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Since launching the first car-buying website in 1995, Autobytel Inc.'s (Nasdaq: ABTL) mission has been to empower automotive consumers with the tools and information they need to make smart, well-informed vehicle purchasing and ownership decisions. The company has helped millions of car shoppers and generated billions of dollars in car sales for dealers. Today, the company's innovative, consumer-driven flagship site, MyRide.com, expands the company's mission across the automotive purchase and ownership life cycle. As the first vertical search experience for the automotive marketplace, MyRide.com is designed to help Internet-savvy consumers FIND, SEE, BUY and LEARN anything automotive and BELONG to a diverse community of people who have similar automotive interests. http://www.autobytel.com/content/home/index.cfm

2008 Suzuki SX4

2008 Suzuki SX4 Crossover Base AWD

MSRP: $15,270
Estimated Market Price: Not Available
Invoice: $14,659

Key Standard Features:
AM/FM Radio and 4 Speakers Total; CD Player; MP3 Player
4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes
Front Side Airbags

Seats
Theater Style Rear Seating
Cloth Seats
Front Dual Bucket Seats With Adjustable Headrests
Rear 60/40 Split Folding Bench Seat With Manually Adjustable Headrests

Ford Mustang - 2007

MSRP:
$19,250 - $31,700
Invoice:
$17,916 - $29,120

2007 Ford Mustang V6 Deluxe Coupe

$19,250 MSRP
$17,916 INVOICE

Standard Engine:
4.0L V6, 12 valve, 210 hp @ 5300 rpm
5 speed manual (standard) or 5 speed automatic transmission
19 mpg city / 28 mpg hwy
Green Rating: 62

You can expect to pay $18,735

Standard Features:
Passenger Airbag Cutoff
Front Power 292-mm X 30-mm Vented Disc and Rear Power 300-mm X 19-mm Vented Disc Brakes
Radio Antenna

Options:
Anti-Lock Brakes
Wheel Locks
Shaker 500 Audio System

Ford Escape - 2008

Body Styles: 4-Dr Sport Utility

Transmissions 4 Speed Automatic; 5 Speed Manual
Engines: 2.3L L4; 3.0L V6

Drivetrains: Four Wheel Drive; Front Wheel Drive

In spite of banal styling and mediocre quality, the Ford Escape has remained one of the best-selling compact SUVs on the market. Next spring, Ford hopes to maintain its strong position with the redesigned 2008 Escape. But don’t be fooled by its macho exterior; mechanically speaking, most of the old Escape is still trapped inside.

The Escape’s new styling does toughen its image quite a bit, with a higher beltline, a bolder new front fascia and lighting units. New wheels and more prominently flared fenders give it a more visually planted stance. The cladding of the former model has been removed, thankfully, for a cleaner look. “The goal from the beginning was to make Escape look even stronger and tougher than the original,” says Doyle Letson, chief designer for the 2008 Escape.

Check Out the roomy interior !!

Inside, changes are more significant, including upgraded materials, more sound insulation, new seat fabrics made from 100-percent-recycled materials, a completely redesigned dashboard, and a center stack featuring a Mazda-like info display atop the dash. Passenger space remains relatively unchanged, allowing certain competitors—some of which offer third-row seats—to retain any advantages they currently claim in this significant area. New goodies include an iPod jack, a huge center console and an available navigation system. Also new is the “ice blue” interior illumination replacing the blasé Ford green currently staring so many millions of Ford drivers in the face today. More at motortrend

Automotive Wiring Diagrams

If you are looking for an automotive wiring diagram, look no further. You can find wiring diagrams at Freeautomechanic.com along with all sorts of automotive repair information and manuals.

A wiring diagram for your car can help you trace down an electrical issue much faster than if you didn't have one. It can also let you know what other components might be using the same fuse that keeps blowing.

If you have a multi-meter and a wiring diagram but not sure how to go about checking the wiring, no problem. Freeautomechanic.com has the instructions for that too. From Basic electrical theory to testing switches and relays. Well worth a look if you have an electrical issue with your vehicle.

The Air Car - Our Driving Future ?

After fourteen years of research and development, Guy Negre has developed an engine that could become one of the biggest technological advances of this century. Its application to Compressed Air Technology(CAT) vehicles gives them significant economical and environmental advantages. With the incorporation of bi-energy (compressed air + fuel) the CAT Vehicles have increased their driving range to close to 2000 km with zero pollution in cities and considerably reduced pollution outside urban areas.

The application of the MDI engine in other areas, outside the automotive sector, opens a multitude of possibilities in nautical fields, co-generation, auxiliary engines, electric generators groups, etc. Compressed air is a new viable form of power that allows the accumulation and transport of energy. MDI is very close to initiating the production of a series of engines and vehicles. The company is financed by the sale of manufacturing licenses and patents all over the world. The Air Car

I think if they can come up with a version with heated seats and is good in the snow ( 4WD ) they just might sell a ton of these in the north as well as in warmer climates...

High Octane vs. Low Octane Gas

Well I recently read this blurb from the Consumer Energy website :

[start blurb]"Put a tiger in your tank," says a classic advertising tagline. In today's motoring world, what kind of fuel grade will have the power to place a beast in your gas tank?

The answer, according to experts who study fuel efficiency in detail, is both regular and premium gasoline. And it would be a waste of money to favor premium over regular, especially in these times when gasoline prices are high, according to the experts.

Virtually nothing is gained by filling up with a premium or more expensive grade of fuel than the vehicle manufacturer has recommended, the experts say. And many of the same experts explain that drivers may not lose much performance from their cars by using a lower grade of fuel than recommended by the car manufacturer. [end blurb]

I absolutely disagree with this for several reasons.

1. The OBD II system that is used to operate a vehicle's engine since 1996 uses sensors to retard ignition timing for lower octane to prevent internal engine damage. In doing so lowers the performance greatly.
2. Write down the fuel mileage from high and low octane and you will notice the fuel mileage is greater with the higher Octane. It equals out to be about the same cost per mileage but with the gain of better performance.
3. Common sense, if it was all the same there would only be one octane.... Its like saying milk is all the same 1% is the same as 2% because they are both milk......I think Not!!

Radio Shack - Bad Batteries

I quickly noticed when I purchased a couple of replacement phone batteries for my local auto repair business in Springboro, Ohio that the store clerk was eager to take the old ones for recycling. This I found odd since they do not offer to dispose of alkaline batteries....

After purchasing 6 batteries only to have them die after 20 minutes of use (yes they were charged for 24 hrs before use), I had this thought that maybe there was something wrong with the phones and not the battery. So, I purchased 2 batteries from Interstate Batteries online ( they sell more than car batteries to my surprise ). These Interstate batteries are working just like the ones that came with the phone and will work for two days without a recharge.

After searching the Net for anyone Else's bad experience, I wasn't to surprised to see many posts warning people away from buying batteries from Radio Shack. Ex: http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=28256

And I also agree with this statement : I ADVISE ALL NOT TO BUY RADIO SHACK BATTERIES, THEY ARE UNRELIABLE AND RADIO SHACK WILL NOT BACK UP THEIR WARRANTY.