Install A "Green" Air Filter!

All right now, no laughing. Probably the easiest part to swap out in a car is the air filter. A quick pop of the hood and the loosening of a couple of clamps or a wing nut and you simply reach in and pull out the old air filter. Next, open the box up containing your new air filter, pop it into place, secure everything and you are done. Five, maybe ten minutes to accomplish the easiest job going. So, why doesn't everyone change their own air filter? More importantly, why don't more people opt for environmentally friendly air filters, commonly known as "green" air filters? You can install a green air filter yourself and do much more than keep the air clean in the process.

So, what is a "green" air filter? A green air filter is an environmentally friendly air filter. No, they aren't usually green as the color green is what signifies that the product works in harmony with nature. Now go hug a tree.

With a reusable air filter, you never have to buy another air filter again for your car. Periodically, all you would have to do is take the air filter out, clean it, and then reinstall it. Reusable air filters, such as an AFE air filter, are made of a washable cotton gauze material. As you probably know, cotton is one of the most durable materials on God's green earth.

In many states, disposing of trash is a big problem. You can do your part by not adding to the problem. Just think about it: over the lifespan of a car you could easily add 8, 10, 15 or more air filters and boxes to the city dump. With a reusable air filter, less is actually more.

A deep pleat in a reusable air filter means better filtration: your car's engine "breathes" better with a higher quality, natural product. As you may know, an efficient engine uses less fuel too.

Sure, a reusable air filter will cost you more, approximately 2-4 times the price of a throw away air filter. However, you will recoup that money over time and do your part in showing environmental responsibility. Who can put a price on all of that? Go with green and make a difference today!

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Replace Your Car's EGR Valve

Located smack dab on your car’s intake manifold, an EGR [Exhaust Gas Recirculation] valve functions by sending exhaust gas back into the combustion chamber as “exhausted air” is much hotter than intake air. By bringing warmer gas into the combustion chamber, your engine operates much more cleanly and efficiently.

Like any part, your Ford EGR valve or Toyota EGR valve is subject to getting clogged with dirt or crud. A clogged unit may cause your car to stall, hesitate, or idle roughly. Sometimes, simply cleaning the EGR valve with a product like STP carburetor cleaner will resolve the problem. Still, if you take your car in for its MV inspection and the diagnostic tests shows that your EGR valve is not working, you will fail inspection and be forced to swap out the device before bringing your car back in for a follow up inspection. What a hassle, but something you just don’t want to forget about.

Prices on replacement EGR valves are all over the place: some parts are reasonably priced while others will cost you a mint. Your Ford or Toyota dealer will charge you a mint if you purchase one through their parts department, as buying through any dealer can quickly turn into a financial nightmare. Instead of going through all that aggravation, you can save big money by shopping online through a quality wholesaler such as All EGR Valves. As is common with all high quality auto parts wholesalers, you can purchase an EGR valve at a huge discount and save a bundle over dealer mark up prices. Leading wholesalers deal directly with manufacturers, buy in gigantic quantities, negotiate the lowest prices, and pass big savings on to you.

Replacing an EGR valve is a simple process and can be accomplished with standard automobile tools. With your handy Chilton repair manual at your side, you will quickly remove and replace the device and have a strong sense of accomplishment on a job “well done.” Best yet, you will have saved yourself plenty of money which you can use for other parts, like the K&B cold air intake that you always wanted!

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GM Brands: 1 or 2 Too Many?

A lot of people are speculating on the future of GM. If you take the heart to press reports, one would think that General Motors in life. Frankly, the opposite is true especially when you look at the overall picture. In 2005, "the lawyer" has sold over 9 million cars worldwide, the first time the automaker has reached the figure by 1978. Yes, U.S. auto sales are down and some are calling for GM to reduce its many brands, currently numbering eight. While GM should let go? Or should, General Motors stick with the game plan and keep all 8 brands?

For the record, eight GM brands: Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, Chevrolet, Saturn, GMC, Hummer and Saab. You could remove the package, such as the Swedish car maker Saab (although wholly owned by GM) is building some cars in North America. Still, GM's Saab provides a marketing scheme that we keep them in your love of the subject.

It 'clear that GM's Cadillac luxury division, Chevrolet has a budget or "All American" division, even if the GMC truck division. Furthermore, most of the division confusing, but Buick is a creator of "near luxury" cars (Cadillac lite) and the Hummer division of GM has specialized trucks. Saab line is a bit 'confusing as it was once true in continental Europe. Now, for the most part with rebadged GM and Subaru vehicles with little original interpretation. Finally, Pontiac and Saturn duplicate much of what the other departments, even if the mystique of Saturn's "no haggle pricing," which gives a light to it. That leaves Pontiac.

Pontiac, Oldsmobile as the name caught recently, is probably one of the most vulnerable of the true "American" does. Saturn survive because its peaks dealer network and consumer satisfaction ranks up there with Lexus.

Ultimately, the name Saab is the first chance of death. Outside the United States, especially in Europe, Opel and GM as known to make important. It is said that part of the production Saab will move to Germany and some rebadged Opels begin to sport the name Saab. Let's just say once they occur, there are few reasons to continue to Saab. Let the Saab name die with dignity. Why spoil it with the sale of Saab as a rebadged Opel?

Personally, I think GM should leave well enough alone with its other U.S. brands. I was not in cahoots for Oldsmobile and I'm not in favor of killing trustmark. GM is retooling its operations to kill the old and new models or models revive step in Chevy Enclave to help their respective services to arouse renewed glory. I'm living a pipe dream? Maybe, but at least my imagination is going in a positive direction.

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6 Pocket Rockets

Just as the car is small does not mean it has to be slow. In fact, some of the fastest cars on the road cars of today. Why? Because their owners are modified to the point where you can squeeze more power and acceleration. Let's take a look at six cars that qualify as true "pocket rockets."

There For the sake of argument, here are some basic rules for the pocket rocket:
The car must be a compact or less.

Must aspirated engine = turbo cars - four cylinders only. Need new versions of all cars retail for less than $ 20,000.

after the rocket so that all cars qualify pocket when all conditions are met:

Dodge Neon, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Scion tC, Subaru Impreza and Volkswagen Golf.

Unfortunately, the Mitsubishi Eclipse retail just over $ 20,000 so that does not qualify. Moreover, it is too much like a sports car, consider the vehicle that is a bit 'simple, before being transformed by aftermarket parts.

Dodge Neon - Technically, the neon is no longer in production in 2005 was the last model. Still, a 2.0L 132hp engine, the Neon is a favorite affordable to enjoy the younger personalization of their vehicles

Ford Focus - A lemon no more! Earlier models of the Focus were problem plagued, but the machine has made significant progress in recent years and found Consumer Reports recommended buy label too. The stubby ZX3 produces 136 horses with its 2.0L engine

Honda Civic - redesigned for 2006, the Civic has been a favorite of fans for over thirty years. Its teeny 1.8L engine pushes out an impressive 140 horsepower. The new Civic is a far cry from the "pregnant roller" skate first appearance of the Civic. Grateful owners.

Scion TC-Unlike its two boxy brethren, the TC has an elegant appearance and demeanor rocket. With a 2.3L under the hood, the engine TC second largest of any car in this class. You net 160 horses with the Scion.

Subaru Impreza - The largest car in this class is the most powerful engine, the engine producing 173 horsepower 2.5L Boxter. Very competitive with larger cars and more powerful, but a favorite among the "pocket rocket" fan anyway.

VW Golf - A Golf 2.0L 115hp unit, but allows the car to be light to buzz down the road is pretty good clip.

Favorite ways to squeeze more power owners pocket rocket includes the following sections to install aftermarket:

Among the top vendors; reusable K & N air filters and Green.

Tracks include; cold air intake system: K & N, AEM, and Airaid.
Cat-back exhaust systems, the main producers are: Magnaflow and lively.

Performance Chip Jet Chips Hypertec and lead by example.

performance level is measured increases in power, thrust and acceleration. Depending on the components installed and model selected, the improvements can range from small to significant. Regardless, all six models have the potential to be a real pocket rocket, and that part of the fun in single ownership.

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