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I have many friends that brag about their amazing car history to anyone who will listen. They rant and rave about all of the great memories they have made with their car and they cannot stop talking about all of the great road trips their trusty car has taken them on. I’ll be honest, I got a little jealous after hearing a few of their stories, so I decided to share a little car history of my own.

I love my car, I really do. I love it more than most everything I own and use. A few family photographs and notes from cherished friends are about all that top the love I have for my car. So I guess you could say my car history began the day I bought my beauty. September 5, 1999. Oh, I’ll never forget that day. I’ll never forget the way I felt as I test drove the car that would one day be the main character in my personal car history story. I drove her, I liked her, so I brought her home. (With a little help from mom and dad of course).

She wasn’t in the driveway for more than one hour when I realized that I couldn’t begin a true car history with a car that didn’t have a name! So I named her. Princess Bug. I know, it sounds silly now, but at the time it felt perfect. The perfect name for the perfect car to enjoy year after year of perfect car history with. Right? Wrong. It is a good thing that I loved my Princess Bug from the start because it wasn’t three months after purchasing her that she was in the shop for the first time. Nothing too major was wrong with her, but she still costed me more than I had planned on.

Other than a few annoying trips to the shop for repairs, the car history that Princess Bug has given me is filled with wonderful and cherished memories. I remember when me and three friends piled into Princess Bug and were determined to drive from our hometown in Indiana all the way to Hollywood and back in just a week. Some people say that ignorance is bliss, but since that roadtrip I’ve always said that ignorance is foolish. We never made it even close to Hollywood but our travels through Missouri and Illinois were pleasant enough to ease the sting of not seeing good ole Cali.

Princess Bug has given me a car history filled with many things to remember I guess. But if you’re anything like I was before I started making a history with my car, you’re really not that interested in what I have to say. You’ve been intrigued and now you can’t wait to begin a car history with a special vehicle all your own. Just don’t forget to name her!

Regular vehicle maintenance or preventative maintenance, if you will, can go a long way in making sure your vehicle runs at optimal condition. For example, no one truly enjoys the trips to a mechanic because our brake pads are worn down to the rotors or drums and we have to spend more time and dollars to repair the brake system. What little time it takes to make sure we do the “regular” things to our vehicle, makes the time well spent. The pay me now or pay me later cliché, in this case, is never more true. The following tips will aid you in keeping your vehicle ready to take you wherever you have to go.

Enough can’t be said about regular oil changes and oil filter replacement. Personally, I have oil changes every 2,000 miles. The recommended schedule is every 3, 000 miles. Because of my prompt attention to regular oil and filter changes, I have a 1978 Buick LeSabre with 195,000 miles on it and in 2006 it still runs like a dream. It should go without saying but a lubing of the chassis or “lube job” some call it, should be performed at the same time you have the oil changed.

The air filter, when dirty, is a common problem when you notice your car has less power and is using more fuel. A simple check of the filter will give you an idea of how dirty it is. Mechanics will almost always agree that this simple step can go a long way in improving your vehicle’s performance. Air filters are instrumental in decreasing the amount of dirt, dust and other damaging contaminants going into the engine. Simply put, your vehicle runs less efficiently when the filter is clogged with dirt and grime. Filters should be replaced every 3,000 miles. Also, have the air filter changed when you have an oil change performed on the vehicle to save time or an extra trip to the mechanic.

And while we’re talking about filters, the fuel filter is probably the most overlooked or forgotten item for regular checkups. Auto experts don’t understand why this happens but it does. Remember the Buick I just mentioned? I have had the fuel pumps and fuel filters checked regularly on that vehicle. I can honestly say I get approximately two more miles to the gallon when I calculate mpg/number of gallons of fuel used after I have replaced a fuel filter. Whenever you happen to notice or think to yourself, “I sure am using more gas lately”, check the fuel filter.

Regular replacement of the brake pads is also very important. Many expert mechanics will agree that all parts to the brake system are the most important safety features on an automobile. You must be able to stop your vehicle quickly and safely. All brake pads will wear out eventually. If you start hearing squealing like sounds or the feel of the pedal upon braking is “mushy”, you need to consider that the brake pads are beginning to become worn out. The responsibility of the brake pads is to provide friction with the pad to make braking or stopping possible. Brake pads can be easily diagnosed for wear and tear with regular examinations.

operating in a dance with the distributor and ignition coils. Many things can indicate problems and spark plug wire malfunction. There may be corrosion at the wires or connectors. Resistance can increase as the wires get older. The material encasing the wires may be shredding or wearing out.

The first sign of trouble generally comes when you start noticing a missing or stuttering type action when the vehicle is operating. There’s a significant tugging like symptom that feels to you that your vehicle can’t get the energy to move. Always keep your spark plug wires clean. Always troubleshoot for wires that look worn out or are not properly applied to the spark plugs. Replacing your spark plug wires will mean efficient starting and less ignition type problems that can follow because of worn spark plug wires.

Wash Me! Well maybe this one isn’t actually vehicle “maintenance” per se, but doesn’t a clean vehicle make you feel better? Again, have you ever noticed the vehicle seems to run smoother when she’s clean? Having the engine steam cleaned on a regular maintenance plan can also go a long way in extending the life of your engine. Engine cleaning will keep the corrosion and grime from building up on your spark plug wires too. It will help when you are looking over your engine for leaks, unplugged or loose wiring and keep the corrosion off your vehicle’s battery.

While these aren’t the only “regular maintenance” tips available, you can always research your vehicle’s handbook for other ideas that can help extend its life and keep it running in optimal condition.

Whether you are a novice ATV rider or a professional sports rider, you may have experienced a flat tire on the trail. Although having a flat tire is not a scheduled event, you need to prepare yourself as to when it will hit you.

Flat tires are not an event unique to all terrain vehicles. Fortunately, you can easily fix a flat tire, so you don’t have to be overly concerned. It’s one of the easier ATV problems to fix.

One of the most common problems of flat ATV tires is air leaks. You can repair most types of flats on the trails. However, severe flats should be removed and changed by a professional.

Fixing a flat usually means you can continue riding on it for the remainder of your ride. However, be aware that you still need to get it fixed to avoid future problems. You will need a couple of items to fix you ATV tire. Keep these items where you can easily get to them when the need arises.

To fix your ATV tires, you will need a plug insertion tool and a reamer, tire plugs, tire pumps, tire repair glue and an air gauge. You’ll also need an air gauge to measure tire pressure.

Once your tires become flat, you need to find the holes. Putting air in the tire is the first step. Look for object that stuck into the tire, such as nails, screws, glass, or other sharp objects.

If you found nothing, you should slowly rotate the damaged tire, listen for leaks and look for possible cuts. It is recommended to place some water or puddle in the tires to allow you to see possible damages. You should also check if your valve stem or seal is broken.

Once you successfully found the holes or the cause of leakage, use the reamer to roughen the hole’s edges in order for the plug to hold effectively. You should then thread the plug by applying a little amount of glue to the plug. Check to see if the plug would stay in place.

Repairing ATV tires can take some time to master because different scenarios apply different kinds of plugs. However, regardless of hole size, you should always allow the glue to dry before continue riding your ATV. It’s a simple process, and it allows you to finish your ride and then get the leak properly fixed when you’re back home.

The trailers we use to haul our boats, horses, equipment and other toys are one of our most overlooked and under maintained possessions. We rarely think about them until we need to take our boat out to the lake when the weather warms and even then, most of us are lucky to just check the tire pressure. Keeping your trailer in good running shape really isn’t that hard and can save you from at best a minor inconvenience to at worst a serious accident.

The most common maintenance item is the bearings. They are without a doubt one of the more critical items on the trailer, especially if you have a boat and are submerging your wheels in the water at the boat dock. Once a year, you should have your hubs disassembled and thoroughly inspected and cleaned. You can either do this yourself or take it to a local auto shop. Whoever works on it should inspect them for wear marks, pits, or gouges that could have developed over the last year.

Now that you have the wheels off to clean the hub assemblies, you can get under the trailer and inspect the axle and springs. Check the axle to make sure it is not bent and make sure the springs look to be in good working order.

Once the hubs have been cleaned and repacked and the axle has been inspected, you can grease the axle. Keeping your bearing properly greased can head off a lot of problems and make your trailer last longer and ride safer. You should keep a grease gun handy so you can always add a little to the bearings. A cordless grease gun might be a good investment if you own a fleet of trailers. A cordless grease gun can make quick work of a long and tedious greasing job.

Also after you have been driving for a while, it is a good idea to check your hubs and bearings for excessive heat. An over heated hub indicates that something serious is wrong and causing a lot of friction. A wheel can come completely off a trailer and cause a bad accident. A good rule of thumb is the hub should not be hotter than a morning cup of coffee. If it is hotter than that, do not drive on it until the problem is corrected.

Trailers are not as fun or sexy as our boats we carry with them, but without a properly maintained trailer we would not get very far.

There are some things you need to know before buying motor homes. Motor homes or motorized recreational vehicles (RVs) come in different classes. Two of those classes are usually confused with each other, those being class A and class C motor homes. It’s essential to look at the physical appearance of the motor home in order to determine whether it is class A or class C. Class A motor homes resemble a bus design with a flat or vertical front end and large windows while hand class C motor homes have a truck cab with an over-cab bed, in some ways resembling a camper.

Considered to be top of the line, Class A motor homes measure at about 24 feet or 7.3 meters and can be as long as 40 feet or 12 meters. Their weight can range between 15,000 to 30,000 pounds or 6,804 to 13, 608 kg; the undercarriage may be custom or a 3 to 10 ton truck chassis. Class A motor homes come with each of the luxury amenities you can fathom like a kitchen, a bathroom with shower and a tub, and sometimes a separate bedroom at the back depending o the floor plan of the truck. They also have heating and air conditioning, hot and cold running water, 100-125 volt electrical system, a dinette or living room area complete with couch and recliners, closets and an entertainment center. This is just the tip of the iceberg. In fact, some of these motor homes can be more elaborate than homes themselves.

Class A motor homes are usually utilized by famous bands especially when they are in tour. There are also some rich families that own Class A motor homes for vacation and travel. A Class A motor home is perfect for those who can afford its high cost. Most Class A motor homes have all leather interior, a wet bar, big screen TVs, an advanced sound system and other high technology that may not be available to lower income families.

Depending on the model and the floor plan a class A RV can accommodate up to 8 people. But all of this luxury comes at a price. New, lower-end models are sold at up to $50,000 US dollars while larger and much nicer class A RVs can even cost more than any house in many states coming in at about $300,000+. Class A RVs are really very expensive; in fact even used class A RV can still be sold for $30,000-$40,000. If you prefer luxury lines, you may start saving about $325,000 up to over $1 million if you prefer the crème de la crème of all RVs.

Last but not least are Class C motor homes. Class C motor homes can also come in very luxurious models or more economical ones depending on your budget. They are much lighter in weight, ranging only from 10,000 to 15,000 pounds and generally run from just under 20 to 44 feet in length. They are constructed on cutaway chassis depending on the model. The cab is usually similar to that of the truck with a bunk above plus a rear bedroom. Just like the class A, Class C motor homes have all the amenities of home including kitchen, bathroom, dinette, heating and air conditioning system, and an entertainment center for additional cost.

Dinettes are not always present in class C motor homes and if ever there is one included, it usually converts into a double bed. If a dinette is not present, two captain chairs are available instead. Sometimes, the motor homes contain a couch and chairs instead of captain chairs. The couch may also be turned into a sleeper couch.

Because of the overcab bed, a Class C motor home can sleep more than a comparable Class A motor home, accommodating up to 10 people are accommodated. The cost of class C motor homes ranges from $50,000 to $170,000.

The common features of Class A and Class C motor homes are their slide-out wherein with a simple touch of a button the wall of the living room expands outwards to extend the living space by several inches.

Another type of motor home is the Class B which is usually referred to as van conversion. Class B motor homes look like pop-top camper vans and are self contained but cramped compared to their big motor home counterparts. The advantage of purchasing a Class B motor home is in terms of handling and size that is if you don’t want spacious motor home. They are usually promoted as a place to sleep more than what is deemed comfortable by most people. The class B motor home can also be used as a second car. Its price ranges from $38,000 to $75,000.

Motor homes are great for camping, road trips, or just simply living in style. If you are interested in purchasing a motor home, it is definitely wise to take time to do some comparison shopping and research as these motor homes can prove to be very expensive.

You will find that any motor home that you buy will come with a warranty of some sort. Of course, the warranty will vary depending on whether you buy new or secondhand. New vehicles will attract a longer term warranty than secondhand vehicles, however, at some point the warranty on either vehicle will expire, leaving you exposed to the risks of paying for expensive repairs should something happen to your vehicle after that expiration. And guess what – something normally does happen!! You can, however, protect yourself against this by taking out an extended warranty on your motor home.

For many motor home owners, an extended warranty provides peace of mind and with companies offering extended warranties directly to owners via the internet premiums have come down a lot, thus making an extended warranty quite reasonable. You will find that dealer’s extended warranties are much more expensive because the insurance companies must raise their price to cover the commission paid to the dealer. Online companies don’t have this commission to pay and can therefore offer a better price.

When buying an extended warranty make sure that you are dealing with a reputable company. The most reputable companies are underwritten by “A” rated insurance companies, rated by Standard & Poor and others. Do not buy a motor home extended warranty from a company that will not disclose the rating of the company that backs the policy. You will find that extended warranties are available on new and used motor homes, however if a vehicle is very old or has very high mileage, you will not be able to take out a motor home extended warranty.

The cost to protect yourself from expensive repairs will vary on motor homes so here are a few guidelines to assist you.

1. Generally, you will pay more for diesel engines and then depending on the location of the engine, you will pay more or less. Generally rear engines are more expensive.
2. Most companies will exclude Renault built engines.
3. Some modifications on engines will void warranty, however the cost of coverage will be more if a turbo charger is added.
4. There will be a surcharge added for every year added over the first few years of age of the vehicle. With mileage, the surcharges will start earlier.
5. Any accessories added such as satellite dishes, TV, stereo etc…will incur a surcharge.

The best way to find out the cost of a motor home extended warranty is to contact a few companies and get a full run down of all aspects of the policy. In this way you can make an informed decision and then choose the policy that you feel suits you best.

Protection and prevention, these are two of the most important reasons why motorcycle apparel is worn by riders.

Motorcycle gloves protect the rider from the shivering coldness of the winter season. It is also worn to avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) which can lead to more serious conditions. Aside from that, these gloves preclude heat from damaging the skin and lessen the possibility of pricks, injuries and other unsafe elements.

There are different types of gloves. Most of them are worn depending on the weather. Summer gloves uses thin lining and are not water-resistant. They come in vibrant colors with and without fingers.

Rain gloves, obviously, are for rainy seasons. They are usually made of plastic. They can get slippery and bulky. However, they are often cheap and are easy to carry along.

Winter gloves are thick and will really keep your hands warm during cold weather. These gloves are oftentimes lined. They can be stylish and comfy.

In choosing motorcycle gloves, you also have to consider the size, material and other essential features. To preclude gloves from wrapping around the bar, you have to choose the size that fits you well – not too tight or loose, just the right size.

Motorcycle gloves are leather or nylon made. Between the two, leather gives the best protection. Another quality of a good pair of gloves is having extra padding on the knuckles and palms. Carbon shells and tiny metal studs can also be used for added hand protection.

Gloves with fingers are better than fingerless. The latter can give you nasty sunburns when you are exposed under the blazing sun.

Having washable linings can also be a good feature of motorcycle gloves. Aside from that, extensions can also protect you from the harsh and cold puffing air. It can extend up to the sleeve thus, protection is also extensive.

Rain can be rider’s uninvited company. However, how can riders manage to enjoy the ride if their hands are soaking wet and numb? To avoid this situation, water-resistant gloves must be worn to keep water away from the hands.

Another feature is the wrist strap. These straps are usually made from a simple button clip system or Velcro. The main function of having the same is to improve comfort by holding the gloves tightly and ensuring that safety padding is in the right place.

If you are a rider, you must be accustomed to the idea of having bigger fingers. A word of caution though, must be applied. Do not purchase a pair of gloves that obstructs your feel of the controls.

With these specifications, your ride will surely be comfortable and numb-free!

Do you have a motorcyclist in your family? Wondering what to get them this year for Christmas? This is a gift buying guide with some ideas for you. Gear is always a good idea. Just like clothes, I don’t think you could ever have enough apparel.

You could start with safety combined with a gift by purchasing just the right helmet. You can purchase all different sorts of helmets. The various helmet styles include, full face motorcycle helmets, half motorcycle helmets, German motorcycle helmets, beanie motorcycle helmets, even motocross motorcycle helmets. With cool looking decals or graphics painted in just the right color, there is a great motorcycle helmet for anyone. Stylish protective eye wear is an idea too. Getting the right pair of sunglasses or motorcycle goggles for your loved one is a good choice. They come in a variety of shapes and colors, and the lenses are sometimes tinted yellow. The yellow tint has been proven to help reduce glare, and help improve vision at night.

A warm leather motorcycle jacket to keep the wind out is another gift, and one they can use all year long, not just in the summer. There are many styles to choose from when purchasing a leather motorcycle jacket. Denim motorcycle jackets are popular as well, although not worn in colder climates much. A decent pair of leather motorcycle chaps for the long ride home is a great gift for any motorcycle rider. These will go well with just about any other motorcycle apparel, and can be a great addition to any motorcycle riders wardrobe. Leather motorcycle boots and full fingered or half fingered motorcycle gloves made with leather and other materials are a great addition to the motorcycle leather jacket and motorcycle apparel that you buy them for a gift for Christmas.

Do they live in an area that receives a lot of rain annually? A set of rain gear to help protect all of that leather would be great as well. The most damaging effect to leather is rain, and with the right motorcycle rain gear, you can help protect their Christmas gift and your investment for many years to come.

If the motorcycle rider that you are buying a gift for is not in need of motorcycle clothing, then some gear for their motorcycle would be awesome. There are many different things you can get to add life to a motorcycle, without ever having to break the bank. The motorcycle canvas cover is a good choice, as is the motorcycle cable and lock system. Then there is the luggage systems available that make the storage and cargo area of a motorcycle morn than double, The most common type of system are referred to as motorcycle saddle bags. You can also get motorcycle tool bags that mount right to the handle bars, and a motorcycle sissy bar rack pack for storing bigger items.

No matter what type of motorcycle gear you buy as a gift for the motorcycle riders in your life, you can’t go wrong if you just snoop a little and do some investigating before you buy.

Does your car need some repairs? Well it can be less time consuming and save you money, if you decide to repair your car yourself. And who doesn’t like saving money?

The main reason for concern would be in finding the right parts for the car. It is a good idea to get the parts before starting to repair.

If you notice there is repair needed on your car before something actually goes wrong, it’s good to have the parts ready on hand. Because if you wait its possible that the store is out of stock for that particular part. That way your prepared and have no worries.

You could also consider getting the parts on the internet; you can practically get any part you’re looking for on the internet. Just keep looking and you’re bound to find it. And hey you might get a good deal and they can even deliver the parts to you. You can get a good deal because many times they will buy the parts in bulk and save money, that way it is more easier for the companies to give you a good deal.

Though make sure when you’re ordering your car parts that you’re buying the right parts for the make and model of the car that you’re repairing. It can waste time if you make a mistake and get the wrong part. It is good to plan ahead and be as organized as you can. It will make the process more efficient and won’t waste time.

Go ahead and be ready for the next repair, you will see how it’ll be taken care of in no time. Don’t moan around, it won’t get the repair done any faster. Just do the repair yourself and see how much money you’ll save. Take my word for it, it can be done.

Ever since the first car was made manufacturers and tuners have been producing literature to promote their products.

One of the most interesting aspects of collecting auto brochures is that they provide a unique social history of the time they were produced.

For example if you have a brochure for a Volkswagen Beetle from the 1960′s you will find information about the time in which it was produced like hairstyles, clothing and popular decor of the time.

Add to this, the fact that most brochures can be bought inexpensively and take up little space to store (unless you get obsessed!) you have the basis for a popular and rewarding hobby.

However, as with all collecting there are many ways (especially as a beginner) that you can come “unstuck” and end up spending your hard earned money on inferior, fake or incomplete brochures.

Over the coming weeks, amongst other things I will cover the purchase, safe-keeping and suggested themes for brochure collections and provide an analysis of a number of my favourite brochures both expensive and in one case commonly available for less than £4 or $8!

Hopefully you will find my articles both a valuable resource and one that improves your knowledge of this area of collecting.