Update! Update! Update!
We've added new photos to our Instagram! Do you follow us? Check us out now!
Thursday, May 14, 2015
TBT: Banner!
Blast to the past, say what? Gear up for some pretty awesome retro fun! Will you join us on this time warp? <<< (P.S. Please enjoy the Doctor Who-themed cross-over of the Time Warp ^-^)
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
W2KW: Rental Cars vs. Your Own on Road Trips!
It's summer time! Yay! Well, just about. Soon, kids will be out of school for the warm season and we adults can start planning fun summer road trips!!! Ah, quality family time, sweet! Now, you have to make a decision.
Will you:
A) Fly/Sail/Take a Train to your destination and then RENT a car?
or, B) Drive your OWN car to your destination and back?
Depending on your answer, follow the Yes/No questions on the infographic below to see where you land in the Rental vs Own Road Trips situation!
W2KW: How Traffic Violations Affect Your Car Insurance Rates!
Ever wonder how your driving might change your insurance rates? Below, we're sharing an infographic of "Traffic Violations and How They May Affect Your Car Insurance Rates"!
So, now you know. Will you change any of your driving habits now??? Let us know!
W2KW: Used Car Price Inflation Explained!
A lot of you have asked about used car prices lately. Why certain models are priced more than others, why certain years are more than another, and so on and so on. So, we went surfing on the net to find a (hopefully) helpful infographic for you explaining the subject a bit (while it is for a 2010 estimate, it can still be applied to today's price inflation).
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
TT: Care Care!
CarCare.org did a new poll back in July 2013 about which repairs were the most constant and top problem areas for consumers around the country. Below, is the infographic of the results and we were quite impressed!
Source: Car Care
Pinterest Update!
Check out our newest Board on our Pinterest! Travel Destinations!
Not only are they really cool places to visit, but some of the are great for those relaxing drives and off-roading adventures that we all love! =D
Here's a preview of some of the things we've already pinned:
Safari Fun!
Pink Jeep Tours in Sedona
Top Off-Road Trails!
Eilean Donan Castle,Scotland
Devetashka Cave, Bulgaria
TT: Oil Change
Oil changes are a constant maintenance after so many X miles. It's always a good idea to keep a little sticky-note on your dashboard to remind you when you should change it again. Since oil is a key component to your engine's life, but also the functionality of your vehicle, it's a good idea to keep up with its maintenance.
In this post, we're sharing a simple infographic that will inform you about the three different types of oil you can purchase for you vehicle: Regular, Synthetic, and Blended. (NOTE: Remember, not all cars can function on any type of oil. Make sure you purchase the oil that is right for your car!) Plus, a few tips on how to change your oil once you're ready to do so.
TT: Car Washes!
With all sorts of pollen hanging thick in the air and literally coating our cars, turning that once awesome fire-red to a dusty yellow-green, washing your car might be on your mind.
Today, we're taking a look at the difference between Conventional and Touchless Car Washes for your benefit! Then, some info on Eco Car Washes!
So, think of pros and cons to both. Touchless Car Washes are faster, but they don't have the dexterity of detailed handiwork that can reach hard-to-reach areas. However, due to Conventional Car Washes slower cleaning rate, you will have to spend more time actually washing your car (and if it's a super hot, muggy day, who really wants to get out of their car to wash it, when you could just drive it through a car wash, instead?).
On the other hand, the Touchless Wash can save a lot of water because they use only 11 gallons of water per vehicle, as opposed to the Conventional Wash, which uses up to as much as 5 gallons of water per minute! But that's not all. Both use harsh chemicals that require the construction of waste-water facilities to prevent damage and destruction to the eco-system where the car wash is located.
Interested in trying an Eco Car Wash for your car? Here are two near our location:
Philadelphia, PA: Metro Wash
A professional, MOBILE (that's right, they come to you!) car cleaning service that uses waterless cleaning techniques that saves millions of gallons of water annually!
Vineland, NJ: Splish Splash Car Wash
All water is treated and recycled at this facility!
(Article: DetailxPerts)
TT: Changing a Flat Tire!
Imagine this:
It's early in the morning and you've just left home to go about on your business for the day. You're far enough from home that it would be a pain to turn back around and that's when you hear it. A faint thump-thud thump-thud. So, you pull over to the curbside and get out to look and there it is --- you have a flat tire!
Oh the horror! So now you've got to get out and change it. That's not a problem, you're a pro! You've been driving around for years, so you've had your share of flat tires before. So, we'll let you go ahead and get to work.
Now, for those of you who are new drivers, like teens and perhaps the lucky few who haven't had this problem occur to them, yet, we have a helpful little guide to help you learn how to change your tire!
So, let's get started!
Next, find your spare (or donut) tire. Usually, they are kept under the back of the car, with an access to it and the parts needed inside the trunk of your car. (On the rare chance that your car does not come equipped with a spare tire, or you forgot to replace it from the last time this happened (hey, it happens), you'll have to call roadside assistance, or a good family member or friend to help you out).
Now, most cars do come equipped with the parts needed for this sort of emergency, so we'll continue.
You should find:
1 spare (donut) tire
1 car jack
1 car jack wench
1 tire iron
These four parts are the most crucial.
Your next step is to loosen the lug nuts of the FLAT tire first, but do not completely remove them. It is much safer for you and you are less likely to damage your car more if you loosen the lug nuts prior to jacking your car up. The last thing you want is to jack your car up, start to loosen the bolts, and then have the car slip off the jack because you were pulling too hard with the tire iron.
Now, there is a trick to loosen the lug nuts. Like when tuning a drum, you do not want to stretch the tire mount, or strip the lug nuts. So, there is a pattern you should follow when unbolting your flat tire from your car. Here is the diagram for 4, 5, and 6 lug nut tires:
Always loosen your tire's lug nuts in this pattern and make sure you do it by turning the tire iron counter-clockwise!
Now, you are ready to jack your car. Carefully, kneel down and look under your car, in front of the tire you are replacing, to find the jack strip/point underneath. Every car has 4 jack points from which to position your jack under to raise your car with the tool. Placing the jack in the correct spot will prevent extra damage to your vehicle and lessen the chances of the car sliding off the of the jack while you work. Once you have your jack in place, use the jack wench to raise it, by turning the wench clockwise.
Now that the car is safely jacked up, you can continue to remove the lug nuts completely and take off the flat tire. (NOTE: Sometimes the tire might be difficult to remove and feel stuck. Try sitting and kicking the bottom of rim of the tire with the heel of your foot to jiggle it loose a bit. But, keep in find that you don't want to kick so hard that the car falls of the jack. It's all about precision.).
Put the spare tire on. Keep in mind, it is usually smaller and thinner than the tire you are replacing it with. This is normal because a spare tire is not meant to be used for long periods of time. It is there so that you can fix a flat and drive to the nearest tire repair/replacement shop to have a regular tire re-installed. NEVER travel for long distances on a spare (donut) tire, as this could lead to more serious problems.
It is a good idea to put the lug nuts back on with your hands first, tightening them as much as you can yourself and then use the jack to finish the job. Make sure that NONE of the lug nuts are loose. (NOTE: Most hubcaps will not fit onto the spare tire, so just place it in the trunk along with your flat tire.).
Now that the spare tire is secure, you can safely lower the car back down onto solid ground. Turn the jack wench counter-clockwise to lower the jack. Once the car is safely settled on the ground again, remove the jack out from under the car and store it, the jack wench, and the tire iron away in their place in the trunk of your car again. Once all of the materials you have used are stored back away, you can climb back into your car (remember to put the Emergency Brake back OFF) and you can go on your way. (Again, remember that you should NOT drive for extended periods of time on a spare (donut) tire. ALWAYS try to replace it with a regular tire A.S.A.P.!!!)
We hope that you found this particular post useful!!! =D
Tuesday Banner!
Good afternoon one and all! It's Tuesday, so that means tips, tricks, and tidbits are coming your way! Stay tuned!
Thursday, May 7, 2015
The Jeep Gladiator!
The Jeep Gladiator (J-Series)
Production of the Jeep Gladiator ran from 1963 until 1987. It resembled the original Wagoneer and debuted in either a 120-inch (J-200) or 126-inch (J-300) form. Eventually, the Gladiator name ws dropped in 1972.
(Article Source: Detroit News)
1947 Jeep Pickup
The 1947 Jeep Pickup
This pickup was the first Jeep-branded pickup and Willys-Overland's first attempt to diversify the Jeep brand from the CJ (which was the first civilian Jeep and the ancestor of today's Wrangler). Production years were from 1947 until 1965. It came in 2WD and 4WD options. Surprisingly, the 2WD was marketed at a weight of 1/2 tons, while the 4WD was marketed at a weight of 1 ton. Both were powered by the same 4-cylinder flathead that had powered the wartime Jeep, albeit with a few upgrades and a whopping 3hp rating increase.
(Article Source: Fourwheeler.com: Jeep, Backward Glances & Detroit News )
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
W2KW: The Most Often Damaged Auto Parts in a Collision!
CRASH!
Yeah, that's the last thing we all want to hear on our morning commute into work, or our drive home after the whole 9-5, or even any time ever!
Well, regardless, it does happen sometimes. So, we're sharing with you a particular infographic about which auto parts are the most often affected during a collision.
W2KW: Vehicle Theft Prevention!
Car Thieves.
We all worry about them. And, maybe you've just bought a new car, or maybe you still have Ol' Faithful sitting in the driveway, but you still have that nagging worry sometimes in the back of your mind when you drive it far from home. And maybe sometimes you should be. Check out these facts:
So, how can you prevent it?
1. Never leave your car running and unattended.
2. Try hard not to leave your keys in your ignition.
3. Always close your windows when you park.
4. Always lock your doors when you park.
5. Don't keep valuables in your car that could be tempting to a would-be thief.
6. Park in well-lit areas. Thieves will be dissuaded because they might be seen.
7. Try to park in areas where there are more people. The more people around, the less likely a thief would be to attempt stealing your car.
And those are our tips. Remember, always be aware!
Friday, May 1, 2015
FF: AT-9 Jeep Aircraft!
Jeep is a big deal here in the States, but also all over the world. Question is, how many of you know where Jeep got it's big start? Okay, so it's pretty common knowledge that Willys Jeep company started out by creating a Willys Jeep for use in WWII, but did you know that the Jeep name was also used for an aircraft, too? While it wasn't made by Jeep (and we're not sure how it became known so widely known as the Jeep, because it was originally nicknamed "Fledgling") it was manufactured by US-American Curtiss-Wright Airplane Company.
So, meet the Curtiss AT-9 Jeep Aircraft!
The AT-9 Advanced Trainer was used to bridge the gap between single-engine trainers and twin-engine combat aircraft. Since the AT-9 was not easy to fly or land, it was particularly suitable for teaching new pilots to cope with the demanding flight characteristics of a new generation of high-performance, multi-engine aircraft, such as the Martin B-26:
and Lockheed P-38:
The first prototype of the AT-9 Jeep flew in 1941, and the production version entered service in 1942. The prototype had a fabric-covered steel tube fuselage and fabric-covered wings, but production AT-9s were of stressed metal skin construction. 491 AT-9s and 300 AT-9As were built before production ended in February 1943.
The AT-9 Jeep operated with two radial Lycoming R-680-9 engines, each one capable of 295hp. It was capable of reaching a top speed of 197 mph, but its average cruise speed was only 175mph. Also, it could fly a range of 748 miles before needing to refuel.
The AT-9 was operated solely by the United States Army Air Force.
(Article: Flugzeug Info & National Museum of the US Airforce)
FF: The World's Fastest Bus!
Admit it, we were all late to school at least once before thanks to our bus. But can you imagine having never being late because you rode the fastest school bus ever???
Meet the bus, School Time! Created by Paul Stender of Indy Boys, Inc.. It's been clocked at 367 mph (breaking a world record!) and really is built out of a real school bus. However, it is fitted with a Phantom jet-fighter engine, which explains the fire plume bursting out from its rear end. Yeah, that's right, the flame isn't Photoshopped in there for effect. It really does spit it out as it rides! That is one school bus you do NOT want to get stuck behind!
Check out this video of School Time in action here!
(Article Source: Bit Rebels & Odometer)
FF: Banner!
TGIFF!
(Thank Goodness It's Freaky Friday)
We love posting wacky and cool photos about cars and car-related stuff for you guys to see! It's really quite interesting to learn new things, too!
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