Although we're just now officially in proper autumn, the seasonal changes in our area have left summer and comfortable weather in the dust.
With high winds, heavy rains, slick roads, construction, and a number of other potentially-lethal obstacles, it's incredibly important to have one's car in good mechanical shape.
Many mechanics and shops offer multi-point checkups or winter prep checkups to make sure your car is ready to handle whatever the weather and seasonal change will bring. These check ups can range from $25-$95 depending on the year and make of your car, and the type of shop you're going to.
Make sure you keep an energy bar or two in the glove compartment, a blanket, jumper cables, key de-icer, snow remover, and any other useful tools and equipment you'll need in your car.
Safe travels!
Showing posts with label accessories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label accessories. Show all posts
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Shopping for a Radar Detector
Although in some states (and Canada) it's an illegal practice, radar detectors mounted on your car's dashboard are quite common in the state of Illinois.
Radar detectors are docked/installed either on your windshield (with suction cups, much as you would a GPS unit) or on top of your dashboard (w two pieces of velcro or more permanently secured) and serve to notify you of police speed traps (radar or otherwise electronic) and other road hazards that limit the speed you can drive on your local roads or on the highway. Many consider radar detectors helpful in preventing speeding tickets, though if you drive faster than your ability to react to your detector's alert...it's not much good then is it? Also, you will not be able to detect plane-assisted speed traps.
There are a variety of options, installations, etc., for today's innumerable choices of radar detectors out in the market.
For example, you can choose between 14-band and 15-band, plus installation as complex as those involving sensors under your front and rear bumpers (my parents' first radar detector was installed this way on our '91 Chevy Caprice). These more complex installations benefit form professional assistance such as Best Buy Geek Squad automotive installation services.
You can also select detectors which can operate stealthily so radar detector detectors (RDDs) won't catch you red-handed. Other detectors can also alert you to red-light cameras. Essentially, the point here is that the options are innumerable, and it's up to you to read up on a few of these options and begin your "must have" and "would like" list of options for your particular case.
Remember, the more options, the more reading and learning you will have to do with the little detector's very long manual. It's amazing how much multitasking they can squeeze into a very few buttons.
The brand that I've heard consistently about, and positive reviews on, is Cobra. My family first became acquainted with Cobra while shopping around for our second detector back in the mid 1990s on QVC. These online shopping networks are actually quite helpful to get you familiarized with particular detector's abilities, industry standards, and proper installation/operation. Not to just promo one brand and particular product to death, but learning about what one company offers or what one particular product's options are can enlighten you to what's out there and get you closer to figuring out what you want.
I have been researching a radar detector since January-February when I got my second speeding ticket within weeks of the first one. The first thing that came out of my mom and dad's mouths when I asked them separately about radar detectors these days was Cobra. They drive well over the 12,000 miles a year that each American typically drives, and have been avoiding getting speeding tickets rather consistently--though the occasional airplane trap busts my dad on the highway.
These days, the ubiquitous red-light cameras, combined with increased police traps create a fantastic revenue source for local police departments and communities. However, no matter how patriotic and supportive of our police and armed forces we may be, we really deserve to keep our money in our pockets where it belongs.
These days I noticed stepped up efforts, with increased speed traps along highways (particularly, after those very rare times when construction projects are completed in Illinois--haha) and I assume that this is around the time when their department funds are running low or around promotion time. Anyway, this is just personal speculation and doesn't get you neither here nor there. Back to radar detectors.
The resources I tapped into to learn more about radar detector technology, industry standards, and what would work best for me:
Happy shopping!
Radar detectors are docked/installed either on your windshield (with suction cups, much as you would a GPS unit) or on top of your dashboard (w two pieces of velcro or more permanently secured) and serve to notify you of police speed traps (radar or otherwise electronic) and other road hazards that limit the speed you can drive on your local roads or on the highway. Many consider radar detectors helpful in preventing speeding tickets, though if you drive faster than your ability to react to your detector's alert...it's not much good then is it? Also, you will not be able to detect plane-assisted speed traps.
There are a variety of options, installations, etc., for today's innumerable choices of radar detectors out in the market.
For example, you can choose between 14-band and 15-band, plus installation as complex as those involving sensors under your front and rear bumpers (my parents' first radar detector was installed this way on our '91 Chevy Caprice). These more complex installations benefit form professional assistance such as Best Buy Geek Squad automotive installation services.
You can also select detectors which can operate stealthily so radar detector detectors (RDDs) won't catch you red-handed. Other detectors can also alert you to red-light cameras. Essentially, the point here is that the options are innumerable, and it's up to you to read up on a few of these options and begin your "must have" and "would like" list of options for your particular case.
Remember, the more options, the more reading and learning you will have to do with the little detector's very long manual. It's amazing how much multitasking they can squeeze into a very few buttons.
The brand that I've heard consistently about, and positive reviews on, is Cobra. My family first became acquainted with Cobra while shopping around for our second detector back in the mid 1990s on QVC. These online shopping networks are actually quite helpful to get you familiarized with particular detector's abilities, industry standards, and proper installation/operation. Not to just promo one brand and particular product to death, but learning about what one company offers or what one particular product's options are can enlighten you to what's out there and get you closer to figuring out what you want.
I have been researching a radar detector since January-February when I got my second speeding ticket within weeks of the first one. The first thing that came out of my mom and dad's mouths when I asked them separately about radar detectors these days was Cobra. They drive well over the 12,000 miles a year that each American typically drives, and have been avoiding getting speeding tickets rather consistently--though the occasional airplane trap busts my dad on the highway.
These days, the ubiquitous red-light cameras, combined with increased police traps create a fantastic revenue source for local police departments and communities. However, no matter how patriotic and supportive of our police and armed forces we may be, we really deserve to keep our money in our pockets where it belongs.
These days I noticed stepped up efforts, with increased speed traps along highways (particularly, after those very rare times when construction projects are completed in Illinois--haha) and I assume that this is around the time when their department funds are running low or around promotion time. Anyway, this is just personal speculation and doesn't get you neither here nor there. Back to radar detectors.
The resources I tapped into to learn more about radar detector technology, industry standards, and what would work best for me:
- Friends and family - nothing like first hand accounts of what works for folks in your local area. Their hard-earned lessons can be your lessons.
- Lots of reading online reviews - check out pages like cnet, znet, amazon.com, or a Google search (best radar detectors) check out the ratings, reviews, and just read different descriptions and note down options that seem interesting
- Go to a brick and mortar - check out things first-hand, determine what size and installation options would work for your particular vehicle
- will you install or do you prefer a professional installation?
- do you have enough power outlets for all your stuff (phone, mp3 player, GPS, etc.)
- volume control, voice prompts?
- stealth mode?
- red-light detector?
- highway vs. city modes?
Happy shopping!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Car Repairs and Pimping
I experienced a rear-end collision in late April that left my Infiniti's liftgate shut-in, the cargo area damaged, and the rear bumper body panel shot to oblivion. The body shop (Lisle Auto Plaza Body Works, and Vince in particular) was spectacularly prompt and provided some of the best customer service I've experienced in 12 years of day-to-day driving.
Although it took almost three weeks to repair the damage, thankfully, I only had to pay a deductible for what ended up costing well over $9,000. Did I forget to mention the guilty party was uninsured? The woman behind me was insured but not accountable since her car had come to a complete stop. In my rear end apparently? Anyway...
The funny part of the matter is that I had just made an order earlier that day, the day of the accident, for two air deflectors to add to my car's hood and moon roof. For some unexpected reason, there was some sort of delay in the shipping of the deflectors to the dealership parts department, so they didn't make their way to me until after the car had been repaired. How do you like 'em apples?
While my car was in the body shop, my father very generously (and corageously) loaned me his "boat" Lincoln MKX. The car is extremely comfortable, and very well equipped to the brim, however, the acceleration and braking are exactly why I got rid of my Mercury Milan, but multiplied by three. The Lincoln is a very heavy vehicle that could definitely be the perfect vehicle for some (like my dad), and an antagonistic driving experience for others--like me! After thanking him profusely for the use of his car, I mentioned to him what I didn't like about the bulky vehicle, mostly just being an amplification of my old Mercury Milan.
Meanwhile, I simply cannot step off cloud nine right now, as I am still very infatuated with my Infiniti and wouldn't trade it for the world. Even though it is a second hand vehicle, and even now since it is a post-accident vehicle! I especially like the sporty look the new air deflectors provide. The reason I had them installed is: the hood was getting dinged and scratched from road debris, and the moon roof was creating noticeable drag and fuel inefficiency when it was open.
Ever fall in love with the car your driving? It's a great feeling, even if others may not always agree.
Although it took almost three weeks to repair the damage, thankfully, I only had to pay a deductible for what ended up costing well over $9,000. Did I forget to mention the guilty party was uninsured? The woman behind me was insured but not accountable since her car had come to a complete stop. In my rear end apparently? Anyway...
 |
| the rear-ending accident damage |
While my car was in the body shop, my father very generously (and corageously) loaned me his "boat" Lincoln MKX. The car is extremely comfortable, and very well equipped to the brim, however, the acceleration and braking are exactly why I got rid of my Mercury Milan, but multiplied by three. The Lincoln is a very heavy vehicle that could definitely be the perfect vehicle for some (like my dad), and an antagonistic driving experience for others--like me! After thanking him profusely for the use of his car, I mentioned to him what I didn't like about the bulky vehicle, mostly just being an amplification of my old Mercury Milan.
 |
| After the air deflector installation |
He confessed that he was also tired of the acceleration and braking, and especially, the bad visibility when backing up (I didn't experience this last point, as I was even able to parallel park in busy Naperville), and had been mulling over whether he wanted to buy another Mercedes like my mom's (GLK 350 fully loaded). He's still mulling over which one he wants to get, however, is leaning towards the mid-level SUV (ML 350)...that's another hefty vehicle in my opinion. This supposed next purchase would account for the third Mercedes SUV he's purchased in the span of five years (!).
Ever fall in love with the car your driving? It's a great feeling, even if others may not always agree.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Of Navigation Systems and Multiple CD Players
I was looking into enhancing my current audio/nav options in my car. I don't have installed navigation, but I do have satellite/am/fm radio and a single CD player.
Each time I've called up my dealer (twice now) and asked for information about either adding a nav system or replacing the CD player to a multiple CD one, they've left me empty handed. One time they recommended I ask an aftermarket provider such as Best Buy.
I've heard of people going to Best Buy's Car Installation services (and Car Installation Parts and GPS and Car products section) and getting spectacular service and products. But I haven't read about enough cases or enough about their services in general. This is also a major expense that I'm just negotiating in my head for now, and just researching. I don't anticipate making a decision yet until I get enough info to make me comfortable.
One thing I learned from Edmunds' pimping one of their long-term testers and something screwed up their electrical system. But they got that fixed up in a jiffy. That's a scary thought though, to have your electrical system get screwed up. I'm usually only partial to fire alarms as they regard chili spiciness, not cars!
So I'm dancing around with the idea of calling my local Best Buy up and asking for an in-person estimate conversation. Probably for a Saturday morning.
What other aftermarket service providers are out there? Have you had work done on your car to good results? What about not so good results?
Each time I've called up my dealer (twice now) and asked for information about either adding a nav system or replacing the CD player to a multiple CD one, they've left me empty handed. One time they recommended I ask an aftermarket provider such as Best Buy.
I've heard of people going to Best Buy's Car Installation services (and Car Installation Parts and GPS and Car products section) and getting spectacular service and products. But I haven't read about enough cases or enough about their services in general. This is also a major expense that I'm just negotiating in my head for now, and just researching. I don't anticipate making a decision yet until I get enough info to make me comfortable.
One thing I learned from Edmunds' pimping one of their long-term testers and something screwed up their electrical system. But they got that fixed up in a jiffy. That's a scary thought though, to have your electrical system get screwed up. I'm usually only partial to fire alarms as they regard chili spiciness, not cars!
So I'm dancing around with the idea of calling my local Best Buy up and asking for an in-person estimate conversation. Probably for a Saturday morning.
What other aftermarket service providers are out there? Have you had work done on your car to good results? What about not so good results?
Friday, March 26, 2010
MacNeil Automotive
I just found out that MacNeil Automotive is moving to Bolingbrook, Illinois. If you ever research carpet mats at all, you may very well come across McNeil Automotive and their Weather Tech product line. They're based out of Downers Grove, Illinois, but will be building a new facility in Bolingbrook to accommodate growth. Lucky them in this economy!
They have customizable and sizable heavy duty mats that help protect carpeting in the leg well and trunk or cargo spaces. I think the size variation and the customizability of their products make them such a strong player in this market. They also sell accessories such as license plate frames and protectors.
I became familiar with their line of products when I was researching mats back in the late summer of 2009. I ended up buying their rather expensive ($122.95 w tax + shipping) but durable all-weather floor mats.
The company's customer service has proven to be reliable, knowledgeable, and are lightning fast.
When I switched cars recently, I just cut the mats down to the right size and slipped them right in. They've saved me anguish over staining or ruining the carpeting in my cars, in Chicago's severe--and salty!--winters or muddy summers. It was a great investment for me.
What accessories do you trust and rely on to help you prolong your car's use/value?
They have customizable and sizable heavy duty mats that help protect carpeting in the leg well and trunk or cargo spaces. I think the size variation and the customizability of their products make them such a strong player in this market. They also sell accessories such as license plate frames and protectors.
Photo from WeatherTech.com
The company's customer service has proven to be reliable, knowledgeable, and are lightning fast.
When I switched cars recently, I just cut the mats down to the right size and slipped them right in. They've saved me anguish over staining or ruining the carpeting in my cars, in Chicago's severe--and salty!--winters or muddy summers. It was a great investment for me.
What accessories do you trust and rely on to help you prolong your car's use/value?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)