Finding a Good Car Air Freshener

The scent of a brand new car can be very pleasant. Unfortunately, that smell can fade rapidly if your car is not kept clean. Odors from trash, dirt, smoking, etc can affect how your car's interior can smell. Keeping your car clean can help avoid this problem and keep odors out. This can also help preserve your new car scent. A car air freshener or car deodorizer can also remove odors and improve the scent of your vehicle. These can be achieved with various scents. Many are available to choose from giving you a variety to suit your own preference. Removing foul scents and odors and keep you as well as your passengers happy when riding in your vehicle. Trying simple tips or ideas can make a complete difference in the quality of your vehicle.

There are many products that can improve the scent of your car. These can be items that clip on to your air conditioning vent to ventilate the scent throughout the inside of the vehicle. You may be able to use a car air freshener spray to spray as you please within the vehicle. These can come in different scents and really depends on your own preference. Some of these products may have a cartridge that may require to be changed after a period of time. Check the instructions of the product you have to ensure proper use. It is recommended to have a clean car interior beforehand to ensure better results. These products can generally be found at auto parts stores or car washes. They are made in small convenient sizes to make it easy for installation.

Using common household items can be a possibility as well. This can include baking soda, dryer sheets, or other recipes to keep your car smelling clean. Making your own air freshener is also a possibility. Research recipes online and experiment to find what suits you the best. It would be ideal to use something that will last and has deodorizing capabilities.

Having a car air freshener can be very beneficial for your car. It can keep odors out and keep you and your passengers happy when on the road. Your car will be cleaner overall and will maintain a clean scent and appearance. Bottom line, keeping the inside of your car clean is the first line of defense for keeping bad scents and odors out. Adding scents or deodorizers will reinforce the work you put in to maintain a clean car.

By John Waller

The 5 Best Dashboard Cameras For 2014

Are you planning to join the growing number of people who install a dashboard camera in their car for that extra bit of evidence in case of an accident, road rage, or meteors falling from the sky? Then you may be wondering which one of the dozens of different models is the best choice for you!

It's easy to be overwhelmed at first, therefore we have selected the five very best dashboard cameras that you can possibly get in early 2014. We will be looking at dash cams from every price range, starting as low as $50 for a simple-yet effective G1W and moving up the price scale to almost 10 times as much for a top-quality, feature-packed dual-channel camera, the BlackVue DR550GW.
Note that the cameras featured in this article are not necessarily the newest cameras around. We have evaluated technical specifications as well as customer satisfaction for each camera during the course of 2013. Rest assured that the five winners presented here have been field tested by thousands of customers and received excellent feedback all around.
So What Sets A Dash Cam Apart From Other Cameras?
In case you are wondering why you can't just use a regular video camera, or even your phone's cam, it's because a dashboard camera should have all of the following features:

• Connect to your car's cigarette lighter with a long power cable (at least 12ft) that you can run around the windshield, tucking it away neatly so it is hidden from sight.
• Auto on/off: Dashboard cameras start recording when you start the car's engine, and stop when you park. That way, you don't have to worry about forgetting to turn your camera on or off.
• Loop recording: Enables the camera to overwrite the oldest bit of footage when the memory card is full, so you never run out of disk space.
• Impact detection / G-sensor: A G-sensor makes sure that if an impact is detected, the video footage immediately preceding and following the impact won't be overwritten by the loop recording feature, so you don't accidentally lose critical evidence.
• Time and date stamp on video (and speed if we have GPS): useful should you ever need your video footage as evidence in court.
• Resolution: 1080p (1920×1080 pixels) is pretty much standard in 2014. While there are still a couple of 720p (1280×720 pixels) dash cams available, most new cameras support 1080p resolution.
• Interfaces: Dash cams generally come with HDMI, USB, and A/V interfaces.

Note that the cameras presented here come with all of the features listed above.

• Storage: Most dashboard cameras support SD cards up to 32GB in size, with the notable exception of the Lukas LK-7900, which supports 128GB of storage capacity.

Having had a look at the basic features a dash cam should have, let's now check out our top camera choices for this year:
The Top 5 Dash Cams In 2014
G1W - Decent Video Footage For Tight Budgets
At around $50, this dash cam is an excellent choice if you can't spend a lot of money and just need a security camera, without being too concerned about video quality. The G1W has decent video at day, but night video quality isn't the best. Also, video footage from this camera can often be rather shaky.
Nevertheless, at this price the G1W makes for a decent security camera that will reliably capture what goes on in front of your car.
The G1W comes with an integrated 2.7" screen, which is great for adjusting the field of view and playing back video on the spot. The viewing angle is 120 degrees.
Mini 0801 Ambarella - Top Value For Money
The Mini 0801 is a small and stylish dashboard camera released in early 2013 that quickly became a best seller. It is available for less than $100 if you go for the basic version without GPS and internal memory. Video quality is great during the daytime, and average at night.
The Mini 0801 has a nice inconspicuous design and features a 1.5" screen for ease of operation. The angle of view is 135 degrees. A GPS logger and 8MB of internal memory are available optionally for around $10 extra each.
A nice feature of this camera is that the electrical contacts for the power supply are built directly into the camera mount, so if you want to remove the camera from your car you can do so without having to unplug the power cable.
DOD LS 300W - Excellent Video Quality
Another top seller, the DOD LS300W has excellent video quality day and night. Night vision is augmented by the WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) feature. This, combined with a large aperture of F/1.6 and a high bit rate of about 15 Mbps, makes for one of the highest quality dashboard cameras available to date.
The size of the camera is about the same as the G1W, but at 140 degrees the angle of view is larger. Boot up time is fast and a relatively large 2.7" screen is included for easy video viewing right in your car. The LS300W doesn't have GPS, but there is a newer version called LS330W which comes with an external GPS unit.
Lukas LK-7900 - Huge Recording Capacity And Great Heat Resistance
The Lukas LK-7900 is remarkable in two ways: One, it is the first camera to support 128GB SDXC memory cards, allowing for a whopping 28 hours of video footage. Two, this camera can withstand extremely high temperatures of up to 90 degrees Celsius (194 Fahrenheit), which is a great feature to have if you live in a hot climate, where lesser cameras might melt when leave your car parked in the sun for too long.
Due to the lower bit rate, the LK-7900′s video quality is not quite as good as the DOD LS300W's, but still very good at day and above average at night. The LK-7900 is small and round, making it hardly visible when affixed behind your rear view mirror. A GPS logger is included.
Optionally, you can acquire a so-called circular polarizing lens (CPL) separately for this camera. A CPL filter reduces reflections on the windshield when driving around in sunny weather (this is a problem that all dash cams have). Remember to remove it at night though, otherwise your video will be too dark.
BlackVue DR550GW-2CH - Full Featured Dual Channel Dash Cam
The BlackVue DR550GW-2CH dual channel cam tops off our list of the best dashboard cameras for 2014. At $450, this is the costliest and also by far the most luxurious of the five cameras presented here.
First of all, dual channel means it records out your front and rear windows. While the main camera unit is mounted on your windshield as usual, a smaller camera looks out through your rear window and records whatever is going on behind you. The two are connected by a long coaxial cable.
While the front camera records great quality 1080p video, the rear camera records at reduced resolution of 720p, which is naturally not as detailed as 1080p but the rear footage is still quite alright.
This camera doesn't have a screen, but it is one of very few dash cams that support Wi-Fi. This means you can connect it wirelessly to your smart phone or laptop. Moreover, this camera comes with an in-built GPS logger. It also has a voice menu feature, which allows you to easily operate it while driving.

By Sebas T Reyman

Can I Really Make Money From My Salvage Car?

More and more British drivers are getting a better price for their scrap and repairable cars with online marketplaces. Online salvage and scrap marketplaces allow you to find a buyer for your car no matter where you are in the UK. If your car is MOT'd, crash-damaged, written-off or just scrap you may be surprised to see just how much you can get for it. Collection and payment are usually made within just a few days of an offer being accepted. Inevitably, some services are more reputable than others though so it does make sense to shop around to find a company that you can trust. You should always ensure that prices are guaranteed, so that any price you're offered on the internet or over the phone is always the price that you receive in reality. You also need to ensure that any paperwork is dealt with properly, and that the car will be taken out of your legal ownership once it is taken away. Reading reviews can help you to make an informed judgement about any service.

A Project worth Persevering With
So, why are so many buyers keen to purchase salvage cars? The market has made it easier for buyers to snap up models that they are interested in at a much lower price than they would pay. Although these vehicles usually require time and investment, for a hobbying mechanic they represent an excellent opportunity to get a great car back on the road. If you've got a prestige salvage car, you can expect to receive a particular significant sum for it in most cases.

An Additional Option
Although it can take months or years to strip a car of its salvage status, many buyers are more than happy to put the required time and money in. Don't worry if your salvage car is not prestige in nature though, as buyers can nearly always be found for any vehicle, even if it's just for scrap metal and parts. Salvage cars are rarely sold on once they are readied for the road again. One of the main benefits of restoring a salvage car is that it can allow a buyer to reduce their reliance on their main car, therefore extending its shelf life whilst giving them too great vehicles to sit on their driveway.

Hit the Road Again
A salvaged car may be used to run around in and whilst the other vehicle is used for special occasions. It doesn't usually cost much to insure a salvage car either, and they can sometimes be used for a long period of time before they finally reach the end of their lives. Not every insurer will offer a policy on a restored car, but it's never too tough to find one that will. Owners of salvage cars have to prove to inspectors that the vehicles are worthy of being on the road again. In order to demonstrate this, "before and after" photos can be taken.

By Chris Boffin

The Lotus M100 Elan Sports Car

A review of The Lotus M100 Elan Sports Car, covering development, important features, and technical data of this the twenty eighth model in the Lotus range.

In this Article, I offer a nostalgic look at the Lotus M100 Elan, one of an elite group of classic cars, which was manufactured during the period 1989 to 1992.

The M100 Elan Series 1

The original Lotus Elan sports car, designated the Type 26, was launched in October 1962 at the Earl's Court Motor Show in London, and was given the name Lotus Elan 1500.

It was phased out in 1975, having evolved into a number of variants, the last being the Elan Plus Two.

In 1986, the future of Lotus was secured when it was acquired by General Motors.

However, the idea of a small convertible, with an outsourced engine, was still kept alive, and design work began in 1986.

Consequently, in August 1989, the Elan was re-launched, at the Motorfair in Earl's Court London, as the Lotus M100 Elan Series 1 sports car, having been designated the Type M100.

There were, in fact, two variants on offer:

• The standard non-turbocharged model, the Elan 1.6, developed 130 bhp at 7200 rpm, and 105 ft/lbs of torque at 4200 rpm
• The turbocharged special equipment model, the Elan SE, with an "SE" badge on the boot lid, developed 165 bhp at 6600 rpm, and 148 ft/lbs of torque at 4200 rpm

The Elan was a two seater convertible, designed by Lotus' Peter Steven, and featured a fibreglass body on a steel chassis, with four wheel independent suspension.

It was conceived as a mass market convertible, with the target market being the US.

The M100 was the first, and indeed the last, car with front wheel drive to be built by Lotus.

Following its launch, press reaction was somewhat mixed, but it quickly gained the accolade of being "the finest front wheel car".

It was powered by the 1588 cc, double overhead cam, 4-cylinder, 16 valve, multipoint fuel injected, Japanese Isuzu 4XE1 engine, with an alloy head and cast iron block, as used in the Isuzu Impulse saloon.

Furthermore, as a result of it being extensively modified by Lotus, and fitted with an IMI turbocharger, the SE variant developed 165 bhp, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.7 secs, and a top speed of 137 mph.

It had a five speed gearbox, and servo assisted disc brakes all round.

Typical changes made to the Isuzu-Lotus engine included a new exhaust system, modified suspension, and upgrading the engine management system to improve torque.

The M100 Elan Series 2

Unfortunately, the launch of the M100 coincided with the onset of economic recession in the UK and US, combined with the introduction of the Mazda MX-5 sports convertible, which was marketed on the nostalgic concept of the original Elan, whilst the M100 focused on new technology.

Put simply, the Elan was regarded as the right product at the wrong time.

Furthermore, sales of both variants were insufficient to recoup the massive development costs.

Consequently, when Lotus was sold to Bugatti in 1993, the loss-making M100 was discontinued.

Between November 1989 and July 1992, a total of 3,855 M100's were built, of which all but 130 were the turbocharged SE variant.

A limited edition version, for the US market, featured a redesigned body with an alternative spoiler at the rear, a nose that was extended to comply with US regulations, and larger 16 inch wheels.

A total of 559 units of this variant were built.

Between June 1994 and September 1995 whilst Lotus was owned by Bugatti, a limited edition of 800 turbocharged Elan M100 Series 2 sports car units were built following the chance discovery of a warehouse full of surplus engines and gearboxes.

This model was fitted with a new dashboard, the power steering was uprated, and the suspension was stiffened.

Since, by this time, it was necessary to fit catalytic converters to the Bosal exhaust system, the power output of the Series 2 SE variant was reduced to 155 bhp, whilst the 0-60 mph time increased to 7.5 secs.

The ABS system was only available on the Series 2 models.

With improved build quality and uprated interiors, the Series 2 was a greater success than was the Series 1.

When production of the Series 2 ended in 1995, Kia Motors of South Korea acquired the rights to build their own version of the Elan.

This marked the end of the Lotus M100 Elan

Perhaps this stroll down memory lane might have answered, or at least shed light on, a possible question:

Which Lotus Sports Car is Your Favourite?

However, should this question still remain unanswered, I will be reviewing, in some detail, in future articles within this website, the entire range of Lotus sports cars which were featured in the memorable era spanning 1952 to 1996.

I hope you join me in my nostalgic travels "down sports car memory lane".

By Peter Radford

Are Used Car Tyres Safe?

It is no secret, brand new car tyres can be very costly, this is why many car owners opt for used tyres because they seem like the ideal way to save some good cash on car maintenance.

However, there is more to buying car tyres than just getting a set with a lot of tread and for a cheap price. What many car owners fail to notice is that using used car tyres poses some safety risks that might not be evident then, but will be later.

Car tyres are made out of rubber compounds that are known to age as time goes whether used frequently, barely used or completely unused. However, it is really not clear how long the tyres can serve the car by providing the owner safe transportation until deterioration occurs to the point where they fail to serve their purpose.

When To Change Your Tyres

Tyre manufacturers recommend tyre replacement between 5-10 years regardless of wear and of course depending on the conditions. If the tyres are frequently exposed to humidity, heat, direct sunlight, salt air and other factors that can lead to quicker breakdown of the rubber compounds, then they should be replaced after a few years.

Buying used car tyres should not be an option, it doesn't matter if you are saving on cash or are trying to be environment conscious by preserving the natural resources by use of used tyres. Either way you are reducing your road safety conditions by driving around in used tyres and further outlined below are reasons why.

You Have No History Of The Tyre

It is easy to find the right size of a used car tyre for your vehicle but there is no way you can tell if the tyre was in a vehicle that was frequently overloaded, or was driven at very high speeds.

Such facts can affect the tyre's functionality in a way that might not be initially noticeable but might lead to failure in the near future. The tyres might also have been wrongly repaired, unnoticeably damaged, exposed to harsh elements or simply mishandled which can later affect transportation.

You Can Miss A Recall

With all new tyres being the registered to the car owner buying it, in case of a recall for any reason, the buyer can be contacted easily. However, with used tyres the link between the manufacturer and the buyer is no more and the buyer of used tyres may never know if the tyres have been recalled because of a safety issue. This might be very dangerous for you because you may end up baring the consequences as the buyer of the recalled used tyre.

Will fail When You Desperately Need Them

With used tyres, you can never be sure. Since you have no record of their history and are accepting them because they have plenty of tread and are sold at a great price, you are never quite sure when they will fail. There are common cases where the used tyres failed when the car owners had to rush to work while late, an important meeting, when tending to an emergency and so on.

If You have To Buy

If you are buying used tyres, then let it be only when you are buying a used car because a used car will obviously have used tyres. This way you can see the vehicle the tyres are from and can tell the mileage and overall condition.

You can also get maintenance records of the car to further help you tell the actual state of the tyres. You will not know the complete history of those used tyres in the second-hand vehicle, but you can tell if they are in good condition by looking at the vehicle.

If the vehicle looks neglected, then there are high chances the tyres are too. In this case you will have no other option but get brand new tyres. This is because the safety of you as a car owner and any occupants in your car will depend on the condition of the four tyres that you are riding on.

The Bottom Line

Buying a new set of tyres is no doubt a worthwhile practice because you are wisely preventing the danger posed by the unknown condition of the tyres. Used car tyres will save you some good amount, but they are not really worth the huge risk they pose. Their disadvantages far outweigh the advantages.

If you are in need of changing your tyres then an expert tyre fitting company like http://www.gilnahirktyres.co.uk/cheap-tyres-belfast can help you out.

By Tyler Higgins

Effect of Wheel Size on Your Car

Is Bigger Better? The Effect of Wheel Size on Your Car

Plus-sizing your wheels and tires is an easy way to upgrade a vehicle's look. As a wheel gets larger in diameter, the tire's sidewall must necessarily shrink to maintain the same profile. These larger alloy wheels with their shorter tire sidewalls have bold visual appeal. Bigger tires and wheels look cool, no doubt about it. But what is the effect of wheel size on your car? And does a bigger wheel add anything to your vehicle's performance?

Typically, someone wishing to plus-size starts from a 15- or 16-inch standard wheel size and upgrades to a 17-, 18- or 19-inch diameter. As wheel size increases, tire diameter decreases to maintain the same overall diameter, ensuring proper clearance, gearing and speedometer readings. Large diameter wheels and tires are often only available in increased widths, so plus-sizers must take their wheel well and fender depth into consideration as well. A manufacturer's car wheel size guide can help determine what sizes will fit your make and model.

As to performance, increasing the size of your wheels has both benefits and drawbacks. On the plus side, tires with shorter sidewalls can improve steering response and cornering stability. Increasing the wheel diameter and width may also increase traction. On the downside, larger tires mean more weight. More weight hurts fuel efficiency, acceleration and stopping distance. Wider tires have a tendency to float, reducing traction in inclement weather. Perhaps the biggest downside to plus-sizing is the reduced durability of the tires themselves. Narrow tire sidewalls don't have the strength of standard tires and can be damaged by potholes and road debris. They can also sustain damage from getting pinched more easily.

Numerous wheel size comparison road tests give 17-inch and 18-inch wheels and tires the highest ratings, citing good grip, steering, braking and a comfortable feel. Upgrading from a 17- to 18-inch diameter had negligible effects on ride quality and offered additional grip. Heavy 19-inch wheels and tires fared the worst in road tests, straining the suspension and increasing impact harshness. In contrast, 15- and 16-inch standard wheel sizes were the quietest and had the smoothest ride, but had slightly more understeer on the skidpad.

Ultimately, plus-sizing comes down to a personal preference for visual appeal over performance, but an upgrade to a 17- or 18-inch setup makes a good compromise. Be sure to take the likely effects of wheel size on your car into account.

By Ankit S Agarwal

Three Advantages Of Having Mini Dash Cams Installed In Your Vehicles

With the ever-increasing amount of people on the road these days, more and more accidents occur. If you wind up involved in an accident, having an in-car camera installed will protect you from wrongful blame when you're not at fault. However, that's not the only reason for putting a dashboard camera in your car. There are several other advantages of having mini dash cams installed in our vehicles. Below I have listed a few of those advantages.

Insurance Premiums

Installing a dashboard cam can prevent your insurance premiums from rising. Drivers have started using the video from these cameras as an independent witness to prove who is at fault after accidents. You will now have rock solid evidence of any collision or other incident should you need it. Right now there are no insurance companies that offer discounts on premiums for adults that install dash cams. However, there is one company that discounts premiums for young new drivers that have them. This brings me to the next advantage on our list.

Teen Safe Driver Program

A company known as American Family Insurance has started a Teen Safe Driver Program where they give new teenage drivers a free mini dash cam for one year. Included in the program is driver coaching and education for helping them be better drivers. The camera that the company provides records inside and outside of the vehicle when it detects swerving and sudden speed decreases or increases. The recordings are then sent to the driving coaches through Wi-Fi where they can grade the teen drivers on a weekly report card. Parents can review the report each week by logging in and checking the videos and grades. By participating, teens get a ten percent discount on their premiums. Therefore, not only are these cameras allowing lower premiums for teen drivers but they also help parents keep an eye on their children's driving. All the while, making our teens better drivers and making the roads safer to drive.

Crash for Cash

This is similar to the reasoning behind the insurance premiums. A dash cam protects you against scammers that intentionally have car accidents to extort money from their victims. It has become such an epidemic that it now has its own nickname. This dangerous stunt has become known as, the "crash for cash" scam.

You can find thousands of dashboard cam clips on YouTube. The reason is incidents are commonly caught on tape. They're usually caused by a person doing something that is less than ethical. For example, one of the most popular dash cam videos shows a guy that runs in to the road and starts acting like he was hit by a car. The funny thing about it though, is that the car had already come to a complete stop before the guy ever came in to the road. Who knows what would've happened if there hadn't been video evidence to prove that the guy was faking? Considering the cost at risk of not having one versus the cost of the cam itself, the advantages of having mini dash cams installed are obvious.

By Wes Holyfield