Hyundai America CEO John Krafcik is rarely one to hold back his opinions, and today’s topic of discussion is marque’s upcoming Equus luxury flagship. Hyundai has moved up in the automotive ranks so quickly over the past 15 years that many people have wondered if the brand is overreaching with the Equus.

Krafcik addresses the obvious comparison to the U.S. market failure of the Volkswagen Phaeton. The way Krafcik sees it, VW skipped a few pricing steps going straight from the Passat to its ill-fated Phaeton range-topper, noting that there was a much larger gap between the Passat and the Phaeton than there will be with Hyundai because they’ve taken the trouble of bringing the Genesis sedan and coupe to market – the former of which verified that consumers are willing to pay $40,000+ for a Hyundai.

Of course, that’s no guarantee that consumers will pay $55,000-60,000 for an Equus but it seems more plausible than $80,000+ for a Phaeton. Krafcik also addresses the fact that each Equus buyer will get an Apple iPad with the owner’s manual. As he explains it, the tablet PC is meant to provide a more useful resource for people to figure out how to use all the technology in this flagship, hopefully avoiding the pitfalls of some other luxury machines.

The iPad will also have an application that allows owners to schedule service appointments. When the appointed time arrives, Hyundai will send a driver to the Equus owner’s home or office with a loaner, and then return the Equus when the work is done. As Krafcik sees it, other luxury automakers have spent millions of dollars to gussy up their dealerships – building things like coffee bars, fancy seating areas and water features. Problem is, nobody really wants to visit their dealer even with those added niceties, so Hyundai plans to remove it from the equation with its pick-up and delivery service. In other words, the ultimate luxury is never having to take your car to the dealer at all. Fair enough.

The Equus goes on sale this Fall.

But we have driven the XFR – once in France and now again in America – and asking us to overlook either experience when considering the XF range simply isn’t going to happen. The R makes too much of an impression.

Yes, the Supercharged may be the “just right” Goldilocks model in the XF lineup, but the XFR is Papa Bear. That ‘R’ badge will cost you an extra $12,000, which is undoubtedly a hefty sum to pay when you consider that it only produces 40 more horsepower than the Supercharged. Thus, it’s easy to write off the XFR as unnecessary or overzealous, but its sharper set of chops are able to handle so much more than lukewarm porridge. This car is a real honey, finances be damned! Follow the jump to find out why.

A: Get a locksmith to slim jim the door, or remove the inner door panel from inside the car to access the mechanism. This might mean breaking the inner panel if some of the fasteners are inaccessible when the door is shut.

Q: In the past twenty years I’ve owned five new vehicles and never changed a headlight bulb in any of them. I have a 2007 Grand Caravan and in the past year changed headlights about 6 times. I have talked with several mechanics they don’t know what the problem is. It’s gotten so bad that I carry an extra bulb in the van at all times. Any suggestions as to what the problem might be?

A: Has anybody checked to see if the voltage regulator is overvoltaging the system? And you know enough not to touch the bulbs with your fingers, right?

Q: Is there any way to fix a small hole in an automotive gas line with epoxy or tape?

A: Try this stuff, follow the directions on the label:

http://www.permatex.com/products/Automotive/specialized_maintenance_repair/radiator_fuel_tank_repair/Permatex_Gas_Tank_Radiator_Repair.htm

Consider this a temporary repair, though.

Q: I’ve had a chronic problem with my 2003 Chevy Venture van’s brake lights, on both sides.  The bulb (3057LL) stops working because heat probably builds up and melts the plastic that the metal contacts are attached to.  The filament is fine, but the plastic is melted by one of the contacts.  I have seen a lot of GM mini-vans with a burnt out brake light.  Is there a way of fixing it without replacing the tail light assembly cartridge?  The bulbs life is a month or two.  I have also tried electrical lubricant on it.

A: Sit in traffic with your brakes on a lot, do you? Try an LED replacement lamp, which will produce virtual no heat.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Ftail-brake-turn.html%23a3156

You may need to add a resistor to make the turn signals flash properly.

Q: 13 months ago I had to have the engine mount replaced in my 2007 Mazda3 hatchback since it was leaking.  Yesterday I had to replace it again.  The tech said that the vibrations created by speed and the weight of the engine damage the mount. Is it normal to have it changed every year?

A: No. Is the mount being damaged by leaking engine oil? Are all the mounts okay? If one is broken (but hidden) then it might allow the engine to move excessively, which could damage another mount.

We expect to see an all-new AMG M-Class in the next couple of years, but for now, Mercedes-Benz has updated the ML63 with very subtle exterior tweaks, including darkened headlamps and taillamps, a refreshed hood and tweaked front and rear underguards (in chrome, of course). From there, not much else changes – the seven-speed AMG Speedshift transmission is still in place, routing all of that forward thrust to all four wheels, measuring 20 inches in diameter (21s can be had as an option).

In the ML AMG’s next generation, expect to see the automaker’s brand new twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 under the hood, good for around 544 horsepower and a pavement-churning 590 pound-feet of torque. High-powered SUVs and crossovers aren’t the most practical of automotive choices these days, but we’re happy to still see them moving forward. After all, sometimes you just need to get the kids to soccer practice in extremely short order.

A customization atelier best known for their Mini conversions and that outrageous custom Corvette, Aznom has given the Defender a similar visual treatment to the Abarth 500C, with a matte two-tone white and black paintjob with red detailing and front and rear bumpers made of carbon fiber. The interior has also been decked out in orange-tan leather, Alcantara and carbon fiber trim with Sparco racing buckets. And underneath the hood, Italian tuning house Romeo Ferraris has tweaked the 2.4-liter turbo-diesel four from 122 horsepower to 152, channeled to all four anthracite-finish wheels wearing Kumho Road Venture rubber

But certain times customer detected certain wear and tear while shifting. There are few people who do not change their vehicles and stick to their age old vehicles. Those people were generally scared of shifting. And few other certain classes of people were forced to sell their vehicles while shifting as they were well versed with the damages that occur to the vehicle in transit. With the increase in technological activities in the world and the usage of the latest technology in transporting gave rise to more efficiency in shipping.

The following are the basic tips in auto transportation so that the vehicles are transferred with utmost safety. The first of all is the search for such a company who is competent and proved to be a pioneer in shipping cars. There might be plenty of companies available but there might be only a few companies who have the capability of best and guaranteed auto shipping. Client can also refer to previous records and work patterns.

Second aspect to be referred to is selection of the method of transit. Company might be offering numerous methods. It is the duty of the person to check out with the transportation company the best transit solution for his vehicle.

The third aspect to be thrown light is on the details of the payment. And the payment pattern. This is one of the most important aspects. Generally clients prefer cheap and reasonable package with utmost good and quality work. Each and every transporting company has different schedules for payment some may seem to be convenient for the transporter and some may not hence the customer should associate him only with such corporate that are best suited to his profile.

The fourth and the most important aspect to be looked into are insurance and completion of the paper works. Customer should get himself introduced to the terms and conditions properly. Customer should check whether the company will pay for the damages incurred during transit. It’s an obligation on the part of the company to check whether the client has insured his car. It is the responsibility of the customer to complete all the paper works according to the terms and conditions worked on.

The next aspect to be seen is the services which the transportation company provides. A company cannot merely shift the vehicle to the required city and ask the client to collect it from the de loading place. It is the duty of the company to deliver the vehicle on to the doors of the customer. The sixth and the last aspect is the preparation of vehicle that is to be transported. The vehicle should be packed in a compact manner and all personal stuffs should be removed from inside the car because that can damage the car’s interior during transit. The above given tips can help the customer and the company to serve each other in a better way.

About Author

Shijina is an expert author for Vehicle transport and auto transport. She written many articles like car shipping, car transport and auto shipping. For more information visit our site www.aaat.com Contact me at shijinaseo@gmail.com

The traditional lending institutions may not be willing to finance sophisticated automotive repair equipment due to their unique nature. However, there are a few genuine financing companies which understand your needs and requirements. They offer financial assistance under various categories and at better interest rates.

Commercial car wash requires lot of equipment and so an automotive repair industry needs to be equipped with all the essential equipments for the same purpose. Automatic car wash, In-bay car wash system, vacuum system etc are some of the sophisticated equipment required in car wash processes. But they are quite pricey especially in case of multiple car washes. Therefore, one can acquire the sophisticated equipments through automotive repair equipment financing.

Tire changer is another important component of any automotive repair shop. Nowadays people are particular about the tires they use and thus excellent tire changer equipment is indispensable for satisfying the customers. Automatic tire changer, PAX tire changer, manual tire changer are some of the equipments available in the market. They can be expensive and so the automotive shops need to look for automotive repair financing.

Auto body equipment plays a crucial role in making a wrecked vehicle to useful. This work however involves full line of auto body equipments like straightening equipment, painting bays and so on. In case they have to be worked on various types of vehicles, a full line of auto body equipment can be quite expensive. In such cases the help of automotive repair financing is much required.

Wheel balancer is another vital tool in an automotive repair shop which helps in assessing the potential problems in the wheel, quickly and accurately. Therefore this equipment helps in providing improved customer service. But the cost of wheel balancer is high and so wheel balancer financing provided by some reliable financing companies is essential.

Wheel alignment equipment is another valuable tool in an automotive repair shop. It saves time and helps the mechanic in easy and quick assessment and repair in any vehicle’s wheel alignment. Though essential, they are quite costlier and so many repair shops are not able to afford it. However automotive repair equipment financing provides valuable service to repair shops to acquire these essential tools.

A frame machine in an automotive shop helps to provide life even to severely damaged vehicle. It is also quite expensive, but some valid financing companies offer easy financial assistance to acquire a frame machine.

Automotive repair equipment financing therefore helps almost all automotive shop owners to acquire the valuable automotive repair tools. The financing companies provide straight forward approach in offering financial help. They provide fast approval with minimum application process. Even an online application is enough to get financial help from them. These companies offer help at better terms so that owners can pay their bills in low easy monthly installments.

About Author

Learn more about new and used Automotive Repair Equipment Financing at http://www.crestcapital.com/Catalog/Automotive_and_Diagnostic_Equipment_Financing_Automotive_Repair_Equipment_Financing and other commercial equipment financing topics on Chris Fletcher’s blog.

For the process to be a success you can get DVDs available to teach you all about fiberglass car audio installs. Car audio fiberglass fabrication 1 is a good example and it will teach you several things. Some of the things include materials and tools needed for the job and you will also have the opportunity to view some vehicle wiring diagrams. It will also teach you how to install various gadgets in your car. Fiberglass fabrication 11 will teach you how to make as well as install subwoofer enclosures in the best way. There are very many other guides that you can follow to give you an idea of how to install fiberglass car audio.

Fiberglass car audio installs can be of the latest trends and styles and it is worth checking out what the new additions are and see whether you can incorporate some of those ideas in your car. Look for companies and stores that specialize with this business and get the best opinion about your installs. Sometimes, steps are a bit hectic to follow so you need an experts opinion. While having fiberglass car audio installs, consider the cost. You can find a bargain if you are installing with help and do not allow people with no qualifications or experience work on your car audio. One of the ways to know that your installs are a success is to here that your car audio is functioning properly and also to have some of the most smooth and beautiful finishes that fiberglass adds.

Nothing beats a collection of great images of fiberglass car audio installs. Pictures are so inspiring and you will get to view everything you need. If you want to see classic or modern models, they are available on the internet for your eyes to feast on. You can also see some of the latest installs that will spark your imagination. You will be guided on how to make and install and therefore you do not have an excuse not to try out these installs. Know every fiberglass car audio product and its installs like subwoofers, car stereos and others because they have their own specific install requirements. Lastly, have fun with the process because you know full well that your vehicle will stand out from the rest.

Watch the video related to car audio installation

This video will explain everything. Complete Big 3 Upgrade Installation Advice & Tutorial * More Q’s? * – www.youtube.com **Enjoy The Music? Subscribe For More Information On These ORIGINAL Tracks – Cultivata & MC Fathom Phantom** ~ EXO Written Step By Step Directions: Step 1. Buy Battery Terminals That Fits 0 gauge Power Cable Step 2. Find A Safe Chasis Ground Step 3. Grind Paint Off Chasis Area Step 4. Connect Chasis To Negative Battery Step 5. Find Engine Block Ground Step 6. Connect …

Help answer the question about car audio installation

I would like some information on audio installation licenses and information on car alarm installations?
I am looking for information on how to become a licensed car audio installer.I’m looking into getting a job at these car audio places in my area. I was told I needed to be licensed therefore I’m in need of information on how to become licensed.

About Author

Peter Gitundu is a web administrator, For more information on Fiberglass Car Audio Installs, visit his site at Fiberglass Car Audio InstallsI Will Highly Appreciate Your Views On Fiberglass Car Audio Installs On My Blog Here

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – How to Do Fiberglass Car Audio Installs

Firstly, you need to consider where to get the information that you need. The guides may be in form of manuals or they may be print outs from sites or downloads. Whichever your source is, make sure they have the right information to guide you. Apart from being concise and legible, they should be accurate. If you need to have images to direct you, there are DVDs available to help you go step by step as you install your Pioneer car audio. Make sure you read on the various tips that are available for each car audio product you plan to install. Going through the manual in a car audio store will ensure that those hard or complicated steps are solved by the store staff. You therefore need to visit stores with staff who know about in depth details of a particular product.

Once you have all the information that you need, it is time to go to work. Get the tools that you may need. These tools may be crimping tools. These tools are used with a hammer to crimp terminal into wires. You also need connectors like butt slice connectors. You also need terminals like spade and ring. If there is any soldering to be done, which there usually is, be prepared with the appropriate tools. Take your time to make sure that every detail is in the correct order. For people who wish to rush through things blindly, this is not for them. You need to forget about other things and concentrate especially when you are doing the wiring as you undertake Pioneer car audio install.

When you have done your installation and everything does not work out as you hoped it would, it is not a time to give up. Slowly go through the procedures again and you will find the reason why you went wrong. If this does not work also, look for a professional who is trained to do this and hand over the job to them. The bottom line is to get the car audio safely installed in your car by whichever means possible. There are so many Pioneer car audio install manuals from their site and you can register to receive even more information through your email. When you are content with your results, congratulate yourself for doing a good job. You will feel so good when you know that you have a car audio system installed in your car, that will not disappoint.

Watch the video related to car audio installation

This Crutchfield video shows you the basic on installing a car stereo. Show off your hot ride and enter the YouTube King of Cars contest and you could win awesome prizes! www.youtube.com

Help answer the question about car audio installation

how much is it for a car audio installation?
i had my friend (who is an expert on car audio) install my bran new kenwood stereo. he did an excellent job. he told me he would leave it up to me on how much i was going to pay him. i don’t want to rip him off or over pay him. help!

About Author

Peter Gitundu is a web administrator, For more information on Pioneer Car Audio Install, visit his site at Pioneer Car Audio InstallI Will Highly Appreciate Your Views On Pioneer Car Audio Install On My Blog Here

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – How to Do a Custom Pioneer Car Audio Install

By asking yourself some basic, common-sense questions you can quickly and easily diagnose your car just like an expert! Below are some sample questions you should ask yourself when diagnosing your car:

1. Are there any stains or drops of fluid under your vehicle? There may be no problem whatsoever, however you do want to check for wet spots, as this could be a symptom of a serious problem.

2. What color is the liquid under the car? Yellowish green, blue or orange colors can show an overheated engine or an antifreeze leak. You could have a leaky radiator or a water pump in need of repair. If this is the problem, you need to get to a repair shop immediately.

Some other common symptoms you can look for include:

- A dark brown or black oily fluid can show that the engine is leaking oil. A bad seal or gasket could be the cause of the leak. The repair for this problem can be exorbitant, so you will want to seek out a reputable mechanic right away.

- A red oily looking spot shows a transmission or power steering fluid leak. Another reason to see your car doctor! Sometimes the liquid is clear, and this is usually normal condensation from your vehicle’s air conditioner. There is no need for concern.

- If you see light smoke coming from a wheel – it could be a stuck brake. Call a tow truck.

- Smoke coming from any part of the vehicle shows a need for repair. Sniff around, and you may detect your vehicles problem. The smell of burned toast can signal an electrical short and burning insulation. Have a mechanic come to look at your car. Do not risk driving it anywhere.

- The smell of gas after a failed start may mean the engine is flooded. Just wait a couple of minutes and try again. If you keep noticing the gas odor, this could be a sign of a leak in the fuel system – a potentially dangerous problem that needs immediate attention.

- If you see steam emerging from under the hood, stop and pull over. You definitely do not want to keep driving an overheated vehicle. Your engine will most likely be seriously damaged. Call a tow truck.

Just by following these simple guidelines and asking yourself some common-sense questions, you can spot problems with your car even before you call the mechanic!