By Christoph Walter, dpa

Berlin (dpa) – Many a motorist has jumped at the chance to boost the car engine with so-called chip tuning, but chip tuning is not without risk and should only be carried out by experts.

It sounds quite simple. The software used by the manufacturer for engine management is adapted or replaced, providing up to 20 per cent more horsepower.

“The data is either replaced or added to the electronic control system, keeping the original software intact,” says Harald Schmidtke from the German association of tuners (VDAT).

By changing the parameters for a turbo unit, or the timing of the fuel injection, the performance of the engine is boosted.

“We utilize the power reserves left by the manufacturers,” says Guenther Irmscher, who runs a tuning firm specialising in Opel cars.

Sven Gramm, from the Mercedes tuning firm Brabus, agrees that the car makers avoid going to the maximum of what the material and technology can do, especially when it comes to the parameters in mass production.

Philip Puls, an expert from the German technical testing authority TUV, says chip tuning can even contribute to improved fuel consumption while improving performance.

But Puls says there are also risks involved when the tuning is carried out by amateurs.

If the tuner happens to overdo the performance boost, it could lead to major engine failure and damage to the transmission, brake system, or other parts, Puls warns.

Any motorist wishing to boost the performance of her or his car should leave it to an expert, Schmidtke warns.

“Customers should go to well-known and reliable firms and not penny-pinch,” he says.

Reliable tuners always offer a guarantee of their work, Schmidtke explains, and customers should ask for it because the manufacturer’s guarantee does not cover damage that can be directly attributed to a tune-up.

A chip tune-up could also be lost during a software-update carried out by the manufacturer. This can be avoided by adding an additional box that can be adjusted to switch off automatically if the engine gets too hot, according to Schmidtke.

THE I.I.I. OFFERS TIPS TO AVOID BUYING A “FLOODED CAR”

NEW YORK/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The summer of 2011 concluded with Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee causing widespread flooding up and down the Eastern seaboard, damaging not only homes and businesses but cars as well. Unfortunately, some flood-damaged vehicles—after being sold to salvage operators and dealers—will be cleaned up and then re-sold, with the vehicle’s flood-damage history illegally hidden, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).

“Unscrupulous salvage operators and dealers often try to conceal the fact that the vehicles they are selling have been damaged by a natural disaster,” said Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the I.I.I. “It is not illegal to sell or buy a flood-damaged car, however, it is against the law to sell a water-damaged car without letting the buyer know that the car had been damaged by a flood.”

To prevent this type of fraudulent resale of cars to unsuspecting consumers around the country, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has been helping law enforcement groups and insurance companies identify and catalogue water-damaged vehicles.

“By creating VINCheck, the NICB helps protect consumers, and we’ve reduced the potential for this type of fraud to occur,” said NICB president Joe Wehrle.

To help used-car buyers learn more about the history of a specific car and whether it has been declared as salvage by a participating NICB member insurance company, the NICB created VINCheck, which provides consumers a free search of a car’s vehicle identification number (VIN). This service can be accessed from the NICB home page, which can be accessed here.

“To avoid inadvertently purchasing a flood-damaged car, it is important that you only buy a used car from a reputable dealer, have a certified mechanic look for flood damage and check the car’s VIN number by using a credible industry database,” noted Salvatore.

The I.I.I. suggests you be on the lookout for the following indicators that a car may have been flooded:

• Mildew, debris and silt in places where it wouldn’t normally be found, such as under the carpeting in the trunk, or around the engine compartment
• Rust on screws and other metal parts
• Water stains or faded upholstery; discoloration of seatbelts and door panels
• Dampness in the floor and carpeting; moisture on the inside of the instrument panel
• A moldy odor or an intense smell of Lysol or deodorizer; this is a tactic frequently used by dealers to cover up an odor problem

If you suspect that your local car dealer is committing fraud by knowingly selling flooded cars as regular used cars, contact your insurance company, local law enforcement agency or the NICB at 800-TEL-NICB.

The I.I.I. has a video on how to avoid buying a flood car and related b-roll and bites. The I.I.I. also has consumer information on auto insurance.

The NICB is the nation’s premier nonprofit organization exclusively dedicated to fighting insurance fraud and vehicle theft for the benefit of its member companies and the public through information analysis, criminal investigation support, training and public awareness.

Whether it is a minor bingle or a major smash, a car accident is likely to be one of the most traumatic events we will ever experience. There is a lot to consider immediately after the crash and sometimes, when the adrenalin in pumping and nerves are frayed, it can be hard to remain focused and consider what needs to be done. Once the initial shock has worn off and you start to take stock of what has happened, it can be factors such as knowing you have a good car insurance policy that can keep you on the right track. Just like regularly maintaining your car, whether it is a car service in Sydney, a car service in Melbourne or anywhere else in Australia, that policy provides peace of mind. Here are a few tips to help you cope with a crash and what to do after it has happened.

Stay calm

A crash is likely to be a big shock to the system but it is important that you do everything to remain calm immediately following the accident. Turn off the car’s ignition, turn on the car’s hazard lights and have a quick check of yourself and your immediate area. Determine if it is safe to exit the vehicle and then move to a location away from the road.

Check for injuries

If there is any possibility at all that someone is hurt, call an ambulance. Be prepared to give the following information when ringing 000:

• Tell the operator that you are calling about a car crash;
• Give the location as accurately as possible;
• Say how many people are injured and if known, the severity of the injury;
• Your name and contact details if required.

It’s always handy to have a first aid kit in the car so if you have the equipment and knowledge, administer assistance wherever possible.

Don’t admit liability

It’s important not to admit you were at fault. Crashes could involve multiple factors and by not admitting liability, it is protecting you if legal issues are raised. It’s important to contact your insurer as soon as possible after the crash. This is where all your shopping around for car insurance quotes will have come in handy – you should have picked a policy that gives you peace of mind. Your insurer will work with everyone involved to determine responsibility.

When the police should be contacted

• The incident resulted in bodily harm to any person; or
• The total value of property damaged to all involved parties exceeds $3000; or
• The owner or representative of any damaged property is not present.

Drivers also have legal obligations after a crash, including:

• Stopping if you are involved in a crash;
• Reporting the accident to police if there are injuries or damage to property whose owner is not in attendance;
• Providing your name and address to others involved;
• Not driving away from the scene of an accident in an unroadworthy vehicle.

In addition to this, there is other information that must be exchanged with others involved in the crash, including names, addresses, registration numbers and insurance details.

When looking to buy a new car the paperwork is a must have. It will tell you all you need to know about the car, and can help you avoid any nasty surprises if you choose to part with your cash.

Firstly you’ll need to ensure all the paperwork associated with the car is genuine, that it doesn’t look and feel fake; there is always a risk that photocopies or printouts are fake.

Check that the VIN number in the logbook matches the ones found on the vehicle, and also check the V5C so that the address and name of the person selling the car match the registered owner.

The service history of the car will tell you whether or not the car has been serviced regularly. Make sure you also check the recorded mileage and that it is in line with what is displayed in the car; some people will tamper with the odometer so that it displays a lower mileage than it has actually run.

If you are unsure about the mileage check the MOT certificates. Every car older than three years must undergo an annual MOT test to check that it is road worthy. Any MOTs completed after 2005 need to have been done electronically to reduce fraud. If you are still not completely satisfied then contact the garage who carried out the MOTs so that they can confirm the details.

If you are satisfied with the information given, that it has a valid MOT and a genuine logbook and you make a successful offer for the car, then you need to fill in the new owner parts of the logbook and send that off to the DVLA so that the car is officially recognised as your own.

If you happen to be looking for car dealers in Glasgow, Motors.co.uk might be the place to check out so head to the site now and you might be pleasantly surprised at what you will find.

s a local Minneapolis Windshield Repair company, we talk to many parents this time of the year who are busy getting everything ready to send their student off to school. With so many things to do, sometimes the vehicle gets over looked. Many college students will be moving away from home for the first time, so it would be a good idea to get that damaged windshield repaired or replaced, windshield wiper blades installed and to make sure the car is in good working order.

“Driving with a cracked or broken windshield is another form of distracted driving, and is illegal in many states including Minnesota.” Says Rick Rosar, President of Rapid Glass who services customers in Minneapolis, St Paul and surrounding suburbs,”Depending on your insurance coverage, many windshield repairs or replacements are covered without any deductible or out of pocket expense to you In fact, even if you have a deductible, many insurers will waive it if you have the windshield repaired, rather than replaced.”

Replacing windshield wipers helps to ensure your child’s safety and it’s easy to do yourself. Many auto glass companies will also replace your windshield wipers at the same time they repair or replace your windshield. Don’t wait until it’s pouring rain or your student is caught in a Minnesota snow storm. With so many distractions out there, trying to see through their windshield shouldn’t be one of them.

Tuning up the engine should be done on a regular basis anyways, so doing it now is as good a time as any. Changing the oil, as well as replacing the fuel and air filters are essential in keeping a car running smoothly and are also some of the least expensive things you can do to prolong the life of a car. It’s much easier to control the cost now instead of having your student break down on the road somewhere and be at the mercy of a mechanic that may charge you more than their tuition or books for the semester.

A visual inspection is one of the cheapest and easiest things to do. Tires can become worn; belts and hoses can crack and should be replaced before it’s too late. Checking the brakes can be as easy as removing a tire, and if you’re not comfortable with doing it yourself, many repair shops will do some of these inspections at no charge. Make sure you check and replace any burned out taillights, brake lights or headlamps. Not having all your running lights working could also cost them an expensive traffic ticket.

It’s always a good idea to keep an Emergency kit in the trunk. Chances are your student has always been a short distance away if they had car problems, if they are going off to college, this may not be the case. The first thing you want to check is that they have a good spare tire and working jack. A small tool kit for making some basic repairs including a flashlight, tow strap and jumper cables could make the difference of being stranded and being able to make it home in time to get rested up for that big test the next day.A first aid kit is a good thing to include for those minor cuts and scrapes that may occur while traveling.

Many college students will be far away from home and may be traveling in uncharted territory. One of the best devices that have come along since the compass was invented is a GPS (Global Positioning System)The price has come way down on these in recent years. Most kids have mobile phones these days (which is another great safety device) and many new smart phones have a GPS service included for no additional charge. At the very least make sure they have a good map or map book to navigate through their new surroundings.

Going off to college or just beginning a new school year can be very costly and stressful for both you and your student. In today’s economy with fuel prices on the rise, an ounce of prevention now can save you a pound of trouble down the road. Protecting your most prized possession should be first and foremost, and keeping their car running smoothly is a great start.

For 25 years, Rapid Glass has been one of Minnesota’s premier windshield repair and windshield replacement companies providing Quality Same Day Mobile Service. Our Customer Service Representatives are well-trained windshield claims specialists. Rapid Glass will handle all of the paperwork and assist the customer with reporting their loss to ensure they are getting the full benefits their insurance policy provides. (PRWeb)

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Let’s face it- Modern motorists have to work hard to save any money at all on their cars. Parking, fuel and just staying on the road are very expensive. Drivers have to go looking for the best car service and the best car insurance. They have to try to fit a car budget into basic living expenses, which some people have likened to having an extra child in the family. So you can’t really hold it against people trying to get a new car when they want to get their purchase prices down by trying to haggle with the car dealers.  

There’s a major hurdle, though. Car dealers aren’t charities. They’re in business. They have to make money. Those are their issues, and if you don’t understand that, you’ll get absolutely nowhere.  If you want to haggle, you have to haggle with a close eye on realistic deals, not just pure optimism. Most dealers will shut down if they think you want an unreasonable price or a deal that’s just too good to be true.

Basic deal making issues

Getting a good deal in any kind of business is very much like negotiation and mediation in business. It takes two. You need to be aware of the dealer’s bottom line, and limitations. You also need to be sensitive when you start getting negative feedback.

There’s a simple way of understanding dealing with car dealers:

Try to put yourself in the dealer’s position for a while- You don’t know the dealer’s dollar values, but you can take a pretty good shot at figuring out what’s realistic by looking at their advertised deals.

1.  If they’re offering really good deals, their margins are excellent, they’re probably doing promotional deals, and there’s probably some good room to maneuver.
2. If they’re offering “take it or leave it” deals, they’re unlikely to move much on prices or options.
3. “Extras” are based on what’s available. The dealer’s not being nasty by refusing to consider these things.
4. The mainstream name brands are a lot more likely to generate good deals. These are high volume vehicles where dealers can pick up good prices.

Negotiating with dealers

There’s an old saying from Aesop- “Negotiate from a position of strength”. As a buyer, your positions of strength are actually two positions- You have money to spend, and it’s the dealer’s job to make sales.

You can do yourself a big favour by bringing these two elements together when doing business with a car dealer:

• Set a limit on your spending and quote a figure. The dealer doesn’t need to be told much more to figure out the sort of deals they can offer. They will come up with something.
• Make it clear you really are a genuine buyer. This will get a very quick response. Forget about “I’m just browsing”. Cut to the chase and make it clear you mean business if you get the right deal.
• Don’t nitpick. Also make it clear you really must have a good deal, but are prepared to listen to genuinely good deals.

Follow those basic rules, and you’ll be online getting your car insurance  in about an hour.

Let’s face it, wherever you go in business you need a range of easily accessible systems to keep things moving. Whether you’re a traveling sales person or a fleet manager, you, your mobile phone car kit and your software are inseparable. This is where all the real business gets done, and you can also keep your work under control effortlessly with the right equipment. It’s always a good idea to check out how much you can achieve with good systems to improve your time management and deal with any new jobs that you might get loaded up with.

The trick is to anticipate your needs, and have the right stuff to do the jobs. One of the reasons car systems have become so popular is the sheer amount of work they can handle, and the big range of options for managing data. You can even do your administration work in the car, with things like Dropbox. These and other specialized apps that can turn “Have you got the file?” and “Can you give me the file” into a couple of clicks on your phone.

Some apps can even do credit card transactions over the phone, pretty handy if you’re finding there are only so many hours in a day, and they’re not enough.  The fact is that the more work you can turn over on the move, the less you’ve got waiting for you when you get back to the office. That’s real time management, and it’s the most productive approach to modern business.

If you’ve got a Bluetooth hands free Car Kit or an iPhone car kit with the right apps, you’ve got the business communications solved. Add to this something like an iPod kit, and you’ve got media as well, useful for keeping up to date with your media and iPad materials like presentations, etc.

Business vehicle management and communications systems

Fleet management software with GPS systems is currently best practice for the freight and distribution and medical sectors, and with good reason. If you’ve got a lot of vehicles on the road, you can streamline your administration and drastically improve results with a combination of fleet management technology and good communications systems. These systems allow you to operate seamlessly in real time and deal with emerging resource allocation issues instantly.

These systems are literally invaluable in terms of fundamental fleet core business. You can plan ahead, you can talk directly to your operators, and most importantly you can avoid that “overload” effect of having too many jobs and not enough people and vehicles. These communications systems also double as good all-round coverage systems, if there’s an emergency or a breakdown and you have to reshuffle your schedules.

It’s no overstatement to say that the vehicle communications systems are the best things to ever happen to business mobility. They’re real world solutions to real world situations. They’re generally acknowledged as best practice for a good reason- they really are. If you’re looking for a better system, check out the current technology. You’ll be stunned at what’s possible.

When you’re paying for car insurance, you like to think you’re properly covered and that someone’s paying attention to your needs. When you’re paying for car service, you like to think that the people doing the service can at least explain in some known language what the issues are.  If you’ve ever been in the position of feeling like a tennis ball going between your car insurer and your car service people about a claim, you’ll know that that’s an experience you can happily do without.

Well, is that so unreasonable? Car insurance claims aren’t supposed to be some sort of mystic ritual. Yet, it happens, and motorists are left trying to figure out why their car repair seems to be some sort of mystery to the people supposed to be paying for it. It’s bad enough having the issues of car repairs without having a further problem or several created by someone short changing you on the insurance cover.

There are two elements in this equation:

The car insurer: If you’ve checked out some car insurance policies, you may have spent a few pleasant hours wading through almost incomprehensible language detailing policy cover. This enchanting experience is often made worse by ringing up and asking for explanations, which are frequently also clear as mud.

This is old style insurance at its worst. If you’re under 50, you may not know that the old paper technology insurance was a horror story for many motorists. You may also not know that these fossils were simply transferred into electronic form when digital technology came along. The result is that the old style policies are still around, still making life difficult for motorists. That’s also the likely reason you’ve found yourself behind the eight ball when getting cover for bona fide repairs.

The car service company: To be fair, the best car service companies aren’t the problem. The only real issues are likely to occur with lower quality service companies which may or may not be acting in your interests. There’s no good reason why a car service bill should be anything other than 100% clear and easy to relate to car insurance cover.

The time to start getting suspicious about your car service is when the car insurer clearly doesn’t trust the car service information.

The probable reasons are:

Overcharging- Not exactly unknown, and always expensive. The insurer may actually be worried about legitimate cost issues.

Anomalies between claim and charges- This is a problem that may arise when the car service “volunteers” to do extra work not related to the claim. In theory this is doing you a favour, in practice it’s adding to charges. The insurer should come back to you and explain any issues, so you can get a revised bill for services which reflect actual costs related to the claim.

The solution

Don’t guess about your car insurance claim problems, do something about them. The best option for motorists is to get the new online car insurance, which is a paperless process, very fast and extremely efficient. There’s no bureaucracy, no weird old policies and you get the help you need on the spot, either online or by phone. You’ll get results and keep your costs down.

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Australians are motorists. Driving around Australia is a cultural icon, and it can be a lot of fun. That said, driving around a huge place like Australia can also be expensive, and you need a very good car, particularly if you’re driving in the country. Stage one of your journey needs to be the budget, and it’s worth your time to really compare car hire options online and make an informed decision about how you spend your money.

The really good news for people renting a car in Australia is that this is a very competitive market. You can always get a good deal if you make the effort to find it, and you can get extras as well.

These are the basics:

1. What size car do you need? It’s a good idea to allow yourself some extra space for shopping and any extra car supplies you might need. Some of the big new 4WDs are great for space, like the new Jeeps.
2. How far are you traveling? If you’re driving a long way, look at fuel economy. There are some very good fuel-efficient cars available for rental, so check out the options.
3. Traveling with kids? Space, play and sleep room over long distances are the major issues in this case, so allow some room for these things. If you’ve got very young kids, some “maintenance” room is also very useful.
4. Are you driving in the bush or out in the country? If so, you’ll need extra water, air conditioning, spare fuel, and in remote regions a two way radio or perhaps a mobile phone car kit may be adequate, depending on where you are. You also need a good car with top quality suspension on the real outback bush roads, not a suburban type of car, which won’t be able to handle the really rough stuff for long.
5. Towing a trailer or a boat? It’s a good idea to select a car with some extra grunt for these jobs. The Australian coast is a wild place, and the coastal roads are often on slopes. If you’ve got a heavy tow load, go for the more powerful vehicles.
6. Want all mod cons? They’re easy to get. Some of the hire cars have everything built in, you just turn on the computers and you’re off and running.
7. Want GPS? GPS is pretty much standard, it’s actually difficult to get a hire car without it. (Note: When driving outback or in a serious situation, GPS can be a life saver, particularly in combination with a good communications system like a car phone or radio. Mention it to the car rental company.)
8. Special needs driver? No problem. The car hire company will be able to advise regarding your options.

The truth is that there’s nothing easier than getting exactly the car you want in Australia. You’ll also find you’ve got expert motoring advice available if you need local knowledge or information about your car or your travel plans.

There are those who believe they should not get a car loan for something that will only cost more money. Saving for a car may take a considerable amount of time. The decision to get a car loan is something that most who live in Australia will have to face at one time or another. Here is a look at some of the main reasons why it is almost unavoidable, and why you need to get a car now.

• Public Transport.While public transport is considered ‘green friendly’ and it can be a very cost effective way to get around, your life will be very restricted. Public transport is great if you happen to be working the normal nine to five job, but outside of that you are on your own. Public transport is not available enough to make it viable for the average adult. Not to mention you will spend many hours of each day on vehicles with strangers. What woman wants to be waiting around late at night on her own for a bus to come?
• Taxis.If you don’t own a car, it is highly likely you will need to use a taxi at least once a month. If you happen to need to use a taxi a couple of times, what do you benefit from? That is a considerable amount of money. Could you be better using that money as a part of a monthly car loan payment?
• Social Activities.Humans are social creatures. How will you socialise with others if you don’t have a means to get to where you need to be to meet them? There is only so much you can do from your own home. How are you going to meet someone for a date or dinner? Your personal life is extremely limited if you don’t have your own means of transport.
• Choice of Residential Address.Having a car means you can live where you want to. What are people who grow up in a rural area going to do if they don’t own a car? They can’t find their way to any job, let alone getting to the job interview. Their only option is to move into the centre of the biggest cities and hope they can afford the high cost of living. If you don’t own a car, you cannot decide where you want to live.
• Emergencies.What happens in the case of an emergency? What happens if one of your children is ill? Will you wait for a taxi to come? Will you wait at the bus stop for that last bus to pick you up? If not for any of the reasons mentioned above, this reason is enough for anyone to justify monthly loan payments.

Car loans make it possible for us to own that vehicle now. Owning a car is something that is necessary for just about every adult in our society. Until there are major changes in the way our cities and suburbs are built, there is no way around it. Owning a car will give you freedom, and you can probably earn more from that freedom. Waiting until you can afford to buy a car with your own cash, might mean you are waiting a very long time.

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