Category Archives: Automotive

Automotive

How Advertising in Social Networking Sites Helps Your Automotive Business

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With the increase in number of social networking users, the Internet has added up another potential arena for marketing online social networking sites. Especially for automotive business, where branding will be the major marketing objective, advertising in social media is not worth ignoring. Here are some benefits of advertising in social networking sites for automotive businesses:

Reaches wider audiences
We are now in an era where an account in social networking site is as important as having a mobile. Facebook alone has 175 million users logging into the site each day. When you place your ad in a social networking site, it is more likely that your ad is watched by a large number of visitors.

Moreover, users are becoming more offended with traditional advertisements as they seem to invade their privacy. The ads in social networking sites may not seem intrusive as they mingle with the flow of conversations in them.

Improves traffic
The effectiveness of target-based advertising has long been recognized by businesses. It is much easier to promote your auto dealership to niche consumer base through wide number of options such as forums, marketplaces and groups on social networking sites. Such targeted online ads are more likely to increase click-through rates of your ads, from potential consumers. Thus, advertising in social networking sites will not only improve your landing page traffic, but also is more likely to convert the traffic into leads.

Builds good reputation
More and more consumers are turning to social networking sites for advice on purchasing their car. There are many credible automotive forums, blogs or groups on sites like Facebook, which have already built their reputation by helping many such people seeking advice. These conversations are re-visited and referred by many others who require similar advice. When your ad is displayed among those conversations, chances are more that you can build good brand reputation out of it.

Highly interactive
Interactive advertising has become one of the popular online advertising techniques today. The best option available for interactive online advertising is social networking sites. Unlike advertising in traditional media, advertising in social networking sites enables auto dealers to interact with their customers.

Post offers and discounts: There are certain social networking sites like Groupon, LivingSocial, Scoutmob, etc. that have become popular these days by allowing businesses to post offers and discounts at faster pace. They already have gained much popularity among consumers, thus leaving enough chances of increasing your advertising ROI.

Your social media marketing campaign can turn more effective, when supported by social networking advertisements. As the ads belong to the same platform that the users are using, it is more likely to get them to subscribe or sign up to your messages. This further helps you achieve your marketing goals easily.

Get feedback instantly: Social media enables two-way interaction between you and your consumers. Queries and feedback related to cars or services from consumers will reach you instantly. However, it is not likely that the feedback is positive always. But responding appropriately and quickly even to a negative feedback, will prove you more credible in the market.

You will require an effective social media strategy to gain success here the major reason most auto dealers do not succeed with it. Since the competition is less, there are more chances that you can use it to your advantage with the help of an experienced social media strategist.

If you are one of those auto dealers, who are still struggling to get enough ROI out of their advertising campaign, the problem might be with the advertising space you are investing in. It is then the right time to move to social networking sites for promoting your auto dealership.

Automotive

Benefits of Buying a Used Car

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It is time to replace your current vehicle and many prospective car buyers are faced with one hard, controversial decision: Do you buy a new or used vehicle? There are many good reasons to buy a used car, such as having a greater selection of vehicles in your price range, but probably the biggest draw for used-car buyers is affordability. Buying a used car could get you the most vehicle for your money by far, but has a little more risk involved.

Price

There is no doubt that buying a used car compared to buying a new car is going to be less expensive. New car owners often take a significant knock as brand new cars can lose a lot its value in the first year alone! Second hand buyers has the added advantage of being able to step up to a better model within the same price range.

Depreciation

It is really true that once you drive a new car off the showroom floor, its value will drop instantly. Cars depreciate steadily over time, but the steepest decline usually happens within the first two years of ownership. In rare instances, some models can even lose 40 percent or more of their value in the first year. With a used car, there is still depreciation, just a lot less rapidly. Improved reliability with certified pre-owned programs

Even though used vehicles usually don’t carry the same factory warranties as new cars, the original maintenance plan on a new car is often transferable to a second owner, even when buying from a private seller. If you buy a certified pre-owned vehicle from an authorized dealer you can also opt to purchase an extended warranty for the vehicle.

Insurance

Insurance rates are significantly affected by the age of a car. A used vehicle will in most cases be less expensive to insure than its newer counterpart.

Wider Selection

You would be able to buy a better equipped or more powerful version of the vehicle model you want, or you might be able to choose from a wider selection of car brands and models by opting for a used model, for the same price as a new car. Also, your selection of cars, and options further increase because you can buy used cars privately as well as from second hand dealers.

No Long order periods

Brand new cars have to be ordered from the factory in the country of manufacture, and you may have to wait for weeks or even months for your car to be delivered. Some luxury brands have up to a 12 month waiting period.

Individual’s needs differs widely and, the decision to buy new or used all comes down to what you can afford, are you willing to take on a little risk, or do you need complete peace of mind.

Automotive

Motorcycle Batteries Maintenance

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Driving your own motorcycle can be more convenient and practical than driving a regular car or vehicle. Yet when the motorcycle becomes dysfunctional, repair costs may also be expensive and can put a dent in your budget. Costly motorcycle repairs may however not be needed if you can properly maintain and care for your motorcycle.

Motorcycles consist of various components which altogether work to make the vehicle serviceable. One component that is essential in motorcycle operation is the motorcycle battery. Therefore your battery is one of those essential parts that you need to maintain. To do this, you need to understand details about you battery and how it operates in order to power up your motorcycle.Motorcycle batteries are of two types: conventional and maintenance free. Each type implements its own charging set, troubleshooting and maintenance.

In caring for motorcycles, you may need proper tools like jumper cables, battery tester, multimeter, hydrometer and battery analyzer. The jumper cables are what you need to use to start up the motor when it has low charge. The tester is for checking if the battery is charged or discharged. The multimeter which can measure resistance, current and voltage will help you know if it is time for recharging. The syringe hydrometer is for precisely showing the gravity reading of conventional batteries. The battery acid and the water content are displayed by the hydrometer so you will know if it needs replenishment. Then the battery analyzer, with just a single push of a button, can tell you if your battery is already full of charge.

Checking the battery, regardless if it is maintenance free or conventional, needs to be done once in each month. Conventional motorcycle batteries would require the water to be topped off so the needed electrolyte balance may be restored. The water will evaporate as the vehicle operates and so electrolytes will be produced. You need to inspect the battery and all its connections one time every month or so. Grimes surrounding the battery must be cleaned particularly the dirt buildup on the battery connections.

A common problem with the battery is when there exists no power in the motorcycle. Your horn and your lights would not function so you need to look first at the fuse. This fuse is located on the red-colored lead near to your battery. Replace the broken fuse.

When you start the motorcycle and there is an intermittent loss of power, you should look at the terminals of your battery as they may be loose. If they are, tighten the connections.

If you hear a clicking noise as you start your motorcycle, this would mean a battery whose charge is too low, it cannot even turn over your vehicles starter. The clicking sound is produced by the solenoid activated by the battery but the power is inadequate to deal with the starter. Your battery charge can also be indicated by a starter that turns quite slowly .

Automotive

Car parts and Automotive equipment – How the Oil Pump Works

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Automotive enthusiasts are well aware of the importance of each specific car part as it pertains to the overall working vehicle. However, men and women who are new to the world of automotive equipment may be curious as to how some of these important automotive parts pertain to the automobile’s inner workings.

One of the most important car parts in circulation is the oil pump. In most cases, the oil pump is located above the oil pan inside the engine. The oil pump is actuated by gears located on the end of the crankshaft or on the end of the distributor. As the engine turns, the gears inside the oil pump rotate and the pump cycles oil.

One of the most important components of this all encompassing automotive equipment is the pickup tube. In most cars, the pickup tube is located at the end of the oil pump and sits in the oil pan. As the pump operates, the spinning of the gears creates a vacuum that lifts oil out of the oil pan and distributes it throughout the engine.

The oil in the car’s engine is designed to both cool and lubricate the automobile’s inner workings. However, if the oil of the oil pan is too low, the pickup tube will be unable to distribute oil, thereby causing the engine to overheat and bind.

Another vital component in the automotive arsenal, as it pertains to the oil pump, is the screen filter. The screen filter is one of those all-important car parts designed to keep the engine running smoothly without contamination. In simple terms, a screen filter is a mesh screen designed to filter contaminants in sludge out of the oil before they can reach the engine and cause harm to the automobile. The screen filter is important for maintaining valid oil pressure. Over time, automotive screen filters can become clogged with debris and sludge. For this reason, regular oil changes are important for maintaining a healthy engine.

Mechanics and enthusiast seeking automotive equipment and car parts to complete oil pump installation will find it beneficial to shop online for some of the best prices and highest quality equipment on the market. Shopping online for automotive equipment is simple. All one needs is the year and model of the car in question and a list of each of the required car parts. Not only will you save money and time, but you will also find the convenience of “at your door delivery” to be a huge bonus.

Automotive

Brief About Automotive Fault Codes

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All cars and light trucks built for sale in the United States after 1996 are required to be OBD-II compliant. The European Union adopted (directive 98/69/EC) a similar law in 2001 for gasoline powered vehicles, and in 2003 for cars with diesel engines.
OBD II mandates a standard scan tool (SAE J 1978) with a single standard plug for all vehicles manufactured in U.S.A.
The Universal interface (SAE J 2201) requirements for Scan Tool (SAE J 1978), Data Communication Network Interface (SAE J 1850), (SAE J 1850), Interface connector (SAE J 1962) requirements, Test Modes (SAE J 1979), and Diagnostic Trouble codes (SAE J 2012), and Enhanced test modes (SAE J 2190), are described in detail in the standard. General characteristics, electrical and mechanical characteristics are also described in the HS-3000 standard. EPA regulation is that SAE J 1978 must have the capability to perform bi-directional diagnostic control. Vehicle manufacturers will use manufacturer specific messages to perform these functions, and later use SAE J 2205, (Expanded Scan Tool protocol) to enable these functions with SAE J 1978 automotive Scan tool.

SAE J2012 (Diagnostic Trouble Codes1) defines a set of diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) where industry uniformity has been achieved.
The medium of communication is the serial data link described in SAE J 1850.
OBD II mandates that all trouble codes are logged when they are set and are retrieved by auto diagnostic scanner when commanded. And the diagnostic data must be made available when requested by the auto diagnostic scan tool. So the auto diagnostic scan Tool is to collect diagnostic messages from the vehicle. Which consists:
Analog inputs and outputs
Digital inputs and outputs
System status information
Calculated values

Important Note:
Only one Code must be stored in OBD II for each fault detected.
DTCs consist of an alpha character followed by four characters.
Pxxxx is reserved for powertrain DTCs
Bxxxx is reserved for body DTCs
Cxxxx is reserved for chassis DTCs
Uxxxx is reserved for network DTCs (UART the body electronics like door and roof control, air conditioning, and lightning, as well as for the entertainment control).

The second character designates whether the DTCs and a generic SAE DTC or a manufacturer specific DTC.
Powertrain codes
P0xxx – Generic
P1xxx – Manufacturer-specific
P2xxx – Generic
P30xx-P33xx – Manufacturer-specific
P34xx-P39xx Generic
Body codes
B0xxx – Generic
B1xxx – Manufacturer-specific
B2xxx – Manufacturer-specific
B3xxx – Generic
Chassis codes
C0xxx – Generic
C1xxx – Manufacturer-specific
C2xxx – Manufacturer-specific
C3xxx – Generic
Network Communication codes
U0xxx Generic
U1xxx – Manufacturer-specific
U2xxx – Manufacturer-specific
U3xxx Generic

The remaining characters designate the system associated with the fault. The characters are hex and can range from 0 F.
The third digit defines the specific system or sub-system within the car where the problem is located:
1.Fuel and Air Metering
2.Fuel and Air Metering (injector circuit malfunction only)
3.Ignition System or Misfire
4.Auxiliary Emission Control System
5.Vehicle Speed Control and Idle Control System
6.Computer Output Circuits
7.Transmissions
8.Transmissions
9.Control Modules, input and output signals

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