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Test Your Brake Lights … Alone

Are your brake lights working? Do drivers seem to be charging your rear bumper? Before you get a ticket, or worse, you should give the brake lights a test. But you’re all alone, how can you do it? You could ask your retired next door neighbor, but you have other plans for the next 3 hours of your life. Here is your answer, and it’s simple.

All you need is a broomstick. Any removable broomstick will do, or mop handle, or anything of similar length. You can even use the whole broom if you’re ok with the business end being in your car seat!

Take one end of the stick and press the brake pedal, then prop the other end firmly against the seat cushion. Now walk around back and check your brake lights!

Selling Your Car Tips

Here are a few tips, legal and common sdense to bear in mind when considering selling your car. Hope they are helpful.

You need to ensure to the best of your ability that the trade is not extortionate, but fair and reasonable (but of course you want to get as high a price as possible for your vehicle) as you want to avoid ‘comeback’ complaint issues.

PS: Sorry about the nice girl, just could not resist … lol

Some points to bear in mind when selling your car

The seller must deliver the car free of charge and the buyer must pay the agreed price

The law protects the buyer against eventualities such as hidden damage to the vehicle or charges, fines and unpaid taxes or judgments concerning it. However, it is always best to sign a contract of sale. Thus the Civil Code governs sales contracts between individuals in his articles from 1445 to 1525. Collect a series of rights and obligations of each party is basically on the seller’s obligation to deliver the goods free of charge and the buyer to deliver the agreed price.

All experts recommend that both buyer and seller sign a sales contract. On the Internet, through a search, you can find simple models in which the data will have to change the headlines and the agreed price, but should be cautious, as some of these contracts can be thought of defending the interests of the parties.

Moreover, you can also go to the Ministry of Finance of the autonomous community and get the Model 430 Transmission Statement, which is a contract substitution model used vehicle sales between individuals. However, the best option remains the signing of a contract which may include clauses that express all the terms of the deal agreed between both parties.

The best option remains the signing of a contract which may include clauses that express all the terms of the deal agreed between both parties

Regarding the payment can be included in the contract clauses with the date, place and method of payment. If not specified, payment shall be made upon delivery of the goods, even after signing the contract. In this respect the Civil Code imposes certain obligations of the seller is not exempt or even on a clause in the contract. Any clause that seeks to cancel any of these obligations would be unfair and therefore illegal.

These are the following clauses:

Compensation for eviction: It means that the seller is obliged to ensure the buyer legal ownership of the property. That is, protects the buyer if the car is affected by a sentence of condemnation or seizure or a car is stolen, for example.The seller is obliged to recover ownership of the property or compensation for damage and prejudice to the other party.

Latent defects: The seller is obliged to inform the buyer of damage or latent defects present the vehicle. If not done, the buyer is entitled to cancel the contract, demand a decrease in the price set by experts or repair this damage by the seller. The only defense to this case is that the buyer is not diligent. It covers the following cases:
That the defect is obvious to any diligent person.
Let the buyer should have easily recognized the shortcomings of their profession or trade.

Compensation for eviction of taxes and charges: the vehicle should not have taxes or unpaid fines or outstanding judgments. If the buyer hides these extremes, the seller shall be entitled to cancel the contract or provide a rebate proportional to existing burdens determined by experts.

Two steps required

Although not enshrined in the Civil Code, we must not forget that the sale of the vehicle requires two steps:

- Property Transfer fees, which are paid in the Ministry of Finance of the autonomous region. Finance is a table according to official valuation model and age vehicle.

- Fee for annotation of the new owner, in the Provincial Traffic Directorate General of DGT. (IV.1 rate, amount of 7.40 euros in 2007).
The two acts are to be performed in that order. In the DGT must submit, among other documents, proof of payment of Transfer Tax.

NEW Subaru 086A STI preview

Here’s a quick update on Subaru’s Sti version of the 086A (FT-86) RWD sports car from Holiday Auto.

While the regular Subaru 086A is expected to be exactly the same as the Toyota version albeit with subtle exterior/interior styling differences, it’s the high performance STi version that’s getting the most attention now that the FT-86 Concept has broken cover ahead of this month’s Tokyo Motor Show. The standard 086A of course utilizes Subaru’s EJ20 flat-four boxer engine with D4-S direct injection, an Aisin 6-speed gearbox and a rear differential as used on the Lexus IS250/350. The rumored output of 200PS has been quoted once again as to be “almost certain” but a conflicting rumor from another source sets the output as being as low as 160PS. Nevertheless, the STi Version should answer people’s prayers for more power.

Holiday Auto (HA) reports that the STi Version will use the EJ25 2.5L engine that’s expected to produce between 240 – 250PS which is enough, HA say, to turn the 086A into a true performance car. An EJ25 turbo also hasn’t been ruled out, it seems that the Toyota/Subaru partnership have gone to great lengths to listen to what customers want and if the voices are loud enough, may come through with a boosted 086A STi. In keeping with the Impreza WRX STi, the 086A STi Version will apparently get wider front and rear guards to accommodate a wider track with wider wheels and tires. The know-how gathered from tuning the suspension for the WRX STi will be used to improve the 086A’s handling characteristics, although HA stop short of saying the parts will be directly carried over. We should also expect some additional STi only aero parts such as a unique front bumper and rear trunk spoiler to give the STi Version a more motorsports inspired look.

Although it’s not confirmed yet, there’s a strong possibility the Subaru 086A STi Version will be shown at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show or not long after at the 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon and will hit showrooms shortly thereafter.

Car Alarm System

Has your vehicle ever been broken into?

Having this done to you is a horrible feeling. Some cry, others have the overwhelming feeling of wanting to get even. When I was 17 I had my first break in. The Toyota Celica was my first semi-sports car. While visiting a friend one day, someone tried to pop the trunk and steal my subwoofer but was ran off before he had the chance to make off with it. You think I would of installed an alarm after that but at that time I didn’t have the funds. My second break in occurred when I was 20. I was driving a Turbo Charged Eagle Talon with some goodies under the hood as well as a system in the trunk. This is where I wish I had an alarm system installed. I think it happened around 3:00 am. The thief first broke my back-side window and then my drivers side window to get in. After this he ripped the CD player out and popped the trunk for the rest. This night resulted in over 500 worth of damage and about $800 in audio equipment. All of this could of probably been avoided with a simple alarm system installed.

Have you considered protecting your vehicle with an alarm system?

There are many benefits to having an alarm system installed on your vehicle. One of the first benefits you may see is a reduction in your auto insurance premium. You are actively showing the insurance company that you have an higher than average insurable interest in your property. You are also reducing the risk of your vehicle being damaged due to vandalism or stolen. Some criminals do not get intimidated by a car with an alarm system installed, however, most will choose to move on to the next car once they find stealing your vehicle is going to take a little more attention to detail.

The installation is a little more involved than a standard car stereo or subwoofer installation. Most shops will install a standard alarm for about $100 + cost of the alarm itself. Sometimes, if not intimidated by craigslist, you can find an installer or even a young auto enthusiast who will do it for about $30. It’s important that they know what they are doing though.

One of the main components of an alarm system if the electronic shock sensor. This piece must be installed in a secure area, some install this piece on the inside of their passenger side door. You can also turn up and down the sensitivity of the shock sensor so you wont have too many false alarms. Your alarms sensitivity may be too high if it goes off every time a car with a speaker system drives by.

Ultimate Factories: Camaro

Our friend at Ultimate Factories are at it again this week, giving us a first hand view of the build process of their highly acclaimed new Camaro. It’s an 18 hour build process involving both humans and robots which is fine tuned to produce 1 brand new Camaro every MINUTE! Meticulous work is required in many aspects of this build, as they use 734 robots to perform the almost 5,000 spot welds required on each Camaro body. Also, the new Oshawa Car Paint Shop, completed in 2007, finishes an average of 150 cars an hour. This is big industry at its finest, and we are lucky to be able to see this process from beginning to end.

Show airs on National Geographic at 8pm, October 15th, 2009. Check local listings for availability.

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