintaining but if you really want your Volvo s70 or Volvo v70 to last you a lifetime, then you will need to take extra special care of your car. A well maintained vehicle can last for tens of thousands of miles if you. Proper maintenance is the best thing you can do for your investment.

Your Volvo needs regular check-ups and maintenance. Regular oil changes at a reputable dealer or company will often ensure that not only do you have plenty of oil in your car, but many will check your other fluid levels as well. As the car ages, they will also alert you to any Volvo s70 or Volvo v70 parts you may need. These regular check-ups are recommended at every 3,000 miles.

In order to maintain safe and reliable transportation, it is also vital that you have your tires rotated and balanced every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. With all the safety features that a Volvo has it can’t do anything to protect you should you have a blow out. By rotating your tires on a regular basis you will be ensuring that there is equal wear on all of the tires. Tires develop wear patterns over a certain period of time. If the tires are not regularly rotated then the tread will wear off on in certain areas, which may make it difficult for you to get the proper traction. This can be dangerous during wet weather. They may also wear thin in areas, which may lead to a blowout.

When you do get to a point in which you need to replace parts on your Volvo, you are better off using factory Volvo s70 parts or Volvo v70 parts. Factory equipment parts are made specifically for Volvos and ensure that each replacement part is just as safe as the original. If you hear any funny noises coming from your car, listen to it and have them checked out. This is often the first sign that something needs tweaked or repaired.

Maintaining your car’s appearance will keep your Volvo looking great for the thousands of miles you plan to drive it. It is recommended that your Volvo is washed regularly and waxed at least twice per year. Even if you are hard on your car, it doesn’t have to look like it.

Regular maintenance of your Volvo will keep it looking great and running great for the many miles to come.

By: Patrick Kolodziejek -

Learn All About Car Dealer Auctions

In this article, we will discuss the car dealer auction, giving our readers an insight into what goes on at the car auctions for dealers.

The car dealer auction is available all over the world to hundreds of people. However, we have come to learn that they are most popular in the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

The procedures at the car dealer auction

There are normally set procedures what happen at the car auction, we will go through each stage so that people can get an understanding of what it is like at the car auction. To be honest, anyone can go to a car auction, there is no set format saying a car auction is for dealers only. However, in our experience, dealers of cars at the car dealer auction are the main people you will find at the auctions.

This is good news however for those wishing to get started as they can offer some insight from other dealers at the car dealer auction. If you are not a dealer and are just wishing to buy a bargain car, by all means, go and grab yourself a bargain. You may even find that you gain some interest in car auctions and may want to go again to pick up another good deal on a car to sell on for profits. This is how many dealers get started.

Test drive the cars on show

If you are bidding on cars, this will be your chance to test drive the cars on show. Generally, this part is only for dealers or those wanting to bid on one of the cars being put on auctioneer. It is up to you if you want to test drive one the cars available, however, if you are buying a car, we recommend that you test drive the cars you are interested in.

Bidding

This is where you will bid on the cars and try to outbid others at the car dealer auction. At this part of the auction, you will likely get a very good deal on a car, that’s assuming the auctioneer doesn’t put the prices at silly prices and there is no one there who is just going to blow spare cash.

Winning the car

When you win the car, you will be offered a method of payment and cut off dates as to when to pay, you will also be offered the keys to the car upon cleared payment.

By: Steve Holden -

Cheap Car Auction – Get The Best Deals On Cars

Many people around the world drive cars sell cars; buy cars, in-fact, today many people, especially family’s need cars to survive. In this article we will discuss car auctions, not just cheap car auctions because this is where you get the bargain deals on cars, most auctions, and quality auctions especially, will give you the best possible deals on cars.

What to expect at car auctions around the world

At the car auctions, you will get very good deals on cars to be honest, based on our experience if you stick in, you will get bargain deals on cars worth far more than the price they go for. This is why many people start dealing in cars after they have been to a few auctions and experienced the events themselves.

Cheap car auctions are everywhere

Cheap car auctions are all over the world, and to be honest, there is no such thing as a cheap car auction because generally, a person goes to get low cost deals on cars anyway. This is the whole purpose of the car auctions events that are on worldwide. Many dealers are born and become successes from cheap car auctions alone. However, remember the flip side is that they are not just for dealers. Anyone can go to car auctions, and because of that getting a hold of a cheap car is available to anyone.

Some people have said that car auctions are only for dealers in cars, however, we weren’t dealers when we went, in-fact, we went to look for bargain deals on cars and we weren’t registered dealers or even registered of traders in the car industry business. In life it is always to take some advice as a pinch of salt.

In the end, it’s about trying things for yourself and then you will know the facts. People try things, but they don’t go all the way and put 100 percent in, then they say its only for dealers, like we said, take this with a pinch of salt.

Our conclusion on cheap car auctions and our final advice

On a final note, we advise that you take someone with you who has some knowledge on cars. It can be a nightmare thinking you have a bargain car on your hands, but not knowing whether to bid or not because you don’t know enough about the car.

By: John Winam -

Tips On Buying A Second Hand Car

Whether to buy a new car or buy a used car is often times the first decision that needs to be arrived at before you can actively begin perusing purchasing your next vehicle.

Let’s take a look at some tips, pros, and cons when it comes to making this decision.

First of all, having been in the automotive business for many years, I almost always lean toward finding a good used car that fits what I am looking for. For me, I believe that used cars offer the best value for your dollar. In most cases, you’ll find used car departments are much more used to and willing to negotiate the price that they have posted on the car. From a negotiating standpoint, most used cars won’t have all of those superfluous dealer ‘add-ons’ stuck on the window either that will just never do.

In the automotive market, used cars will most certainly come with a lower initial price tag than a comparably equipped new car. And not only will the price be lower, you may also find that so is your cost to insure the used car as well as the tags, and taxes. Depreciation being what it is; means that with a car a couple of years old, the biggest depreciation hit has already occurred. And from a tangible perspective, you may have a better chance of getting those upgrades you’d like to have on the used car that you couldn’t otherwise afford going with the new.

Yet, with all of this, buying a used car isn’t for everyone. Finding a used vehicle that fits one’s entire car buying criteria can be a tough exercise in balancing what you want with the value versus risk inherent when it comes to used cars.

Not so many years ago, reliability was a major concern when purchasing a used car… and rightfully so. Today however, reliability problems are a fraction of what they used to be. Today’s vehicles, when properly maintained will easily go for 100,000 miles and it’s not uncommon for vehicles to be motoring along as they approach 200,000 miles or more. And with all of the information now available online, the risk factor is again reduced even a bit more.

Even though more reliable today, buying a used car for people means buying a car that is probably out of its original bumper to bumper warranty. This alone, is enough to repel many potential car buyers back to the new car side of the dealership.

As you know, if you are looking at buying a used car, you are probably looking at a car that is outside the factory warranty or at least would have very little remaining. With no warranty you’ll be on the hook to pay for any needed repairs out of your own pocket. However, the biggest expense for most all cars today are the things that aren’t covered by any manufacturer’s warranty anyway; items such as brakes, tires, alignment, batteries, etc.

Of course nobody can guarantee that you won’t encounter a lemon. No matter what the make and model, no manufacturer can produce a vehicle that can withstand years of neglect and/or abuse. Always, always, always give the used car a thorough inspection both by yourself and a qualified mechanic; doing this will catch most problems that may be looming on the horizon.

When it comes to financing the purchase of a used car, you find that the going interest rates will typically be higher than new car rates. This is definitely a piece of the puzzle you’ll want to check out. There is no rule of thumb as to what the difference in the interest rate will be between the two because there are just too many determining variables involved such as; the economy, rebates and incentives involved on the new car side, your credit, length of financing, and even the type of used car you’re looking at. Be sure to crunch the numbers for both sides.

With used cars, insurance can save you some money as well because you’ll typically pay less for your insurance on a like model from a few years past. The reason is simple; less cost of replacement for the insurance company and used cars are generally not high on the stolen lists.

And finally, (the latest) safety features could be a concern if you’re looking at used car (particularly if you’re going back a few model years).

All in all, if the touch, feel, and smell of a new car, isn’t a top priority for you, I think you’ll find that a well thought out used car purchase you can get more car and features and still be within your budget.

By: Jeff Neilan -

Mercedes-benz Sold 82,000 Vehicles Worldwide

In the news: Mercedes-Benz Car Group has announced recently that it has sold 82,000 units of vehicles worldwide comprising of Maybach, Mercedes-Benz and SMART brand passenger vehicles. The said sale is solely for the month of February 2007 however the automaker said that it is lower compared to the 83,800 units it has sold in the same month for 2006.

The first two months of the year, Mercedes-Benz was able to record a sale of 156,500 units of vehicles of which 78,000 are passenger vehicles sold worldwide resulting to an increase of three percent compared to the same month last year wherein the carmaker has sold only 76,100 units. Likewise, the number of vehicles delivered to customers for the first two months of this year has provided the carmaker with an eight percent increase totaling to 151,500 units comparing that to the same period last year with only 140,600 units.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan is enjoying a favorable reception in the market to think that it’s only a few weeks old. The C-Class have always showed great potentials even before its official launching in the market, around 55,000 advance orders have been placed for the new model in Western Europe alone. The sale of the Mercedes C-Class was particularly strong in February with 1,900 units an approximately twenty-six percent increase compared to the result posted in the same month in 2006.

In addition, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has also registered a substantial increase for February. The sales of the upper-range model series has totaled to 17,000 units or an 18 percent increase from the recorded sales in the same period last year. The E-class sedan has also celebrated significant sales posting more than a million units delivered starting from its initial launching in March of 2002.

The S-class continues to broaden its market-leading position in the luxury segment. And for the first two months of this year, Mercedes-Benz was able to deliver a total of 16,900 vehicles in the luxury segment. But the most rewarding result that the automaker has obtained is in terms of its Mercedes-Benz CL-Class which has been the popular choice of 3,400 customers worldwide starting from its market launch last September 2006.

The sales of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Mercedes-Benz B-Class models continuous to be strong, reaching a record sale of 36,000 deliveries just for the first two months of this year. The increase is backed by the growth in all regions. In United States the sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in January and February for this year has increased by 15 percent or 34,400 units compared to the same period last year. The automaker has also set a sales record in Asia/Pacific region with its sales rising by 11 percent to 20,200 units just for the first two months of this year. For its market in China including Hong Kong, Mercedes-Benz has recorded remarkable sales result in all its vehicle classes. Its passenger car vehicle in China was able to record 4,800 vehicles sold just for the month of February 2007.

Mercedes-Benz for its Western Europe market records an increased of four percent to 81,600 units from the same period last year. Its smart brand was also able to deliver 4,000 vehicles to customers around the world just for the month of February 2007 and that’s not all the fortwo model is nearly sold out which is not really surprising since even before its official market launch last April, an amazing number of orders have flooded for the car. And just seven weeks after its release more than 30,000 customers have placed their orders for the SMART fortwo.

With the increase in number of Mercedes-Benz owners, other sectors that sell Mercedes products is also expected to experience growth in sales like the Mercedes aftermarket parts segment which sells quality Mercedes aftermarket part of various Mercedes models. The rationale behind such phenomenon is that car owners would always want to improve their vehicles and what better way than to equip their rides with aftermarket parts.

By: Dwyane Thomas