Monthly Archives: December 2009

Author : Joe Sirugo

An automatic transmission is just that- automatic, consequently most people tend to pay very little attention to it until a major problem rears its ugly head

Picture the scenario- you are driving along in the lap of luxury, the satellite radio blaring and the heated seats on You have become accustomed to the comfort level and great driving experience brought to you by BMW

You decide to stop at the local convenience store on your way home to grab some ice cream for the kids and a bottle of water for yourself Upon returning to your car, you start it up, check your rear view mirror, put the shifter in reverse and then the unthinkable happens- the engine just revs as if it is in neutral and the car goes nowhere!

This article deals with the reasons behind an unexpected loss of reverse in certain BMW automatic transmission equipped vehicles, specifically the 3 series and 5 series vehicles that use the ZF5HP19 or steptronic transmission This includes the popular 323i, 323ci, 325i, 328i, 330i, 525i, 528i, 530i, X3 and X5 models well as some others built in the 1999 to present model years

To eliminate confusion, this does not apply to vehicles equipped with the GM 5L40 E transmission, just the ones with the sometimes problematic ZF5HP19 The 5L40 E has some issues of its own that are beyond the scope of this article but are certainly going to be the subject of another

The failure rate for these transmissions seems to be very high and is expected to become much more of a problem as time goes by

Typically, the vehicle is working perfectly while driving forward but when it is put in reverse there is a complete and permanent loss of movement to back up

Reverse is typically a major feat for any transmission to accomplish- imagine the demands that are placed on a gearbox as it is asked to reverse the torque of your engine so that you can back up your nearly 4000 pound vehicle

By far, the most common cause of the reverse problem in BMW’s is the failure of the D-G clutch drum Specifically, the snap ring that retains the D or reverse clutch breaks out of the clutch drum resulting in an inability for the clutch pack to apply

The good news is that there is hope in regards to a proper repair The factory has released an updated part that so far appears to be a permanent fix for this problem

In our testing and in conjunction with several hundred successful repairs at our facilities, the new part seems to be metallurgically superior in several ways

We have found that there is an improved radius area as well as slightly thicker casting In addition to this, the grove that retains the snap ring is also relocated further away from the edge of the drum

With this issue addressed and attention to detail in several other areas of the ZF5HP19 unit, the transmission can be repaired to “better than new” condition by a competent transmission rebuilder / remanufacturer In fact, when properly repaired, the ZF gearbox becomes quite robust and can provide an almost indefinite service life

Joe Sirugo is co-owner of Trans Specialties and has been in the transmission repair industry for over 20 years

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Author : Catherine Harvey

When it comes to buying a used car, some people take great risks Buy from a private seller and you better have your wits about you because the odd bit of tyre kicking just isn’t going to tell you all you need to know After the sale, you have no comeback if there is a fault You could drive to the bottom of the road, have all the doors fall off and the engine fall out and you have no comeback So, in this day and age where we all have to be that little bit more careful with our hard earned money, then it certainly pays to choose your used car purchase carefully

Using a forecourt dealer with an established reputation is often a good idea Of course, this is no fail safe but the risks are much lower than purchasing from a private seller There are certain laws that cover what you get for your money and give you a certain sense of security and it pays to know your rights before you even begin looking for your car

Of course, if you already know the car you are looking for and not aimlessly window shopping then a franchised dealer, such as the used MINI dealerships that are around, although a touch more expensive, comes with even further assurances that you are getting a roadworthy vehicle that deserves its price tag Used MINI are famous for the reputation that they come with So much so that they are actually now referred to as ‘cherished MINI’s’ and many people trust such dealerships rather than taking their chances with someone they have no comeback with

However, getting back to the point, some tips on how the law covers you for buying a used car:

Buying a car from a dealer means you are covered under the Sale of Goods Act 1994 that items bought should be of satisfactory quality and fit for the purpose that they are sold for If you buy a car to drive around in and you get to the end of the road and it falls apart, it obviously didn’t meet with these requirements and you are fully entitled to recompense

The vehicle should be ‘as described’ You cannot be offered one thing and then have it replaced with an alternative without your agreement The above rules do not cover you if you simply change your mind about the purchase, don’t like the colour, find it cheaper elsewhere if there is a fault that was already pointed out to you or would have been blatantly obvious before buying

Purchasing a car over the internet entails slightly different criteria in that you have seven days to withdraw from the sale and return the car at your expense, unused This is because the car hasn’t been seen in person and everything was carried out via internet, phone or fax If, once you have purchased your car, you find there is a fault you are entitled, under the Sale of Goods Act to insist on a full refund, compensation and/or repair or replacement

Of course, these are all useful things to know but if you didn’t want to take the chance of dealing with all this yourself then, as I say, go to a franchised dealer that will specialise in the make of car that you want If you were looking for a used BMW, they have their own outlets that will be able to source any model that you requested with your own colour choice and you could put in specific requests to have your needs met

You also have the same options when looking for a used MINI or used Lexus In fact, most main stream car manufacturers want their cars seen on the road, new or used, so will have some type of facility where you can source their vehicles To ensure this they offer extra checks, assurances and guarantees and if you can afford to go down this route then that extra few quid will be well worth it

Vehicle sales expert Catherine Harvey looks at how used MINI along with other used cars are best purchased from dealerships.

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Author : Anna Stenning

Just passed your driving test? Chances are that you will be looking to buy second hand cars which are economical to run and classed in a lower tax bracket Although it’s not just new drivers which are opting to purchase second hand, so why choose used?

In these times of financial difficulty we are all looking to save a few pennies and perhaps shop for bargains rather than paying top whack for everything, this is no different when it comes to buying a car Upgrading your car does not necessarily mean having to buy a brand new car straight off the forecourt, not when there are so many opportunities to buy second hand cars of brand new standard, except with a few miles on the clock

Most reputable second hand car dealers will have all their cars vehicle checked to makes sure of a cars authenticity, ensuring car history is up to scratch and there are no hidden shocks in store The will also put the car through rigorous safety checks ensuring everything is working properly, perhaps even providing a new MOT if one is due If all of these checks having been performed you are almost guaranteed a car in good working order

Combined with this often a period of warranty is allocated to second hand cars, the warranty period may vary depending on value of the car, but this period provides piece of mind that in the initial stages of owning your car, should anything go wrong, you can take it back to the dealers from where you bought it and they should be able to fix the problem

Part exchange is also an advantage when trying to change your car, being able to trade in your existing vehicle against the car you wish to purchase, usually a car dealer will give you a fair book price for your car, it might not be as much as if you sold your car privately, but it saves the hassle of having to advertise your car and wait for people to take interest

Nowadays shopping for second hand cars can leave you spoilt for choice, used car supermarkets stock hundreds of cars to choose from, cars as young as a year old can be found on their forecourts, being able to test drive cars is often a bonus, being able to get the feel of a car before purchasing Often the way a car feels or drives is what makes a person either love or hate it so a test drive in most cases is essential

Most of these used car supermarkets and second hand car dealers will be able to offer finance options, so if you haven’t quite saved enough you can always finance your car making monthly payments to cover the cost Before entering into a finance deal it is a good idea to know interest rates and APR purely so you are confident you are getting a good deal

So when it comes to replacing your car, instead of purchasing brand new and losing money on your vehicle as you drive it off the forecourt, why not consider the benefits of buying a second hand car with a nearly new feel

Anna Stenning researches the advantages of buying second hand cars as opposed to buying brand new.

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Author : Mike Trudel

Today’s automotive electronics engineers are quite actively exploring new worlds when it comes to the exciting world of In-Car Entertainment High-tech suppliers refer to this new realm as Auto Space, and there can be no doubt that we’ve come a long way from the days when our only consumer entertainment choices were AM/FM radios and 8-track players

It’s not a stretch to imagine that the best entertainment spot in your house may be the four-wheel vehicle parked in your garage Thanks to improved audio-visual technologies and amazingly sophisticated entertainment tastes, our primary transportation mode has become a mobile concert hall, and if you have kids, they’ve recreated a mobile video arcade or theater in the rear of the vehicle

We live in a technologically advanced time that is witness to the development and invention of many products that would have been hard to fathom only 10 years ago Today, consumer choices for In-Car Entertainment are growing in quality and sophistication Whatever your driving habits, passengers, entertainment preferences or budget, there is a growing range of in-car products to turn driving into a vibrant, enveloping entertainment experience

With popular TV shows dedicated to automobile restoration and customization, In-Car Entertainment systems have received considerable attention Thanks to reduced costs of devices such as LCD screen/monitors and the cost efficiency to the consumer of the converging media playable technologies (single hardware units are capable of playing CD, MP3, WMA and DVD), In-Car Entertainment is within reach of a larger base of consumers

It was in the 1930s when radios were first placed inside automobiles It goes without saying that we’ve come a long way The first car radios have evolved through the years to include FM radio, to a cassette player, to CD players and beyond New technology has enabled vehicle audiophiles to take advantage of MP3 technology and USB devices Why just grab a few CDs when nowadays you can bring your entire music collection on the road with a flash drive that plugs into your car audio system via a USB connection Many in-car audio systems now come with MP3 player connectivity so you can attach and play your music directly from a MP3 player through the car speakers

And speaking of speakers, the technology available in your vehicle is every bit as robust as what you have in your home, but unlike a typical family room, a vehicle provides a great listening environment, with its defined space and fixed seating arrangements Improving the quality of your in-car audio experience can be as simple or as complex as you decide to make it One of the more popular listening experiences is provided by state-of-the-art 5 1-channel surround format, which includes five full-range channels (left, center, right, left surround, right surround) plus a low-frequency effects (LFE) channel experienced in the cinema, DVDs, digital television (HDTV and SDTV) and games Or maybe you aren’t interested in driving a four-wheel video arcade or movie theater, and you’d rather that everyone in the car be able to enjoy CDs or radio music (FM or satellite) with the richness and fullness of surround sound Of course, you’ll have full capability to accomplish that objective with the latest and greatest in sound technology available in your automobile

When it comes to video options, many automotive consumers who drive an SUV, crossover or minivan are accompanied by a child or two or three in the rear seats In this case, a rear-seat entertainment system with a DVD player and/or a game console might be ideal LCD screens can be placed in the dashboard, in overhead consoles and in the back of headrests If you’d rather not share the sound of the 18th consecutive showing of the latest children’s DVD, infrared headphones allow families to enjoy long journeys where the children can play games and/or watch DVDs in the back of the car while the driver can listen to traditional sounds – radio, CDs or MP3s

Up until now, automakers introduced In-Car Entertainment technologies only after they had been tested and adopted in the consumer market Not anymore Today’s customers expect immediate access in their cars to the new features available in home- and portable-entertainment devices And as the cost of automotive electronics continues to fall, the pervasiveness of additional electronic technologies, such as navigation and advanced telematics, will increase so rapidly that they will soon be standard features in most vehicles

Mike Trudel, Freelance Writer.

Delphi Corporation is poised to apply its expertise and know-how to provide vehicle manufacturers and consumers with in-vehicle entertainment and connectivity. To learn more about Delphi Corporation, please visit www.Delphi.com/4Connected.

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Author : Tim HillerbyMorgan

The Department of Transport publishes Road Casualties – Main Results The 2007 figures for road accidents are rather frightening

27774 people were seriously injured – beyond hope of full recovery

The number of deaths among car users was 1,432

The number of car users seriously injured was 11,535

This is a shocking indictment of the way the UK licences its drivers

We are not concerned about the overall figures Instead, I want to concentrate on the driving test demographic This age group is involved in nearly a fifth of all car accidents

We need to establish the figures for the target group Transport for London has done this for us They said that in 2008 17 – 25 year old drivers were involved in 18% of all crashes Simple maths and we arrive at the figures we need

4999 people were seriously injured – beyond hope of full recovery

The number of deaths among car users was 258

The number of car users seriously injured was 2076

The Driving Standards Agency is responsible for driving tests in the UK They say that those who pass their driving test have had, on average, about 45 hours of professional training combined with 22 hours of private practice Learners who prepare this way, with a combination of plenty of professional training and plenty of practice, do better in the test

Yet the problem remains 17 – 25 year old newly qualified drivers are not properly prepared for life on the roads

There are three main reasons for this

In the UK, the driving test is a rite of passage It does fit Ninian Smarts description of a religious rite The driving test is seen as something to prepare for – An ordeal to be survived Learner drives are made test ready and not road ready

The second factor at play is money Learning to drive is expensive Parents put driving schools and driving instructors under a lot of pressure to take pupils to test as quickly as possible Ask any instructor if they have heard this phrase from a parent “It only took me 10 lessons”

The next factor at play is the test regime itself It is inadequate for modern driving The theory test is neither use nor ornament Learner drivers can buy CDroms with the questions and answers supplied This reduces the test to learning by rote The driving test is only thirty minutes This is not enough time to test persons driving skills

These factors combine to release young drivers onto the roads with out the depth of skills and knowledge they need to stay safe

Research into Drivers Ed

The main academic research into drivers Ed’ focuses on one study in America It demonstrates that drivers’ has an effect on road safety

This experiment took place in DeKalb county Atlanta The high school students were divided into two cohorts One received drivers and the other did not

This study showed that a course of drivers Ed reduced the number of accidents in the first sixth months after test by 6% The reference for this is a 1994 report to congress by NHTSA

The effect disappeared after six months This puzzled many of the American researchers The answer is simple – the longer you have been driving the more road experience you have – the more expereince the less the crashes The accident rates even out after two years in this country

The only possible conclusion is that drivers ed’ preloads driving expereince Drivers Ed is worth six months of driving experience

European Research

There is no research published in Europe on this topic There is one study on styles of driver testing and training Stefan Siegrist, Ph D Of the Swiss Council for Injury Prevention bfu published it at the 2003 Forum on Driver Education and Training, in Washington

The UK and Holland have the lowest accident rates in Europe The difference between the Dutch and the British is structure The Dutch system is tightly structured

The Dutch have recently trialed a tightly structured driver training course It involves a series of modules similar The Dutch course is called Driver Training Steps

In the Dutch province of Gelderland in 2001, a small-scale test with the DTS took place (Nägele & Vissers, 2001) For the 109 DTS learners, the pass rate on their first driving test was 83% In the period immediately before the DTS was introduced, the pass rate for the regular learners at the same driving schools was 46%

In addition, the DTS learners had not needed more lessons than the group of regular learners with the 46% pass rate From January 2002 to April 2003, a large scale follow-up study was done in Gelderland in which 557 DTS learners participated In this study their pass rate was 75% compared to 53% for the regular driver training given by driving schools involved in this second DTS test

Claims for Drivers Ed

It is reasonable to expect that a tightly structured drivers’ course will reduce post-test accidents by 6% 300 KSI accidents could be prevented each year A higher pass rate This is supported by the Dutch experience and the experience of instructors in the UK who structure their training The effect will be an 8 to 10% increase in pass rates

A UK Drivers Ed’ Programme will save lives

The Drivers Ed Company own and manage the BTEC in Driving Skills. This supports the work of driving instructors, driving schools and learner drivers. The online course runs alongside driving lessons to form a powerful driver training aid. This course will improve pass rates and reduce deaths on the roads. www.driversedcompany.com

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Author : David Maillie

Credit scores have been averaging lower and lower these days as many Americans are finding they have either spent far too much or over extended themselves too far Maybe there were a few late payments that were unavoidable due to an unplanned medical emergency Or maybe house repairs, tuition hikes, etc whatever the reason you have some negatives on your credit score and these can seriously affect your ability to obtain credit and a car loan They can even impact other things like your ability to obtain a higher paying job (prospective employers routinely screen employees and for a higher paying job this usually includes a credit check)

This article is about fixing this blemish or blemishes from your credit report, but I have to warn you it will take time, credit cannot be fixed overnight There is no immediate credit fix that is legally available You have to understand that just as it takes time to ruin your credit it takes even more time to repair it

The first step is to get your credit report with its score It is best if you can obtain the report from all three credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax and Trans-union) Call your local car dealers and ask as to which bureau their lenders pay more attention to (this is good to know as certain bureaus have more influence in certain areas of the country than others) Once you know this you know which report to pay more attention to Then go online and find the contact info for the respective credit bureau and get your report (it is usually only $10 to $30 for a report or two)

Read through the credit report and note the negatives There may be some bad accounts that you forgot or did not even know you had Some may not even belong If there are any that are incorrect, over aged (beyond 7 years for most accounts) or similar, write a letter to the corresponding credit bureau and question the erroneous items The bureau must within 30 days find out if the account is listed in error or not If it is in error than the item must be removed and then a free, new and updated report will be sent to you showing that the item has been removed

After reviewing your credit if there are no errors, then you should target the negative accounts and contact the creditors and try and reestablish the accounts and get back in good graces with the creditors This will take time, but most creditors will be willing to work with you Learn to write out all your bills on time If you are married and your spouse is better at writing out the bills than maybe trade like you would wash the dishes, do the clothes or watch the kids while they write out the bills Whatever it takes make sure they get done on time

Yes there are negatives on credit reports that come from unexpected emergencies and such and having bad credit does not necessarily mean you are a bad person Regardless the reason you can contact your creditors and try and work something out Even if they refuse, you tried and are the better person for it

There are also numerous free or low price consumer debt repair companies that can help you (especially when creditors refuse to be helpful), just make sure you do not end up with a scam Check the company with your local Better Business Bureau and also look into non for profit companies Many professional or retirement organizations like the AARP provide these services to their members free of charge

So there you have it, a good primer on how to fix your credit report and score so you can get a good car loan and get on with your life A bad credit score or some unplanned emergency expenses doesn’t have to mean a death sentence to your financial life Take action and start improving your credit and your life

For more similar great articles and tips please visit – the best in great money saving automotive tips and driving safety – www.mdwholesale.com

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Author : Tony Hill

Diesels There, what was your response? They say (in the hallowed boardrooms of advertising) that we all have an initial response to something be it a word or a picture This is driven by personal experience, peer pressure, media content, advertising and so on

But can this change? Has the motor industry done enough to not only challenge but change the majority response to diesels?

Take the new Ford Fiesta, for example This car looks like one of the best models in the current Ford range It is everything the marketing fodder says: it looks pretty damn fine and is as far from expensive as you can get and still expect a car that won’t collapse in a strong breeze

While it’s available with a choice of petrol engines, it’ the 1 4 and 1 6 Turbo Diesel engines that are getting the better reception among the motoring press They’re also the ones that get the most out of the motion lotion too

The running joke used to be that diesels sounded like buses And they did I remember driving an old Citroen BX diesel without the turbo and that thing made tractors sound refined Yet, now, that really is a thing of the past

I got my mitts on a new BMW 3-Series recently and the diesel version of that, while clearly a diesel in sound, was barely audible Especially inside and, given that that’s where you’ll be spending the majority of your time, that’s where it counts isn’t it? It certainly didn’t rattle and shake like the diesels of old

My only other diesel experience has been the new Peugeot HDI engines At the time that drove a lot better than the petrol lump that was sitting under the bonnet of my previous car I used that as a sign that my car needed changing but should that have been a sign that I simply needed to readjust my thoughts concerning diesel motoring

I would say I may be stuck in the past and the only one with this opinion but a quick glance at social sites and their groups on diesels show that it’s still a debated issue

Manufacturers attitudes seem to have changed too I remember a time when you had to ask if a particular model was available with a diesel engine, it really wasn’t that heavily advertised whereas now it’s one of the top items in the pitch

I know I’m not talking about manufacturers like Porsche or Aston Martin (can you honestly see the day when there’s a DBd? or a 911d?) but then why not? Audi have unveiled a diesel version of their high-powered R8 so it may only be a matter of time It seems that diesel engines are becoming more of a selling point now

I know that my initial reaction to the word “diesel” alone is usually something along the lines of “ugh” when the time comes to write about it or an unbelieving “really?” when a friend reveals their new engine choice

Why though? I mean, there’s some pretty decent diesels out there now aren’t there? Surely it even makes more sense now to own one with the oil prices reaching, shall we say, hilarious levels?

Tony is an online marketer, researcher and article writer. He is currently researching the BMW 3 Series the all-new Ford KA and new Peugeots

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Author : Caleb Anderson

Auto care is vital for a vehicle to operate smoothly and always remain in a good condition Automobile owners as such, need to pay attention toward the maintenance of their vehicles Lack of attention on their part hampers the performance and quality of the engine causing grave maintenance problems Non-availability of spare parts further adds to this problem

Recent studies note, five percent of fatalities related to motor vehicles are due to negligence of automobile maintenance Auto care extends the life of an automobile, ensures a safer movement and contributes to a healthy environment

Auto care means keeping the engine in tune so the owner saves on money as well as time Tuning up the engine at fixed intervals helps in keeping it run smoothly, addresses other electrical and mechanical problems in the engine and is economical If an engine is encountering problems, it is advisable that owners take it to a technician, who will locate the exact cause and suggest an appropriate solution Skip the idea of having it checked by a service provider for the tune up

Auto Care Tips:

Automobile owners need to care for their vehicle right from the date of its purchase and have a little bit knowledge of its engine Often, service providers take vehicle owners for a ride cheating on them and the owners have to shell out a huge amount on fixing a minor engine problem

Tuning up the engine, as part of auto care, includes replacing the ignition wires, spark plugs, PCV (positive crankcase ventilation valve), air filters and fuel In addition, auto care calls for testing ignition system, servicing injectors and fuel system and resetting engine timing

Consider following tips so the engine stays tuned up and the vehicle performs well:

1 For auto care by self, it is ideal for automobile owners to refer the user manual for fixing certain minor problems within the engine As a thumb rule, change the oil filter on a regular basis, each 3,000-4,000 miles

2 Checking the tire inflation is a part of auto care Tires, which are under-inflated, result in loss of fuel efficiency This is one cheap form of safety and preventive maintenance Check the tires every month

3 Check all the fluids that include power steering, brake, antifreeze and windshield washer solvent and transaxle/transmission, since these fluids ensure safety and good performance of a vehicle and are an important measure of auto care

4 Since a restricted fuel injector/polluted spark plug reduces the efficiency of fuel by 30%, an automobile owner has to be cautious while tuning up the engine

5 Clean the battery posts and cables when needed and check the same for corrosion Besides, check battery fluids and fill them if low except for batteries that are maintenance-free

6 For auto care, inspect engine belts always since worn belts are likely to affect performance of the engine See if these belts have developed any cracks and try fixing the problem

7 Lubricate the chassis often, since it extends life of engine components

8 Check the lighting system including turn signals, taillights, brake and headlights

9 Automobile owners need to check washer blades of the windshield for tears and cracks and replace them once in every year

10 As a step toward auto care, always check for air filtration system in the engine Owners need to do this at every oil change for confirming if there is any damage or clogging It ensures better functioning of the vehicle

11 Always keep the user manual handy No matter whether the engine is minor or major, the moment it gives any problem, owners may refer the same for fixing temporary problems before taking the vehicle to a qualified technician

This article was written for Find This Online an online resource guide that offers a variety of articles written on different subjects. Visit us at Here for more articles on auto care.

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