What’s the difference between a Legacy and a Legacy Outback?

You know that Subaru is producing Legacy and Legacy Outback. So, there is a question: what is the basic difference between the cars. At the same time the first question causes the second one: can the Outback parts be installed on average Legacy and vice versa?

Let’s fancy a situation like that: you buy a 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback. It is a good and splendid car. It is not new though and has a door that is to be replaced (that’s why you spent $3000 out of the average price market of $3700). You run a Google search and find out that your local junk yard has the kind of door you need. With only one major disadvantage: it is a 1997 Subaru Legacy (not Legacy Outback) door. You remember buying other parts, but you don’t remember whether they were Legacy or Legacy Outback one (maybe you just didn’t care). But a door is nor a wiper blade, it is much bigger and, of course important body part not to mention that is costs much more than various trifles. You don’t want to end up with a useless car door lining against the wall of your garage.

So you have in mind one question: are body parts totally compatible between two cars and what is the basic difference between the models?

So there comes the answer: In fact, there is no body part difference between Subaru Legacy, Subaru Legacy Outback and Subaru Liberty.

The Outback and Liberty, however, have higher springs and 2-tone paintwork. That’s it.

But there is one thing that you should keep in mind. You have to buy parts for the Legacy of the same generation as yours. Legacy has had 4 generations already:

1. 1989–1992

2. 1993–1997

3. 1998–2003

4. 2003–present

So, if it is a 1997 Legacy Outback, make sure that you don’t buy a 1998 Legacy door, otherwise you’ll end up with another useless piece of metal in your garage.

Let me make a kind of summary. Subaru Legacy Outback is a kind of “cross-country” Legacy with higher springs and some other specific features (for instance the engine line: Legacy – 2.2 and 2.5; Outback – 2.2 L). The only problem one can encounter the original body parts is the 2-tone paintwork of the Outback.

Crash Test Photographs and Ratings: Mitsubishi L200 2008 Crash-Test

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When you have a car sooner or later you face the problem of oil changing. You might have already heard that there are quite a number of oil types. So, the questions are the following: what oil type do I need and how to change oil?

One more thing that might puzzles you mind is whether each car needs a different type of oil. And if you go to autozone, will they help you?

Oil change issue becomes even more acute if your car has been standing idle for some time. The other day I’ve read about a man who wanted to change oil in his car which has completely run out of it and has been standing idle over 7 years.

The folks advices him to flush out the engine with 10w30 oil and engine flush if he can start the car. They said that all oil (plus antifreeze and brake fluid) should be flushed through the system.

But it didn’t resolve the oil question. Which oil to use? Some say it is 10w30, the others stick to 5w30. So what is the solution to the problem?

In fact, the solution is the nature of oil. All conventional oil comes from…the ground. The major difference between different types of oils is what kendall puts in it thats different from castrol, valvoline or the generic stuff. The things that makes one kind of oil different from the other are additives and detergents. The viscosity rating (those 10w30/5w30 numbers etc.) basically Is the realitive thickness and slipperiness of the oil in cold and hot temperatures. Actually they show:

• How well the oil behaves in a cold engine
• How well it behaves in normal conditions
• How well the oil holds up/breaks down under high temperatures

One can find dozens of comparing charts that show where one weight fits compared to another. Most new cars come with the recommended oil 5w30, because the temperature range fits the temperature range of the whole country. For instance, 10w30 is for the hotter climate.

Another aspect as the wear of the engine has to taken into consideration. If your engine has high wear then you’d better choose a thicker oil like 10w40 or even 20w50.

Synthetic oil is another story. From the beginning of the manufacturing process it is engineered. It is made so that you could have a lubricated start up. At the same type this type of oil is a little more slippery than the conventional.

As for the above described situation, 10w30 seems the most probable way out.

As for autozone cooperation, I think that they will be very helpful.

What is the Best Place to Find Rare New or Used Car Parts for Old Automobiles?

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The best place to buy auto parts for older cars??

There are a lot of people nowadays who own old cars. They are fans, enthusiasts, club members etc. In fact, there are quite a great number of clubs with hundreds of members. They own the cars which were manufactured in the 70s, 80s, 90s. These cars are hardly manufactured any more, and even if they are, they cars and the parts inside them are not the same.

There arises one inevitable question. Cars are mechanisms which cannot work forever. Due to the natural forces like friction, speed, resistance, all the parts are exposed to deterioration. No matter how hard you look after your automobile, one day you have to replace some of its components. It is not that problematic with the cars in production. You can just go the dealer and order the part. But when you have a car that is no longer produced (the parts for that car aren’t produced either) you face the problem: where to find the required parts?

Sometimes you can replace the part from the one from another model. But if you are searching for OEM (original equipment manufactures) parts such as:

• plastic dash parts
• steering wheels
• seats
• headliners
• coolant recovery tanks
• OEM radios
• Carpets
• Brake
• clutch accelerator pedals
• OEM engine parts

You have to search through dealers or automotive junk yards.

Being a great fan of those car grave yards I still stick to the idea that this type of car parts searching technique. If you spend just a little time and energy, you will be able to find phenomenal parts at incredibly reasonable prices or even for free.

But there is an ultimate solution – online purchase. There more than enough sites where such purchases can be made:

• autopartswarehouse.com
• partstrain.com
• autoeverything.com

I’ve used these methods a number of times and know that my friends do it as well. You know, I’ve written the article and now seat re-reading it. I realize that these tips are old as the universe and that all of you probably know about them. But at the same time the proverb says that all the new things are long forgotten old ones.

Internal Combustion Engine Vs. the Environment: Which Side will You Take?

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The engine is undoubtedly one of the most important and useful inventions of the humankind. This fact can be proved by taking into consideration the amount of attention given to all the wheeled devices. They are the goals of out most incredible investments, people spend long hours talking about them and auto fans spend fortunes on the maintenance of their beloved vehicles.

But such affection to cars has made us partially blind. Of course the internal-combustion engine has a number of drawbacks. The system is simply unsuitable for the urban surroundings. In city conditions cars often stand idle fuming and emitting huge amounts of gases.

Yet there are certain environmental organizations that realize the impact of the engines and they do their best to protect the environment and tackle the problem. One of these organizations is Umverkehr. It has recently launched a program to improve public transportation in Swiss cities by redistributing the ratio of fumes and life in a city. The organization launched a campaign which is aimed at demonstrating the difference between a car free and the modern situation where automobiles dominate town and cities.

Yvonne Joos, one of the members of the organization, stated:

“Traffic is continuously increasing in cities and agglomerations and at some point the amount of car traffic will no longer be supported.”

The organization struggles to highlight the fact that a single tram is able to replace over 210 cars on the road. So, in fact, Umverker has a goal of making the environment less automobile dominated. Such a point has a number of basic factors:

1. The quality of the air in big cities is likely to improve
2. The focus on the public transportation will make cycling much safer (this aspect is especially important in Europe) While in the States it as a rule impossible to commute to work by bicycle, European tend to do it quite often. And if cars are at leas partially replaced by public transport, then commuters will feel much safer to use 2-wheel vehicles.

And as the result of all these changes, those who really need to use cars frequently won’t face so huge traffic jams.

Being a Swiss organization Umverker can theoretically achieve their goals – the country has a worthy public transportation structure and infrastructure. But in case with many other countries (especially in the US and Eastern Europe) such measures are still a long way away!

Replacement Bolts: Where to Find Best Deals?

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Criminals crawl under cars and steal the part which in some terms is more valuable than gold.

What is this part? It is a catalytic converter which is a part of cars’ exhaust system (the device is used to filter exhaust emissions). Inside the converter there are small beads covered with platinum, palladium and rhodium which makes them so valuable. The cost of the metals has risen significantly over the past years.

How to find out whether your car has been violated?

It all becomes evident when you start the engine: even a small family sedan starts sounding like a powerful race car.

The amount of platinum inside a converter seems not that high – somewhat between 1/10 and ? of an ounce per each device, but the prices on the metal are really sky-high ($2000 per ounce). The same thing with Rhodium, moreover this very metal is even more costly - $9000 per ounce.

Recently the Cedar Rapids police has reported that 37 catalytic converters were stolen from 6 businesses. It seems quite incredible as the police hasn’t registered similar cases before March 14.

The problem is really new in this area while NYC and Chicago police are aware of such cases for quite long time.

The police are expecting thefts of the kind to become even more frequent as the prices on the metals are rising.

The problem for auto owners is evident as well- the replacement of the broken exhaust system takes from $300 to $1500 (depending on how much the system is affected)

Moreover you cannot just refuse to repair the system. It is prohibited by the law to drive without a converter. A number of local stores require you to have it installed before you can reclaim your car.

The businesses that have been robbed reconsider their surveillance systems. The thing that can help in the situation is Motion-sensitive lights.

The thing is that reading such reports you always think that these thefts happen to almost anybody but not you. You see that it might be the way out not to get too worried, but one morning you might start your engine…and remember all the stuff you have read in this article or in a similar one.

Who Else Wants Tips on Achieving Ultra High Mileage

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 With experience comes the knowledge about things that can help economize and at the same time feel safe. I’ve come up with a list (in fact it is not arranged in a list form, but in substance it is) of tips on saving fuel while driving:

First of all you should check air pressure in your tires. You might argue that this parameter is seen to at auto service, but don’t be that sure. In fact it is very easy to buy a tire gauge (a small device that measures air pressure) and check the pressure. When you get the reading of the gauge you have to compare it with the figure in your owner’s manual. Again you might think that I’m wasting too much post space on tires, but I will repeat once again – tires are as a rule the most neglected part of any vehicle which significantly affects fuel mileage.

The next thing you have to keep in mind in the respect of fuel consumption is air filter. One might think that it is checked each time your car is serviced, but again don’t be so sure. As a matter of fact air filter must be changed every 30 000 miles (but sometimes even more often). The majority of air filters can be easily checked by you, but there are some models that require a qualified mechanic intrusion.

Another interesting fact is that oil changing affects fuel consumption as well. Moreover, regular oil change is crucial for the durability and long life of your vehicle.

If your car is equipped with “check engine” function, this can have an enormous effect on your fuel mileage. When you car switches on the indicator it means that some of the sensors are showing abnormal readings. Some of these sensors (for instance, oxygen sensors) can badly affect your fuel mileage.

These are just a few tips that will definitely help you save money and increase the overall safety of your car. Remember: only in case al the systems of your car function properly you will be able to get the highest performance and increase the durability of your “ride.”

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7. Two-layer windshield

Why it is passive safety? Well, when you are driving are there bugs flying into your open mouth? No?…You are right, if no, that’s the passive safety. And if serious a windshield is made of 2 layers of glass with a laminate sheet between them. When some object like a stone or a leg of a chair smashes into it, the windshield doesn’t come into pieces.

8. Specially processed glass

All the glass used in cars undergo special processing before its usage in automotive industry. It is heat tempered, so when it is smashed, it brakes into small cubes (and these cubes are mot that sharp as to injure the passengers)

9. Safety door locks

They are designed to protect both children and adult passengers. These are the devices that are mounted inside the doors and they prevent from undesirable door opening while driving. In the case with children it might de dome on purpose, but in the case with adults it usually happens by accident.

10. 5 mph bumpers

These devices help avoid car scratches and structural damage when you are accelerating from a halt and hit some stationary object like a lightpole etc. (it means that you are not yet driving fast, but if there are no such bumpers the car’s body can get damaged).

11. Additional brake light

I cannot say it is sophisticated passive safety device, it is just another brake light mounted higher than the major ones. Their major goal is to inform the drivers behind you about your braking intentions in dense traffic.

12. Safety Cage

The safety cage is an inbuilt rollcage that in its substance is a passive safety feature number 1. In any accident it gives a 360-degree protection. It is even more important in serious accidents when car turns upside down.

These are passive safety features (as a rule) and they are not aimed at saving our lives directly, but in fact when it comes to saving passengers’ lives these systems are way more important than active ones.

12 Auto Health and Safety Systems Everybody Ought to Know About

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Undoubtedly, safety is one of the most important matters the car manufacturers keep in mind when they create their products. And can the knowledge be useful for us, consumers? I assure you it can! When driving to work tomorrow after reading this post you will feel more confident being better informed about the systems that are aimed at saving your life in critical situations.

Moreover, when buying a new car, you can avoid being cheated by crooked salesmen.

So, top 12 Important Safety Features of a Modern Car

1. Absorption zones

These zones are designed in order to absorb the energy and the power of a crash. These zones are the hood, bumper, fenders- and their goal is to absorb the brunt in case of an accident.

2. Wraparound Headlights

These are one-piece headlights that combine the low beam, high beam, and turn signals. As a matter of fact they are halogen (thus brighter) and people driving along your blind spots can see if you are planning to change lanes.

3. Motor Mounts

These things are hidden from the eye, but they are crucial in case of an accident (especially if is a front impact one). The mounts are installed in order to break the engine away from the frame and make it slide underneath the car at 45 degrees. As a result when the car halts after the accident you will not see your engine sitting next to you in the passenger seat (or even worse on your lap).

4. Steel reinforced radials

It is a common knowledge that tires are an important safety feature of any car as they are the devices that keep the car on the road. Each tire has steel fibers built inside it. This enables to keep the car stable even in a most critical situation.

5. Disk plates

Brakes are equally important as the wheels to stop a car. The construction of the brakes is the following: a rotor, pads, and calipers. Rotors are made with internal vanes so that the heat could be removed and thus the brakes are more durable.

6. Door Beams

Just like absorption zones these beams help absorb collision energy in a side impact crash. Each car door is equipped with steel beams which are installed for additional reinforcement.

How to buy Auto Parts Dirt-Cheap. Tips

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When you own a car and it doesn’t stand idle in your garage all the time, sooner or later you will have to face the problem of buying auto parts. When you face the problem you are likely to find out that new parts can cost quite a fortune (it doesn’t in fact matter if you buy parts to replace broken one or you shop for the parts which are aimed to increase overall performance of your ride). But don’t get worried too much – there is some ways to save money while buying auto parts. It will try to give out some strategies which are used by experienced “car parts shoppers” (including myself). So, if so many people use them, they work, don’t they?

To tell you the truth, so far the best method invented by me has been visiting the local junkyards and salvage yards. Nowhere else you will be able to find used parts at such prices! In fact, if you don’t mind using used parts, junkyards are the right place to fish for cheap parts. You can have any part you need pulled out or you can do that yourself.

The next method is online purchase. Why not use the power of the Internet to buy cheap parts? As a matter of fact, online sellers have large quantities of parts (because as a rule they are wholesalers), so it is natural that the parts come cheaper. At the same time there are online auctions like eBay where you can bargain for parts. As a rule purchasing parts on the Internet is much cheaper than at automobile parts stores. Moreover, some of the online dealers ship their products, so you can get your new radiator delivered right to your porch.

Another method is the so-called “buy here, pay here” car lots. If you are able to find one, you might get a great bargain. If you can find the part you need you are likely to buy it dirt-cheap. Even if you don’t need the part at the moment, think that you might need it in future. Why not buy it cheap and have it saved for the rainy day? Moreover, as a matter of fact, the sellers are incredibly willing to get reed of those parts and like a fast dollar. So, take the advantage of the fact!

I have given you just a few tricks on how to save money searching for auto parts. You might start with me tips and my experience, but the more experienced you become the more ways to save money you find. It is your creativity which really matters for your saving. Very soon you will find out that you can buy parts cheap in the places you have never even thought of!

Crash Ratings: Daihatsu Materia 2007 Crash-Test

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Periodical inhalations with fuel fumes is quite a doubtful action. The invention by Rotec Engineering is aimed at reducing the number of harmful work places and rejecting such a job as a service station attendant.

One-handed robot doesn’t await tips when refilling your car.

It is common knowledge that laziness is the engine of the progress. If you haven’t yet noticed we’ve been among robots for quite a long period of time. Washing up, cleaning, washing… And it seems that the pace of robotization in not going to be slowed down.

The robot-refiller Tankpitstop that has been create by a Dutch engineering company Rotec Еngineering is an obvious proof. What is it peculiar for? Well, the metal friend totally manages the refilling process. The “eyes” of the “bandit” are special cameras and special ultrasonic sensors, the brain – a computer which defines the make of the car with the help of special software and then controls the electro mechanic part of the device to perform these or that actions.

The electronics via the outer cameras identifies the car when it is entering the station. In a matter of seconds the computer compares the received data with that in its database and gives out the result: the make of the car, the necessary fuel and defines where the filler is.

As soon as the car stops and the driver pays for the fuel the robot gets into action: it opens the filler cap, unscrews it, takes the gun, puts it into the tank and pushes the trigger. By the way only the cars with no lock on the tank cap will be able to use such refilling stations.

The development of the system has been going on for a few years so far, but the first beta model was launched in a refilling station in Emmeloord. It is not known whether and when the robots will get widely spread. Nevertheless, the plans of the Dutch authorities are quite ambitious – they plan to automate up to 80% of refilling stations in the country.

Tire Ratings: ContiSeal Tires by Continental Heal Themselves

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