Automotive Parts

After the excitement of the Camaro coupe, General Motors is now ready to set forth a rising star in the form of the Camaro convertible. Earlier, the automaker has released images of the convertible concept to wow the automotive market. Last Saturday, the car kicked off at the North American International Auto Show.

Ed Peper, the Chevrolet general manager said, "For some of us, an emotional bond was formed when we introduced the Camaro coupe last year. It is magnificent. But now this year, if this Camaro convertible doesn't make your heart beat faster, you should see either your optometrist or your cardiologist, because you have a problem." Ed Welburn, GM vice president, global design, even added, "The best follow-up to last year's award-winning Camaro concept is a Camaro convertible. The Camaro convertible concept instantly evokes an emotional response - it's a vehicle that you want to make room for in your garage."

The automaker has already expressed its intent to produce the Camaro coupe and it is expected to go on sale in 2009.Though the convertible version of Camaro is not much different from the hardtop, Kevin Tynan, auto analyst of Argus Research said it is a smart addition to the automaker's show lineup because there is a market for it among the baby boomers and the vehicle also spices up some otherwise technical and practical offerings. Tynan added, "In a year of technology and fuel efficiency and environmentally friendly technology being more in the forefront, it's probably not a bad idea to have that wow factor. That's what it's for. To have people huddle around and look at it."

Camaro convertible concept is based on the original Camaro. In fact, it will be using some of the Chevrolet Camaro 2000 body parts but will entertain minor changes to make way for the convertible concept. The exterior dimensions of the original Camaro are retained. However, convertible will be powered by V-8 engine that sends power to the rear wheel through manual transmission. The rising new star of the automaker will also feature four-wheel independent suspension system and four-wheel disc brakes.

Dramatic new features of the convertible also include tonneau cover over the folded top, LED taillamps, "halo" headlamps, heritage-inspired rear fender "gills," racing-inspired fuel filler door, rear spoiler with LED-lit CHMSL, and hood scoop based from Corvette Z06.

The convertible rides on 21-inch front wheels and 22-inch rear wheels. The five-spoke wheels have charcoal center sections with orange outline. The choice of color complements the gunmetal gray stripes on the body of the vehicle. "The light-on-dark interior coloring makes a strong statement that conveys the spirit of freedom and fun that is embodied by a Camaro convertible," said Micah Jones, interior designer.

Camaro convertible is designed to tickle the fancies of young drivers. This is the very reason why the convertible is designed to exude energy, passion, and freedom. "Youthful buyers want a car that makes a statement in its design as much as its performance," said Brian Smith, exterior designer. "The new Camaro concepts bridge heritage with contemporary style, with a design that is simultaneously admired among import-influenced youth and traditional enthusiasts."

A car can be a expensive investment for the normal person it’s the most costly purchase a person makes second only to a house. So it makes sense that people don’t usually buy cars on impulse, they look for the best deal. You don’t want to get a car that regularly fails its MOT, frequently trips to the garage and maintenance even worse is a car that will breakdown on a journey. It may be Obvious that an older car usually wont be as reliable as a new car. You wouldn’t count on a new car to breakdown having a break down is something you don’t expect but it can happen to any car.

What breakdown cover does is provide mental assurance that If your car breaks down you won’t be left left alone in a dangerous situation and you can rest assured that you will be provided with swift assistance to get you on the go once more. To receive help the person must be in a situation as covered by the breakdown policy taken out. If a breakdown occurs the person suffering from the breakdown contacts the breakdown company giving them details regarding their situation and where they are and the company would come to their assistance.

Imagine your driving along the country then your struck with horror as the car starts losing power, you start to panic as you are breaking down and have no idea where you are, your first priority is to pull over to somewhere safe and then give reassurance to passengers. Once you have handled the initial problem, you lay stationary in your car and collect your thoughts. You know you don’t have many options unless very good with car and happen to have the spare parts and tools needed to repair your vehiclefrom the breakdown then you don’t have many options but to call someone to assist you. In certain situations this can be a scary situation, if its late at night and your alone or with children or maybe even the freezing winter without a working engine to keep you warm. A breakdown can be a serious situation.

For those people hoping to save money by not taking out breakdown cover there is something to bear in mind; How would you cope if your car did breakdown? No doubt in that situation when you are helpless and stranded you phone for someone to help. if you didn’t know alreadyYou can join a breakdown assistance company if you’re in a current breakdown situation the problem is it’s going to cost you. You will have to pay immediate service charge just for joining which can be anything up to £100 on top of the charge for the level of cover you are taking out. It gets worseSome companies will charge you for the time the mechanic works on your car and charge you for every mile if you need to be towed. You can tell that getting assistance from a breakdown situation without cover is going to be very expensive, quite easily costing you quite a bitmore than what you have saved by not buying cover.

Perhaps the most daunting consideration for anyone not too knowledgeable with regards to breakdown cover is which policy to get.. The basic level of cover for most companies is their roadside recovery, if you breakdown you contact the company you have cover with and tell them where you have broken down and your situation and they will send a patrol mechanic out to your current position and attempt to get you moving again. In the rare occasions that the patrol man can’t start your car again then he will give you a tow to a local garage or to your home whichever is closer. The basic level of roadside recovery can only be used if your more than ¼ of a mile away from your home. So the next option you need to consider is if you need to be covered at home. Just to make things clearIf your car doesn’t start at home and it wont start or a flat tyre and your car is on your drive you would need a home recovery option. If your a long distance away from home and you breakdown would you need to be taken home or would it be satisfactory to be taken to a local garage remember that if your car breaksdown at night it may be difficult to get home especially if your many, many miles away. If you need to be towed home no matter where you are in the UK then you need some kind of relay service. The highest level of cover you may want is additional travel arrangements If the patrol man can’t start your car again you can receive a courtesy car or hotel accommodation with an Onward travel package.

If your car breaks down at the side of the road it will certainly be an inconvenience and will delay your journey, but unlikely to be life threatening. If however your car breaks down whilst it is still moving the consequences could be entirely different, especially if you are travelling at high speed on a motorway, requiring you to react correctly and decisively to ensure your car is brought safely to a stop without causing an accident.

Engine Failure
Most modern cars now come with power assisted steering and brakes, so if the engine fails it is very likely that these systems will be affected too. Therefore you will need to be prepared to use extra force to turn the steering wheel and place extra force on the brake pedal to bring the car safely to stop.

Most engines are now governed by an electronic control system that have a limp home mode if they detect a fault, and this could mean your speed is suddenly limited to under 30mph, even if you are travelling at a much higher speed. If you suddenly experience a loss of power switch on your left hand indicator lights and use gaps in the traffic to safely pull over to the side of the road.

Engine Fire
If you detect an unusual burning or petrol smell, or see signs of fire pull over immediately and get all of the vehicle occupants out of the car and to a safe place as soon as possible. If the fire is inside the engine compartment do not open that bonnet, because the sudden rush of air will cause the fire to flare and burn even harder. Stay well back and call the fire brigade to handle it.

Engine Overheating
The first signs of an overheating engine will be on the rising temperature gauge inside the cockpit, which if left unnoticed can lead to steam coming out from under the bonnet. As soon as you suspect the engine is overheating pull over, switch on your hazard car bulbs and stop the engine as soon as possible otherwise the engine could be seriously damaged.

Allow the engine plenty of time to cool before investigating further, especially if you are going to remove the engine coolant filler cap and top up the fluid level. The reason for this is that the coolant system is a closed system and so whilst still hot will release scalding hot steam.

Modern car engines are normally extremely reliable, however faults do occasionally occur, so it is important to know how to react safely and correctly if they do.

No matter how reliable you think your car is it is always possible for a complication to occur, resulting in the breakdown of your trusty vehicle and possibly leaving you stranded. It always pays to be prepared and the same principle applies when you are travelling by car.

When you first notice your car is not running as it should then pull over safely to the side of the road so you are out of the way of oncoming traffic.

Once you have got your car off the road you should switch on your hazard lights to alert other drivers of your stationary vehicle. It is also important to remember to get in and out of your car using the door that is furthest away from the traffic.

A few simple tools are often all it takes to repair any damage or change a flat tyre and the ladies out there are just as capable of this as men, so long as they don’t mind getting their hands dirty!

Teaching yourself basic car repair is a good starting point to help avoid any unnecessary hold-up’s when out and about.

Knowledge of how to connect the battery as well as how to check the oil and radiator fluid levels could come in handy and all are easy ways to quickly and easily identify any problems which may be stopping your wheels from turning.

Getting a puncture is a common occurrence so it makes sense to know how to swap your flat tyre for the spare one should the occasion arise.

If you are not able to identify why your car is not working then you will need to call for some help and assistance. Having a functioning mobile phone is essential for this process. If you have breakdown cover then you should telephone your provider so a rescue vehicle can be sent to save the day.

If you do not have breakdown cover then do not fear as you could call a local service station or garage to at least have your car towed to a safer place and then you can arrange for the necessary repairs to be made.

If you are not too far from home then you can always rely upon friends or family to help you out in a time of need.

Other handy things to keep in your car include a flashlight in case you break down during nightfall and reflective warning triangles which help to protect both you and your vehicle in case of a breakdown.

Regardless of whether you are male or female, try to exercise common sense and keep your wits about you if you need to find help, especially under the cover of darkness. If safety is a worry, especially if you are travelling long distances or through desolate areas, then having car breakdown cover in place is probably the easiest and most hassle free way to get yourself back on the road in no time.