When upgrading your Honda Civic, there are three basic things most people would like to do to gain performance, style, and looks. The first is a body kit. Next, most people want to add personalization to the interior. Last, we want to talk about engine modifications. These upgrades you may want to do in any particular order, depending on your personality. I started with my engine. I want my car to be a “sleeper”. When I add a body kit, then I’ll have the muscle to back it up. But it all depends on you. Let’s start with the body kit for your Honda Civic.

I hope these gave you a good starting point on what you can do with your Honda Civic, Accord, or Prelude. Personalizing your car makes it your car, not just another Honda.

Another impressive redesign by Toyota this year was the new 2006 Toyota Tacoma. This truck has morphed from a small to a mid-size pickup truck. You are familiar with the Tacoma’s of the past. They are as reliable as the day is long, but how will the new truck compare?

The Tacoma isn’t the little truck you see around anymore. My dad’s had 4. I’ve only owned one Toyota truck and I drove it until the wheels fell off. But you know what? It started and ran every time. I’m sure the trucks we see on the lot today will last another generation due to Toyota’s unsurpassed quality.

Keeping your vehicle in tip-top shape requires constant monitoring of vital fluids. Read you owners manual and look for a diagram of the engine. Most times there will be a diagram showing where to check all the major fluids. This should be your starting point. If your manual is lost in the glove box or you never had one, then ask your mechanic or a friend who knows cars to show you all the places to check. There are 4 major levels to check on most cars.

· Engine oil - Usually towards the front of the engine and marked “OIL” Always check your oil level with the engine OFF. Remove the dipstick and wipe the oil off with the rag or towel then put the dipstick back into the hole. Now pull out and get a reading. You might have to hold the dipstick to the light to get a good reading as fresh oil can sometimes be hard to see. On the dipstick there will be two marks indicating a maximum and minimum level for the oil. Make it a habit of checking your oil every two weeks.
· Transmission fluid - If you have an automatic transmission then you will have a dipstick to check the fluid level. It is most commonly found towards the back of the engine compartment or towards the passenger side. You should find out how to check the fluid by looking at the owner’s manual or on the dipstick itself. Most cars have to be running with the transmission in park or neutral. Also the transmission should be warmed up to give a true reading. Make sure the car has been driven for a short distance to make sure everything is up to operating temperature. Checking the level is just like checking your oil, wipe off dipstick, replace, pull out again and check level. If you have a manual transmission there is no dipstick and to check the fluid level you must crawl under the car and remove a fill plug. I would have your mechanic check this for you once a year if you do not feel comfortable doing this.
· Engine coolant - — CAUTION — Never open your radiator cap when the engine is hot ! The pressure in the system can send hot coolant splashing out on to you. Most cars have an overflow bottle, which will have level markings. Keep the coolant between these markings. If you have to open the radiator, make sure the engine is cold.
· Power steering fluid - Your car uses oil to assist in steering the car. The fluid is usually checked at the pump, but can be away from the pump in a separate reservoir. Like the transmission, this fluid should also be checked when up to operating temperature. Most commonly the level is measured by a small dipstick attached to the cap of the reservoir.
· Brake fluid - On most newer cars you can check brake fluid level without removing the cap on the master cylinder. There will be level markings on the side of the plastic reservoir. If you have to remove the cover to check the fluid level, be careful not to spill any fluid on the surrounding paint. Brake fluid makes a nice paint remover
· Windshield washer fluid - That’s the magic blue liquid that squirts out of your hood. Most reservoirs have the level marked on the side but some newer cars have them buried underneath everything so you can not see. Just fill to the top, there is no harm in overfilling.
If you need to add any fluids to bring the levels up, a funnel is helpful to avoid spills. Keep track of how often you add oil, and transmission fluid. Frequent additions can point to leaks and engine wear.

“Suspension,” when discussing cars, refers to the use of front and rear springs to suspend a vehicle’s “sprung” weight. The springs used on today’s cars and trucks are constructed in a variety of types, shapes, sizes, rates, and capacities. Types include leaf springs, coil springs, air springs, and torsion bars. These are used in sets of four for each vehicle, or they may be paired off in various combinations and are attached by several different mounting techniques. The suspension system also includes shocks and/or struts, and sway bars.
Back in the earliest days of automobile development, when most of the car’s weight (including the engine) was on the rear axle, steering was a simple matter of turning a tiller that pivoted the entire front axle. When the engine was moved to the front of the car, complex steering systems had to evolve. The modern automobile has come a long way since the days when “being self-propelled” was enough to satisfy the car owner. Improvements in suspension and steering, increased strength and durability of components, and advances in tire design and construction have made large contributions to riding comfort and to safe driving.
Cadillac allegedly produced the first American car to use a steering wheel instead of a tiller.
Two of the most common steering mechanisms are the “rack and pinion” and the standard (or recirculating-ball) systems that can be either manual or assisted by power. The rack and pinion was designed for sports cars and requires too much driver muscle at low speeds to be very useful in larger, heavier cars. However, power steering makes a heavy car respond easily to the steering wheel, whether at highway speeds or inching into a narrow parking place, and it is normal equipment for large automobiles.
The suspension system has two basic functions, to keep the car’s wheels in firm contact with the road and to provide a comfortable ride for the passengers. A lot of the system’s work is done by the springs. Under normal conditions, the springs support the body of the car evenly by compressing and rebounding with every up-and-down movement. This up-and-down movement, however, causes bouncing and swaying after each bump and is very uncomfortable to the passenger. These undesirable effects are reduced by the shock absorbers.
The above information is directly from the Auto Insight program, which you can buy online from AutoEducation.com.
Common Problems:
· Shocks and struts can wear out and affect handling. If you car bounces excessively over bumps and leans hard in corners, your shocks could be warn. Look behind the wheel for the shock or strut and look for leaking oil. This is a sure sign of a worn shock or strut.
· Ball joints. Ball joints wear and can cause your car to wander while driving down the road. This is dangerous as they can separate and cause you to lose control.
Preventive maintenance:
· Check your shocks or struts for leakage frequently. Also pay attention to how your car handles. If you notice the ride deteriorating take your car in to have the struts checked.
· Ball joints should be checked when your car is inspected, if not, have your mechanic check them at least twice a year.
· At each oil change make sure you or your mechanic lubricates the ball joints and any other suspension components. Some components cannot be lubricated as they are sealed from the factory.

Car theft folks have been so diversified with their sets of car theft skills that they could virtually penetrate into any car makes without much glitch. They have been enjoying virtually good income from stealing cars. As much as you would hate it, here are tips on how to prevent car theft so you can put a smack on their faces for good and relieve you from the car theft misery

Do you know that 3 out of 4 people in the United States do not have car theft protection systems or any car anti theft device installed on their cars? Well even if they do, most them do not even bothered to activate these car anti theft devices. Just think about it, when was the last time you left your car idling outside while you were busy picking up snacks from the gas stations?

Let’s face it, car theft “market” for these car theft folks have been literally blooming and striving like a twister on steroids. According to Insurance Information Institute, US, the average value of a motor vehicle reported stolen in 2003 was $6,797, compared with $6,701 in 2002. The latest key statistic says that for every 25 seconds, a motor vehicle is stolen in the United States.

So instead of trying to be so alarmed with these figures, it’s time for you to take the bull by the horns and get started in doing every bit to prevent car thefts.

1) Lock it up.
Lock your vehicle at all times, close all windows and sun roof and take your keys

2) Don’t be dumb by hiding keys in your car.
Never hide second set of keys in or on your vehicle. The car thieves can outsmart you by knowing all the hiding places.

3) Hide valuables
Don’t think about leaving your valuables in your car and left to be seen by the potential car thieves. Items left in the open attract car thieves.

4) Protect Your Data – Beware of Identity fraud.
Don’t ever leave any important documents such as bank statements, credit card bills/statements, or other personal information in your car. Car thefts can use this vital information against you and steal your bank money by accessing your bank or credit car accounts.

5) Do not dispose your Car registration
Some drivers literally take convenience up to the extreme. They often leave their car registration or car titles inside their car. Doing so may help the car thieves to dispose your car faster than you can ever imagine.

6) Parking Strategy
Do you know that parking at the right place may literally prevent car thefts and protect your car altogether? It is best to park in well lit areas with plenty of pedestrian traffic.

7) Stop idling and learn to increase gas mileage.
By leaving your car unattended might literally pose a danger to your car of being stolen, especially when you are at the convenient stores or ATMs. The ebook “Gas Mileage Tactics” at http://www.extragasmileage.com will reveal to you that not only learning to stop idling will prevent car thefts, but also the potential wastage of gas and wear and tear of your car. So you’ll get two sides of the same coin literally.

Prevent Theft by Towing.
You’d be surprised that thieves nowadays use tow trucks to steal vehicles. At the most extreme cases, some of them might pose as the bank credit officer and tow your car away in the broad daylight. So always use your emergency brakes and leave your transmission in the park position. You should also turn the wheels toward the curb. Although these steps will not 100% prevent auto thefts, but somehow or rather, this will make up a nightmare for the potential car thieves who use tow trucks to steal vehicles.

9) Park in your garage.
If you have a car porch / garage in your house, always park your car at those places and never park them outside of your house. Lock the gates or the garage as well as your car windows.

10) The “One” is not enough.
There are many car anti theft devices that are mushrooming in the auto market like nobody’s business. Although I will not say that these car anti theft devices may 100% prevent car thefts altogether, but at least it will prolong their time to steal your car and bring them one heck of a tough time to hack into your vehicle. So if you happen to park your car in high theft areas, never rely on just one device alone. Use as many as you can.

Here are some of the car anti theft devices you can use.
a) Vehicle Alarm
Vechile Alarms are one of the most common security alarm in a motorcar today. It pays in actually invest in a good car alarm system. Most auto alarm systems are equipped with motion sensors as well as impact sensors. As series of high-decibel tones are blasted out when somebody is trying to steal your vehicle. High quality car alarm systems may include an automatic kill switch and may also use flashing headlights and horn in addition to sounding the siren.

b) Steering Wheel Lock
This is a simple device which looks like a long metal bar with a lock that fits on the steering wheel. When fitted on, it prevents the steering wheel from being turned. It’s a pretty inexpensive way to safeguard your car.

c) Starter disablers.
There are quite a few of common starter disablers in the market. They serve as the one last extra safeguard to your car in case the car thief has broken into your car. These devices e.g armored collars will prevent them from breaking into the steering column to hot wire the vehicle. Some disablers may be used to prevent the flow of electricity of fuel to the engine, thus making it impossible for the thieves to get the car running.

So here are the top car theft protection tips for you. Apply them and you will see your vehicles better protected.

Winter driving can be hazardous and stressful. Wind, snow, ice and blizzard conditions increase the normal dangers of driving. There is a lot you can do before the winter driving season and during a storm to protect yourself and your family.

Before winter arrives, have your car inspected to be sure it is ready for the road conditions. You can do this yourself or take it to a qualified mechanic. Check the battery, wipers and fluid, thermostat, brakes, ignition system, antifreeze, exhaust system, lights, oil level, heater and defrosters. Make sure everything is in good working order to keep you safe throughout the cold weather.

Check your tires to be sure they are road ready. Install tires that are appropriate for the driving conditions. In moderate amounts of snow, all weather radials will do the job nicely. If you live in a climate where you experience a lot of snow, consider snow tires. These have better tread to deal with snow and ice.

Prepare an emergency kit to keep in the back of your car. This will ensure that you are prepared in the event that you get stuck in the snow. Things to include in the kit:

Ice scraper
Small broom
Small shovel
Kitty litter or a bag of sand (to give traction if you get stuck in snow or ice)
Blankets or a sleeping bag
Flashlight with batteries
Flares or warning triangles
Plastic bags
First aid kit
Tool kit
Jumper cables
Bright cloth to use as a flag
Help sign for back window
Extra hat and gloves
Food and water to sustain you if you get stuck
A book, Bible or Prayer Cards to keep you busy and calm in the event you get stuck.
Charged cell phone (always carry this, especially in the winter)

Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times. This adds weight to the car and will ensure that you won’t run out of gas in the event you get stuck.

Driving in the Snow

Pay attention to the weather forecasts and road conditions in the winter months. If the weather is bad, stay home if at all possible. If you must venture out, travel in the daylight. You are more likely to find help if you get stuck during the day. Never warm up your vehicle in the garage. This releases carbon monoxide, which is toxic and can kill you.

When driving, always wear your seatbelt. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the sun reflecting off the snow. Know your car and how it handles in the snow. Features like traction control and antilock brakes can be useful in bad weather conditions. Know how these work and if your car is new, practice driving it in a snow covered parking lot before venturing out on the road.

Take it slow, especially in icy conditions. Don’t tailgate and be sure to allow a safe distance between vehicles. Do everything slowly, stopping, accelerating and turning. Leave plenty of time and space to maneuver. Sliding and skidding usually happen when turning, stopping or accelerating. Going extra slow will ensure your safety.

If the visibility is low, slow down even more. Consider getting off highways and driving even slower. This will take you out of the path of large trucks that can cause accidents. Use only your low beams, as your high beams will reflect back off the snow and won’t increase your visibility. Turn on your hazard lights to be sure other drivers see you.

In the event your car gets stuck, don’t get out. Put up the hood and tie your cloth to the antennae. This will make you more visible to emergency vehicles and other drivers. Keep the windows, air grill and tail pipe clear of snow. Wrap up in blankets and huddle up with passengers to stay warm. Run the heat for fifteen minutes each hour to keep from freezing. Move your body around to stay warm.

Keeping your car clean throughout the winter is important. Salt on the roads is important for safety, but will wreak havoc on the finish. If left on for long periods, it can cause rusting. Wash your vehicle weekly to remove salt and wax to protect the paint. Salt also leaves a coating on your headlights that can impair their operation. This will make you less visible to other vehicles. New Lite Headlight Cleaner and Restorer will return the lights to like new condition.

In today’s society, there are a number of reasons why people rent a car. Some of the top reasons are vacations, a car they own is in the shop and renting a nicer car for a special occasion. Whatever the reason that you are considering renting a car; there are some things that you should know first.

7- Have a credit or debit card handy to reserve the rental car with, most companies will only guarantee a car with this assurance.