Friday, February 08, 2008
Automotive Scan Tools and Troubleshooting Your Car
Troubleshooting a vehicle should not be more trouble than it already is. Until the very recent past, a combination of intuitive guesswork, costly man-hours, and outright trial and error were the only available means for technicians to diagnose mechanical failure. The advent of computers changed this, making it possible not only to internally regulate automotive functions, but also to quickly and reliably diagnose problems with automotive scan tools that interface directly between machine and man, eliminating costly overtime and problematics in the process. Today's automotive scan tools have evolved into highly sophisticated devices that can test practically anything under the hood. By reading data from the vehicle's onboard computer and sending that information directly to the technician, an automotive scan tool can reliably and quickly diagnose a problem that would have taken hours or even days to manually troubleshoot in the past.
Whenever a car rolls into a shop these days, technicians start by checking the basics utilizing automotive scan tools specifically designed to check oil levels and quality, air bag functionality, and engine check lights. Almost every new car relies on an onboard diagnostic computer, or OBD, to report malfunctions in the engine and supporting systems.
This information feeds into a connector and reports data through a series of codes, referred to in the mechanical world as OBD or OBD2 codes. Before beginning any work under the hood, a technician must first collect this data with an automotive scan tool engineered to read and interpret the codes. Armed with accurate information, the technician can now begin the repair process without the excessive labor costs and possible damage than often resulted when trial and error troubleshooting ran into late hours and overtime in the past.
Whenever a car rolls into a shop these days, technicians start by checking the basics utilizing automotive scan tools specifically designed to check oil levels and quality, air bag functionality, and engine check lights. Almost every new car relies on an onboard diagnostic computer, or OBD, to report malfunctions in the engine and supporting systems.
This information feeds into a connector and reports data through a series of codes, referred to in the mechanical world as OBD or OBD2 codes. Before beginning any work under the hood, a technician must first collect this data with an automotive scan tool engineered to read and interpret the codes. Armed with accurate information, the technician can now begin the repair process without the excessive labor costs and possible damage than often resulted when trial and error troubleshooting ran into late hours and overtime in the past.
# posted by Medical Information : 2:10 AM
What Automotive High-Performance Marketers Ought To Know About Headlines
Automotive high-performance marketers, why do you advertise your parts? To sell more of them, no doubt. What about the headline in your ad? Is it doing its job? Does it grab readers' attention? How, you might wonder, could a headline help sell more hotrod parts? Follow along as we take a closer look at--The Headline.
Considering the cost of advertising in today's magazines, your entire ad had better do its job. But headlines, as part of the ad, are special; they're the hook that pulls readers into the body copy.
A headline has fewer than five seconds to work its magic. If it fails, the readers move on to something else. If it succeeds, it draws readers into the body copy, and they buy your products. It's not quite that simple, but you get the idea.
Take these drag racing headlines, for example:
* Give Me Three Minutes a Day and I'll Help You Lower Your ETs.
* The Lazy Racer's Way to Lower Elapsed Times
* Do You Make These Mistakes at the Starting Line?
* See How Easily You Can Lower Your Quarter-mile ETs
* Here's a Method That's Helping Drag Racers Lower Their Elapsed Times
* The Secret to Getting Lower Elapsed Times
* Who Else Wants to Cut Their ETs by a Full Second?
* How Red-lighting Made Me a Winner
Clearly, I've combined direct-response copy with drag racing and created some ridiculous headlines. But they prove my point: If you're a drag racer thumbing through a car magazine and come across one of these headlines, it would grab your attention. You'd look because you're interested in lowering your ETs.
(By the way, the direct response ads from which these headlines were taken have proved themselves to work exceptionally well, selling millions of dollars worth of merchandise over the years and turning lots of marketers into millionaires.)
But what exactly does a good headline do? Copywriter Bob Bly, in The Copywriter's Handbook, lists four different tasks that a headline can do:
1. Get attention.
2. Select the audience.
3. Deliver a complete message.
4. Draw the reader into the body copy.
Let's look at each one of these tasks individually.
Get attention: To get attention, the headline must appeal to a reader's self-interest. In the January '08 issue of Custom Classic Trucks, one headline says, "Helping Your Dreams Come True." Another ad says, "You've got the ride. We've got the parts." And yet another says, "The Choice of the Discriminating Builder!"
Offering news is another way of getting attention. In the January/February '08 issue of Street Thunder, the magazine of the National Street Machine Club, one headline says, "SEMA Best of Show," and then pictures and describes 17 new products.
Select the audience: Your headline must be geared toward the correct audience, or it won't do its job. In the March '08 Car Craft, an ad states, "Take a Kid to a Car Show," referring to adults, of course.
On the back cover of the same magazine a headline says, "I got the Pro Touring handling I've always wanted, and the 12 months of 0% financing kept the wife happy," appealing to guys who want high-performance cars and an appreciative spouse.
Deliver a complete message: The Pareto Principle says that 80 percent of people read the headline, but only 20 percent read the body copy. So, it behooves us to write headlines with as complete a message as possible rather than a partial one. In the February '08 Muscle Machine magazine, an insurance ad's headline says, "I should be guaranteed the real value of my Muscle Car if it's stolen or destroyed. We agree!"
In the September '07 Custom Classic Trucks a headline states, "CAD-Engineered For Your Year/Make/Model Truck. Get A Contemporary Stance, Superior Handling And Comfortable Ride!" Both of these headlines tell the whole story.
Drawing the reader into the body copy: To do this you must arouse readers' curiosity. For these examples, I turned to one of my writing magazines, the October '07 issue of Writer's Digest where one headline says, "[T]he 7 Habits of Successfully Published People."
This piqued my curiosity; I had to read the text to see if I had any of the seven habits. In the same magazine, another headline says, "Win $20,000 and Get Published!" Well, I was drawn to read the body copy to see how I could win that money.
This short article isn't meant to be a dissertation on how to write the best headlines. Its purpose is to let you know there's more to writing headlines that sell your products than just putting words on paper.
Remember, the principal ingredient for a successful ad is the headline. It must grab attention by doing one or more of the tasks listed above. Writing headlines is nearly a science, and testing headlines is the key. Try different headlines until you find the one that keeps readers reading.
Considering the cost of advertising in today's magazines, your entire ad had better do its job. But headlines, as part of the ad, are special; they're the hook that pulls readers into the body copy.
A headline has fewer than five seconds to work its magic. If it fails, the readers move on to something else. If it succeeds, it draws readers into the body copy, and they buy your products. It's not quite that simple, but you get the idea.
Take these drag racing headlines, for example:
* Give Me Three Minutes a Day and I'll Help You Lower Your ETs.
* The Lazy Racer's Way to Lower Elapsed Times
* Do You Make These Mistakes at the Starting Line?
* See How Easily You Can Lower Your Quarter-mile ETs
* Here's a Method That's Helping Drag Racers Lower Their Elapsed Times
* The Secret to Getting Lower Elapsed Times
* Who Else Wants to Cut Their ETs by a Full Second?
* How Red-lighting Made Me a Winner
Clearly, I've combined direct-response copy with drag racing and created some ridiculous headlines. But they prove my point: If you're a drag racer thumbing through a car magazine and come across one of these headlines, it would grab your attention. You'd look because you're interested in lowering your ETs.
(By the way, the direct response ads from which these headlines were taken have proved themselves to work exceptionally well, selling millions of dollars worth of merchandise over the years and turning lots of marketers into millionaires.)
But what exactly does a good headline do? Copywriter Bob Bly, in The Copywriter's Handbook, lists four different tasks that a headline can do:
1. Get attention.
2. Select the audience.
3. Deliver a complete message.
4. Draw the reader into the body copy.
Let's look at each one of these tasks individually.
Get attention: To get attention, the headline must appeal to a reader's self-interest. In the January '08 issue of Custom Classic Trucks, one headline says, "Helping Your Dreams Come True." Another ad says, "You've got the ride. We've got the parts." And yet another says, "The Choice of the Discriminating Builder!"
Offering news is another way of getting attention. In the January/February '08 issue of Street Thunder, the magazine of the National Street Machine Club, one headline says, "SEMA Best of Show," and then pictures and describes 17 new products.
Select the audience: Your headline must be geared toward the correct audience, or it won't do its job. In the March '08 Car Craft, an ad states, "Take a Kid to a Car Show," referring to adults, of course.
On the back cover of the same magazine a headline says, "I got the Pro Touring handling I've always wanted, and the 12 months of 0% financing kept the wife happy," appealing to guys who want high-performance cars and an appreciative spouse.
Deliver a complete message: The Pareto Principle says that 80 percent of people read the headline, but only 20 percent read the body copy. So, it behooves us to write headlines with as complete a message as possible rather than a partial one. In the February '08 Muscle Machine magazine, an insurance ad's headline says, "I should be guaranteed the real value of my Muscle Car if it's stolen or destroyed. We agree!"
In the September '07 Custom Classic Trucks a headline states, "CAD-Engineered For Your Year/Make/Model Truck. Get A Contemporary Stance, Superior Handling And Comfortable Ride!" Both of these headlines tell the whole story.
Drawing the reader into the body copy: To do this you must arouse readers' curiosity. For these examples, I turned to one of my writing magazines, the October '07 issue of Writer's Digest where one headline says, "[T]he 7 Habits of Successfully Published People."
This piqued my curiosity; I had to read the text to see if I had any of the seven habits. In the same magazine, another headline says, "Win $20,000 and Get Published!" Well, I was drawn to read the body copy to see how I could win that money.
This short article isn't meant to be a dissertation on how to write the best headlines. Its purpose is to let you know there's more to writing headlines that sell your products than just putting words on paper.
Remember, the principal ingredient for a successful ad is the headline. It must grab attention by doing one or more of the tasks listed above. Writing headlines is nearly a science, and testing headlines is the key. Try different headlines until you find the one that keeps readers reading.
# posted by Medical Information : 2:09 AM
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Rent A Truck For The Big Move
Thousands rent a truck in the United States every day. There are many companies where you can rent a truck of your choice. For example Budget which has more than 32,000 trucks and about 3,000 locations across the US and they are not even the biggest company in this business.
The trucks of most truck rental companies in the US are of GMC, Ford, International and Isuzu make. The sizes of trucks available on rent are cargo vans, 10-feet trucks, 16-feet trucks and 24-feet trucks. Truck rental companies often claims that its trucks have an average age of two to three years.
Truck rental companies also provides hand trucks, packing paddings, adhesive tapes, ropes, packing paper, mattress bags, padlocks, boxes etc at a nominal cost. Most of the rental trucks have air conditioning, FM radio, power steering, automatic transmission, power brakes, walk off ramps, lift gates etc and they are really comfortable.
The rented trucks are often covered by roadside assistance. The internet websites of truck rental companies are full with information about types of trucks, prices etc. Most websites have a very user friendly interactive page where the pick up and drop off locations are mentioned. Online reservations and quoting rates are available on the sites.
An example, if a person is renting a Budget rental truck from Atlanta to New York (approx 1,100 miles) on a Wednesday and dropping off on the coming Monday that is for 5 days. It will approximately cost $650 for a 10-feet truck, $680 for a 16-feet truck and $830 for a 24-feet truck. A car carrier cost will be $50 extra. Out of the above mentioned rates $150 will be refunded as deposit.
The above rates do not include taxes. The extra miles will cost $0.56 per mile and an extra day will cost $56 per day if reserved before hand. If you add extra miles or days after pick up, the cost will be $0.70 per mile and extra days will cost $70 per day.
It is prudent to read the terms and conditions before renting and a cancellation has to be made at least 48 hours before pick up otherwise you will be charged extra for the cancellation.
At the time of a truck rental two things will be required, identification and U.S. issued driver’s license. Identification can be driver’s license, passport, Military ID, Social security card, phone bill, state issued identification etc.
The advantages of renting a truck are many. You are in charge of your goods, the trucks are in good condition, it has usually many locations and it provides a low cost moving solution.
The trucks of most truck rental companies in the US are of GMC, Ford, International and Isuzu make. The sizes of trucks available on rent are cargo vans, 10-feet trucks, 16-feet trucks and 24-feet trucks. Truck rental companies often claims that its trucks have an average age of two to three years.
Truck rental companies also provides hand trucks, packing paddings, adhesive tapes, ropes, packing paper, mattress bags, padlocks, boxes etc at a nominal cost. Most of the rental trucks have air conditioning, FM radio, power steering, automatic transmission, power brakes, walk off ramps, lift gates etc and they are really comfortable.
The rented trucks are often covered by roadside assistance. The internet websites of truck rental companies are full with information about types of trucks, prices etc. Most websites have a very user friendly interactive page where the pick up and drop off locations are mentioned. Online reservations and quoting rates are available on the sites.
An example, if a person is renting a Budget rental truck from Atlanta to New York (approx 1,100 miles) on a Wednesday and dropping off on the coming Monday that is for 5 days. It will approximately cost $650 for a 10-feet truck, $680 for a 16-feet truck and $830 for a 24-feet truck. A car carrier cost will be $50 extra. Out of the above mentioned rates $150 will be refunded as deposit.
The above rates do not include taxes. The extra miles will cost $0.56 per mile and an extra day will cost $56 per day if reserved before hand. If you add extra miles or days after pick up, the cost will be $0.70 per mile and extra days will cost $70 per day.
It is prudent to read the terms and conditions before renting and a cancellation has to be made at least 48 hours before pick up otherwise you will be charged extra for the cancellation.
At the time of a truck rental two things will be required, identification and U.S. issued driver’s license. Identification can be driver’s license, passport, Military ID, Social security card, phone bill, state issued identification etc.
The advantages of renting a truck are many. You are in charge of your goods, the trucks are in good condition, it has usually many locations and it provides a low cost moving solution.
# posted by Medical Information : 1:28 AM
Jeep Select Trac NP 242 Transfer Case Information
The Select Trac option on the Jeep Cherokee gets you the New Process NP 242 transfer case. This transfer case gives the following operating modes: 2wd, 4wd with the center differential open, 4wd with the center differential locked, neutral, and 4wd low range (center differential locked)
The addition of a center differential is the main difference between the NP 242 and the NP 231 or Command Trac transfer case. Without a differential, the 231 transfer case offers only part time four wheel drive mode.
The NP 242 transfer case Full time mode opens the center differential allowing the front and rear axles to rotate at different speeds while still being linked by the transfer case. The end with the least traction will get the most torque. While this mode may have some disadvantages off road where a wheel may loose contact with the ground, it has the advantage of being usable on all paved surfaces. Part Time mode - with the center differential locks can only be used on loose or slick surfaces with out possible damage to the transfer case.
I use full time mode on wet streets, hard packed gravel or dirt, some snow and ice situations and on dry pavement when full acceleration without wheel spin is desirable. I use part time mode on loose gravel, dirt, grass and any off road situation. I use Part time mode when RallyCross racing as well.
I use low range for more control in off road situations or on rough gravel roads when traveling downhill to avoid excessive use of the brakes. I also often use low range when positioning my trailer or other towed equipment when precision placement is needed.
The NP 242 transfer case can be switched between 2wd and either 4wd mode at any speed simply by moving the lever. The switch to low range must be made at very low speed - the Jeep manual says 3 mph.
One common operating problem with the 242 transfer case is that it will stick in 4wd even if the lever is moved to 2wd. Internally, moving the lever loads a spring which then applies force to move the selector fork. If the gears are loaded with torque, the spring will not have enough energy to move the sleeve off the gears. Once torque is removed from the gears, the spring will then move the fork and slide the sleeve of the gears.
Momentarily lifting your foot off the gas will often unload the gears enough to allow the spring pressure to move the fork. On some high mileage units, a wear groove will form on the sleeve or gear causing it to stick longer and may require a couple of changes from loaded to unloaded to get the sleeve to release form the gear.
The Jeep NP 242 is lubricated with Automatic Transmission fluid. The level is checked by removing the upper of the two large plugs on the back of the case. The fluid should be level with the upper plug.
The NP 242 has a slip yoke on the tail shaft. If the drive shaft is damaged or removed, fluid will be lost out the tail shaft. Also this seal is important to maintain in good condition to prevent fluid loss.
The NP 242 is a very versatile transfer case and is my choice for three of my five Jeeps. The full time selection gets frequent use in all of them.
The addition of a center differential is the main difference between the NP 242 and the NP 231 or Command Trac transfer case. Without a differential, the 231 transfer case offers only part time four wheel drive mode.
The NP 242 transfer case Full time mode opens the center differential allowing the front and rear axles to rotate at different speeds while still being linked by the transfer case. The end with the least traction will get the most torque. While this mode may have some disadvantages off road where a wheel may loose contact with the ground, it has the advantage of being usable on all paved surfaces. Part Time mode - with the center differential locks can only be used on loose or slick surfaces with out possible damage to the transfer case.
I use full time mode on wet streets, hard packed gravel or dirt, some snow and ice situations and on dry pavement when full acceleration without wheel spin is desirable. I use part time mode on loose gravel, dirt, grass and any off road situation. I use Part time mode when RallyCross racing as well.
I use low range for more control in off road situations or on rough gravel roads when traveling downhill to avoid excessive use of the brakes. I also often use low range when positioning my trailer or other towed equipment when precision placement is needed.
The NP 242 transfer case can be switched between 2wd and either 4wd mode at any speed simply by moving the lever. The switch to low range must be made at very low speed - the Jeep manual says 3 mph.
One common operating problem with the 242 transfer case is that it will stick in 4wd even if the lever is moved to 2wd. Internally, moving the lever loads a spring which then applies force to move the selector fork. If the gears are loaded with torque, the spring will not have enough energy to move the sleeve off the gears. Once torque is removed from the gears, the spring will then move the fork and slide the sleeve of the gears.
Momentarily lifting your foot off the gas will often unload the gears enough to allow the spring pressure to move the fork. On some high mileage units, a wear groove will form on the sleeve or gear causing it to stick longer and may require a couple of changes from loaded to unloaded to get the sleeve to release form the gear.
The Jeep NP 242 is lubricated with Automatic Transmission fluid. The level is checked by removing the upper of the two large plugs on the back of the case. The fluid should be level with the upper plug.
The NP 242 has a slip yoke on the tail shaft. If the drive shaft is damaged or removed, fluid will be lost out the tail shaft. Also this seal is important to maintain in good condition to prevent fluid loss.
The NP 242 is a very versatile transfer case and is my choice for three of my five Jeeps. The full time selection gets frequent use in all of them.
# posted by Medical Information : 1:27 AM
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Tips To Consider When Buying A Car For Your Teen Child
You may also be facing the prospect of adding another car to your garage. Choosing the right car for your teen may not make her a better driver, but may be a key factor in keeping her safe. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which crash-tests dozens of vehicles each year, advises parents to choose a midsize vehicle with lots of safety features such as air bags and antilock brakes.
If your budget can support buying your teen a new car, chances are most recommended safety features will be standard issue, and your biggest dilemma will be choosing a paint color. However, if you are looking at used cars for your teen driver, you may have to do a little more research to find a car with appropriate safety equipment. Here are some tips from the experts at Farmers Insurance Group that can help you find the best car for your new driver:
* A good place to start is with “The Consumer Guide Used Car Rating Guide.” This useful publication talks about the pros and cons of buying a used vehicle, which is especially useful if you haven’t shopped for a used car before.
* Check out the consumer information on car safety available from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Insurance Information Institute, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This background can help you zero in on cars that can better protect your teen in case she’s ever involved in an accident.
* Choose the newest model your budget can afford, since most of today’s cars are better designed for crash protection than vehicles six to 10 years old.
* Make sure the car has working airbags. Many models manufactured after 1993 or 1994 have at least a driver’s side airbag.
* Know the market before you shop. Use the Internet or your local library to research prices on the make and model car you’re interested in. Armed with this information, you’ll be in a better position to negotiate a good deal.
* Use the power of the Internet to make your search easier. Check out an online car buying site for details on used cars in your area.
Once you find a car you’re interested in, don’t take the owner’s or the dealer’s assurances as the last word on whether the car is in good shape. Check the horn, lights, heat, air-conditioning, brakes, seat belts and steering.
Look for evidence that might indicate the car was in a major accident, such as cracks in the dashboard or doors that don’t quite shut properly. Check the car for evidence of tampering, like any marks on the odometer or numbers that don’t line up. Ask the owner or the dealer for the car’s accident and maintenance record. For a small fee, you can find out about any accident or flood damage, odometer rollbacks, lemon histories, lien activity and vehicle use (taxi, rental, lease, etc.)
Unless you really know cars, have a mechanic you trust go over the car and alert you to any potential problems. Although this checkup costs money up front, if there is something wrong with the car that isn’t readily apparent, it’s money well spent that could save you a fortune down the road.
Finally, check out insurance costs for the car you are considering before you buy it. Depending on the make, model and year of the car, this cost can vary substantially, and might influence your final decision.
If your budget can support buying your teen a new car, chances are most recommended safety features will be standard issue, and your biggest dilemma will be choosing a paint color. However, if you are looking at used cars for your teen driver, you may have to do a little more research to find a car with appropriate safety equipment. Here are some tips from the experts at Farmers Insurance Group that can help you find the best car for your new driver:
* A good place to start is with “The Consumer Guide Used Car Rating Guide.” This useful publication talks about the pros and cons of buying a used vehicle, which is especially useful if you haven’t shopped for a used car before.
* Check out the consumer information on car safety available from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Insurance Information Institute, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This background can help you zero in on cars that can better protect your teen in case she’s ever involved in an accident.
* Choose the newest model your budget can afford, since most of today’s cars are better designed for crash protection than vehicles six to 10 years old.
* Make sure the car has working airbags. Many models manufactured after 1993 or 1994 have at least a driver’s side airbag.
* Know the market before you shop. Use the Internet or your local library to research prices on the make and model car you’re interested in. Armed with this information, you’ll be in a better position to negotiate a good deal.
* Use the power of the Internet to make your search easier. Check out an online car buying site for details on used cars in your area.
Once you find a car you’re interested in, don’t take the owner’s or the dealer’s assurances as the last word on whether the car is in good shape. Check the horn, lights, heat, air-conditioning, brakes, seat belts and steering.
Look for evidence that might indicate the car was in a major accident, such as cracks in the dashboard or doors that don’t quite shut properly. Check the car for evidence of tampering, like any marks on the odometer or numbers that don’t line up. Ask the owner or the dealer for the car’s accident and maintenance record. For a small fee, you can find out about any accident or flood damage, odometer rollbacks, lemon histories, lien activity and vehicle use (taxi, rental, lease, etc.)
Unless you really know cars, have a mechanic you trust go over the car and alert you to any potential problems. Although this checkup costs money up front, if there is something wrong with the car that isn’t readily apparent, it’s money well spent that could save you a fortune down the road.
Finally, check out insurance costs for the car you are considering before you buy it. Depending on the make, model and year of the car, this cost can vary substantially, and might influence your final decision.
# posted by Medical Information : 12:12 AM
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Self Moving Truck Rentals
Self-moving truck rentals refer to truck rentals where you load your own belongings in a truck or trailer and then move on to the new location. It helps you to save money, since you are the person doing all of the labor involved in picking up the truck at the provider's lot, packing the truck, driving it, unpacking it, and returning the truck. This option is exercised by people who do not want to spend money hiring movers and packers. The trucks come in various sizes, depending on your needs, from the largest of trucks all the way down to the trailers that you hitch to the back of your own truck or car.
Almost all the truck rental companies provide such services. You just have to pick up the phone and dial their number, and they will send a truck to your home, office or factory in few hours. Self-moving truck rentals cost less than full-service moving companies. For self-moving truck rentals, the truck is often sent on the scheduled day to your house or business address, and then you load your belongings and take them where they need to go.
Remember that the cost depends on the size of the truck you rent. You are responsible for the cost of gas and tolls, and may have to pay a per-mile fee in addition to the cost of the actual time you have the truck. Despite these costs, self-moving truck rentals are generally cheaper than full-service moving companies, because the self-moving truck companies do not have to hire very many employees to keep the company running.
# posted by Medical Information : 2:41 AM
The Other Side of the Truck Rental Coin
When you say truck rental, the biggest majority of us instantly think of a move it yourself truck rental company such as U-Haul or Budget Truck Rentals. But some of those same companies that you might associate with do it yourself movers also rent over the road semi tractor trailer combinations to individuals and companies who have qualifying CDL licenses. Budget and other companies have what they call commercial rental divisions, where they handle truck rental and leasing to all manner of commercial enterprises.
The advantage of leasing truck rather then buying can be substantial to many companies. Many companies need trucks only during particular times of the year, or on special occasions. It might be advantages to some companies to lease or rent trucks for tax purposes, or insurance reasons. For companies that want to make sure that their cargos get handled only by personnel that are qualified, leasing trucks is a big advantage, making sure that drivers are well informed about how to deal with special shipments when loading and unloading as well as while the shipment is in transit.
Other advantages for companies are flexibility and diversity of equipment, making it easier to match the right truck or equipment to the right job. Fleet availability to move what ever needs moved without the hassles of maintaining fleet operations, such as maintenance facilities, thus helping to simplify budgeting and expenditures.
Many of the companies that offer leasing of commercial trucks offer 24 hour roadside assistance as well as offering licensing services that take care of your permitting and tax reports further saving time and money. Some even offer driver safety programs that can help to educate and retain driving personnel. Also driver education and safety programs can help to reduce costs due to equipment and cargo damage, thereby lowing insurance rates.
Some leasing companies have dedicated systems that can track each and every truck while in route, helping companies to maintain critical transit time tables on important materials.
So if you company has need of trucks on a big scale or a small scale, it may be worth while to check into leasing or renting the trucks and equipment you need rather then hiring a trucking company or buying the equipment.
# posted by Medical Information : 2:39 AM
Monday, February 04, 2008
Trucks Require Constant Maintenance to Avoid Accidents
18-wheelers and large commercial vehicles pose a significant hazard to most other vehicles on the road due their massive weight and size. A jackknifed trailer can become an impenetrable wall and result in a multiple vehicle collision and lost lives. An overwhelming majority of truck accidents that result in a fatality involve a passenger vehicle. This is the inevitable result of a truck weighing 60-80 tons colliding with a passenger vehicle weighing a little over one ton.
Trucks require proper maintenance. Mechanical failure of a truck, particularly the brakes, can create a great danger to other drivers. Brakes, truck lights and other safety equipment must be properly maintained and regularly checked. Truckers should always perform a pre-trip inspection of their truck, regardless of the length of the trip.
Maintenance Checklist
Truckers and their mechanics should do a chassis inspection daily (if possible). Any identified problems should be scheduled for repairs as soon as possible. Also, the following must be checked for each trip:
· Check the engine, transmission, rear differential, power steering, and wheel seals for lubricant or coolant leaks.
· Check your air pressure and make sure your truck is building up air to the proper level.
· Check the condition of all belts, hoses, and lines (engine belts, fuel lines, radiator hoses, water and air lines, automatic transmission lines, and power steering lines).
· Check tire tread and wear of all tires.
· Check the brake shoes and drums for cracks and wear.
· Drain your air tanks daily and check for excessive moisture.
· Make sure all lights work.
· Make sure horns and wipers work.
· Check windshield and mirrors for visibility and/or cracks.
· Keep flares and a fire extinguisher in the truck at all times.
It is very important that truck drivers watch all gauges while driving for signs of trouble.
There are inexpensive items that you can put on your truck to extend the life of the components. For instance, you can add oil coolers to the hydraulic system, power steering system and the automatic transmission. These simple additions can double, if not triple, the life of those components.
Also, preventative care is something that is typically much lower than repairs. Investing some money in the upkeep of your truck may just prevent you from investing thousands after a part breaks.
Trucks require proper maintenance. Mechanical failure of a truck, particularly the brakes, can create a great danger to other drivers. Brakes, truck lights and other safety equipment must be properly maintained and regularly checked. Truckers should always perform a pre-trip inspection of their truck, regardless of the length of the trip.
Maintenance Checklist
Truckers and their mechanics should do a chassis inspection daily (if possible). Any identified problems should be scheduled for repairs as soon as possible. Also, the following must be checked for each trip:
· Check the engine, transmission, rear differential, power steering, and wheel seals for lubricant or coolant leaks.
· Check your air pressure and make sure your truck is building up air to the proper level.
· Check the condition of all belts, hoses, and lines (engine belts, fuel lines, radiator hoses, water and air lines, automatic transmission lines, and power steering lines).
· Check tire tread and wear of all tires.
· Check the brake shoes and drums for cracks and wear.
· Drain your air tanks daily and check for excessive moisture.
· Make sure all lights work.
· Make sure horns and wipers work.
· Check windshield and mirrors for visibility and/or cracks.
· Keep flares and a fire extinguisher in the truck at all times.
It is very important that truck drivers watch all gauges while driving for signs of trouble.
There are inexpensive items that you can put on your truck to extend the life of the components. For instance, you can add oil coolers to the hydraulic system, power steering system and the automatic transmission. These simple additions can double, if not triple, the life of those components.
Also, preventative care is something that is typically much lower than repairs. Investing some money in the upkeep of your truck may just prevent you from investing thousands after a part breaks.
# posted by Medical Information : 11:58 PM
How to Review Truck Tires Before Purchasing
While truck tires may be one of the more stylized parts of a truck, your wheels are not simply all about adding shine and beauty to your ride. Choosing the right tires for your truck should actually receive a serious amount of consideration, because the right set of wheels can add a great deal of performance benefit. Buying new tires for your truck is not just about style or appearance, as it also has to do with adding power, performance and value to your truck as well. Especially when it comes to off-road oriented trucks, choosing the right set of wheels can be just as important as choosing the right truck to begin with.
When choosing tires, be wary of the following factors: First of all, when choosing a new set of tires for your truck, the first consideration that you need to make is how vital your truck tires are going to be to your vehicle. The type of truck tires that you choose can have a serious and significant impact on the handling, traction, safety, braking and ride quality of the vehicle that you drive. The tires that you choose are just as crucial as every aspect of your vehicle and should never be taken lightly.
After you do pick the right tires, it is important to also know that you need to take proper care of them in order to maintain their proper level of performance, as well as to keep them looking shiny and new over time. Your tires are providing stability for your entire truck, connected directly to your brakes, your suspension system and your axle. A failing tire can seriously harm other parts of your vehicle, so be protected by purchasing the right tires, and maintaining them for as long as they are part of your vehicle.
When purchasing new tires, the stylistic aspect is often the first consideration, but it is imperative that you not overlook performance factors and safety factors as well. This is why reading truck tire reviews before making a purchase is so important. If you educate yourself about the best types of tires for your truck before you go out to make a purchase, you can make better-informed decisions and ensure that the truck tires that you do purchase are the right ones for the job. If you want to get the most out of your truck and its tires, you may wish to use truck tire reviews to steer you in the direction of the right tires for your truck!
When choosing tires, be wary of the following factors: First of all, when choosing a new set of tires for your truck, the first consideration that you need to make is how vital your truck tires are going to be to your vehicle. The type of truck tires that you choose can have a serious and significant impact on the handling, traction, safety, braking and ride quality of the vehicle that you drive. The tires that you choose are just as crucial as every aspect of your vehicle and should never be taken lightly.
After you do pick the right tires, it is important to also know that you need to take proper care of them in order to maintain their proper level of performance, as well as to keep them looking shiny and new over time. Your tires are providing stability for your entire truck, connected directly to your brakes, your suspension system and your axle. A failing tire can seriously harm other parts of your vehicle, so be protected by purchasing the right tires, and maintaining them for as long as they are part of your vehicle.
When purchasing new tires, the stylistic aspect is often the first consideration, but it is imperative that you not overlook performance factors and safety factors as well. This is why reading truck tire reviews before making a purchase is so important. If you educate yourself about the best types of tires for your truck before you go out to make a purchase, you can make better-informed decisions and ensure that the truck tires that you do purchase are the right ones for the job. If you want to get the most out of your truck and its tires, you may wish to use truck tire reviews to steer you in the direction of the right tires for your truck!
# posted by Medical Information : 11:56 PM
Can A Former Truck Driver Succeed With EDC Gold On The Internet?
This article is for those of you who have not yet found your way to financial independence. If you have found a way to generate steady and ever increasing income you probably won't benefit from my article.
* BUT if you are one of the thousands of Americans who lay
* awake at night worrying if your job is going to last
* If you can't take another year of financial stress
* If you would like to FIRE YOUR BOSS
* Then keep reading
Two years ago my life was turned upside down when I was rear ended by a Tractor/Trailer while I was stopped at a traffic signal. I was 52 years old then and had been working my own business for the previous four years. This accident caused me to lose my business and to go bankrupt. Before that I had worked as a truck driver mostly driving the big car hauler trucks we see everywhere. I did not know where to turn. My back was never going to be the same and I didn't want to go over the road again. I heard of some successful business owners in my area who helped others find their way in the world of free enterprise. I thought my options were limited as I had no college nor any special skills which would at my age make me a hot property. I contacted Myron and Dwayne Golden. That was 2 years ago and things have never been so good ! These very successful brothers showed me and my wife how to succeed in today's world.
The days of making a living with your hands are gone. The money today is on the internet...
Now we have multiple income streams.You must have more than one source of income to avoid financial devastation when tragedy comes your way. We learned that the best way to insure our financial future was to sell things, and the best things to sell were information. One of the things I was encouraged to do was to write a special report about my experiences with the motor vehicle accident and settlement. My special report sells for $67. The work I did to put this report together will continue to pay me for along time to come. You will be amazed at the knowledge folks will pay for!
It is not my intent here to sell my report rather to encourage you to look for your buried treasure.
There are many places to go to receive internet training. I have tried several. I found most to complicated for me to get working. I did find one source that was hands on and kind of affordable. After I got some basic skills (very basic) I was ready to start something I had been hearing about for a while.
What I found was EDC Gold. We invested $997 to get started and then paid some additional fees such as $350 one time admin fee and we also pay for a merchant account to process credit card orders that's $79 per month. We have had some success in the five weeks we've been doing this. One more transaction and we will start to keep all the money from our enrollements ($997) and we earn 100% profit on all the software we sell, and we do sell some software. I expect EDC Gold to provide a large chunk of our future income.
My point is that just because you have had some challenges and life may have kicked you around don't throw in the towel. If you can't take care of your financial needs who will? You must learn to generate some easy internet money. Get some training and set your self up for a nice comfortable future. You deserve it.
Also this is all done from your home so if you have to or want to be home you can still support yourself and your family.
* BUT if you are one of the thousands of Americans who lay
* awake at night worrying if your job is going to last
* If you can't take another year of financial stress
* If you would like to FIRE YOUR BOSS
* Then keep reading
Two years ago my life was turned upside down when I was rear ended by a Tractor/Trailer while I was stopped at a traffic signal. I was 52 years old then and had been working my own business for the previous four years. This accident caused me to lose my business and to go bankrupt. Before that I had worked as a truck driver mostly driving the big car hauler trucks we see everywhere. I did not know where to turn. My back was never going to be the same and I didn't want to go over the road again. I heard of some successful business owners in my area who helped others find their way in the world of free enterprise. I thought my options were limited as I had no college nor any special skills which would at my age make me a hot property. I contacted Myron and Dwayne Golden. That was 2 years ago and things have never been so good ! These very successful brothers showed me and my wife how to succeed in today's world.
The days of making a living with your hands are gone. The money today is on the internet...
Now we have multiple income streams.You must have more than one source of income to avoid financial devastation when tragedy comes your way. We learned that the best way to insure our financial future was to sell things, and the best things to sell were information. One of the things I was encouraged to do was to write a special report about my experiences with the motor vehicle accident and settlement. My special report sells for $67. The work I did to put this report together will continue to pay me for along time to come. You will be amazed at the knowledge folks will pay for!
It is not my intent here to sell my report rather to encourage you to look for your buried treasure.
There are many places to go to receive internet training. I have tried several. I found most to complicated for me to get working. I did find one source that was hands on and kind of affordable. After I got some basic skills (very basic) I was ready to start something I had been hearing about for a while.
What I found was EDC Gold. We invested $997 to get started and then paid some additional fees such as $350 one time admin fee and we also pay for a merchant account to process credit card orders that's $79 per month. We have had some success in the five weeks we've been doing this. One more transaction and we will start to keep all the money from our enrollements ($997) and we earn 100% profit on all the software we sell, and we do sell some software. I expect EDC Gold to provide a large chunk of our future income.
My point is that just because you have had some challenges and life may have kicked you around don't throw in the towel. If you can't take care of your financial needs who will? You must learn to generate some easy internet money. Get some training and set your self up for a nice comfortable future. You deserve it.
Also this is all done from your home so if you have to or want to be home you can still support yourself and your family.
# posted by Medical Information : 12:39 AM
Moving Truck Advertising
Given the large number of American who move every year, the moving truck business is indeed booming. Several companies that provide different kinds of transport services are concentrating entirely on the ‘packing and moving’ business, and several new companies have entered the business. All in all, it becomes highly difficult for a family to choose the correct packing and moving company.
Moving trucks advertise s in the yellow pages and on the Internet extensively. There are many ads in newspapers and home improvement magazines. Print ads are small and only tell the name of the company and give a contact number. Internet advertising allows moving truck companies to have their own designed websites devoted to their services. It is not unusual to see many pictures of their moving trucks and comments from previous clients.
A moving truck advertisement must detail where the company’s main office is and the areas where they operate. It is important that the driver of the moving truck know the area in and out, in case of any emergency.
The prime purpose of a moving truck company advertisement is to attract more clients. You should not be carried away by their claims and upscale advertisements, but must actually shop around. You must take quotes of at least three moving truck companies before making the final decision. It helps if you personally know someone who has used the services of the company you are thinking of going with. It is also extremely important to actually visit the office of the company before signing on the dotted line.
Moving trucks advertise s in the yellow pages and on the Internet extensively. There are many ads in newspapers and home improvement magazines. Print ads are small and only tell the name of the company and give a contact number. Internet advertising allows moving truck companies to have their own designed websites devoted to their services. It is not unusual to see many pictures of their moving trucks and comments from previous clients.
A moving truck advertisement must detail where the company’s main office is and the areas where they operate. It is important that the driver of the moving truck know the area in and out, in case of any emergency.
The prime purpose of a moving truck company advertisement is to attract more clients. You should not be carried away by their claims and upscale advertisements, but must actually shop around. You must take quotes of at least three moving truck companies before making the final decision. It helps if you personally know someone who has used the services of the company you are thinking of going with. It is also extremely important to actually visit the office of the company before signing on the dotted line.
# posted by Medical Information : 12:37 AM
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