Volkswagen Becoming More Popular Amid Record Profits

By Itzik Juliet Saedin

This first quarter of 2012 Volkswagen has seen its profits jump massively with them nearly doubling to 3.2bn Euros ($4.2bn; £2.6bn) compared with a year ago. This can be put down to many external factors however with brands such as Audi, Skoda, Seat and Bentley under their belt it is hard not to see why Volkswagen cars appeal to the masses.

On the profit announcements Volkswagen also said that they were performing incredibly well in all markets, and outperforming the competition in all regions much to the dismay of brands such as BMW, Citroen and Peugeot.

Why the sudden rise in popularity?

Volkswagen's record profits for Q1 2012 are quite surprising amid the economic outlook however as a brand Volkswagen has always been extremely popular in Germany its native country, the UK and other countries within the EU alike.

When shopping for a car whether on the lookout for a sporty hot hatch, economic diesel for business or even a supercar, Volkswagen is now a leading brand within the car market and the reason for this is simple; Volkswagen has a history behind it and also a great product portfolio.

Volkswagen has always been seen as a premium brand and some of their cars are seen as iconic. On the premium front, Volkswagen's are priced at the higher end of the scale in all markets they attack which has led to a brand awareness which attracts those with a higher disposable income and businesses alike. In the case of their Audi brand, cars sporting the four ring branding are seen as luxury and are highly sought after by many purely because of the persona that they carry.

It isn't all premium brands and high price tags, though.

Volkswagen owns Seat and Skoda, two car brands which appeal to completely different markets compared to Volkswagen and Audi.

Seat is the sporty youthful brand and Skoda is the underdog brand which carries a super low price tag. When you combine four car badges (VW, Audi, Seat Skoda) which appeal to those with a high income, those who are younger and want something cool and those looking for a genuine bargain, it is easy to see why Volkswagen cars are so popular and it is also easy to see why Volkswagen's quote above of outperforming the competition in all regions is feasible.

Aside from history, heritage, brand awareness and a large vehicle portfolio though, there are other reasons that Volkswagen is so popular within the markets they operate.

Resell value

Volkswagen cars hold their value notoriously well and in cases it is not rare to see a 4 year olf Volkswagen Golf GT 140 TDI with 100,000 miles on the clock sell for upwards of 8K, practically half the cost of when new whilst other competitors in the same segment (Renault Megane, Toyota Auris) drop like a stone above a certain mileage.

Reliability

VAG group cars have always scored well in reliability tests and this can be put down to a) lots of practice and years worth of experience and b) German engineering.

Throughout car history the saying 'German engineering' has been used a lot for a lot of different car brands to portray a sense of skill and craftsmanship, however it is hard to argue with that saying when all German manufacturers create extremely reliable cars.

If you are in the UK and thinking where can I sell my Volkswagen for the best possible price I would recommend visiting the Cash for Cars comparison site called dealerbid.co.uk

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Itzik_Juliet_Saedin

What Is A Supercharger And How Does It Enhance Your Vehicle?

By James Chapman Jr.

Another way to add power to your vehicle is to make a normal-sized engine more efficient. This can easily be accomplished by inserting additional air into the combustion chamber. Having additional air gives you the advantage of having more fuel and this triggers a bigger explosion and greater horsepower. If you want to achieve a forced air induction then adding a supercharger will be one of the best ways to do so.

A Supercharger is simply an air compressor which helps push more air into the engine. A supercharger is any device that pressurizes the air intake above the atmospheric pressure. The supercharger is used for supercharging the internal combustion piston engines. The air is usually pushed through a mechanical connection to the engine then the power of the compressor to compress air increases leading to the finally step of going to the cylinders.

What is the Main Advantage of Superchargers?

The big advantage of superchargers is that they produce additional power from less engine speed and avoid suffering from the inherent lag of turbo. The charge temperature is lower than an equivalent turbo application and cooler air increases the amount of oxygen which leads to an increase in the amount of fuel that can be burned, releasing more power. The superchargers are available in a variety of street and race only configurations.

Root type blowers are most common and because they pump a given volume of air into the manifold they became known as positive displacement pumps. They come with a pair of 2 and sometimes 3 lobe straight cut rotors and they are available in many different sizes. The longer the blower case or the larger the rotors increases the amount of air delivered to the motor. It also requires no extra maintenance on the part of the driver.

Additional Advantages

No ordinary shut down procedures need to be made because it does not depend on engine oil to run and requires no drainage. Today, it is only used in gasoline fueled engines in order to prevent common problems associated with high temperature exhaust gas from occurring and to be compatible with LPG or methane

It is also easy to install as it can be attached to both the top and side of the engine, but keep in mind that it does require substantial modifications to the engines exhaust system. The super charger is more expensive to make than turbo chargers.

Other beneficial advantages of supercharging your car using a super charger over turbo charging are instant throttle response and more boost at low engine speed. Since it is belt driven of the crankshaft, it can deliver boost the instant the throttle is opened. Cost and reliability advantages are also claimed for super charging.

These can be a straight-bolt on installation, and it works well with stock heads, cams and pistons. What's more, it delivers better low speed throttle response and torque than most engines with big valves. It is a lot more reliable and is subject to less thermal stress.
 
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Chapman_Jr.

Spark Plugs and Air Filters, Oh My!

By Aiden Jefferson

Last week we talked about horsepower, pistons and cylinders, but this is hardly the end of the matter. There are plenty of other car terms that people might try to impress you with, so let's work on disarming them a bit more. Another common term is "dual overhead cams."

"Dual overhead cams" is a technical term that applies mainly to high performance cars. Remember, when a piston pumps inside its cylinder it sucks in air that mixes with the gasoline. The gas is then ignited to create the energy to move your car. Each cylinder has valves on them that open to let air in and let the exhaust out. Cams are the lobes that press on the valves to control when they open and close. A high performance engine will usually have four valves and one cam per two valves. So a four valve cylinder would have two, or "dual" cams. Overhead refers to the position of the cams. They sit "overhead" of the cylinders. This matters to car lovers because dual overhead cams are much more efficient and add more power and energy then a single cam. For your average car this isn't really an issue.

So if air and gas mix to create combustion, then there must be something that sparks it right? Enter the spark plug. Sparks plugs are one of those little parts that need to be changed every now and then and you will know it when it needs it because your engine will kick or misfire with the loss or power.

Spark plugs sit at the top of the cylinder. When the piston is in the downward motion it sucks air and gas in, then with the upward pump it pushes it into the spark plug which ignites it. The force of the explosion pushes the piston down, which is also attached to a crankshaft. The crankshaft transfers the energy to a circular motion that will then turn the wheels.

Another common thing that needs replacing is the air filter. While having a dirty air filter isn't going to hurt your car, it can hinder fuel efficiency and gas mileage. When the pistons suck air into the cylinders the air passes through the air filter. This keeps out dust, dirt, insects or anything else that might clog your engine or mix with the fuel. For the record you should never pay to have somebody change your filter, it is incredibly easy and cheap to do and mechanics make a killing on it.

So next time your friend tries to impress you with some car term you will know what they mean. Better yet, now you can impress them by throwing out your own terms.

Aiden Jefferson lives, works, breathes and writes in sunny Southern California. He primarily writes about, used cars San Diego, used cars online, education and real estate.He has an unrepentant love of pop culture and humor that he works in whenever he can. He would love to write about dating and romance but knows nothing about them.
 
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aiden_Jefferson

Do Not Be Cruel to Your Car

By Karen Campese

Money has been very tight over the last few years. As a result many people are neglecting to keep up with the routine maintenance on their cars. While all of us would like our cars to start each time we turn the key and stop every time we press the brake and run like new all the time, that is not the case. They need maintenance in order to continue to run smoothly. Spending a little time and money on maintaining your car will help it to provide you with years of service.

Replacing the fluids in the car and maintaining them at the proper levels is very important in ensuring that the car runs well and for many miles. That does not just include the motor oil and anti-freeze, but also the transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and differential fluid. Replacing them is more than just topping off the fluids in the car when they get low. Over time the fluids degrade, get dirty and lose their effectiveness. If you do not replace them when needed, your car will end up needing a new engine, transmission, radiator, power steering pump, master cylinder, camshaft, etc. All of those repairs are very expensive and cost much more than just replacing the fluid.

The owner's manual for your vehicle will give you recommendations for when to change the various fluids and the specific type of fluid you should use. If you do not have an owner's manual, most car makers now post them online at their website.

One maintenance tip that does not cost anything is to simply pop the hood regularly and examine the condition of the belts, hoses and fluids. Replace any belts or hoses that show signs of wear and tear. Replacing them is much cheaper than repairing the damage they will do to your vehicle if they break. If any of the fluids are low, you need to investigate the cause of the leak. Replace any fluids that are dirty.

When you take car in the shop for an oil change, you should have the mechanic rotate the tires, check their air pressure and check the brakes, cv joints, etc. Taking care of these things when they first begin will keep you from spending a lot of money in repairs if you neglect them. Many larger repair shops will inflate and rotate your tires for free with the oil change. That will keep your tires from wearing out prematurely.

Simply keeping your car and its undercarriage clean will keep it from rusting. Rust does not just eat away at the body of the car, it also eats away at the muffler, axles, tie rods, etc. causing them to fail.

There are two maintenance tips will not harm your car significantly if you do not do them, but will save you a lot of money if you do. They are replacing your air filter often and replacing your spark plugs periodically. A dirty air filter and clogged spark plugs will drastically reduce your gas mileage and cost you much money at the pump.

The bottom line is that if you take care of your car, it will take care of you. If you have not taken care of your car, it probably has developed an expensive problem. In that case, your best option is to donate your car to charity. Not only will the proceeds from the sale of your car donation help the charity, it will help you by way of a really fine tax deduction.

Karen Campese is the Co-founder and CEO of Cars4Charities, a not for profit car donation center. They have over 1,000 respected charities that you can donate car to. When you donate your car, you get a tax deduction and help a good cause.
 
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Campese

Off-Roading Need Not Be Uncomfortable With the Bestop Seats

By Michael P Balbueba

Jeeps are one of the most admired and highly coveted vehicle brands in the world. If you own a Jeep, it must need pampering and professional care not only in the exterior, but the interior. Most Jeeps are purchased for the purpose of off-roading that involves the hard drive to rough terrain, dirt roads and ravines including rivers. Due to the rough conditions that the Jeep is subjected to, wear and tear cannot be avoided. Driving in the harsh environment does not mean that you should not be comfortable during the drive. It is a must to have the Jeep seats that are soft and comfortable.

The bestop seats of the jeep are subjected to all hazards including varying temperature from extreme cold and heat. The abuse suffered by the Jeep seats wreaks havoc to the upholstery no matter how much care and protection is regularly provided. It is only the bestop seats that provide the hassle-free seat care solution. In order to effectively maintain the original upholstery of the Jeep seat, the best that should be done is protect it with the use of a Jeep seat cover especially if the Jeep seat is one manufactured by bestop seats.

If the Jeep seat needs a replacement, the bestop seats can provide you with the desired comfort and protection as long as you know the specifics of the Jeep make and model including the year of manufacture since it is common for manufacturers to update the Jeep accessories especially when a new model comes out in the market. The signs that you need a replacement for the Jeep seat are protruding cushions and broken springs.

Most Jeep owners prefer to have the wind on their faces when they are driving but the weather conditions often prevent them from doing so. Most of the Jeeps have the hardtops but this can easily be replaced with the bestop supertop where you can enjoy the open air feeling by just removing the rear and side windows and folding the bestop supertop at the back. If it suddenly rains, you won't have a difficult time in folding it back again. You can easily return the windows and you are enclosed from the rain.

There is also this thing called the summer tops similar to the bestop supertop that is recommended only for the summer heat. It only covers the head but allows the sides to be open in order not to suffer too much from the direct sunlight. It just shades the head and the eyes thoroughly.

Enjoy the great outdoors with friends in your Bestop seats built for comfort and durability. Designed to enhance the styling, comfort, and functionality of your truck, Jeep, or SUV, Bestop seats and Bestop Supertop products are sure to deliver an unforgettable off-roading experience.
 
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_P_Balbueba