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Showing posts with label Your. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Your. Show all posts

Monday, January 12, 2009

How to Select the Best Carpet for Your Car?

How to Select the Best Carpet for Your Car?
All of us agree that nothing can be more disgusting in a car than dirty carpet emanating a foul odor. If you have spilled some beverage or motor oil or any other liquid on your vehicle's carpet, you might as well replace the whole carpet instead of trying to clean it. Actually many people find it cost-effective to replace their car carpet, instead of trying to clean the dirt or remove smell from a soiled auto carpet.

You can select a car carpet custom molded to fit the form and pattern of your car's floor pan. So, there is no need to buy a flat automotive carpet and struggle to fit it to the bumps and ridges of your car’s floor. Buying custom-built car carpet will make the job much easier and will also fit in perfectly. Sometimes, if you have a newer model of vehicle, you can still buy carpet from the manufacturer, but in most cases the original OEM auto carpet will be 4 or 5 times more expensive than replacement carpet, and the quality of the carpet fibers may also be of inferior quality. 

It is important to know that there are two types of automobile carpet backing. Most new cars have a type of padding called Massback. It is black, heavy foam-like and this backing is added to improve heat and sound insulation. Whereas most aftermarket car carpets are made with a thin, plastic backing that does little by way of padding or heat/sound insulation. 

An important choice you will have to make is the grade of carpet to buy? The choice you make might understandably depend on how much money you wish to spend. Price verses durability is the key factor to consider to ensuring you buy the right car carpet. Generally, carpet is graded by the materials used, the fiber type, the fiber weight, the tuft twist and how well it is constructed with regard to three basic things – fiber, density and twist. Carpets can be made from many different fibers. You have five basic synthetic fibers to choose from: nylon, polypropylene, polyester, polyester made from recycled materials, Blend (a combination of two fibers). 

The main problem is many carpet salespeople will not help you make the right fiber choices. They either do not have sufficient knowledge, or just don not bother what fiber you select. Density is how thick the carpet is. Generally, the thicker the better, but the pile height also plays a role in how long the carpet will look like new and how easy it is to clean and vacuum. Better quality carpets have a density rating of 2000 or more. In carpets, fibers are grouped together and twisted to form tufts. The amount of twist each tuft has is important. Some carpets have a tighter twist which makes the carpet more durable and look like new longer.

Make sure to pull the new auto carpet right out of the box as soon as it arrives, since it has a tendency to roll up and get crammed otherwise. The auto carpet will need about 24-48 hours to relax and regain its shape. Sometimes, letting it sit in a warm room, or direct sunlight will help speed up this process. 

As regards the color of car carpets, you can choose the color according to your requirement, and there is no price variation. What is more, if you want to add your logo on the seat cushion/mat or change its dimension, the dealers will be able to comply with your request.

Sharon Samraj is an expert author, who is presently working on the site Convertible tops, Automotive interiors . He has written many articles in various topics like Ford replacement tops, Auto headliners ,Auto interiors. For more information contact www.topsandseats.com

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Tips on Purchasing Your First Car



Tips on Purchasing Your First Car

Buying your first car is not a simple task, though no doubt it is an exciting experience. Like passing your driver’s test and getting your own driver’s license, owning a car is a rite of passage, a coming-of-age experience. There are a lot of factors to consider when picking a car including: the vehicle’s age (brand new or pre-owned?) and its state (would you like to keep it as it is or make some changes to its seat covers, steering wheels, rims, and floor mats before you officially take it on the road?).

Unless you own a bank account like that of the Sultan of Saudi Arabia, you can forget owning a Lamborghini or a Vanquish with an expensive set of dashboard covers for your first set of wheels. There are several names of car makers out there whose brand new models are affordable and don’t require you to rob a bank. If you’re a teenager in college or high school, it is best that you stick with a car salesman with a good reputation and solid experience. They can help a lot in the buying and registering processes, including getting insurance quotes and policies, total assessment, and even customization of seat covers and other accessories.

Another thing you should look for in your first car is its safety features, from air bags to antilock brakes. A car loaded with a lot of safety measures is probably worth paying a little extra more particularly for first time drivers who are more accident prone, even if the car’s accessories such as floor mats or stereo system are less extravagant. 

The engine is also an element. If you plan to use it on long distance trips, a diesel engine is a good way to go. For multiple yet short trips within the city, a car running on petrol engine is the logical and economical option. If you are living in a city, a two-wheel drive is all you need. If you drive through dirt roads, rocky trails, and almost all kinds of uneven terrain, 4-wheel drive is a necessity .

If buying a used car, better check the vehicle’s history and paperwork such as mileage, maintenance schedules, and its interiors such as the state of the upholstery to see if you need to buy new dashboard covers or seat covers, and the quality of the sound to see if it’s worth the price. If you don’t agree with the asking price, try to see if you can lower it to a better price. If a dealer is not very willing to show the car’s record, then cut the deal off. You should also check the chassis and engine numbers and match them with the dealer’s documents, as well as the owner’s insurance records.

Of course, you have to check the car for dings and bent bumpers and smashed headlights before going for a test drive. When doing test runs, see if the brakes and buttons are functioning properly. Also scrutinize how the car feels; some of the signs you should look out for is unnecessary vibrations and faulty handling. 

Whether you are buying a brand new car or a used one, make sure you can afford to pay it off in 48 months. If you can’t get it in 48 months, then look for another. Buying something you can’t afford has a lot of adverse consequences. 

While it is mostly true that owning a car enables a person to do a lot of things, it also entails financial responsibilities and obligations. Keeping things in balance however, can help a car owner enjoy his new car.

About the Author: Dan Bodrero has owned and operated his own store, manufacturing and sellingseatcovers and dashboard mats for nearly every make and model of car truck or SUV. Dan takes pride in the quality of his workmanship.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

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