While Legal Romantics would like to characterize the trial of a lawsuit as a “Search For Truth” that’s not a reality!

Cases are decided on the evidence. When reviewing cases before them, judges invariably use the phrase, “The evidence shows”, rather than, “The truth of the matter is”. That first phrase is a reality that filters from the courtroom down to the objective evaluation of each case tried.

If Fred Fuddle is the town drunk, or if his conduct at the accident scene was provably abnormal than the value of your case should increase. If your injuries are visible and/or demonstrable, it’s likely your settlement will be larger. The conduct of both Fuddle and you before the accident may be significant. If you had been at a bar drinking heavily or raising holy hell out on the highway before the accident, you’ll get less regard from the jury than if you were driving to your house of worship with your family.

So, the circumstances of your behavior before, during, or after the accident increases or decreases the value of your settlement.

THE SIX MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS IN THE “EVALUATION PROCESS”: To be fully informed, you must know and understand the six primary evaluation elements that figure into the process of evaluation. They are as follows:

(1) THE FACTS (2) THE EVIDENCE (3) THE LAW (4) YOUR INJURY (5) SPECIAL DAMAGES (6) THE INTANGIBILITIES.

(1) THE FACTS: The gathering of the provable factual information is the first step in the evaluation. If you try to evaluate a claim without as complete a file of facts as possible, it’s like going hunting for a lion with a slingshot.

(2) THE EVIDENCE: You must weigh all factual evidence known to you against the actual evidence you can produce to substantiate it. No matter what information you’re aware of, your position will always be stronger if you have the evidence to back you up.

For example: You can talk until the cows come home about the unsightly black-and-blue marks you had on your face, ribs, and hips, the scar on your forehead, or the 75 feet of skid marks Fred Fuddle’s auto left on the highway before he smashed into you, but Adjuster I. M. Smart will never adequately comprehend, (nor want to believe you) unless you provide him with photographs.

Providing Smart with the proof-positive of photographs will cause his Supervisor’s eyes to bulge as he inhales a deep breath of resignation and declares, “Hey, this one’s gonna cost us” .

QUESTION: “How can Dan be so sure about that”? ANSWER: “Because before Dan retired, after spending over 30 years on that firing line, he was an Insurance Adjuster, Supervisor, Manager and Trial Assistant. He’s been there, saw that, plus heard (and felt) that many thousands of times”!

Whenever possible you must help Adjuster I. M. Smart justify the settlement figure he wants to get approved by his immediate superior at Granite Mountian Insurance Corporation.

(3) THE LAW: As proved in over 83% of the accidents in the United States in 2003 the impact you were subjected to is clearly the fault of “Fumbling” Fred Fuddle, so the law is on your side.

Armed with the information found in my third book AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY (How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss) plus THE BASE FORMULA (The Baldyga Auto Accident Settlement Evaluation Formula) you’ll be able to do that. THE BASE FORMULA will correctly evaluate your “Pain and Suffering”. Because of this, you can settle your own claim without handing a huge percentage to an attorney. A lawyer who has done nothing more than have his secretary send Fuddle a letter of representation and then think it’s perfectly acceptable (after many moths, sometimes years, of hiding/stumbling/fumbling and verbally pitching his well-practiced answer when you asked, “Hey what’s going on with my claim?” with an answer like, “I’m right on top of it, hang in there, old friend and I‘ll make it come out right”, and then proceed to take a huge portion of your settlement dollars, for doing little or nothing to earn it.

(4) INJURY TO YOU: The seriousness of your injury has to be considered. (Ole’ Doc Comfort, your attending physician’s Medical Report, should go into detail about that).Your age will have an effect on the time it takes you to recover. The time you lost at work will have a direct bearing on the length of your recovery.

(5) SPECIAL DAMAGES: All of your direct and tangible losses are prime factors to be implemented in the consideration of the value of your claim.(Clearly stated details regarding Damages are found in Chapter Four of my book).

(6) INTANGIBLE ELEMENTS: These include your reasonableness, your economic status, your standing in the community, the obvious sentiment conjured up when one considers the degree of the seriousness of your injury, plus the attitude of Fred Fuddle (and often your witness) regarding your case.

Sympathy will come into play if you’re a widow or a highly respected Little League Coach, in contrast to your being identified as a raucous bum with a history of getting into scrapes with the law.

Emotional factors often have considerable weight in the evaluation of your claim. Whatever the intangible elements may be, you must force yourself to investigate and then evaluate them just as objectively as possible. So, if what’s being contended is incorrect, you can deny them (plus you must prove the conclusions not to be true) when and where it becomes appropriate to do so.

Copyright (c) 2004 By Daniel G. Baldyga. All Rights Reserved

DISCLAIMER: The only purpose of this article INSIGHTS INTO YOUR MED-PAY INSURANCE CLAIM COVERAGE is to help people understand the motor vehicle accident claim process. Neither Dan Baldyga nor ARTICLECITY.COM make any guarantee of any kind what whatsoever; NOR do they purport to engage in rendering any professional or legal service; NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, or claims consultant, or the like. Whenever such help is desired it is THE INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBILITY to obtain such services.

About The Author

Dan Baldyga is now retired and spends his time writing articles to assist those who are involved in motor vehicle accidentclaims so they won’t be taken advantage of:
AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM (How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss)
http://www.autoaccidentclaims.com
dbpaw@comcast.net

Parts to Perk Up Your Ford Vehicle Offered at the Leading Ford Parts Store

 by: Chuck Smith

For sure, your Ford car, truck, minivan or SUV is something special to you, whether it’s a new or old Ford model. You take care of it; you preserve it in the same way as you take care of yourself. Likewise you want it to be unique, extra special and different from the rest of the cars on the road. Achieving a distinct look and character for your Ford is easy nowadays with the thousands of auto parts stores online specializing on selling Ford Parts Used and new.

There’s one store that provides you with exquisite Ford Parts Discount deals and a great variety of replacement parts and accessories for virtually all Ford models, Ford Parts Online. Aftermarket and replacement Ford auto parts available here provide great possibilities of upgrading, customizing and restyling your old and even new Ford auto. You can find here all new replacement Ford F150 Pickup Parts, Ford Ranger Parts and Ford Explorer Parts. Likewise, Ford Mustang Parts and Ford Pinto parts are readily available.

No matter how good your Ford vehicle is, you can always make it better and this is why stores like Ford Parts Online provide you with great selection of auto parts so you can find the right parts that you need to improve your vehicle’s driving abilities, exterior looks, safety, comfort and convenience features.

Among the auto parts you can replace to restyle your car are the Ford Bronco Bumper (Front), Ford Focus Grille, Ford Ranger Mirror and Ford Mustang Lights. Auto lights offered in this store include Ford altezza lights, Ford front lights, and Ford rear lights. By replacing these parts or by adding auxiliary lights, mirrors and a grille, for example, you are making your car unique and a lot more fun to drive. Moreover, these auto parts are essentially helpful in keeping you safe as you drive.

The Ford Expedition Bumper is the part of your car that absorbs the impact of a collision by redirecting the force into the frame rails; hence, damages to the car and the occupants are avoided or reduced. Ford Escape Lights are also very important safety parts in your car as they keep your vehicle visible as you drive it down the road or park it. Lights also provide illumination for you to drive by and give a signal as you turn, stop, back up or move to another lane.

Also available in the store are high performance Ford F150 Pickup Engine Parts, which you can use to upgrade your Ford’s performance. Also, these auto parts can help improve your Ford’s fuel economy as they make possible more efficient burning of the air and fuel mixture inside the engine.

You can complement all these Ford parts with some interior accessories available in many aftermarket parts dealers. MFor sure, your Ford car, truck, minivan or SUV is something special to you, whether it’s a new or old Ford model. You take care of it; you preserve it in the same way as you take care of yourself. Likewise you want it to be unique, extra special and different from the rest of the cars on the road. Achieving a distinct look and character for your Ford is easy nowadays with the thousands of auto parts stores online specializing on selling Ford Parts Used and new.

There’s one store that provides you with exquisite Ford Parts Discount deals and a great variety of replacement parts and accessories for virtually all Ford models, Ford Parts Online. Aftermarket and replacement Ford auto parts available here provide great possibilities of upgrading, customizing and restyling your old and even new Ford auto. You can find here all new replacement Ford F150 Pickup Parts, Ford Ranger Parts and Ford Explorer Parts. Likewise, Ford Mustang Parts and Ford Pinto parts are readily available.

No matter how good your Ford vehicle is, you can always make it better and this is why stores like Ford Parts Online provide you with great selection of auto parts so you can find the right parts that you need to improve your vehicle’s driving abilities, exterior looks, safety, comfort and convenience features.

Among the auto parts you can replace to restyle your car are the Ford Bronco Bumper (Front), Ford Focus Grille, Ford Ranger Mirror and Ford Mustang Lights. Auto lights offered in this store include Ford altezza lights, Ford front lights, and Ford rear lights. By replacing these parts or by adding auxiliary lights, mirrors and a grille, for example, you are making your car unique and a lot more fun to drive. Moreover, these auto parts are essentially helpful in keeping you safe as you drive.

The Ford Expedition Bumper is the part of your car that absorbs the impact of a collision by redirecting the force into the frame rails; hence, damages to the car and the occupants are avoided or reduced. Ford Escape Lights are also very important safety parts in your car as they keep your vehicle visible as you drive it down the road or park it. Lights also provide illumination for you to drive by and give a signal as you turn, stop, back up or move to another lane.

Also available in the store are high performance Ford F150 Pickup Engine Parts, which you can use to upgrade your Ford’s performance. Also, these auto parts can help improve your Ford’s fuel economy as they make possible more efficient burning of the air and fuel mixture inside the engine.

You can complement all these Ford parts with some interior accessories available in many aftermarket parts dealers. Meanwhile, drop by Ford Parts Online and see the wide array of premium quality replacement auto parts for Ford. Great Ford Parts Discount deals are waiting for you on almost all products. It’s surprisingly easy, fast and affordable to make your Ford a lot more exciting to drive here at the country’s leading Ford parts dealer.eanwhile, drop by Ford Parts Online and see the wide array of premium quality replacement auto parts for Ford. Great Ford Parts Discount deals are waiting for you on almost all products. It’s surprisingly easy, fast and affordable to make your Ford a lot more exciting to drive here at the country’s leading Ford parts dealer.

Should I Buy Rental Car Insurance?

 by: Tim Register

Rental car agencies have a menu of insurance policies they would like to sell you. While each policy could be of some benefit under the right circumstances, you should review each plan (its provisions, limitations, and exclusions) before making a purchase. It is a good idea to request the detailed information from an agent at the rental office, as most companies only provide a summary on their Web sites.

Keep in mind; you may not need to buy this additional car insurance because you have auto insurance from your own car insurance company. Generally speaking, when you rent a car, the liability coverage limits you have in your own auto insurance policy remain in effect with the same limits. In addition, the comprehensive and collision coverages you have in your own auto insurance policy remain in effect with the same deductibles. You do have comprehensive and collision coverage don’t you? See our article, “How Much Car Insurance Should You Buy?” for a listing of coverage types and definitions.

You may also have some kind of additional auto insurance coverage through your credit card but it is important that you check your credit card information for specific details. Some cards only offer coverage if you rent your car from a particular agency. Some limit the days for which coverage is available. Some will only provide coverage for certain types and/or classes of cars. With some cards, the coverage is not automatic and you must enroll in a program to get coverage. Some cards that advertise automatic rental insurance really only reimburse you for the deductible that you would have to pay under your regular insurance policy. Still others may provide only collision and comprehensive coverage, leaving you exposed for personal injury or property damage to others. Rental car agencies typically offer liability coverage in two parts - a supplemental liability policy protects against claims from others and a Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) covers the rental car. LDW is not technically insurance; rather, it is a company’s agreement not to hold the consumer liable for loss from all or part of any damage to merchandise.

Before you rent a vehicle, realize the charges you could be responsible for and how these charges are covered or not covered by both your own auto insurance policy and the car insurance the rental company is offering.

If you suffer a loss that is not covered under your auto policy, check your other insurance policies. For example, if personal property has been stolen from your rental car, it may be covered under your homeowners or renters policy. Similarly, certain medical policies may cover costs of injuries not covered by your car insurance policy.

As always, check with your insurance company to find out exactly what is covered under your own auto insurance policy.

Remember, for quick quotes and the easiest way to buy car insurance on-line or over the phone, visit us at http://www.carinsurance.com

Don’t Be Afraid To Give Problem Customers The Boot

 by: Tim Knox

Q: In a recent column you made the point that the customer is always right, which I agree with. However, in the same column you also said that it is sometimes necessary give problem customers the boot. If the customer is always right, at what point do you think they become so problematic that you should stop doing business with them? — Gary M.

A: That column brought a number of emails similar to yours, Gary, requesting that I clarify the line between “the customer is always right” and “sometimes you have to give a customer the boot.” Here’s the bottom line: if you, as a business owner or service provider, are willing to take a customer’s money in exchange for providing him with goods or services, then the customer has what I call “the right of expectation.” This means that the customer has the right to expect you to deliver everything promised in the transaction between you. For example, if you own a restaurant the customer has the right to expect that their meal will be prepared and served to their satisfaction. If you are a dry cleaner the customer has the right to expect that you will launder their clothes without returning them in shreds. If are hired to perform a service the customer has the right to expect that the service will be provided to their satisfaction within the terms of the defined task.

As the business owner, it is your responsibility to meet the customer’s expectations and provide good customer service. Even if your business does not involve a formal contract that spells out to the letter what should be expected, there is generally a clear understanding of what the customer expects and what you are willing to deliver. If you back peddle on your end of the bargain, let’s say by serving a bad meal or losing a customer’s laundry and refusing to make things right, then you are guilty of not meeting the expectations of your customer and thereby are guilty of providing bad customer service.

Unfortunately not every entrepreneur puts emphasis on delivering good customer service. They are in it for the money and damn the customer if they have a problem. Such entrepreneurs were the topic of the column you mentioned, the point of which was, if you make a habit of not meeting your customer’s expectations, you will not be in business for long.

Now let’s look at the flipside. Just as the customer has the right to expect that he will get his money’s worth when doing business with you, you have the right to expect that your customer will not demand things that are beyond the scope of realistic expectations (or the contract). If a customer orders hamburger, he shouldn’t expect it to taste like steak unless you have advertised it as such. If a customer brings you a cotton shirt to launder he should not expect a silk shirt in return. It’s when the customer’s expectations get out of sync with what should realistically be expected that you will have problems.

We have all had customers who expected far more than was their due: customers who were unreasonable, overly-demanding, condescending, hard to please and sometimes, even dishonest in their dealings with you. When a customer’s reasonable expectations become unreasonable demands you must decide whether or not that customer is doing more harm to your business than good.

So here is the line in the sand between the “customer is always right” and “sometimes you have to give the customer the boot” - if a customer crosses the line from being an asset to being a detriment to your business, you should consider giving that customer the boot.

This is easier said than done if that customer constitutes a large chunk of your revenue, but even then you have to consider what your business might be like if that problem customer was not in the picture. Would the time you spend dealing with the problem customer be better spent on sales calls that might expand your client base and grow your business (a business that is dependent on one client is a house of cards)? Would your employees be happier not having to deal with this customer? Would you sleep better nights knowing that you don’t have a dozen phone messages from him on your desk every morning?

The easiest way to decide how much trouble a customer is worth is to look at the amount of revenue this customer brings in versus the time and expense of meeting his expectations. If this customer pays you $1,000 a month, but costs you $2,000 in time spent keeping them happy, this customer is actually costing you money. Just a handful of these kinds of customers will put you out of business fast..

For example, I once had a client whose business was worth several thousand dollars a year to my software company’s bottom line. However, this client proved to be problematic from the second the contract was signed. He and his employees called our office ten times a day and dominated my tech support team’s time with IT problems that were not even related to the service we were contracted to provide. It got so bad that my employees cringed every time the phone rang because they were afraid it was this client calling again.

When the time came to renew this client’s contract it wasn’t hard for me to decide to give him the boot. I simply did the math. This client had added thousands of dollars to my company’s bottom line, but had cost me at least that much in handholding and support, not to mention the mental anguish he had caused my employees. I opted not to renew the contract and politely invited the client to take his business elsewhere.

The perfect customer relationship is win/win, meaning that your customer benefits from your product or service and your company prospers by delivering the product or service. The relationship must be built on mutual respect and honest intention. It is when the relationship becomes win/lose that you must be ready to take action. If the customer thinks he can hold you over a barrel and get more out of you than he has paid for, the relationship and your business suffer for it.

Look, you don’t need me to hit you in the head with a stupid stick on this one. You know who your problem customers are and you know that you will eventually have to deal with them. You have to consider the value of every customer in the long run, not just their value today.

Is the customer making demands that are beyond the scope of what should be reasonably expected? If the customer constantly demands more than they are entitled to and gets angry when you refuse to comply, consider giving them the boot.

Is the customer taking advantage of your good graces? Some customers may mistake your willingness to please for weakness and try to wring more out of your relationship than they should. If the customer has a record of trying to take advantage of you and plays every angle to get more from you than they deserve, consider giving them the boot.

Is this customer a threat to your reputation? Let’s face it; there is nothing more harmful to your reputation than a dissatisfied customer with a big mouth. And it does not matter who is at fault in the disagreement, a disgruntled customer is going to bad mouth you in the end - especially if they were at fault. If you suspect a customer might be the sort to one day air dirty laundry in public, consider giving them the boot.

Does the customer pay in a timely manner? If you have a customer that is consistently 90 to 120 days late in paying even when your contract clearly outlines your payment terms to be otherwise, it may be indicative of other problems to come. If you feel the client is a payment risk, consider giving them the boot.

What’s the best way to avoid a customer booting? The best answer is to have a contract that clearly spells out the specifics of the relationship. The contracts I use in my various businesses clearly define the services to be provided, the cost of those services, and the timeline and terms under which those services will be rendered. If there is a deviation from the contract, we write an addendum that details any changes and their effect on the contract. Do I still have to give some customers the boot? You bet, but not very often. It’s hard for a customer to cry foul when everything is there in black and white right above his signature.

What if your business doesn’t use contracts? Then hang a poster in your shop or have a hand-out that clearly defines what your customer can expect from your business and then deliver what you promise. If you have a poster or hand-out that clearly outlines your services, your rates, scheduling, return policy, etc., there should be very little that the customer can complain about.

I know, famous last words.

Here’s to your success!

How To Keep Your Car Gleaming New Even Though It’s 3 Years Old

 by: Fantic Carro

You know how it feels to buy a new car. The fresh smell of leather as you ease yourself into the plush leather seats. The whole car is gleaming. As you drive it out your driveway, you steal a glance at the reflection of your beautiful ride.

Fast forward 12 months. How does your “new” car look now? If you take a picture of your car now and compare it to when you first bought it, would you notice any difference? How is it that some cars continue to look “brand new” even though they are already 3 years old while others just look tired, dull and “old” just 12 months out of the showroom?

It is possible to keep your car gleaming new. You just need to know how to care for it.

1) Wash Your Car Weekly

Dust and dirt will accumulate as your drive your car. Even if you just leave it in your garage, the paintwork will accumulate dust. It is especially important to wash your car if your car was exposed to rain. The water droplets that accumulate on your paintwork will leave tough watermark stains if you let them dry under the sun. The sun “bakes” in the watermark stains and you’ll find it especially tough to remove them later on. Your best bet is to give your car a quick wash and wipe dry if you’ve driven in the rain.

When washing your car, use a quality car shampoo like Meguiar’s NXT Generation Car Wash (http://www.fdcars.com/newsletter/n2-2.htm). You’ll find it much easier to wash and dry your car if you use a soft terry cloth or a cloth diaper. I always keep a dozen cloth diapers ready in my house even though I don’t have kids . They’re cheap, absorbent and soft so that it does not scratch your paintwork. If you want to be flashy, you can get something like the Ultimate Wipe cloth, once again from Meguiar’s (http://www.fdcars.com/newsletter/n2-1.htm).

Hose your car down to remove any excess dirt and grime. Then use your cloth to apply the car shampoo. Once you’ve covered the whole car, hose off the shampoo, using a clean cloth to wipe away any remaining shampoo residue. It is critical that you wipe your car dry. If you leave the car to dry naturally, all your hard work thus far will go to waste.

Make sure you clean your rims. Brake dust will accumulate there, making your car look dirty even if the paintwork is spotless. You will also want to vacuum the interior of your car every few weeks to keep it clean.

2) Wax Your Car Once a Month

To keep your paintwork gleaming, you need to wax it. Of course, you could send it to an auto detailer for this. However, if you have an hour to spare during your weekend, it is really not that difficult to wax your car.

Before waxing, make sure you wash and wipe dry your car. Park your car in a cool and shady spot. It is best not to wax your car directly under the sun. Use a good car wax like Meguiar’s NXT Generation Tech Wax (http://www.fdcars.com/newsletter/n2-3.htm). Apply the wax in a circular motion using the included sponge. Work on your car section by section. Remember which section you worked on first. Once you’ve finished applying the entire car, it’s time to remove the excess wax.

Use a soft terry cloth or cloth diaper to wipe of the excess wax. Start by wiping the panel that you first applied the wax and work on from there. It is best to use different sides of the cloth as wipe off the wax since it will accumulate on your cloth. You can either use a new piece of cloth as each is clogged with wax or alternatively shake off the wax from your cloth.

Lean close to your car and check whether there is any residue left. Clean any remaining residue.

Wash your cleaning cloth with a liquid softener (just like you wash your clothes). This will make sure there isn’t any dirt or grime stuck to the cloth for your next waxing session.

3) Apply Tyre Wax For That Slick Black Look

To complete the wet & shiny look, apply tyre wax after every wash/wax. Look for ones that come with a trigger spray so that you can apply it easily. Something like Meguiar’s Hot Shine High Gloss Tyre Spray (http://www.fdcars.com/newsletter/n2-4.htm) would work beautifully. This takes less than 3 minutes to do but it makes a big difference.

4) Keep That New Leather Smell

If your car has leather seats, it is important to clean and condition it at least once every 2 months. Use a leather cleaner/conditioner like Meguiar’s Medallion Premium Leather Care (http://www.fdcars.com/newsletter/n2-5.htm). Apply using a clean terry cloth or cloth diaper. Wipe off any excess conditioner with a clean cloth. Doing this once every month of two keeps your leather supple and smelling like new.

While cleaning and conditioning your leather, you will want to work on the vinyl surfaces of your car as well. Your dashboard, door inserts and central console is normally made of vinyl. So, use something like Meguiar’s Vinyl & Leather Cleaner/Conditioner (http://www.fdcars.com/newsletter/n2-6.htm) for this. This works much like the leather cleaner but is specially suited for vinyl surfaces.

5) Stand Back & Admire Your “Brand New” Car

Follow the routine above and you guarantee yourself a car that looks, feels and smells like new even 3 years down the road. Your friends and family will be impressed. When it’s time to sell your car, you’ll likely fetch much higher prices. First impressions count when selling your car. And a car with gleaming new paintwork and a spotless interior makes a VERY strong first impression!

P.S. The writer is not affiliated with Meguiar’s in any way, except as a very satisfied customer.

What’s Makes Chevy’s Number 1 Truck Just a Bit More Enticing in 2005

 by: Jenny McLane

Last Year Silverado unveiled a hybrid version and it’s still included in this years all star line up.

The Silverado pickup truck remains Chevy’s best selling vehicle, probably in part because it’s available in so many configurations. There’s a Silverado to suit just about everyone who wants a full size pickup truck. Versatility is one of the Chevy Silverado’s strongest point.

A gas-electric hybrid model was introduced in 2004 and remains in the lineup for 2005. A Hybrid Silverado’s offer up to 10-percent better fuel economy; it has a 120-volt electrical power with ground fault detection and accessory powering capabilities with power outlets under the rear seat of the cab and in the pickup bed.

Don’t expect to see a hybrid Silverado at most Chevy dealerships. The trucks are available in limited quantities and are only being sold in six states; this includes California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Nevada and Florida.

Some of the Chevy Silverado Configurations available for 2005 are the; choices for bodies are the Regular, Extended or Crew Cab bodies. You can also have a pick of Standard 6.5 foot or extended 8-foot boxes. This can come in Fleetside or Sportside box styles. Available are 1500 half-ton or 2500 three-quarter-ton models in 2WD or 4WD systems.

There are also choices to be made in engine types. They are the 4300 4.3 L V-6, 4800 4.8L V-8, Two models of the Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8 and the Vortec 6000 6.0L V-8. All Silverados with the Vortec 4300 4.3L V-6, and trucks sold in California with the Vortec 4800 4.8L or Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8, have a catalytic converter system that meets Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standards. Trucks equipped with the Vortec 6000 6.0L V-8 come with a dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) or bi-fuel system that can run on CNG or gasoline. Light-duty Silverados with the Vortec 5300 5.3L V-8 offer an option that allows owners to operate them on varying blends of ethanol and gasoline, up to a maximum of 85 percent ethanol.

Payload capacities range from 1,295 pounds to 4,047 pounds for 2500 heavy duty models. Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings range from 6,100 pounds to 9,200 pounds on properly equipped heavy duty versions. GM’s Quadrasteer four-wheel steering system is available on 1500 Extended Cab short-box and 2500 Crew Cab Silverado pickups. GM’s OnStar system is standard on LT and available on LS light duty models. For the heavy duty trucks, OnStar is standard on Silverado LT Extended Cab and Crew Cab models, and available on 2500 HD and 3500 models.

It all boils down to one thing. When it comes to hard work, the Chevy Silverado is not shy. It is designed to do one thing and has no qualms in doing so. One good thing is, with every year the Chevy Silverado just keeps getting bigger, stronger and tougher. Plus with the addition of the Hybrid edition you can load up and save up also. Working hard doesn’t mean you have to be a Spartan. Many features that seem to pile up every year for added comfort make life a tad bit easier.

One thing though, no matter how tough a machine the Silverado is, it is what it is, a machine. Machines have the tendency to wear down with its use, the more usage the more the probability there is that metal fatigue is setting in. Keep your Silverado in top-notch shape by doing preventive maintenance by using top-notch Chevy replacement parts from Auto Parts Train. They have in their stocks only the best in quality and the surest in fit. All are designed and graded to the specifications of original equipment manufacturers. Got into an accident? No sweat, Auto Parts Train only provides the finest in durability with its collision parts; it is as if nothing ever happened.

Dial 1-888-251-1214 to connect to their dedicated customer service crew to find out more and to have your concerns taken care of. They are available 12 hours a day and six days a week. To go straight to their complete and comprehensive catalog of Chevy parts click to this link http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/CHEVROLET, and browse on through to their easy to use 24 hours online website. Auto Parts Train has 25 years of service so you can be rest assured that these guys know what they are doing.

You have got it all here, great service, fantastic quality products and up to date stock checking. But wait there’s still more; Auto Parts Train is one of the online Chevy auto parts that offer the lowest prices anywhere. They provide great discounts and savings on their entire Chevy car parts. They offer wholesale prices for their top-notch Chevy performance parts all the time. For your entire Chevy part needs, Auto Parts Train is here to serve you.

It used to be that visitors to Madrid had only two options - stay in a pension or hostel, or spend four times the price and stay in hotel. That’s not the case anymore. Madrid is following Barcelona’s lead and offering short term stays in high quality apartments at prices that compete well with the hotels.

As many commentators have pointed out, Madrid’s ample stock of hotels fail to offer much variation. Between two star hostels and four star hotels, the biggest difference is seen in the price and not in the quality. Moreover, many who visit Madrid for the first time discover their hotel to be a long way from the main tourist attractions.

Now, however, there is an alternative. A number of companies now offer high quality and even luxury apartments for short rentals, perfectly located in the heart of Madrid’s historic center. These companies offer the chance to see Madrid from the inside, with a level of privacy hotels cannot match.

The trend towards holiday apartments follows a lead from Barcelona. There, the holiday apartment business is in boom. Initially, this was because of a shortage of hotel beds in Barcelona, but increasingly it is being driven by demand. Now, travelers are searching out for the same kind of accommodation in Madrid, and companies like Spain Select, better known for villa rentals throughout Spain, are increasing their range of apartments to meet the growing demand. They aim to offer 25 to 30 apartments this year.

Part of the problem with meeting the demand has been locating suitable properties in Madrid’s historic central district. Most visitors to Madrid will want to be located not far from the Plaza Mayor, the Palace and the Prado Museum. This means finding properties that are well refurbished and tastefully decorated, in well-restored and maintained buildings. Demand for such properties is high and so, accordingly, are the prices they command.

Fortunately for the visitor, the apartment rental agencies are increasingly able to identify quality properties before refurbishment, and opt to carry out the renovation work themselves. This means the properties are decorated to a high standard and perfectly prepared for most visitors’ needs.

Tips On Car Leasing

 by: Jeff Slokum

Leasing a car isn’t for everyone. If you’re like me and keep your car for many, many years then leasing isn’t for you. If however, you don’t get “attached” to a vehicle as some of us do, and you like having a new car every few years then leasing may be for you.

Today’s cars are built very well and you can expect to get a good amount of mileage from your car. You can expect at least 100,000 miles. If you purchase a car you may have five years of payments, but your car may last eight to ten years. This means three to five years of no monthly car payments. However, as you car ages, the need for upkeep goes up too. With more mileage on you car things start to break down and costs to keep your car up mechanically may go up. It’s doubtful though that what you pay out for maintenance and car repair will ever be as much as monthly payments would be.

When you lease a car you make monthly payments as you would if you purchased a car outright. But, when a lease is up you have nothing to show for it. These monthly payments may be somewhat less than if you were buying the car. Leasing a car usually requires large down payments and security deposits, taxes and fees. It isn’t necessarily cheaper up front than buying a car. Also, when you lease a car you have mileage restrictions. A lease generally allows between 12,000 and 15,000 miles annually. If you go over that amount you pay for each mile. This can really add up.

Leasing doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay for upkeep. You are held to the manufacturers specified servicing schedule for your vehicle. If you don’t have the required maintenance performed this can void your lease. If you want to end the lease early there are generally large termination fees. At the end of your lease if there is damage to the car, or if there are missing parts you will be charged for them.

Make sure if you are considering leasing a vehicle that you understand all the fine print in the contact and all possible extra costs before signing on the dotted line.

umer Tips: Before Purchasing A Used Car…

 by: News Canada

(NC)-Be aware of the following:

• Inspect the car in daylight and good weather. Bring someone you trust along to help you make a thorough appraisal;

• Don’t expect perfection in a used car. Compromise on minor problems you can fix yourself, but don’t overlook serious defects;

• Make safety a major priority. Older vehicles may not be equipped with airbags, child safety seats, seat belts, anti-lock brakes or security systems. Determine your locality’s vehicle safety requirements for cars, mini-vans, recreational and sport-utility vehicles and other vehicles before you buy;

• Road test before you commit to buy. If you are not allowed to test drive the car, do not buy it.

• Have a mechanic you know and trust inspect the car thoroughly before you purchase it. Again, if the seller will not allow you to have the car inspected, do not buy it.

For more information on purchasing used cars, and/or just about anything else you can think of, visit ConsumerInformation.ca. It’s a new Web site created by federal, provincial, territorial governments and their partners specifically to provide Canadians with convenient, objective, reliable and current consumer information sources.

Buying a New Car? Use Feng Shui to Select Your Success Color

 by: Kathryn Weber

With September’s arrival comes the annual car buying season. But while selecting the type of car comes easily to most people, making a decision on the color of a car can be a stumbling block. Some people simply go with their favorite color, while others mull over color choices by considering factors such as climate, type of vehicle use, or the most practical choice, going with what is least likely to show dirt. But what if even that fails? Then try feng shui. Yes, feng shui, the Chinese guide used for arranging homes and offices, can also be used for selecting colors based on an individual’s own personal feng shui.

According to personal feng shui, each person has an individual feng shui number that is based on gender and date of birth. This number, also called a “kua” number is associated with a color. By selecting the correct color for an individual’s particular feng shui number, the driver will experience better luck over all because the color is harmonized with that individual.

Use personal feng shui to select a “success” color, which can be helpful when buying that luxury sedan. More into soccer practice than boardrooms? Choose a “family” color. Both colors are determined by the driver’s kua number. To determine the driver’s kua number, and subsequently the color of car that is appropriate, use the instructions below and then check the chart that follow for selecting a success or family color. Now, who should drive the Mary Kay pink Cadillacs? Anyone with a number 3 kua number!

The calculation is as follows:

-Take the year of birth, i.e., 1971

-Add the last two years together (7+1=8)

For men, subtract the number from 10 (10-8+2); 2 is the kua number

For women, add 5 to the number (5+8=13; 1+3= 4); 4 is the kua number

For years such as 1982 which have a double digit, be sure to reduce to one number

8+2=10 (1+0=1)

10-1=9 (Kua for men)

5+1=6 (Kua for women)

Kua Number

1

Money/Success Colors: Green, Purple

Family Colors: Red, Purple, Burgundy

2

Money/Success Colors: Yellow, Brown, Beige

Family Colors: Silver, Gold, White, Pearl

3

Money/Success Colors: Red, Pink, Burgundy

Family Color: Green

4

Money/Success Colors: Blue, Black, Purple

Family Colors: Dark Green, Brown

5

Money/Success Colors: Yellow, Brown, Beige

Family Colors:Gray, Silver, Gold, White

6

Money/Success Colors: Gray, Silver, White

Family Colors: Yellow, Brown, Beige

7

Money/Success Colors: Gold, Silver, White/Pearl

Family Colors: Yellow, Brown, Beige

8

Money/Success Colors: Yellow, Brown, Beige

Family Colors: Gold, Silver, Gray, White

9

Money/Success Colors: Color Dark Green, Brown

Family Colors: Blue, Black, Purple