All The Secrets You Need To Know For Better Gas Mileage.

Everyone is affected by the increase in gas prices. The increased cost at the gas pump has many families needing to tighten their budgets. One way to decrease your cost at the pump is to increase your gas mileage. This may seem an clear solution, but there are several ways to improve gas mileage that are easy to do.

One of the best ways of increasing gas mileage is to maintain your vehicle. Make sure the tires are properly inflated. Having the right amount of pressure in your tires can increase your gas mileage significantly. Make sure that when you have your oil changed, that your air filter is checked. Having a clean air filter also affects gas mileage. Making sure that you properly maintain your car not only increases gas mileage, but it also helps extend the life of your car. With people watching their budgets more closely, they tend to drive their cars for longer periods of time.

Another way of increasing gas mileage is to watch your driving habits. There are several things that each driver does routinely that can impact gas mileage. The most published tip regarding this is to decrease your speed. By driving the speed limit you can greatly improve your gas mileage. This also increases your safety and the safety of others on the road. When driving in the city try to avoid rapid acceleration.

Rapid acceleration greatly decreases gas mileage. Excessive breaking also uses more gas. To get the most out of each gallon of gas try to avoid doing this. Excessive breaking or traveling the break is often a habit that young drivers get into, because of lack of confidence. It pays to discuss this with your teenage driver.

If you are in the market for a new car and are worried about getting the best gas mileage possible, consider one of the hybrid cars. There are more models to choose from due to the rise in gas prices. Several of the hybrid models get extremely good gas mileage. The hybrid car is improving in appearance, availability and performance. The high price of gas has caused many manufactures to increase their production of the hybrid car to give consumers better gas mileage. Due to the increase in the number of hybrid cars produced, there is no longer the waiting list to contend with when purchasing one. Most car dealers have several hybrid models to choose from on their showroom floor.

In addition to changing your driving habits to increase gas mileage, you can also cut down on the number of trips you make with your vehicle. If you are going a short distance consider walking or riding a bike. Try to incorporate as many errands into one trip as possible so that you will decrease the miles you drive. Small changes in habits can save money at the pump by improving gas mileage.

On Sale Jeep Parts

It might be a long way from the outback or actual off road driving but Chrysler is becoming very innovative in its marketing efforts to allow potential clients to experience the Jeep’s trail rated difference!

In early October at the South Florida International Auto Show, Chrysler set up what they called “Camp Jeep”.  To those less term enriched, Jeep made a driving exhibit to give test drivers the real-life experience of driving a Jeep off road. This was no minor feat for Jeep. To build their course at the Miami Beach Convention Center, they had to haul in over 220 yards of mulch and spend almost six days developing the obstacle course. The trail featured a water obstacle and an 18-foot “hill” as well as other driving challenges. All to show potential clients just what a Jeep can do out on the trails.

If this wasn’t enough, Chrysler is going it one better at their upcoming "Full Throttle Test Drive Event" at the Wild Rivers Water Park in Irvine, CA (Los Angeles area) this Saturday (Oct. 28) and Sunday (Oct. 29). Chrysler will be featuring its full line of vehicles on three different specialty courses, one of which will be a 4x4 off-road adventure course.  Consumers will get the chance to test the off-road capability of Chrysler’s Jeep Wrangler, Grand Cherokee and Commander on the course.

This event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and is free. Food and drinks will be available. People interested in attending are being encouraged to pre-register for a general arrival time on Saturday or Sunday by calling 888-809-7088 or visiting http://www.ridedrivewin.com/pr. Pre-registration is not required to attend. You do need to be 18 years or older with a valid driver’s license to participate in the vehicle driving tests.

Is it worth the expense to construct these man-made obstacle courses? Chrysler must think so and some marketing studies would seem to indicate that it is as well. According to market research, 40% of the people that attend these types of auto shows will buy a vehicle within a year of the event.

We applaud Chrysler for their innovative way to demonstrate their vehicles’ performance and to give people a chance to see for themselves what they feel like out on the trails.  We look for more marketing innovations out of Chrysler as they make a push to further strengthen their off-road image.

At XtremeTerrain.com we have everything you need for your Jeep Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, and any other Jeep make or model: Interior and exterior accessories, suspension and performance parts, restoration and body parts, travel accessories, and much more.  Quality aftermarket parts can be purchased easily at our online shop at our always low prices. Just go to On Sale Jeep Parts

How To Detect A Flood Damaged Vehicle

Flooded Vehicle - is considered, a vehicle that was damaged by water level raised to seating level. Most flood damaged cars, trucks and SUVs are sent to a salvage yard, but some are cleaned up and put into the auto market where they'll be bought by unsuspecting buyers who think they're getting a great deal.

Flooded water leaves long lasting damage. Electrical and mechanical components will probably fail early. Mold and mildew can also create a serious problem. Any remaining warranty is voided. While buying a used car be on the lookout for these cars even if you don't live in a flooded area, because dishonest people move them around. Here are some tips and points to detect flooded vehicles.

I) Get a Vehicle History Report
Enter the vehicle's VIN number to get a history report. Carfax does a great job of researching a vehicle's background, but a clean slate is not a 100% guarantee that the car or truck hasn't suffered water damage. You can also contact CarSnaps and ask them for advice or request a vehicle background report.

II) Look for Moisture.
Look for moisture within the lights. Check the glove compartment, console and trunk and inspect them for any sign of dampness moisture or the dirt that looks like a leftover from a flood. Look under the hood for accumulated dirt or signs of rust. Check under the seats for signs of moisture.

III) Take a deep Sniff
This can really help in detecting flooded vehicles. Do you smell a sour, mildewy-like odor? Soaked seats, carpeting and other components are difficult to dry in a hurry, so there's plenty of time for mold and mildew to grow, especially if the flood occurred in a hot and humid location.

IV) Look for Mismatched Interior Components
Does the carpeting look brand new or mismatched or too new for the vehicle? Do seat covers seem out of place with the carpeting? Components that don't match-up might have been changed in a hurry after the vehicle was pulled from flood waters.

V) Request free advice from CarSnaps
Contact CarSnaps.com and request free advice from their qualified technicians who are there to help and it is free so there is nothing to lose.

VI) Let Your Technician Examine the Vehicle
Take the vehicle to a technician if possible and ask for a thorough examination. Experienced auto technicians see evidence of flood damage more often than most individuals do, so they know exactly what to look for.

VII) Turn it On and Go for a Drive
Turn the car on and check every electrical system possible, including the exterior and interior lights, the gauges, the clock and the audio system and the dash lights that display air bag and seat belt information. Go for a drive and test electrical components again to make sure they work correctly. 90% of the time you will be able to suspect an electrical problem with flooded vehicle unless it is repaired or electrical parts are not damaged which is very rare though.

Flooded vehicles should be avoided as much as possible even if seller tell you about the manufacturer warranty because warranty voids when a car goes through a flood. If you suspect a flooded vehicle walk away from it. Flooded vehicles are not worth the hassle they provide.
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Aftermarket Upgrades To Enhance Your Jeep’s Performance

Serious off-road enthusiasts do not worry about mud or scratches on their Jeeps because they will have a lot more come the end of the week.  They are modern day explorers and adventurers that want to go where no one has ever gone before.  They are usually off exploring those caves or driving up that mountain to see how far they can go.  When driving unpredictable terrain, the off-road enthusiast does not know the word “can’t”.  You can’t get there by car, you can’t cross that creek bed, or you can’t drive up that mountain.  These are all heard as challenges.  The off-roader now wants, no, must find a way to conquer that obstacle. 

To meet these challenges the typical serious off-road Jeeper wants to enhance their Jeep by adding aftermarket performance parts that help them achieve the optimum rock-crawling, trail-thrashing ability.  Specialized aftermarket trail performance components are made specifically for each model, whether it is a Wrangler, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, or Liberty.  Accessories are readily available to improve engine performance, vehicle handling, ground-clearance and trail convenience.

To increase horsepower there are a multitude of aftermarket upgrades available.   Hi-flow air intake systems increase the flow of air to the engine.  This allows your engine to breathe easier.  The air filter is designed to achieve virtual unrestricted airflow and still filter the air of dust and debris, which not only delivers added power but also helps prolong the life of the engine.  Computer chips and programmer boxes are designed to improve horsepower and/or gas mileage giving you the ability to optimize the power of your Jeep.  These programmers allow you to tune your Jeep to receive more rotary force (torque) or to customize your Jeep’s limit to allow for faster acceleration.  High performance exhaust systems are not installed just to make noise.  They increase the exhaust flow of your Jeep lessening the backpressure, which helps to produce more power, and, yes your Jeep will have a deeper, meaner roar to it as well. 

Suspension lift kits increase the handling and ground clearance of your Jeep.  You install taller suspension components (higher lift springs and longer recoil shocks). These systems deliver lift, better articulation, better offroad handling, and allow for larger tires; all this for better off-road traction and handling.

Polyurethane mounts and bushings provide better performance and extended wear.  Polyurethane transmission mounts replace worn rubber factory mounts, which can lead to hard shifting and sloppiness in the drive train.  Changing these rubber factory mounts to the new polyurethane mounts will also lessen breakage when placing high levels of power demands on the system.   Polyurethane bushings improve the handling and feel of your Jeep, and provide the necessary stiffness to the body and cab, while maintaining a certain resilience to ensure a firmer ride.  

An on-board air system offers trailside convenience for the 4x4 enthusiast.  It is a common practice for trail riders to air down their tires for maximum traction when maneuvering on rough terrain.  Having on-board air makes it much easier for the Jeep driver to air back up the tires so their Jeep will perform properly on paved roads on their way back to the city from the off road excursion.

High-end performance Jeep alternaters are designed to meet the high-level demands on the electric system out on the trails.  They ensure that you will have the power needed for your Jeep’s system. 

These specialized off-road components mentioned above are just some of the high-end parts that are available to Jeep owners for meeting the special demands from the trails.  Contact your Jeep specialist to learn more about these components and others that are designed to maximize the performance of your Jeep.
Get your Jeep accessories here!

How Does NOS Work?

Nitrous Oxide injection is a popular performance modification that offers maximum returns on spending. The direct outcome of using Nitrous Oxide injection is additional power to your vehicle. This results into better garnering of energy from combustion of fuel, revved up engine and eventual boost in over all performance of the vehicle.

Nitrous oxide is more popular than other performance modifications as besides better performance per unit of money spent, Nitrous installations are easier to accomplish. These installations can be used as and when the need arises. The Nitrous oxide injections are available to meet any magnitude of power need from 25 HP to over 500 extra HP. This performance option caters to the computer controlled fuel injected engines. The Nitrous systems are portable enough to be easily removed or transferred to another vehicle. In comparison to other performance options, Nitrous Oxide systems are feasible, as they cost least and install without much difficulty. To install NOS, all you need are some common hand tools and barely three to four hours time. There is no other performance option that can buy you more performance for lesser money than Nitrous.

Nitrous oxide is colorless, non-flammable and a slightly sweet smelling gas. Also known as laughing gas because of its euphoric effects, Nitrous is also known as NOS after the famous trademark catering Nitrous Oxide injection systems.

[How Does It Work?]

Nitrous oxides functions along identical principle as followed by sodium chlorate upon heating. It constitutes of two parts of Nitrogen and one part of Oxygen (N2O). When Nitrous Oxide is heated to a temperature of about 570 degrees F (~300 degree C), it splits into oxygen and nitrogen. So, injection of Nitrous oxide into the engine results into more oxygen available during combustion. As there is more oxygen available during combustion, the engine can also intake more fuel, and consequently generate more power. Thus, Nitrous oxide is one of the simplest manners to give a substantial horsepower boost to any gasoline engine.

Secondly, when pressurized Nitrous oxide is injected into the intake manifold, it boils and vaporizes. As a result, Nitrous oxide provides significant cooling effect on the intake air. With the cooling effect, the temperature of the intake air reduces by 60-75 degrees F. This in turn, increases air density and subsequent higher concentration of oxygen inside the cylinder. Thus additional power is generated. As per standard rule, every 10 degrees F reduction in intake charge temperature causes 1% increase in power. For example, a 350 HP engine with an intake temperature drop of 70 degrees F shall gain around 25HP on the cooling affect alone.

Thirdly, the nitrogen released during the process of heating also supports the performance aspect. As Nitrogen dampens down the increased cylinder pressure, it controls the combustion process eventually.

Nitrous oxide is colossal just like any other gas. Even its liquid form does not excuse the bulky nature of the gas. The engine requires a huge quantity of Nitrous Oxide to keep the 5-liter engine running at 4,000 rotations per minute (RPM). The speed of 4,000-RPM rate is secured by combustion of 10,000 liters of air every minute. In sharp contrast, the engine consumes only 0.2 liters of gasoline. In nutshell, the engine shall require magnanimous quantity of Nitrous oxide to run your vehicle continuously. Therefore, a car normally carries limited amount of nitrous oxide, which is used very selectively by the driver, by pushing a button.

Nitrous system offers improvement of 1 to 3 full seconds and 10 to 15 MPH in the quarter mile. Other factors viz. engine size, tires, jetting, gearing etc. determine the final results. It is best used with a wide-open throttle, unless a progressive controller is used. It can be safely applied above 2,500 rotations per minute (RPM) under full throttle conditions.

Forged aluminum pistons are one of the best modifications to complement NOS. Other important modifications may be a forged crankshaft, a high quality race type connecting rod, a high output fuel pump dedicated to feeding the additional fuel demands of Nitrous system and a racing fuel with high specific gravity and an octane rating of 110 or more.

For effective performance through Nitrous Oxide, it is important to choose the correct Horse Power for a given application. To elaborate, as the energy will be released in the cylinder, the load on various components to perform will also increase proportionately. If the energy released is greater than the ability to handle the energy, it will amount to wear and tear of the machinery. While 4 cyl. engines allow an extra 40-60 HP, 6 cyl. engines allow 75-100 extra HP only. On identical lines, while small blocks V8’s (302/350/400cid) typically allow up to 140 extra HP, big blocks V8’s (427/454) accept from 125–200 extra HP.

As Nitrous looses the optimal flow rate at very cold temperatures, NOS kit has a nitrous pressure gauge that allows you to monitor the pressure to approximately 800-900 psi. In colder climates, it is always advisable to purchase a bottle heater kit, part # 14161 to keep the ambient temperature to 70-90 degrees F.

Further, the condition of the engine is important to keep in mind while choosing NOS kit for your vehicle. A worn out and poorly tuned up vehicle will not be able to sustain NOS pressure and will be instead harmed by abnormal wear.

Though the button triggering on Nitrous oxide may be held pressed until the bottle containing it is rendered empty, it is recommended that Nitrous Oxide may be used for 15 continuous seconds or lesser. The Nitrous bottle can be easily refilled from any NOS certified distributor. The NOS bottle must not be overfilled as overfilling and/ or too much heat can result into excessive bottle pressures, following a blown out safety seal and eventual release of all the contents out of the bottle.


Nitrous Oxide magnifies the output of any engine – be it stock engine or modified engine, to lend more power and better performance. However, it is important to keep the condition and horsepower of the engine in mind before introducing particular NOS to it to secure positive results only.

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Customize Your Off-Road Vehicle

In these times when we're all being defined by numbers and crunched into conformity, we still want something that expresses our own style. Something that says, "This is me."

For some time, an underworld of car customization has existed. But today, it's not just low-riders and hot-doggers who want to make a personal statement. With the popularity of shows such as "American Chopper" and "Pimp My Ride," orders for custom cars and bikes have skyrocketed.

Now, ATV and utility vehicle owners are just as eager to spruce up their rides. They are beginning to appreciate their sturdy off-road vehicles - more often associated with hunting and farming - and are dreaming up ways to make them unique. Each becomes a signature piece, reflecting the taste and style of the owner.

The trend, spearheaded by celebrities and sports stars, now is becoming more mainstream, according to Polaris, a leading manufacturer of ATVs and utility vehicles. The Southwest, especially California and Arizona, seems to be the hub of this new fad.

Here are some of the hottest ways to customize your ride:

* Flames: Since the 1950s, painted flames scorching the front and sides of hot rods have meant speed. Today, this classic design still leads the pack.

* Chrome: The luxurious Packards and Cords of the 1930s

were loaded with shine and sparkle. Grills, doors - everything that could gleam, did gleam. Even now, chrome says high style.

* Color-keyed rims: They would have loved this in the 1960s. Bright primaries, strong earth tones, simple neutrals -choose a color and your ride is instantly one of a kind.

* Sound systems: Install one in the bed or roof. Whether your music of choice is golden oldies or heavy metal, everything will sound better. And on those camping trips when you're deprived of your usual comforts, you can still enjoy quality sound.

Find more truck accessories here!

Do You Need a 4x4

Sooner or later, most serious campers get to thinking about the "need" to own a four-wheel drive.  So, right up front, here’s my answer: A definite "maybe"!

You see, it’s all to do with your personal outdoor lifestyle.  Many outdoorsy types mistakenly believe that, since camping takes place in "the bush", they obviously need the off-road ability of a four-wheel drive.  Not true.  Well, not necessarily true anyway.
       
Confused?  Let’s go back a step or two.
       
Firstly, there are a few relevant questions that only you can answer.  For example: Will you and your family be camping alone in fairly remote areas?  If so, how often?
       
But don’t rush it; answers need to be honest.  I mean, we all start out believing that we’ll frequently head off on hairy-chested expeditions.  The reality is, though, because of family or economic considerations -- or genuine lack of experience -- things rarely turn out that way.  That’s the main reason you see all those late model 4WDs in the used car lots.  After all, there’s little point tying up maybe $15,000 more than the equivalent 2WD would cost, only to find later that you just don’t need a vehicle with all-wheel traction.
         
On the other hand, if you prefer to get well away from the tourists and holiday hordes, or prefer camping with your family in splendid isolation, then for you a 4WD might be essential.

The answer can only be found in an honest appraisal of your camping history, the highs and lows throughout that history, and the direction in which you and your family really would like your outdoor activities to go.
       
Mind you, a 4X4 can certainly extend your horizons considerably. Whether alone or with another family or two, the extra wilderness areas that become available make additional investment much easier to justify.  With their higher ground clearance, significantly increased traction for those tricky access trails (particularly after rain or snow), and improved load carrying and towing abilities, the average 4WD won’t be beaten for serious -- or mildly adventurous -- camping.
       
That’s not all.  These days a 4X4 does not have to be your "second car" since levels of comfort in most models are now on a par with conventional -- even luxurious! -- family station wagons.  Reliability, ruggedness and resale value of the 4WD also help ensure that any cost premium becomes purely academic.
       
But, having said all that, we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that, scattered across the country there are thousands of superb campsites, including national and state parks, reserves, and commercial campgrounds. The vast majority of these are easily accessible, which is more reason still to be absolutely certain, up front, that you’ll get reasonable return for your higher dollar investment.

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Body Kits

The top reason why people customize their wheels with a body kit is the looks but the body kit can improve as well the overall performance of your vehicle. Before getting started on buying a body kit, take into consideration certain concerns.

A body kit typically includes ground effects usually an air dam and side skirts. These ground effects fit on the vehicle's bottom edges and improves the down force by altering the air flow. The car looks lowered to the ground.

A kit can also include spoilers and wings. Under the front bumper is positioned a front spoiler to lessen the aerodynamic drag. A spoiler on the rear creates a down force to help increase grip or traction during acceleration.

The material that the body kit is made of should be considered. Generally there are two types of materials used in fabricating kits. You have the urethane and the fiberglass. Fiberglass has a better fit and can be repaired if a piece gets damaged. On the other hand, urethane once it gets damaged cannot be repaired but it is more resistant to soft impacts. Fiberglass has a better finish than urethane, and the paint generally looks better on it. Urethane is advisable if you live in an area that has rough roads and snow. Fiberglass is ideal with smooth roads and with a decent weather.

When you have considered a particular kit, calling the manufacturer of that kit would be good. Ask for what material your choice body kit is made of, if there is any warranty and if it is necessary for factory pieces from your vehicle's safety structure to be removed in order that the kit will fit accordingly. If it is necessary for the factory pieces to be removed, then don't bother buying the kit. Avoid purchasing body kits that require factory pieces from your car's structure to be removed.

Quality comes with price. Top quality fiberglass resin made in the U.S. can be expensive, while you can also find cheap fiberglass. It is all up to you how much you are willing to invest in your body kit.

Even the most accomplished do-it-yourselfers find installing a body kit quite complicated that it would be advisable to seek professional help. Ask your body kit manufacturer for recommended dealers in your area or recommended shops that could do the job. Check other sources like the yellow pages and the internet as well. Make sure that the shop has ample experience in such field and could do a good job at painting the kit. Check out pictures of previous works that the shop has done and select the shop that is most comfortable for you.
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How To Install Truck Running Boards

If you are a pick up truck or SUV owner, one of the most popular accessories for these types of vehicles are running boards. Running boards are particularly useful as they allow easier access to your truck’s cabin in addition to simply “lookin’ good”. You can outfit your vehicle yourself with running boards by following three simple steps. Depending on the brand of running board you purchase, the procedures involved may vary somewhat. Lund running boards are industry hot sellers and the company helps make installation a breeze by outlining how to get the job done:
 1. Insert the square head bolts into the extruded channels on the underside of the board, then attach the Multi-Fit brackets loosely with supplied washers and nuts.
 2. After determining mounting position on the truck, the end caps and step pads are attached with matching black rivets.
 3. Mounting methods vary slightly with application. Multi-Fit Running boards are bolted in place with clip nuts and bolts at factory holes. Tighten after determining alignment is correct. That’s it! Before you know it your running boards are securely in place and ready for use. When shopping for running boards, please note that the quality of the products marketed can vary. A top of the line running board such as those sold by Lund or IronCross running boards is typically made out of tough polymer materials or diamond plated aluminum and will, therefore, adequately hold your weight and resist deterioration.

You can order running boards that light up, choose boards that have a wide step area, and even select running boards that allow you to paint the shell yourself. Running boards are made for SUVs from the Kia Sorento to the Ford Expedition, and for trucks from the Toyota Tacoma to the GMC Sierra Denali. Mounting kits are usually sold separately, so before completing your order make sure that all the parts as well as instructions are included with your shipment. By shopping with a reputable online retailer and installing the running boards yourself you can save plenty of money and have the satisfaction of knowing that you did the installation.

Find your running boards at www.hitchanything.com

Aftermarket Upgrades To Enhance Your Jeep’s Performance

Serious off-road enthusiasts do not worry about mud or scratches on their Jeeps because they will have a lot more come the end of the week.  They are modern day explorers and adventurers that want to go where no one has ever gone before.  They are usually off exploring those caves or driving up that mountain to see how far they can go.  When driving unpredictable terrain, the off-road enthusiast does not know the word “can’t”.  You can’t get there by car, you can’t cross that creek bed, or you can’t drive up that mountain.  These are all heard as challenges.  The off-roader now wants, no, must find a way to conquer that obstacle.

To meet these challenges the typical serious off-road Jeeper wants to enhance their Jeep by adding aftermarket performance parts that help them achieve the optimum rock-crawling, trail-thrashing ability.  Specialized aftermarket trail performance components are made specifically for each model, whether it is a Wrangler, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, or Liberty.  Accessories are readily available to improve engine performance, vehicle handling, ground-clearance and trail convenience.

To increase horsepower there are a multitude of aftermarket upgrades available.   Hi-flow air intake systems increase the flow of air to the engine.  This allows your engine to breathe easier.  The air filter is designed to achieve virtual unrestricted airflow and still filter the air of dust and debris, which not only delivers added power but also helps prolong the life of the engine.  Computer chips and programmer boxes are designed to improve horsepower and/or gas mileage giving you the ability to optimize the power of your Jeep.  These programmers allow you to tune your Jeep to receive more rotary force (torque) or to customize your Jeep’s limit to allow for faster acceleration.  High performance exhaust systems are not installed just to make noise.  They increase the exhaust flow of your Jeep lessening the backpressure, which helps to produce more power, and, yes your Jeep will have a deeper, meaner roar to it as well.

Suspension lift kits increase the handling and ground clearance of your Jeep.  You install taller suspension components (higher lift springs and longer recoil shocks). These systems deliver lift, better articulation, better offroad handling, and allow for larger tires; all this for better off-road traction and handling.

Polyurethane mounts and bushings provide better performance and extended wear.  Polyurethane transmission mounts replace worn rubber factory mounts, which can lead to hard shifting and sloppiness in the drive train.  Changing these rubber factory mounts to the new polyurethane mounts will also lessen breakage when placing high levels of power demands on the system.   Polyurethane bushings improve the handling and feel of your Jeep, and provide the necessary stiffness to the body and cab, while maintaining a certain resilience to ensure a firmer ride.

An on-board air system offers trailside convenience for the 4x4 enthusiast.  It is a common practice for trail riders to air down their tires for maximum traction when maneuvering on rough terrain.  Having on-board air makes it much easier for the Jeep driver to air back up the tires so their Jeep will perform properly on paved roads on their way back to the city from the off road excursion.

High-end performance Jeep alternaters are designed to meet the high-level demands on the electric system out on the trails.  They ensure that you will have the power needed for your Jeep’s system.

These specialized off-road components mentioned above are just some of the high-end parts that are available to Jeep owners for meeting the special demands from the trails.
www.hitchanything.com

Tips on Preparing Your Truck for Summer Driving

Spring is the perfect time to get your vehicle ready for the busy summer driving season ahead. It's wise to have your vehicle checked out before summer's heavy vacation traffic and stop-and-go conditions begin in earnest.

The experts at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence offer the following tips on getting your vehicle ready:

* Read the owner's manual and follow the recommended service schedules. Pay attention to "regular" vs. "severe" schedules listed, and determine which is appropriate for your driving conditions and habits.

* Look for an orderly repair facility with modern equipment in the service bays and qualified automotive technicians on staff, as evidenced by trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work and training, as well as national certification of the individual technicians by ASE.

* Flush and refill the cooling system (radiator) according to the service manual's recommendations. The level, condition and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. Make sure the engine has cooled down before removing the radiator cap. Engine overheating is the most frequent summer breakdown.

* Have engine performance problems corrected, such as hard starts, rough idling and stalling. You'll get better gasoline mileage, and you could prevent more expensive repairs.

* Don't neglect your transmission and brakes. Costly repairs can be prevented by routine service. Neglected brakes can create safety issues, too.

* Seek out a qualified auto technician to check the condition of belts, clamps and hoses, but be proactive by looking for signs of wear, cracking or fraying.

* Have a marginally operating air conditioner system serviced by a technician qualified to handle refrigerants. Older units often contain ozone-depleting chemicals that could be released into the air through improper or incompetent service.

* Change the oil and oil filter as specified in the owner's manual. This simple, inexpensive service can increase the life of your vehicle.

* Replace other filters (air, fuel, PCV) as recommended in the service manual.

* Check the condition of tires, including the spare. Let the tires "cool down" before checking their pressure. Uneven wear, "cupping," vibrations or "pulling" to one side indicates problems with your tires or suspension system.