Mazda BT-50 gets facelift

By: Kittipong Unparsert

Mazda has given its BT-50 pickup truck a minor change and announced that the new model will help it achieve a total pickup truck sales of 12,700 in 2008, up from 11,000 units in 2007.

Produced at the AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) plant in Rayong, the BT-50 is also exported to 130 global markets from Thailand. The facelifted BT-50 maintains its sporty appeal, with the new design adding a more dynamic and robust look.

There is a new front pentagonal grille, along with new front bumpers, multi-reflector headlights and turning lights. Meanwhile, the rear lights are larger and come with chrome trim. The side profile is highlighted by a new wheel fender kit, as well as 15-inch or 16-inch 5-spoke wheels. There are 11 colours to choose from as well.

Mazda Sales Thailand Co Ltd marketing director Sureethip La-ongthong says that the company will focus on two-wheel-drive pickup models this year. As much as 97 per cent of Mazda pickup truck sales are made up of two-wheel-drive models, while the remaining 3 per cent are four-wheel-drive models for fleet customers.

“Previously the ratio between two- and four-wheel-drive models was 85/15, but presently the popularity of thr four-wheel-drive models have grown,” she daid.

Sureethip said the company will emphasize on the 4×2 2.5-liter and 3.0-liter models, with prices starting at Bt489,000 foi the standard cab and Bt541,000 for the Freestyle cab. The 4×2 Hi Racer starts at Bt602,900 and the 4-door model at Bt612,900.

Mazda is also planning to spend Bt20 million for a countrywide roadshow to 12 provinces from March to June. Caravans of the BT-50 and Mazda3 will be shown along with special activities including special stunt shows, concerts, games and prizes. Sureethip said the automobile market should finish the year at 650,000 units, and Mazda plans to sell 16,000 units, which is approximately 2.5 per cent of the market.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_2430.shtml

Automobile Insurance Claim – How to File an Auto Insurance Claim

By: David Ackland

Filing an auto insurance claim is one of these things everyone hopes they never have to do, but unfortunately some of us will have to do just that on occasion. It is never easy to deal with the aftermath of an automobile accident. Many automobile insurance companies advertise that their claim process is the easiest and that they will help you through the entire process. Now is the time you hope your car insurance company will stand behind those statements.

After an accident it is recommended that you call the police. Even if the other driver is pressuring you it is a good idea to have an officer come to the scene. They are an impartial witness that can be invaluable when it comes time to deal with the car insurance company.

Exchange all of your information with the other driver. It is essential to make sure you have their auto insurance information, license plate number, and a copy of their driver’s license. This way there can be no confusion or deception later as to who was driving the other vehicle.

Ask the officer at the scene if your vehicle is safe to operate. If it is you should drive home immediately and call your car insurance company. If it is not you should call the insurance company from the scene and ask if there is a specific repair shop it should be towed to. Auto insurance companies often have relationships with certain garages. This will save you the aggravation of having to have the car towed to a certain shop after it has already been towed somewhere else.

When you call your auto insurance company be sure to have your policy number handy. Explain exactly what happened, even if it was your fault. Telling the truth is always preferable to hiding something that will probably come to light later anyway. If the other parties insurance company contacts you it is best to refer them to your insurance company and not to comment further.

Your car insurance company will likely send someone to assess the damage to your vehicle. The insurance company will pay your claim based on the assessment. If you believe your auto insurance claim was denied unfairly you can appeal with the car insurance company itself. If this does not resolve your dispute you should file a complaint with the state division of auto insurance or your Attorney General’s Office.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_2477.shtml

Affordable Automobile Insurance – How to Find Cheap Automobile Insurance

By: David Ackland

Affordable auto insurance used to be very difficult to find. Car insurance still isnít going to be cheap, but you can find the most affordable insurance available to you if you know how. The most important tool to use in you car insurance search is the Internet. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of car insurance web sites out there that will help you to find the best quote for a car insurance policy.

Car insurance is a necessary expense, but you can lessen the amount of money you spend if you take your time when shopping for a policy. The best way to do this is to contact multiple auto insurance companies and obtain quotes from them. The quote is what you will pay for your policy.

Getting an auto insurance quote used to be a time consuming process. You would have to call each company individually and answer their questions. Then you would have to repeat this process with the next company, and the one after that, and the one after that. You can see how this could take hours upon hours.

With the advent of the Internet that has all changed. Now you can go to one web site and answer all of the questions at once. These answers are then forwarded to car insurance companies who will offer you a quote based on your answers. This will allow you to see which companies are offering the most competitive policies in your area.

This is a great way to see how much a certain coverage level will cost you. Before buying a policy be sure to make sure the coverage level is appropriate for your financial situation. If you arenít sure what level of car insurance coverage to purchase ask the agent. Not having enough car insurance can be nearly as bad as having none in some cases.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_2444.shtml

With Car Loans, The Desire Of Driving Your Passion Comes True

By: Eva Baldwyn

Wishes and desires play a very important role in life as far as the personal satisfaction of a person is concerned. But this desire also may take shape of a need which you cannot ignore. One such need is a car which may be desired early on but with the fast pace of the world, it is important to own one as well and this can be easily done with the help of car loans.

With these loans available so easily to the borrowers, owning an automobile is no distant dream now. Everyone can own it and use it for their need when traveling in the public means somewhat expensive and time-consuming. Borrowers can buy a car which is either new or old depending upon the personal wish. Any car which is 5-7 years old can also be bought with the money borrowed.

These loans may require the borrower to make a choice. If the borrower chooses the secured option for his need, then he will have to pledge the car being bought as collateral with the lender. This will help the borrower in getting a low rate of interest for these loans as repayment is assured due to security pledged.

However if the borrower does not want to put his car to any kind of risk, he may take up the unsecured form of these loans. This form will not require the borrower to pledge any assets and just a slight raise in the interest rate will have to be agreed upon by the borrower in order to take up these loans. The term of repayment for these loans is 5-7 years irrespective of the choice that the borrower makes between the two options available as the market value of the car starts to decrease after this duration.

Car loans facilitate the borrowers in buying a car for their use. These have empowered the people that they too can easily match up with the world and a car is no more a luxury but a need.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_2420.shtml

Jeep Tops: Anatomy of a Jeep top

By: Billy Han

Jeep tops are fairly universal Jeep accessories in that everyone from casual Jeep owners to hardcore off road enthusiasts has some basic knowledge of what they’re about.

But Jeep tops can get more complicated that one might think, and while it’s hard to go wrong when making a purchase, having an intimate knowledge about them can go a long way in extending the benefits.

For this reason, we’ve dissected nearly every imaginable Jeep top to take an in-depth look at what makes them must-have Jeep accessories.

Which Jeep Top?

It’s an age old question; perhaps one that has been asked since the time of the dinosaurs. Not really, but choosing a Jeep top has always been a decision that requires a fair amount of thought.

At first glance, choosing a top seems pretty simple. The features are all plainly stated, pictures give you an idea of what to expect looks-wise, and your particular environmental situation further dictates which one you need.

But there are also many factors that aren’t taken into account when shopping for a Jeep top. Intangibles like installation and frame style are examples of lesser-known aspects, while things like road noise or insulation are factors that can only be experienced firsthand.

With this in mind, I’ll do my best to cover aspects that are typically unaccounted for.

Factory versus Aftermarket Jeep Tops

When it really comes down to it, there isn’t a huge discrepancy between what both factory and aftermarket tops have to offer.

A factory Jeep top will give you that genuine Jeep look and feel, plus the added security of sticking to true Jeep accessories that follow the same standard of quality as the vehicle itself. Aftermarket tops are for the most part similar to factory units, but with a few exceptions.

Although both versions of Jeep tops are made from the same materials, equivalent quality, and with the same purpose in mind, aftermarket tops offer certain features, benefits, or other Jeep accessories that you might not get out of factory units.

For instance, certain aftermarket tops have been optimized to reduce road noise better than a factory one. Also, in the event that your Jeep top needs replacing, aftermarket replacement options are typically cheaper than factory tops. For these reasons, aftermarket options usually make for favorable Jeep accessories when replacing aging factory tops.

Narrowing It Down

The first and most obvious way to categorize Jeep tops in terms of need is by splitting up hardtops and soft tops. Clearly, the two styles are distinctive enough that each one serves its purpose in different ways.

Jeep Hardtops

Hard-style Jeep tops are a never-fail option. They rarely if ever need replacing and provide enhancement and heavy duty protection. In addition, they offer a number of handy Jeep accessories, like power windows, a rear window defroster, and more. Hardtops come in a one-piece model, or a two-piece configuration with a removable sunroof.

On the flipside, Jeep hardtops are not easily removed and stored for those who enjoy open-air summertime driving. Hardtop hoists and storage-based Jeep accessories are available, but require added purchases.

Jeep Soft Tops

For those who love customizability with their Jeep accessories, soft tops are the way to go. Available in a variety of designs, Jeep soft tops offer the kind of versatility, comfort, and style that justify a Jeep purchase in the first place. Plus soft tops are easy to install, remove, or store.

On the other hand, soft Jeep tops aren’t exactly ideal for colder weather. Their thinner material and fabric construction leaves them with poor insulation, and also gives them an average lifespan of only 3 to 5 years before requiring replacement.

Upon Further Review…

On the other hand, soft Jeep tops aren’t exactly ideal for colder weather. Their thinner material and fabric construction leaves them with poor insulation, and also gives them an average lifespan of only 3 to 5 years before requiring replacement.

Jeep Hardtops

When it comes to hardtops, making a choice and meeting the requirements for installation is relatively easy, and getting the right Jeep top is usually a simple matter of picking either a one or two-piece top.

Two-Piece Hardtops

The two-piece hardtop is the definitive Jeep top for year-round performance in any climate.

On one hand, you get the protection and insulation of a full-fledged hardtop during the winter. Then for warmer weather conditions, the cockpit features a removable roof piece for open-air driving.

In addition, hardtop Jeep tops come with a vast assortment of unique features and Jeep accessories like a fiberglass-reinforced plastic composition for durability, an in-mold gel coating for fade resistance, rear window vents, a rear window defroster, tinted tempered glass windows, an overhead dome light, and much more.

One-Piece Hardtops

In addition, hardtop Jeep tops come with a vast assortment of unique features and Jeep accessories like a fiberglass-reinforced plastic composition for durability, an in-mold gel coating for fade resistance, rear window vents, a rear window defroster, tinted tempered glass windows, an overhead dome light, and much more.

Jeep Soft Tops

Soft tops are where matters can get a little confusing.

To start, it is necessary to determine whether or not you have a pre-existing frame, and whether it’s in usable condition. Remember that the frame is the backbone of your soft top, and therefore a worn, rusted, or misshapen frame can cause your Jeep top to install improperly, or perhaps not perform as expected.

If you do have a frame already in place, you next need to find out if it’s a factory or aftermarket frame. This will ultimately help you narrow down which aftermarket Jeep top options are available to you, since certain Jeep tops are only compatible with particular frame styles.

For those without a Jeep top frame altogether, an aftermarket Jeep top kit that includes both the Jeep top and hardware system to set it up is suggested.

Pre-Existing Factory Frame Jeep Tops

These Jeep tops are designed exclusively for use with Jeep vehicles that have a pre-existing factory frame in usable condition.

Replace-A-Tops

For a fast, efficient, and inexpensive soft Jeep top solution, Replace-A-Tops make updating your old, worn factory top simpler than ever.

The Replace-A-Top is a basic Jeep top skin that easily slips on and off your factory frame. Each kit includes only the Jeep top fabric with optional clear or tinted windows, and the Jeep tops themselves are built to factory standards, or better.

Additionally, the Replace-A-Top includes a host of other fine features, such as premium fabric construction, mildew and UV resistant material, industrial strength thread, heat sealed seams, and much more.

Trusted Jeep tops manufacturers Bestop, Rugged Ridge, and Smittybilt each offer perfectly reliable and inexpensive Replace-A-Top models.

Bestop also offers a premium option in their Replace-A-Top Jeep top made out of revolutionary Sailcloth fabric to help improve insulation and drastically reduce road noise over factory Jeep tops.

Halftops

For a sporty two-seater look and feel there’s nothing quite like a Halftop Jeep top. Combining components of several other styles, the Halftop is the perfect hybrid of unique style and rugged function.

The Halftop includes all the usual soft top functions and Jeep accessories like mildew and UV resistant-fabric, a convenient fold back sunroof, zip-out windows, and much more, but then also incorporates all of this into an unconventional sporty look.

The Halftop Jeep Top from Bestop is actually something of an exception when it comes to having the right hardware for installation. It can accommodate those who have a pre-existing factory hard or soft top frame, or for those who have no frame at all.

Halftop Jeep tops are available exclusively from Bestop.

No Frame or Aftermarket Frame Jeep Tops

These Jeep tops are compatible with Jeeps that have either no soft top frame whatsoever, or a pre-existing aftermarket frame.

Supertop

You wouldn’t think from the sleek design and intuitive features that the Supertop Jeep top has followed mostly the same formula for decades.

Sold as a complete package with all necessary mounting hardware and Jeep accessories to get your started, a Supertop is a simple yet dependable solution for adding a soft top to an open-top Jeep. Its “Set-N-Stretch” fabric won’t fade or warp regardless of temperature, and the zip-out replaceable windows come in clear or tinted.

The Supertop also gives you a variety of other premium features like mildew and UV resistant fabric, industrial strength thread, heat sealed seams, heavy duty molded-tooth zippers for easy window installation and removal, and powder-coated rust-resistant frame hardware to ensure long frame life.

Best of all, using the Supertop framework, you can easily change out your top skin for a bikini top, or remove it altogether for open-air driving.

The Supertop Jeep top is available exclusively from Bestop, and is available in a complete kit with frame hardware or in replacement skins for those with an aftermarket frame already installed.

Rollback Sunroof Tops

These soft top Jeep tops follow the same basic formula of most other soft tops with the exception of a sleek and convenient rollback sunroof for a more open-air feel.

These Jeep tops also include all the necessary hardware you need to do a complete installation from scratch, and the versatile design also allows for compatibility with a number of soft door options.

Other features of Rollback Sunroof tops include mildew and UV resistant fabric, industrial strength thread, heat-sealed seams, heavy duty molded-tooth zippers for easy window installation and removal, and powder-coated rust-resistant frame hardware to ensure long frame life.

Current rollback sunroof-style Jeep tops include the Bestop Sunrider and Pavement Ends Flip Top.

Tiger Top

Vintage and classic Jeep owners need not feel left out thanks to the Tiger Top.

Designed and custom-crafted by Jeep tops leader Bestop, the Tiger Top Jeep top is built specifically for older model Jeeps, and even comes sporting that vintage Jeep look.

The Bestop Tiger Top includes all necessary hardware for a full installation onto an open top Jeep.

Your Jeep Top Purchase

Choosing a top isn’t as complicated of an affair as one might suspect. In the end, Jeep tops are all about getting the style you want at an agreeable price.

Hopefully this article has helped you in that decision-making process in order to minimize the hassle of buying and installing the right one so you can focus on the fun part.

Now go get your Jeep top.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_2425.shtml

Radar Detectors: How To Forget About Speeding Tickets

By: Alex Baumm

Every year, there are thousands of drivers who get to trouble because of numerous over speeding tickets they get when driving in the major roads and highways. For quite some time, people have been envisioning traffic police as law enforcers who are in hiding, waiting to possible speeding violators in the highway.

Through the years, some car owners have been heavily relying on the usefulness of devices called radar detectors. If you are a car owner and driver who is aiming to reduce or totally eliminate accumulation of over speeding ticket on the highways, there is definitely a need to invest in a radar detector.

What is a radar detector? To simplify the definition, a radar detector is radio transmission device that alarms a driver traffic police are around the area or are already chasing him. This way, the driver would always be tipped if there is a nearby officer, eliminating the incurrence of ticketing for over speeding.

The popularity of the radar detector has always been on the rise especially when several initial users testified for the advantages of using the devices.

There has been speculation that car insurance firms are working closely with the traffic police to gain favors. Though reports have not been compared, there are talks that insurance firms are providing the traffic police free radar guns, which are able to intercept and provide signals to radar detectors.

In case you have overlooked the situation and the possible gains insurers would have, be aware that when drivers accumulate more speed driving violations, they make auto insurance policies more expensive for them. Thus, in the end, the car insurance companies get to benefit the most from this setup.

There are inevitably doubts over the usefulness and advantages of the radar detector. However, analysts assure consumers and drivers that the car accessory and device is still very much useful in the general strategy to help improve driving discipline and possibly make the driver forget all about over speeding tickets.

However, here are several tips on how a radar detector is used as an advantageous tool to eliminate incurring of over speeding tickets.

1. There is a strategy to make radar detector be negligible to any of the police’s radar gun or detector. That is to put the radar detector high on the car’s windshield. Remember that the higher the radar detector is placed in your car, the more its ability becomes to escape or sniff out police signals.

2. A radar detector will always make corresponding sounds for different radar threats. It would be more advisable if you would learn and familiarize your self with those sounds so that the next time you encounter any detection from the traffic police, you would easily take heed and tip from the sound of the radar detector.

3. Always make sure to use your radar detector. Do not practice the idea to use the device only on long trips or on vacation travels.

4. Do not slow down when the detector alarms or indicates detection from a traffic police’s radar gun. Slowing down would make the brake lights turn on and blink and would further catch the attention of the police. This will give them the perception and impression that you are admitting your guilt to over speeding. Drive as if nothing happened.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_2391.shtml

Vehicle Airbag Defects

By: Alan Haburchak

Airbags have been an important innovation in the way Americans live their lives and drive their vehicles. Since the airbags became mandatory in vehicles have we seen a decrease in deaths and injury among many vehicle drivers involved in crashes. Airbags are supposed to protect an individuals head from being smashed into a window or steering wheel during a severe auto crash.

Sensors are the main determinant of the severity of a crash after an automobile accident. An onboard computer, called the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), processes the information and, in an event of moderate to severe crash, it sends a signal to the inflater inside the air bag module. At that point the airbag is supposed to inflate, protecting the vehicle’s occupants from serious injury as a result of striking the vehicle’s interior. As a result of the effectiveness of initial driver and passenger front airbags, the adoption of rear-passenger and side-impact curtain airbags has become more common over the last decade, in an attempt to create the highest degree of safety possible.

Unfortunately, as the number of airbags being placed in new cars has increased, so has the overall need for the airbags themselves. The quality of airbags has decreased as the increase of airbag manufacturing has occurred. One way this decrease in quality has become apparent is in the increasing incidence of defective airbags and airbag failure in automobiles produced both in the United States and abroad.

There is a possibility that an airbag is defective or faulty in many types or brands of vehicles, which is why there are many manufacturer recalls. If there is the potential for airbag malfunction or airbag failure.

The following is a non-comprehensive list of airbag failure-related automobile recalls instituted in April through June of 2007 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

April 2007 BMW is recalling 225 MY 2007 6-Series passenger vehicles for failing to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, ‘Occupant Crash Protection. The front passenger seat has a sensing system that detects if the seat is occupied. This sensing is programmed to detect if the seat is occupied by a small adult or certain child restraint seats. Automatic deactivation on a the passenger’s front seat may occur when a child seat is placed in this front seat. In some cases, the sensing system may misinterpret a properly seated small adult as one of these specific child seats, resulting in deactivation of the front passenger airbag when the airbag might be beneficial for the adult, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

May 2007

DaimlerChrysler is recalling 270,958 MY 2005 Town and Country and Dodge Caravan minivans originally sold in or currently registered in the 27 states plus the District of Columbia that use greater amounts of salt for winter road deicing. Brass bushings that were installed into vehicles may over time corrode causing water to enter the sensor in the up-front airbag sensor. These sensors provide enhanced air bag performance in certain types of frontal crashes. In one of these crashes, with one or both of the vehicle’s UF sensors inoperative, the occupants will not benefit from the enhanced air bag protection that these sensors would provide.

Hyundai de Puerto Rico is recalling 2,967 MY 2005-2007 Tucson vehicles. Static airbag deployment testing conducted by NHTSA using fifth percentile female dummies indicated that a small stature adult driver not wearing a seat belt and involved in a frontal or near frontal crash, the deployment of the driver air bag may result in an insufficient margin of compliance as measured by the test dummy used in the NHTSA test. In severe vehicle crashes, this could increase the potential risk of injury to a driver.

June 2007

DaimlerChrysler is recalling 798 MY 2007-2008 Sebring and MY 2008 Dodge Avenger vehicles. The front seat track position sensors utilized for the air bag system may not function properly. In certain vehicle crashes, front seat passengers risk of injury is increased.

DaimlerChrysler is recalling 39 MY 2007 Dodge and Freightliner Sprinter 2500 and 3500 trucks. Hairline cracks and fractures may exist within airbag module diffuser material in a window. In the case of a crash with a trigger signal for the window airbag module, it is possible that such a diffuser may crack at the beginning of the airbag activation.

As one can see from this small sampling of the defective airbag recalls that have been instituted either voluntarily by auto makers, or at the insistence of the NHTSA, there are many occasions in which one or many of the airbags installed in a vehicle will not operate as intended and therefore be a defective airbag that might cause an airbag failure in an accident.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/auto_and_trucks/article_2378.shtml