Choosing Front Wheel Drive or Rear Wheel Drive

Transmissions are one of the most complex systems under the hood. In fact, that’s the reason many auto repair garages will refuse to work on them. Some might perform minor repairs, but will refer you to a transmission shop for anything more extensive. There are a lot of parts involved in making sure that the system runs smoothly and mechanics are loathe to cause bigger problems.

This level of complexity often makes transmissions one of the least understood components to drivers. Adding to the confusion, they’re designed differently. Some are designed for front wheel drive while others are designed for rear wheel drive. In this article we will look at some of the differences. I’ll describe your transmission’s job and help you decipher the pros and cons of a RWD and FWD.

Understanding Its Job

Your car’s engine generates power through its 4-stroke combustion process. That power must be delivered to your drive wheels in order to turn them. Also, it’s worth noting that your engine has a range of RPMs in which it operates at maximum efficiency. Your transmission’s job is two-fold. First, it needs to deliver the power generated by the engine to the drive wheels. Second, it needs to perform this task while keeping your engine operating within its optimal range of RPMs.

This is accomplished through several gears. In low gears, the engine must turn more quickly in order to power the wheels. In higher gears, it doesn’t have to work as hard. The transmission helps the engine advance from first gear to higher gears while keeping your car moving at higher speeds.

RWD Versus FWD

If your vehicle operates on a rear wheel drive configuration, the transmission will be positioned on the back portion of your engine. A drive shaft will connect it to the rear axle. As your engine generates power and turns the crankshaft, that power is transferred though the transmission to the drive shaft and ultimately, to the rear axle. The rear axle spins, which causes your tires to rotate.

While the concept behind the power flow is similar, a front wheel drive car works a little differently. The transmission is still located near the engine. With the final drive, it forms a transaxle. A front axle forms a connection with the transaxle, which delivers the power needed to rotate the front tires.

To keep the explanation simple, I’ve ignored the torque converter. What really happens is that power travels from the engine, through the torque converter, and then into the transmission. The other components work as described.

Is One Better Than The Other?

Modern vehicles usually have front wheel drive. An FWD weighs less, costs less to manufacture, and usually delivers higher fuel efficiency. On the other hand, an RWD distributes the weight more evenly across a car’s frame, which improves braking ability. Plus, because the design is less crowded than an FWD, it’s easier to service without taking everything apart. In the end, when choosing between RWD and FWD, consider your driving needs and the factors on which you place a high priority.

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The 2009 SUV Infiniti FX35 - Best in its Class

The 2009 Infiniti FX35 is the greatest SUV in its class with its elaborate styling and killer performance. The Infiniti pairs the duty of an SUV with the style of a sports car.The new Infiniti FX35 has a 3.5L V-6 engine that provides 303 horsepower through an upgraded seven-speed automatic transmission. The Nissan 350z and the Infiniti G35 both have the same VQ35DE engine as the FX35, which features variable valve timing and four valves per cylinder. The FX35 comes in many trims which collaborates with an option of two wheel or four wheel drive.

Upgraded from its predecessor, the 2009 Infiniti has an abundance of technology and safety oriented features.The FX35 will sound an alarm when the SUV starts to migrate out of its lane.This Lane Departure system is very beneficial and prevents the sleepy driver from drifting into other lanes or falling asleep.If you become distracted the lane deterent will administer a tiny amount of brake to keep the FX35 inline.ACC ir Adaptive Cruise Control is a component the new INfiniti has that will allow you to follow (at the same distance) the car infront of you.

The handling on the FX35 is greater than the average SUV, due in part to the G35 chassis it rides on.Other superior qualities and options are 18 inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, Bose surround sound, and satellite radio. Amid these accessories, individual conbinations of extras can be added. The 2009 Infiniti GX35 is a distinctive looking must see for all buyers looking for a high performance driven luxury crossover SUV. MSRP for the FX35 Infiniti range from $ 42,150 to ,600.The SUV combines the bliss of a top Infiniti car with the use of a utility vehicle!An excellent way to get into an Infiniti SUV is you are cheap, is to buy a nice used example.

See the new 2009 Infiniti FX35 at an Infiniti Dealer in Los Angeles, or get a new Infiniti luxury SUV at Riverside Infiniti.

Santa Clara Infiniti has a nice selection of new Infiniti FX35 SUV’s.

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The Honda Insight vs the Toyota Prius

Toyota has announced the cost for the new Prius.The base model Insight is priced almost 00 below the base price of the Prius. The cheap base price give the Insight the title of most affordable hybrid in the U.S. 

The Honda has a great system that will help educate the driver how to drive more economically and thus save fuel.The ECO socring helps the drive to have a system that allows for the best fuel economy, which is related back to the operator in the form of a miles per gallon readout.The Insight uses the latest hybrid motor techniology called the IMA or integrated motor assist. Th IMA system is cheaper to manufacture, lighter than the original, and adds to the overall interior space. The Honda sports a VTEC motor that is connected to an automatic transmission.For about the price of a base mopdel Prius, you can get a nicely equipt Insight that comes with: rims, USB integraded stereo, navigaion with voice recognition, and steering wheel mounted shifter. The goal of Honda is to make the Insight the top dog in the hybrid market, and this would entail selling more cars then the ever populat Prius. 

Opposed to the Insight is the Prius with a 160-hp 1.8L motor has a couple of different driving settings. These 3 modes are the Power Mode which increases the performance of the Prius, the ECO mode which makes fuel economy the #1 proirity, and finally a EV mode which stands for Electric Vehicle.An accessory on the Prius that is aimed at driver safety is called the precollision system.A laser is used to keep the same amount of distance as the car ahead of you in order to prevent any accidents. Toyota has a new system of buttons on the steering wheel that will help keep the driver safe.

Yes the Insight is much cheaper than the Prius, but the Prius does get much better fuel economy.  The Honda has a reported 40-city mpg, 43-highway, and a combined mpg of 41; while the Prius has mpg of 48-city, 45-highway, and 46 of combined mpg.Traveling more than 20,000 miles in only 365 days (when gas is .50 a gallon), you would spend 19 in fuel on the Insight and 86 on the Prius. At this rate it would take over 25 years to recover the cost you spent on a Prius where yearly gas savings are concerned.Ok the Prius gets way better fuel economy, yet the Insight makes up the difference with its low starting price!

Used Honda Hybrid in Southern California, or buy a New Toyota Hybrid.  Jazel Auto Builds the Best Car Dealer Websites around.

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The 2010 Toyota Prius - Still On Top!

The world of hybrid cars has a new king in the 2010 Toyota Prius. The amazing Fuel Economy is what has the largest appeal to many people.The little Toyota is fitted with a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine, which is up from the past 1.5L.The bigger engine and torque nets better gas mileage at highway speeds because the gearing is lower.The 2010 Prius gets a nice bump in power over the last model. 

Past versions will be eclipsed by the 2010 Prius, which is up by 4 MPG.Simple gas saving habits can help the Prius to get over 75 MPG!The improvement in fuel economy also comes from the lightened body and powertrain. A more rigid body keeps engine noise down.

Toyota engineers have vastly sharpened the steering. Features that were optional on previous models such as: air, CD, and power winds, doors, and locks; now come standard for 2010. Cruise control, a touch tracer system, salellite navigation, and solar power sunroof are all features on the new Prius.

Electricity is taken from the brakes, and used to charge the batteries. The 2010 Toyota Prius has earned top billing in terms of safety. Other oddities in the Prius are warning systems with lane departure, rearview cameras, and monitors that check your tire pressure`.

See the new Prius and a nice inventory of other hybrids at the Riverside County Toyota Dealer.  Or view an article at at Best New Autos on the Prius winning some awards.  The Prius has been named top green car for the past few years.  And why shouldn’t it.  The Prius gets great gas mileage which saves gas, in turn putting less strain on the environment.  Not to mention is is a low emissions vehicle.  The PRius is an honored car that does a great job of keeping its resale value.  So if you cannot afford to buy a brand new 2010 Prius, go ahead and look for a nice used model.  You will pay less, get a capable car, and even get a used car warranty if you buy a certified Toyota hybrid.

Jazelauto.com designs auto dealer websites to drive more online traffice to auto dealerships.

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The Risks of Using Secondhand Motorcar Spares

If you are searching for automobile spares, there are quite a few ways in which a person can find the spares that are needed. Some methods are safe, and will cause no troubles. But then, some ways that automobile spares are found are plain risky. One representative example of this is purchasing used car parts from a scrap yard, or car repair shop. All of these places usually sell used car parts that can be used when fixing your car. What’s alarming, though, is the fact that automobile shops often put used automobile spares in a car that’s going to be fixed, also, just in order to save the auto repair place a little bit of money. But here are some of the hazards of buying used automobile parts if you aren’t aware.

1. The History

When purchasing anything that’s used you seldom know the history of the product. The same holds true for auto spares, unfortunately. Consider that when you buy car spares from a junk yard you seldom know if that component has been through an automobile accident and is a good enough piece to put on your car. Even though most of the auto spares that can be acquired through a junk or scrap yard are bought at your own risk and without a warranty, there are some major risks associated with so doing.

2. Too Unreliable

As mentioned, used automobile spares can also be purchased from car repair shops. The reality at most auto repair shops is that the used auto parts that are there are commonly kept in one great pile in the back of the repair shop. If you buy a second-hand alternator from the repair shop then how would you know it is good to use? It is really likely that the auto spares that are purchased from a repair shop are no good, or else if they are halfway decent car spares they may just break next week. The auto parts that can be acquired through an car repair shop or a car breakers are just too dangerous to excuse purchasing. Of course, you may very well be offered a refund or exchange if this were to happen, but the best course of action would be to stay away from used car spares entirely.

3. Being Cheated
Another possibility, and perhaps the worst danger, is the definite risk of being ripped off when buying used car spares. You might be sold components that are different from how they are described, or that are older and more damaged than you are told. It doesn’t really matter whether the automobile spares are for a second-hand Hyundai Getz or a secondhand Mercedes , you need to know that you are buying a genuine manufacturer made component.

Even if you take the precaution of not buying the used auto spares through a repair shop or a junk yard, if you do buy used car spares through a private dealer then you always run the risk of getting downright ripped off. What is even more discomforting is the fact that you may never be able to get a hold of the guy who cheated you ever again.

In The Long Run, it really doesn’t matter whether or not the part is functional or not. The fact of the matter is that purchasing used auto parts is simply risky and dangerous. Even though thousands of people do this daily, purchasing used car spares should be avoided!

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Chicago Paint and Body Repair

As one shocker, my neighbors daughter got into her first vehicle collision.Damage to the front end fender was nothing too copious; there was mostly body damage.  To save some cash they took the Camaro to a second rate body shop in the bad part of town.Every time I look outside across the street, I see a 2 tone Camaro.The repair shop did an appalling paint match.  If my neighbor would have taken his ride to the Chicago Auto Body Shop at Shirey Cadillac, I wouldn’t have to look at that pitiful attempt at collision repair.

The auto repair body shop at Shirey Cadillac has the most and current technology in the collision repair industrynized.Almost everything is computerized.Automated insurance repair estimates are given for free.Our shop uses technological advanced lasers to right a twisted or mangled frame.  The paint is perfectly color matched by computers.All this is finalized with flawless detail in mind.Most auto repair shops use aftermarket, refurbished, and or used parts.  Shirey will only used new factory OEM Cadillac parts.

Workers are a reflection of thier employer.Shirey's laborers in the collision repair industry have over 200 combined years of experience.All Shirey.  Other certifications include I-CANN, ASE, I CAR, and PPG.At other body shops you have multiple repair men working on your auto, but at shirey one guy will see things through till the end.

The Hi-Tech Collision Repair Facility at Shirey Cadillac establishes the highest quality auto body restoration and collision repair.Shirey Cadillac can handle any repair job, from a scratch to a full body repair.   Remember if you are in an accident, get Chicago Insurance Repair at a dealership since the insurance company will be footing the bill! The great thing about Shirey Cadillac Auto Body Repair is that they extend a limited lifetime warranty on all finalized work.

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