My Car Guide » Car Accessories http://www.my-car-guide.com A Resource For Car Buyers, Sellers and Owners Thu, 27 May 2010 02:37:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 How “Wired” Do You Want Your Car To Be? http://www.my-car-guide.com/323/how-wired-your-car-to-be/ http://www.my-car-guide.com/323/how-wired-your-car-to-be/#comments Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:05:51 +0000 Alice http://www.my-car-guide.com/?p=323 In today’s day and age, we are always worried about how connected we are. We are fixated on if we have email access, if we can get online or if we have access to news, sports scores or the availability to update our Facebook status. We have the internet on our phones, in our homes, our offices, even on airplanes, so why shouldn’t we have internet capability in our cars?

The ability to have your car “wired” just might be the next big thing. PC Magazine recently reported that LTE recently unveiled hardware that could be installed in a variety of cars to allow them internet capability. Users of this particular technology would be able to go online, access You Tube, download music, as well as order on-demand videos for long car rides with kids or just a trip to the grocery store. Information would be delivered via a streaming 4G connection and would allow users to choose their service provider much the same way they currently choose who handles their wireless or cellular service.

This hardware hasn’t been rolled out just yet, it is currently in the concept stages, but word has it that Verizon is planning on making this 2010’s must have item. After all, we all knew it was just a matter of time until someone thought up a way to make all of our cars on-the-go wireless hotspots.

]]> http://www.my-car-guide.com/323/how-wired-your-car-to-be/feed/ 0 Get A Grip While Driving http://www.my-car-guide.com/303/get-a-grip-while-driving/ http://www.my-car-guide.com/303/get-a-grip-while-driving/#comments Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:11:32 +0000 Alice http://www.my-car-guide.com/?p=303 Having air bags, antilock brakes and other safety features is an excellent start, but there are other considerations to make when it comes to staying safe on the road. One of the biggest is making sure you have “a grip” behind the wheel, or more precisely, on it!

Few people stop to think about the comfort level and safety offered by their steering wheel grips until it is too late. It is time to do something if:

•The steering wheel is too slick to hold in hot conditions or when tension mounts and the palms sweat.
•The steering wheel does not feel comfortable in the hands.
•When hands slide too much under normal operating conditions.
Upgrading a steering wheel grip is an easy task. If you have slippage problems with yours, consider:

•Getting a wraparound device to cover the grip and provide more traction. Make sure you do not make the problem worse, however. Select a material that provides comfort and traction both. Cloth covers are often among the best for reducing slippage.
•Replacing the steering wheel in some cases might provide the answer. If, for example, your grip is too big for your hands, a replacement wheel might be a good answer.
Getting a grip behind the wheel if imperative safety. If your grip just is not right, it is time to look into a solution.

]]> http://www.my-car-guide.com/303/get-a-grip-while-driving/feed/ 0 The Big Pitfall Of Seat Covers http://www.my-car-guide.com/286/the-big-pitfall-of-seat-covers/ http://www.my-car-guide.com/286/the-big-pitfall-of-seat-covers/#comments Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:41:39 +0000 Alice http://www.my-car-guide.com/?p=286 You just drove home a new car and you want to make sure it stays looking great. No problem! Grab a few seat covers at an automotive store and you will be set, right?

Hold the phone!

If your car has side air bags, you might not want to mess around with covers.

It is true that seat covers are excellent for keeping a car looking clean. They are awesome for preserving new-car appeal, too. They, unfortunately, can also prove to be rather dangerous when they are used in certain vehicles. Believe it or not, these handy protectors can spell disasters if they are installed without a care.

Seat covers are a problem in vehicles with side air bags. When a cover is in place, a bag, which is normally installed into the side of a seat, may not be able to deploy in the event of an accident. If it does deploy, it might not function as it should. Even if the bag has enough power to rip through a cover, the bag still might not work right.

While seat covers do serve a fantastic purpose, they are just not right for all cars. Before splurging on a set of covers, take the time to understand how your car works. If you do have side air bags, skip the covers and take extra care to protect your seats by avoiding spills and stains. It is not worth preserving a seat only to run the risk that the safeguards in place to protect you in a crash will not work!

]]> http://www.my-car-guide.com/286/the-big-pitfall-of-seat-covers/feed/ 0 Cell Phone Use by the Numbers http://www.my-car-guide.com/271/cell-phone-use-by-the-numbers/ http://www.my-car-guide.com/271/cell-phone-use-by-the-numbers/#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:55:36 +0000 Alice http://www.my-car-guide.com/?p=271 All across the country legislatures are making attempts to pass laws that would ban the use of cell phones behind the wheel. In some states, the habit has already been outlawed. Where it remains legal, strong lobbying groups are pushing for restrictions, limitations and outright bans on talking and driving.

Why all the fuss?

When numbers offered by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration are examined, the reasons behind the hubbub become clear. That national agency estimates that drivers talking on hand-held devices are three times more likely to get into a crash. In fact, cell phones are listed as the biggest distraction used by motorists today.

Distracted driving is to blame for some 80 percent of all crashes in the United States. Distractions cause a delay in reaction time, which can prove fatal.

If you use a cell phone behind the wheel, there are things you can do to improve your safety and that of others around you. They include:

•Just turning off the phone – Remove the temptation entirely to avoid problems behind the wheel.

•Using a hands-free headset – This can help reduce the risk, but it will not remove it entirely.

Cell phones are handy devices, but they can prove dangerous behind the wheel. The best advice from the NHTSA and others is to just hang up and drive. The conversation will wait.

]]> http://www.my-car-guide.com/271/cell-phone-use-by-the-numbers/feed/ 0 Beat the Heat in Your Car This Summer http://www.my-car-guide.com/265/beat-the-heat-this-summer/ http://www.my-car-guide.com/265/beat-the-heat-this-summer/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:40:59 +0000 Alice http://www.my-car-guide.com/?p=265 Summertime is great for kids and teachers, but the luster wears off if you have to work all day and then get back into your baking car for the long ride home. If you are tired of the blast of desert heat that hits you every time you open your door, you can fight back.

To protect your vehicle from heating up too much while you toil away in the office or even shop at the corner store, make sure to:

Use a windshield cover – When you cover your windshield during the heat of the day, you prevent direct sunlight from entering your vehicle. This will not stop your car from heating up entirely, but it can keep the temperature inside a bit lower.

Park in the shade – Whenever possible try to park in the shade. This can replace a windshield cover or add to its effectiveness.

Air out your car before you get in – Since it is not a good idea to leave windows open while you are at work, simply airing out the car before you try to sit down can help. Open the doors on one side and let a few minutes pass.

Use seat cover – If you have leather seats that are hot and sticky, cover them with fabric during the worst of the summer heat.

Staying cool behind the wheel takes a little work during the summer. With a few measures, however, you can beat the heat or at least make it tolerable.

]]> http://www.my-car-guide.com/265/beat-the-heat-this-summer/feed/ 0 Sweeten Your Interior http://www.my-car-guide.com/242/sweeten-your-interior/ http://www.my-car-guide.com/242/sweeten-your-interior/#comments Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:09:17 +0000 Alice http://www.my-car-guide.com/?p=242 Even in a brand new car, the interior atmosphere can quickly sour. Smoking, eating in a vehicle and driving around with the windows up can all impact how a car smells. If it is time to rejuvenate the smell inside a car, there are ways to make this happen.

There is a basic process you can follow to restore a more pleasant interior scent. To get the job done, make sure to:

Air the car out – Food, smoke and human odors trapped in a car will often dissipate rather nicely if a vehicle is properly aired out. While this will not completely remove unwanted odors, it can provide a good start for the job.

Fully clean the vehicle – Clean the surfaces of the interior, including the upholstery and carpeting.

Fabric spray – Using a fabric spray designed to neutralize odors can prove very helpful. Avoid air fresheners that merely mask odors, however, or the smells will just come right back.

It does not matter how nice a vehicle looks on the outside, if it smells bad on the inside the ride just will not be enjoyable. Fortunately, there are things you can do to remedy the situation.

]]> http://www.my-car-guide.com/242/sweeten-your-interior/feed/ 0 Why Cell Phones And Cars Do Go Together http://www.my-car-guide.com/222/cell-phones-and-cars/ http://www.my-car-guide.com/222/cell-phones-and-cars/#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:57:46 +0000 Alice http://www.my-car-guide.com/?p=222 Cell phones and cars have a bad rap when they are combined together. While it is very much true that operating a vehicle while talking on the phone or texting is downright dangerous and even illegal in some locations, there is still a case to be made for having a cell in a vehicle.

Cell phones can provide a link to others when crisis situations arise. They are invaluable tools to have if a car breaks down or if there is an accident on the roadway. As dangerous as they can be to use while driving, they can still save lives if they are used properly.

So, how can drivers be certain they gain the benefits of having a cell in tow without facing the potential pitfalls? It all comes down to personal restraint. When drivers use their mobile phones correctly, they are safe. To make sure a phone and your vehicle mixes correctly, do these things:

•Turn off the phone while driving – If temptation to talk runs too high, just shut the phone off while the car is in transit. Voice mail can pick up calls and you can answer them later.

•Install hands-free devices – If talking is essential for whatever reason, eliminate the need to look down or press buttons to do so. There is still a risk of distraction by going this route, but the need to take eyes off the road and hands off the wheel will at least be eliminated.

Talking on the phone while driving is never a good idea, but having a cell phone in a car can still be wise. If having one is desired, take steps to make it safer when you are behind the wheel.

]]> http://www.my-car-guide.com/222/cell-phones-and-cars/feed/ 0 What Every Trunk Should Contain http://www.my-car-guide.com/214/every-trunk-should-contain/ http://www.my-car-guide.com/214/every-trunk-should-contain/#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:52:24 +0000 Alice http://www.my-car-guide.com/?p=214 The trunk of a car is meant to hold a lot more than groceries and other purchases. When it is well-stocked, handling breakdowns and other minor emergencies can be a whole lot easier. If it is not, you could find yourself in quite a pickle.

Making sure a trunk is properly stocked for crisis situations does take a little thought, but it can pay off by getting you back on the road faster. Having the right items handy for minor medical emergencies can also be very wise and will not take up too much room either.

So, what needs to be in a well-stocked trunk? These items can be essential in an emergency:

•A properly maintained spare tire;
•A jack and tire iron;
•A first-aid kit stocked with bandages, antibiotics, aspirin, burn cream, bug bite ointment and so on;
•A blanket;
•Flares or roadside emergency signs with reflectors;
•A flashlight;
•Basic automotive tools;
•Other emergency provisions, such as nonperishable food, water.

Many roadside emergencies can be handled quickly and safely if you are prepared to handle them. When a trunk is stocked with basic items to take care of minor crisis situations, you can get back on the road faster.

]]> http://www.my-car-guide.com/214/every-trunk-should-contain/feed/ 0 Why Tire Alignment Matters http://www.my-car-guide.com/182/why-tire-alignment-matters-2/ http://www.my-car-guide.com/182/why-tire-alignment-matters-2/#comments Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:44:36 +0000 Alice http://www.my-car-guide.com/?p=182 You are tooling along, minding your own business when you realize your car veers a little to the left if your hand is not securely on the wheel. Not wanting to make a mountain out of a mole hill, you ignore the problem and figure it is just the roadway you are on. Within a few days, the problem becomes even more pronounced and you can no longer blame it on road conditions.

Just what is going on?

Chances are you are in need of a tire alignment. Although the job is minor one and not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, it can be a pain in the neck to go to a garage for. Still, it is well worth the effort.

When tires are not properly aligned they can cause you a number of problems down the road. Improperly aligned tires will wear faster and require replacement sooner. This can cost you a fair amount of money. Secondly, tires that are not aligned also put an extra burden on the engine. This can also cost you money down the road.

Going in for an alignment should not take up too much time, and it can make a very big difference in performance. It can also help preserve your vehicle and save you a hefty chunk of change from having to replace tires and service your engine more frequently than would otherwise be necessary.

]]> http://www.my-car-guide.com/182/why-tire-alignment-matters-2/feed/ 0 The Deal With Donut Tires http://www.my-car-guide.com/106/the-deal-with-donut-tires/ http://www.my-car-guide.com/106/the-deal-with-donut-tires/#comments Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:14:36 +0000 Alice http://www.my-car-guide.com/?p=106 They are cute and most certainly come in handy if you have a flat, but there are things you need to know about driving on miniature spares. Some pretty major precautions do come along with the use of donut tires.

If you have a donut tire in your car for emergency use, you will be covered if you get a flat on the road ahead. These tires have become popular for use as spares because they do not take up a lot of room and they generally do not cost an arm and a leg. Still, they should only be considered a temporary fix.

When these tires are put in use remember to:

Drive slowly – Donut tires are not meant to be driven on at maximum speeds. Make sure to drive slowly and carefully until the donut can be replaced with a full-sized tire.

Replace quickly – The general rule of thumb is that donuts are only good for about 50 miles. It is important to replace these as quickly as possible.

Count on mileage going down – When a donut is on a car, it will not provide full performance. Count on gas mileage going down and handling to be off a bit.

Donut tires are excellent pinch hitters, but they are not safe for extended use. When one of these is put into use, make sure to replace it as quickly as possible.

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