Pushback Tractors

Well, here's something I knew nothing about until I started working on a recent project for a client...pushback tractors. Those powerful pieces of plant that move aircraft around the airport are in fact pushback tractors.

Apparently, there are two types: conventional and TBL (towbarless). PlantGSE sell both new and reconditioned plant vehicles such as aircraft pushback tractors and are widely considered to be a fast and flexible supplier. If anybody has any experience of driving one of these vehicles, that would be interesting!

Up the Performance!

Fancy upping the performance of your car? Whether you drive a Subaru Impreza, an Audi TT, a Golf GTI or a Lancer Evolution you can now find all the Auto Performance Parts you could ever need online.

There are now loads of great websites offering specialist parts for performance vehicles and some great deals to be had, for example the customer rebate program with CustomCarsCentral.com where you can earn money back on your purchases. Have fun!

Rav4 Transmission Problem

Things don't seem to be improving much for Toyota with recalls and common problems in models such as the Rav4, regularly in the news. Apparently more than 246,000 units of the Toyota Rav4 produced between 2001-2003 are affected by a common problem with the transmission.

Fortunately, there are a number of garages across the country that have become particularly experienced in the 2001-2003 Rav4 ECM repair and the problem can be resolved quickly and easily. So if you have a Rav4 produced between 01-03, best get the transmission checked out.

Need a Tow?

What to look for in a good towing company

So you've broken down and you need some help, what do you do now? Ideally you would already have breakdown cover that would allow you to make a call and get rescued. Alternatively, you can call a towing company in your local area. Any good towing company should offer you the following:

• 24 hours a day, 7 days a week service
• Certified and licenced tow truck operators
• Fast response time of 30 minutes or less
• Good quality roadside assistance

Thanks to Green Towing Long Beach for their assistance in writing this post. If you have any questions about towing, they're certainly the people to get in touch with.

Insurance Groups

Following my recent post about the importance of knowing your car insurance group, I have been on the hunt for a new car myself. As well as looking at the CO2 emissions, road tax prices and fuel economy; the insurance group of the vehicle has been a key concern.

www.carinsurancegroups.org is a great website that allows you to check the insurance group of vehicles you are interested in without having to contact your insurance company each time you change your mind. You can find the insurance group of a particular model, look at lists of vehicles in a certain group and even find a competitive car insurance quote. Check it out!

What is Motor Trader Insurance?

The insurance world is a complex one with so many products for niche areas and needs. One type of insurance I should be more aware of, working in the automotive industry, is motor trade insurance. Apparently this type of insurance is available to all those who work in the motor trade from car sales to valeting and repair centres. Whether full time or part time, from an office premises or from home, motor trader insurance can cover all kinds of businesses.

For more information or to compare motor trader insurance, visit www.motortradeinsurance.org

Vandals Jealous of New Fiat 500

I was very surprised to discover today that the most-vandalised car in the UK is not a luxury sports car or even a rusty old banger. According to data from a leading car insurance company, the quirky Fiat 500 is actually the most vandalised car in the country. According to the insurer, the Fiat 500 had a 3.62% chance of being damaged by vandals in 2011/12.

Next on the list of most vandalised cars was the BMW Z4, which has a 2.97% chance of being vandalised, in third place the Peugeot 207 had a 2.39% chance.

However, the Ford Focus, the UK's best-selling car in 2011, had only a 0.58% chance of being vandalised according to the insurer. My conclusion; people are just jealous! The Fiat 500 looks fantastic, is really quirky, fun and cool. Vandals typically damage something because they actually want it for themselves. If anything, this research just makes me think that the Fiat 500 is actually even more desirable!

Tyres in Dublin

Before taking the car on holiday I did all the usual checks; tyre pressure, oil, screenwash, etc. I packed plenty of drinks and snacks for the long journey and set off from Kent to Dublin via ferry. I did not account for needing a new tyre though so when I got a serious puncture a week into our trip I was relieved to find a great place for tyres in Dublin. Cherry Orchard Tyres were recommended to me by my aunt and were fantastic. Very quick service and pretty good prices too. Worth a shout out to them, thanks for keeping our holiday on track!

Looking for a Cheap Used Car in Michigan?

Try These 5 Top Tips

If you want to buy a cheap used car in Michigan, you have come to the right place. Below I share five tips that will help you find the best used car for sale that meets your budget and needs.

1. Do research

Before you visit the used car dealers in Michigan, do research to identify the certified used cars online. This is because the certified used cars generally offer the benefit of a new car, at the price of a used car. Factory certified used cars can be found usually and factory certification process will be done by the company after inspecting entire vehicle.

Therefore most probably you will be able to get a warranty plan in addition to the deal. Also it is better to familiarize yourself with Michigan Auto Lemon Law which is being used for refund, replacement and cash compensation procedures. This is because you can have the advantage of the best customer protection plan.

2. Go to local dealerships in Michigan

Another best way you can use to get a cheapest used car from Michigan is by visiting the dealerships and showing your interest to them. Also you can ask the dealers to call back you whenever a best used car deal comes to them as those dealers receive many used car deals daily.

Some customers of Michigan car dealers are purchasing brand new vehicles and sell them with a great condition by using those vehicles for few years or even sometimes for few months. Checking back the Michigan cars in usual basis and being familiar with the selling cars definitely will be a great help to you in finding the cheapest and high performance car among the thousands of Michigan used cars.

3. Locate the best auction in Michigan

If you are able to locate the best auction in Michigan, you can find many cars at lowest prices as some of them are vehicle impounds by the police or bank repossessions. Easiest way of finding these types of auctions is referring the news papers named "The Michigan Chronicle" or "The Detroit News".

Another method you can use is searching through the internet as there are many sites which provide the latest and up-to-date information related to the local Michigan auctions.

4. Visit sites that offer private sales of used cars in Michigan

Also you can browse online websites which offer the private sales of used cars in Michigan. Only thing what you will have to do is filling the space provided with the Michigan ZIP code, make and model, price range you can afford for the used vehicle. Through these websites, normally the private sellers provide some photos, even some videos of their vehicles.

This may be a great help to you in selecting the car which suits you the best. Also you can compare the provided description with its real appearance without having a drive to see the particular used car. With the list which provides by the website, you can easily go through each and review them. If you feel any doubt, don’t think twice, just contact the seller.

5. Ask for a Carfax document

Many people are not aware of the Carfax and it is a service which provides all the details and history of any used vehicle. This resource is very useful in purpose of making sure that the car you hope to purchase is not a stolen one or not have a questionable history. You have to use this, as this reduces the risk factor on your side from a big portion.

In most of the cases, sellers don’t release all the details and necessary information of their vehicles and through the Carfax, simply you can get answers for all the hidden question lies with the cheap price of the vehicles.

Guest post from: Meongobale Onibolo, a blogger from South Africa. He writes anything related used cars on his blog. He is also a member of a classic car community in his town.

Earn money from your motorbike...

Here's an interesting idea...if you have a motorbike and you have some spare time on your hands, you can become a motorbike transporter. I've never really considered motorcycle transport but apparently it's doing well down under. Australian websites like Uship allow feedback rated motorcycle transporters to compete for your business. They also work with car transporters and van transporters too.

If you're a customer looking to courier an item around the country, you can simply list your job and let rated motorcycle transporters compete in a bid to win your business. Genius idea! Have you got any other suggestions of how you can earn money from your motor?

What's your group?

I don't know about you but when it comes to car insurance groups, I find the whole thing a little confusing. However, with rising car insurance costs and ever increasing fuel prices, the insurance group is becoming an important factor when considering a new car purchase. Do you know what group your car is in?

There are lots of online resources available that help you compare car insurance prices and offer more details about the insurance group systems. Of course, there are other factors such as your postcode, driving history and whether the car will be parked on / off road that affect the price too. Still, something to think about when looking at buying a new car.

Car repairs - is there an easier way?

There are few things in life more frustrating than your car breaking down and needing to be repaired. It always seems to happen on a bad day when you're really busy and you need your car to get around. Think about it though, how often are you not busy and how often do you not need your car? My guess is that most days are bad days for car repairs.

You may have read my below post about the importance of a regular car service. It's true that these really can help keep your car in good working order and can identify potential problems before they cause you an inconvenience.

I'm sure it's a bit of a jinx to say this but we regularly send my car for a Peugeot service and my husband's car for a BMW service and (knock-on-wood!) have had no problems with either car, despite mine being over 10 years old!

The importance of servicing

So, it has to be said that servicing is considered a slightly annoying expense and can be seen as a bit of a hassle. However, there are many reasons why your car should receive a regular service that could actually save you time, money and aggrevation in the long run.

Surprisingly, not everyone actually knows what a service generally includes. A lot of garages will talk about 'standard service' but there really is no such thing. Services will differ slightly between each garage that you go to and may also depend on the model, age and mileage of your car.

You will usually find that an annual service will include:

• Routine lubrication of all working parts, catches and hinges
• An oil change and oil filter change
• New spark plugs on petrol models and new fuel filters ondiesel models

Additionally, your garage should carry out routine safety checks on steering, tyres, suspension and ball joints. They should also ensure all lights are in good working order, check the fan belt tension and top-up fluid levels where necessary and check there are no leaks.

Although assessed during an MOT, the general safety of your car, such as windscreen wipers and safety belts, should also be assessed. Many garages such as Lookers Jaguar servicing now offer free safety checks as part of a service.

Lookers Jaguar dealers in West London are an authorised Jaguar aftersales centre, dedicated to servicing Jaguar cars in London and the South East of England. It's always best to choose an approved servicing centre for your make of vehicle as they will know your car best.

Incase you're interested to know, an interim service is a lot more basic and typically involves an oil and filter change, new spark plugs or fuel filter and a check of fluid levels.

Vintage Military Vehicles

Well, they say you learn a new thing every day. I must say, I had no idea that vintage military vehicles were available to buy online! I've been talking with the guys at M35A2 and have learnt loads about these niche vehicles.

Did you know that you can buy M35A2 parts online as well as completely rebuilt and customised military trucks? It's really quite fascinating actually! Some of the trucks and vans on the site date back to the 1970s and 1980s and must have really interesting stories to tell.

Although a former military vehicle like this would be highly impracticaly for me, I can see the appeal for enthusiasts, farmers, builders and other tradespeople. These fantastic vehicles are built to be exceptionally sturdy, tough and able to withstand difficult conditions. Certainly a much more intesting alternative to a new commercial vehicle or van.

Fiat 500 and the L word...

Fiat have launched yet another variant of the ever-popular Fiat 500 at the glitzy Geneva motor show. Fiat believe that the ‘extended’ 500L adds a new dimension to the popular small car and will increase the audience range by becoming more of a family car.

The Fiat 500 is widely acknowledged as the main rival to challenge Mini and some industry spectators see the 500L as an alternative to the new Mini Countryman SUV.

You could argue, as some seem to be doing, that in an extended form the 500L compromises the pleasing lines and visual appeal of the 500 but I don't think it does. Surprisingly I actually think this works rather well!

Incase you were wondering, the L stands for 'large' and follows the Abarth, Cabrio and Gucci versions into the 500 range.

The glass roof is a particularly nice touch and I look forward to a test drive at my local Fiat dealer when the 500 L launches in the UK this year.

Towing in San Diego - can't think of a better place to break down!

Guest post from: Green Towing San Diego. Green Towing in San Diego started off 2012 with a new tow truck dedicated to North County San Diego. Those of you living and working in the larger and smaller cities north of San Diego will start seeing an improved towing and roadside assistance experience from Green Towing. With the high volume of calls coming from Oceanside, Carlsbad, Escondido, Encinitas, San Marcos, and Solana Beach, the team at Green Towing decided to make the investment towards a brand new tow truck.

With a strong commitment to those on the road across Southern California, Green Towing is becoming a known brand for reliable roadside assistance and safe towing. The company started out several years ago only serving San Diego and over the years it has built a solid reputation. As a result, Green Towing began to expand into Long Beach, Orange County, and Los Angeles. Today, the company wants to provide care to the lesser populated cities north of San Diego, like Escondido and Solana Beach.

Green Towing San Diego provides 24 hour towing and roadside assistance. From battery jump starts to flatbed towing, you can rely on the experienced and certified tow truck operators for help. All tow truck drivers are licensed and certified and the company boasts fast arrival times. The new tow truck dedicated to North County San Diego has already helped hundreds of people over the last month!

Whether you are stuck on the road because you ran out of gas or because you got caught in a car accident, be sure to be in touch with Green Towing. You can expect the same responsiveness, reliability, and dedication that make Green Towing unique in the industry.

In summary, Green Towing’s new truck will be dedicated to North County San Diego. Therefore, you can expect better response times in Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, and more cities! For North County San Diego Towing, you can rely on the team at Green Towing!

Anyone for a remanufactured engine?

Here's an interesting thought. Your engine's knackered, you have to accept the inevitable and scrap your car, right? WRONG! You can now order a remanufactured engine online and have your mechanic drop the replacement engine into your car.

For example, if you need a remanufactured Jeep engine for your beloved Jeep Cherokee or Grand Voyager, you can simply order it online and it will be like new!

Check out the engines available from online suppliers like remanufactured engines for sale to find out more. Don't give up on your car just because the engine has given up on you!

Wave Energy Conversion

In a world ruled by fossil fuels, which are rapidly diminishing, wave energy conversion to electricity might seem far-fetched but is becoming increasingly important. This blog has more than once discussed electric powered vehicles but, as yet, has not explored the wider issue of renewable energy sources.

Ocean power is gradually joining the ranks of solar and wind power as a practical source of renewable energy. The Electric Power Research Institute have stated that ocean energy conversion appears to be promising and close to commercial production. Moreover, this source of energy may be economically feasible in the very near future.

Fossil fuels—including natural gas, oil and coal provide about 95% of the world’s total energy. However they present a number of environmental and social issues.Along with an ever reducing supply and increasing prices, the burning processes of these fossil fuels is widely acknowledged to be the largest contributing factor to the release of harmful greenhouse gases into the earth's atmosphere.

To prevent and reduce the damage caused by the use of polluting energy sources, the world started to look to natural and renewable energy sources. Although not the most widely discussed, one of the most interesting and promising of the renewable energy sources is wave energy conversion.

The wave power conversion process is considered the least intrusive of all the currently available renewable energy technologies.

Wave power is naturally occuring and very environmentally friendly. This energy source does not create any waste, CO2 emissions or pollutants, there is no noise pollution or visual impact and no threat to marine life. Something to think about in this day and age.

Car Insurance Can Be Cheaper For College Students

Car insurance is a requirement if you want to own and drive a vehicle in all 50 states of the USA. The minimum amounts of coverage vary from one state to another, but you must carry some level of coverage to protect yourself, other drivers and your vehicle.

As a student it can be rather difficult to find cheap student car insurance that is affordable for a number of reasons. Car insurance companies realize that younger individuals are more likely to get into an accident, and as a result they charge higher premiums to ensure they don’t lose money by insuring you. If you’re looking at an age limit, being under the age of 25 is the typical cutoff that insurance companies set to determine whether you’re a high-risk driver.

All hope isn’t lost though. It is possible to find affordable car insurance as a student but it requires some work on your part. The first thing you should do is shop around. Don’t go with the first company that you see an advertisement for or select one based on what your parents say. Rates will vary based on a number of factors including your age, how long you’ve had a license and if you have a clean driving record. It’s free to obtain quotes and many websites will actually compare quotes from multiple companies so you can make an educated decision about which one to choose.

Once you select a company make sure that you’re receiving all the discounts that you’re eligible for. Insurance companies give discounts for safety and security features on your vehicle such as anti-lock brakes, VIN etching or a security system. If you’re unsure of whether you have a specific feature consult with your owner’s manual.

You can also receive discounts from your insurance company if you are a student. Some companies give a small discount if you’re attending high school or college. Take advantage of the discounts because a few dollars here or there really adds up to a lot over time.

You can also get a cheaper policy if you pay in advance. Insurance companies typically tack on an additional fee if you pay monthly, which increases your overall policy cost. Since most insurance policies are six months long, pay the six month premium ahead of time and eliminate the monthly add-on instalment fees. Take a class in defensive driving or a driver safety course. While the discount won’t be permanent, it typically lasts from six months to two years and will reduce the premium on your policy for a while.

Something else you can do that will ensure that your premium costs aren’t through the roof is to keep a clean driving record. Obey the rules of the road and never drive under the influence of substances that can impair your driving ability and increase the chances that you will end up getting in an accident. Student car insurance shouldn’t have to cost your entire paycheque if you shop smart and take your time when selecting a provider.

Car Insurance Online

Guest post: The internet has changed the way in which many of us live our daily lives. We use the internet to stay in touch with friends, do our shopping and even conduct our banking. Now you can also shop for and apply for your car insurance online to find the best car insurance deal.

One of the main reasons people choose to shop for their car insurance online would be because it is a lot more convenient. You can obtain and compare quotes easily and efficiently. The internet is a wonderful research tool that allows you to find out everything you need to know about a car insurance provider or car insurance in general without leaving the comfort of your own home.

How To Find Car Insurance Online

The first step to shopping for car insurance online would be to decide which online search engine you would like to us. There are a variety of free online search engines available and you should choose the one which you are most comfortable working with. You then simply enter the search phrase into the search engine and then wait for the results.

A great place to start would be to search for car insurance providers in your area. You can then access each of their websites in turn to find out more about their services and products. Many car insurance providers will have an online form that will allow you to request a quote online for car cover.

This quote is usually emailed straight to your email inbox. You may compare each quote received to see which service provider offers you the best value for your money.

The last step would be to research each car insurance provider online. You can find online reviews that would give you an idea of what other people experienced when taking out a car insurance policy with that particular insurance company.

The information gathered will give you all the insight you need to make a decision. You may then go ahead and purchase your car insurance online as well. Other tools, including vehicle tracker may be worth considering.