Adam's Auto Advice... Has Moved!

Adam's Auto Advice has moved, and now has it's own official domain name!  Blogger has been great for getting my blog up and running easily, but I felt it was limiting me in certain areas.   I still be providing Down-to-Earth auto advice to all of my followers. 

http://www.adamsautoadvice.com/

Trapster: Never Get a Ticket Again!

Getting a ticket can take a huge bite out of your wallet.  I'm sure you are careful and safe driver.  (Aren't you?)  Nowadays though many municipalities are installing red-light cameras and speed-cameras to generate revenue, by catching you unassumingly disobeying the law.

Luckily there is a solution.  It's called Trapster!  How it works is that you load the software onto your cellphone or GPS device.  Trapster maps show you where all the red-light cameras, speed-cameras, and cop hang-outs for catching people speeding.  It will alert you if you are driving up to one of these Traps!

Essentially Trapster is a online version of a friend warning you about a speed trap.  Accept it's used by thousands of people, and those people warn you.  This does cause some issues, as sometimes it's not completely accurate.  Sometimes a person might mark a red-light camera that isn't there.   Of course the concept is still pretty cool.   

The best part of Trapster is that is is Free!  Also it's completely legal.  Many states have banned the use of Radar Detectors, but no such law exists for sharing Speed Traps online! 

http://www.trapster.com/

Ever Dreamed of Being 007?

If your like most guys I'm sure you've Dreamed of Being 007!  Having the cool and exciting life with cool gadgets, beautiful women, and especially.... awesome cars.  Well if you have millions to spare, RM Auctions will be obliged to help you get into a Real James Bond Car! 

A 1965 Aston Martin DB5 that was driven by Sean Connnery and used in the movies Golfinger and Thunderball will be auctioned on October 27th.  The car comes with "Q" Branch gadgetry befitting a Secret Agent of Her Majesty's' Service.   It comes factory-fitted with the full complement of operational gadgets, including machine guns, bullet-proof shield, revolving number plates, tracking device, removable roof panel, oil slick sprayer, nail spreader and smoke screen, all controlled from factory installed toggles and switches hidden in the center arm-rest.  It would be pretty cool to drive this around in Traffic! 

This is the first time the car will be for sale in about 40 years.  It's been in the possesion of Jerry Lee, who is a radio medial mogul, all of this time.  He kept the car in a special "James Bond" room in his house and few people have seen it.  

Many expect the car to bring in at least 5 Million Dollars or more.  I'm guessing that it will go for around $8-10 Million easily.  After all this isn't just a collector car, but a fine piece of Cinema History.  The proceeds for the auction will go to Jerry Lee's Foundation, that helps solve urban crime.

I should book a flight to London, and starting saving my money! 

WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS CAR COMES TO MARKET FOR FIRST TIME IN HISTORY Automobiles of London

James Bond’s actual Aston Martin DB5 as driven by Sean Connery in Goldfinger and Thunderball to be auctioned by world’s largest collector car auction house, 27th October in London, UK LONDON (1 June, 2010) - PAY ATTENTION, BOND FANS! RM Auctions announces the consignment of one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century – the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 James Bond movie car – to its annual ‘Automobiles of London’ event at the Battersea Evolution in London on 27th October, where it is available for sale for the first time in history and expected to achieve in excess of £3.5 million GBP (over $5 million USD). The car is being offered by RM in association with Sotheby’s, with whom RM has worked in the past. Well-known around the world by its original UK registration number, FMP 7B, this Aston Martin is one of only two, and the sole remaining, of the original ‘007’ DB5s as featured on screen with Sean Connery behind the wheel in the enormously popular Goldfinger and Thunderball movies. With its 'rather interesting modifications' originally conceived by Oscar-award-winning special effects expert, John Stears, this authentic Bond movie car is factory-fitted with the full complement of operational ‘Q-Branch’ gadgets, including machine guns, bullet-proof shield, revolving number plates, tracking device, removable roof panel, oil slick sprayer, nail spreader and smoke screen, all controlled from factory installed toggles and switches hidden in the center arm-rest. “Like ‘Q’, we never joke about our work, which is why RM is consistently entrusted with the sale of the world’s most significant collector cars like the REAL 007 Aston Martin DB5 movie car,” said Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Europe. “RM is known for world-record-setting results and we expect nothing less for 007’s iconic DB5.” The DB5 was originally loaned to EON Productions for the filming of the two Bond movies, and returned to the Aston Martin Lagonda factory after its subsequent promotional tour. Mr. Jerry Lee, an American radio broadcaster based in Philadelphia, PA, convinced the factory to sell FMP 7B to him for $12,000 in 1969, thereby becoming its first and only ex-factory owner. It has remained in his possession and has rarely been seen publicly over the past 40+ years. Mr. Lee plans to use the proceeds from the sale of FMP 7B to further the charitable work of The Jerry Lee Foundation, a multi-national initiative dedicated to solving social problems associated with poverty, with an emphasis on crime prevention. The Foundation supports programs at the University of Pennsylvania and Cambridge University (UK), as well as in Australia, Norway and Washington, DC. It is also responsible for the establishment of the Stockholm Prize in Criminology, for which Mr. Lee received a Swedish knighthood in 2008. (http://jerryleefoundation.com/) “The James Bond car has brought me much enjoyment for some 40 years,” said Jerry Lee. “Even as I sell it and use the proceeds to fund the Jerry Lee Foundation, the car will continue to give me great pleasure as it furthers the mission of the Foundation to do good around the world.” Today, FMP 7B is presented in highly original condition and recently underwent a careful re-commissioning program by RM Auto Restoration, returning it to running condition after the many years of static display in Mr. Lee’s home. In advance of its auction debut at RM’s Automobiles of London sale on 27th October, the car is set to make its first 21st century public appearance at the Bond-themed Midsummer Classic/Thunderball concours and black-tie reception scheduled for 26th June at the Stoke Park Club located outside of London. Bond fans will recognize the Stoke Park Club as the site of the first confrontation between 007 and Mr. Goldfinger. For event and ticket information, visit: http://www.midsummerclassic.co.uk/

Mercedes-Benz

Have you ever wondered why anybody would have the name Mercedes?  Have you wondered why Mercedes-Benz is called Mercedes-Benz?  The companies origins are traced back to the 2 great German pioneers of automobile and motoring, Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz.  It seems odd the company would be called Mercedes-Benz! 

I was watching a PBS show called Great Cars the other day and found out the answer to most of these questions.  An Austrian businessman by the name of Emil Jellinek bought 36 cars from Gottlieb Daimler.  During the time 36 cars was a quite a large order.  Jellinek made a very important demand.... that the cars be named after his daughter... Mercedes.

Emil Jellinek wasn't just a customer, he also sold Mercedes cars, was a member of the Daimler company board, and raced the cars he bought.  The racing success from many of the "Mercedes" cars is what help them become famous.  

These new Mercedes models were very modern, lower, better designed, faster, and handled better than previous Daimler cars.  They were actually called "The Car of the Day After Tomorrow!"  People loved them so much it was obvious that the cars should keep the name "Mercedes!"  As a succession of newer cars were sold, they retained the name.  From 1902 onward any cars that were built by the Daimler company had "Mercedes" on them.

Why wasn't Daimler upset about this?  He died in 1900.  Daimler and Benz never actually meet.  The 2 companies started a relationship in 1924, due to the horrendous economy and difficulty to sell cars at the time.  In 1926 they officially merged creating the Daimler-Benz company.   However.... the cars were named Mercedes-Benz. 

Interesting one demand made a name world famous!

Changing a Flat "Foot Trick"

Have you ever been stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire? Found it impossible to loosen the lug nuts?  My brother actually had a flat tire a few weeks ago at my house.  I saw him trying to loosen the lug nuts by hand!  I started chuckling, and contemplated whether I should let him in on a little trick.

Well I'll let you know a good trick and old mechanic showed me.  Instead of using your arms, which I'm sure you know is difficult, use your Leg strength to loosen the lug nuts.  It's something that's simple, but not something you would have though of unless someone showed you how to do it.  Consider lug nuts have about 80-120 foot-pounds of torque on them.  Unless you have Herculean strength in your arms, I'm sure you've never felt like you can get those lug nuts loose.  The "Foot Trick" will help loosen them quickly, easily, and with minimal effort,  After all your Legs are strong. 

To do this remember to go in the correct direction.  (Rightie-Tightie, Leftie-Loosie!)  Set you lug wrench as firmly and deeply onto the lug nut as you can.  Carefully, quickly, and with force apply a good amount of pressure with the heel of your foot.  It will be more effective, than using the toe or ball of your foot.  (If you are wearing high-heels, maybe you should use your ball of your foot!)  You should really only needed to loosen them a little bit.  I'd suggest stomping hard 1 or 2 times, until you hear a loud crack or squeak noise.  That means you've loosened them enough, and from there you should be able to twist off the lug nut by hand.  This is also a good technique to use when tightening your spare tire. 

This "Foot Trick" will save you lots of time and effort when changing a flat.  You also won't have to wait for an auto service to come help you.  Besides, it will feel great changing a flat tire yourself!

Valve Caps

Have you ever noticed that those "Little black things on your Tires" are missing?  Those are called Valve Caps.  Don't they just magically seem to disappear?   I bet you've noticed your missing 1 or 2.  You keep driving around without replacing them, right?  You most likely don't think it's a problem, and is a small issue.

Although small, valve caps help protect the valve stems from debris and dirt.  If you don't have valve caps on some tires, you'll most likely notice those tires lose a little more air.  Usually all the debris and dirt hit the needle, gradually releasing air.  So it's good to get them replaced if you are missing some.

Valve caps are available at all auto parts stores.  They are the same size on all tires, and are good to have handy.  Usually they are $1 for a pack of 4.  Sometimes I've seen them for $2-3, but I would check at another store.  You could always poach some from someones else's tires!  Of course I can't condone that!  That's probably why I'm missing valve caps!

Headlight Restoration Kit

In my last post I suggested using Toothpaste to Restore Cloudy Headlights.   It will work.... if you spend the whole day rubbing it in.  I'd suggest buying a Headlight Restoration Kit.  These kits are $18, and work very well.  I bought a 3M kit, which I would recommend.  It took me about 4 hours to do.  It's basically what a body shop would do to restore and refinish headlights, except you use a drill and save a ton of money!

Here are Pictures of the Before and After on my Mom's '97 Chrysler Van.

BEFORE

AFTER

Restoring your Headlights, like I did, will improve the appearance of your car.  More importantly it's beneficial to your safety.  Your ability to see clearly at Night and in bad weather conditions greatly improves.  During night driving the van's visibility has improved by 20-25 feet!  Also it will help other drivers see your car more clearly on the road. 

I did this on March 6th, 2010.  That was about 2 months ago, and the headlights still look great!  The only problem is the headlights will get Cloudy again.  Headlights that come from the factory have a clearcoat protection on them, which helps protect from UV damage and debris.  The 3M kit doesn't have any sort of clearcoat spray to reapply.  So I could end up doing this again in a few years.  I'm considering getting this Doublehorn Restoration Kit.  It puts a protective coating on your headlights, to ensure you don't need to refinish them again. 

I found when using the 3M Kit there are some Tips I have for others:

• I was oversanding with the 600 grit sandpaper. The paper would gum up, before I realized it. It probably would have been helpful to wet the 600 grit paper a little bit
• You get only 1 piece of 3000 grit sandpaper. It would have been helpful to have 2 pieces. I did one headlight then I moved onto the other one, but by then the paper was used up. It took me forever to do the other headlight. I would suggest switching back and forth on each side. 
• You must Tape-up around your Headlights! I would have done a lot of damage to the paint if I didn't! I just used Blue Painters Tape, which worked fine.
• I would suggest using a Corded Drill, which is what I used. If you try to use a Battery Powered Drill, I'm sure the battery will run out before you finish!
• There is a good video 3M posted on how to do it.  As the video says in the beginning, you definitely need a Spray Bottle and some microfiber towels.

  

I hope this helps people Restore their own Headlights!  If you have any questions about using the kit, please email me.