Automotive Mirrors

As the lead manufacturer and supplier of Automotive Mirrors, either directly or through our supplier network, FLABEG caters for the industries needs at a global scale.

Whether high-quality aspherical, convex and flat exterior mirrors, or wedge-shaped and non-glare interior mirrors, we manufacture at our sites worldwide and deliver just in time.

Uniform quality management at all locations, computer-controlled inspections and production processes that are constantly optimized provide the highest possible levels of production reliability and quality, ensuring complete customer satisfaction.

FLABEG: reliable, experienced partners, offering you top quality service and individually tailored solutions.

Fitting Auto Body Kits

Fitting auto body kits to your car, truck or SUV can radically update your vehicles appearance. In fact, once many of the latest ground effects kits have been fitted it is often difficult to see where the original car ends and the kit starts.

With the popularity of motor sports again on the rise it is only natural for people to want the latest performance ‘look’ for their own car. And highly styled cars as featured on the Nascar and Touring Car circuit are helping to fuel the demand for the street racer look

So how do you choose the right body kit? Well, the first step is to check out some of the car performance magazines. Here you will find the good, the bad and the downright ridiculous! Make a note of the designs that catch your eye and jot down any relevant details such as manufacturer, style name or model number.

Many auto stores now sell body kits online so you can browse sites such as Streetbeats or JCWhitney to compare prices.

As you plan out your project it is worth taking into consideration any other related tasks that will need to be done such as upgrading your braking system or perhaps lowering the suspension. Only start the job when you have all the parts you need to complete that stage of the project. As ever, a little planning before you start can save a lot of heartache later!

As with any job, the work is a lot easier if you have the right tools for the task. No, I’m not suggesting that you go out and buy a complete new set of tools, but you really do need to replace any that are worn out or are in a poor condition. Using substandard tools can cause expensive damage to the body kit or worse, to yourself.

On the subject of safety, it is essential that you have a safe and clean working environment. Take a tip from the professionals and think safety. By taking a few simple precautions you will remember the project for all the right reasons. This is especially important when the car is raised. Propping the car on a few bricks is not an option!

So you are now ready to fit the kit. I have one piece of advice, read the instructions first. Check that your kit has all the parts and tick them off on the parts list. It doesn’t matter how experienced you think you are or how many kits you have fitted for friends, read the manual before you begin. As body kits get ever more sophisticated there is often a set way to install each piece so that it lines up with the rest of the body perfectly. Get this wrong and your car will look distinctly amateurish.

The final stage is to paint the kit to blend in with the rest of the car. Most installers respray the whole car rather than try to match up each piece. Once again, safety is the key and particular attention needs to be taken to both the fire risk and breathing hazard of the job. The area should be well ventilated and a mask should be worn.

Your only task now is to get out there and enjoy driving your new vehicle.

The Classic American Car

Ford Crown Victoria: The Classic American Car

The Ford Motor Company is yet again behind one of the superb vehicles – the Ford Crown Victoria. This vehicle is a full-size car that had its history of production dating back to the 1950s, and relived again in the 1970s. It had quite a mediocre sale in the general public’s market, however, it gained much popularity among the ranks of those in uniform. This is a full-sized sedan, and is more often known as “Crown Vic”. It is more known to be a top-of-the-line sedan among the Ford’s creations. Its predecessor was the Ford LTD. And just like the Ford LTD, the Ford Crown Victoria is also usually used as a taxi cab, fleet vehicle, and police car.

The very first of the Crown Victorias had its humble makings starting in the year 1955. It made its way down the streets as a two-door six-seater hardtop coupe. It differed from the regular Victoria model through its having a stainless steel band that ‘crowned’ the roofline, passing right over the car, as an extension of the B-pillar line.

People talking about a traditional American are more often than not talking about vehicles like the Ford Crown Victoria, or its twin the Mercury Grand Marquis. The Ford Crown Victoria is a large car with a V8 engine under the long hood and a body separate from its steel frame. Furthermore, it has wide bench seats, soft suspension, a relatively large trunk, and poor fuel economy. The police have liked the Ford Crown Victoria because the engine makes it fairly quick, along with its rear-wheel drive that provides predictable handling, the interior can handle and take in the officer and all the police gear, plus the simple mechanicals are durable. Overall, the vehicle is not expensive.

This vehicle has been made available in three trim levels which comprises of the Standard, the LX, and the LX Sport. The Standard is plain, which is what most fleets like. The mid-line LX has alloy wheels, making it exude the look of more like a civilian machine. The LX Sport has slightly larger alloy wheels. Ordering it in dark red, gray, black, or silver birch means that it comes with a color-matched monochrome trim. The black LX Sport looks a lot like an unmarked police car.

As for the Ford Crown Victoria’s interior, it is currently one of the few remaining cars that are sold in the U.S. that still offer a bench front seat. The seats are soft, however for longer drives, it could get uncomfortable for passengers since it lacks support. The controls found inside this vehicle are fairly simple and straightforward.

Ford Crown Victoria owners can shop for discount car parts and accessories from http://www.carpartsmax.com auto parts catalog. In stock are thousands of Ford Crown Victoria parts for all enthusiasts. From engine and radiator parts to lights and hoods and wheels, customers can find everything to repair and maintain their Ford Crown Victoria.

Although the Ford Crown Victoria has squishy seats, a mushy handling, and modest V8 engines, these are overpowered by the vehicle’s huge trunk. Also, one plus for this is that because it is often mistaken for a cop car, the Ford Crown Victoria receives respect when on the road. And, this vehicle is certainly a full-size, rear-drive Americana.

Car Repair Prices

Fuel Injection Services, Are They Worth It?

Fuel injection services are growing in popularity for the following reasons in the order of motive.

1) Increases service center's profit
2) It's an easy sell with today’s gas prices
3) Offsets manufacturers' maintenance reductions
4) Poor gas quality
5) Poor adherence to vehicle maintenance

Notice that "It's required" did not make the list. That's because fuel injection services are not required the majority of the time.

However, injector services are at times beneficial, even necessary. See the following frequently asked question and answers…

What do they do?

Depending on the product, injection services clean naturally forming carbon deposits from the fuel injectors and fuel rails—some will even clean the fuel tank, and valve carbon deposits.

Do they work?

In short, yes. Provided it’s a premium product (such as BG), and the service is performed correctly. Fuel injection services can do amazing things. They can improve fuel efficiency, increase horse power, and repair some performance concerns, although these benefits are rare.

Whether or not fuel injection services will do all the above "every time" for your car is another story.

I have even seen fuel injection services quiet horrendous carbon knocks--a knocking noise from the engine due to excessive carbon build-up coming in contact with internal engine components.

Are they worth it?

Maybe. It really depends on the condition of the vehicle. If the service achieves any of the advertised claims, it may be worth it. In truth, most cars don’t need it. The consistent use of quality fuel, and proper vehicle maintenance should be all that is necessary to keep a car running properly.

However, consistent use of cheap gas and poor adherence to an auto maintenance schedule, as well as certain driving styles can significantly increase the accumulation of carbon deposits. Thus the possibility of poor fuel efficiency, decreased horsepower, and performance issues increases--all of which could be helped by injector maintenance.

The other factor to consider is the expense. How much fuel savings justifies the cost of the fuel injection service, and how long is the pay off. BG claims that their product will pay for itself in a year's time. However, remember that the condition of the vehicle is a big variable! If the car doesn't need it, there's no benefit.

How often should it be done?

It depends on the product, but generally between 15,000 to 30,000-miles.

Are they necessary?
It depends: See the discussion under Are they worth it?

Can a fuel injection service do any damage to my engine or car?
Not if done correctly. Done incorrectly, anything goes. A technician could conceivably hydro-lock your engine, or blow a hole in the piston—although both scenarios are rare.

If anything does go wrong, there is usually an underlying problem, which gets exacerbated by the fuel injector auto maintenance.

Why doesn’t my manufacturer recommend fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance?
No manufacturer recommends fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance under normal operating conditions. From a manufacturer’s viewpoint: take care of your car right (i.e., as the manufacturer dictates) and you’ll be fine.

However, depending on the problem, some manufacturers will recommend fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance as the cure—especially carbon knock. With the wide variety of fuel qualities available, manufacturers are reconsidering fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance.

How much does fuel injector cleaning auto maintenance cost?
Prices vary depending on the service center and the actual procedure performed, and product used. The procedure you want should clean the entire fuel system including the tank and should not cost more than $150.

Also, make sure the service is actually performed as fuel injector maintenance is a common scam across the industry.

Lastly, fuel injection maintenance is often presented in such a way as if it is the magical cure for all your car's quirks--it not!

When in doubt, don't do it.

The History of GM - General Motors

The history of GM, the world's largest automaker, saw it's beginning in 1908. The company was founded by William Durant in the year 1902. The shrewd businessman that he was, Durant realized that the future lay with cars and not carriages. Initially, the company was founded as a holding company for Buick. The latter part of the year saw the company acquiring Oldsmobile, followed by the possession of Cadillac, Oakland and Elmore in the very next year.

Many of the motor companies were in dire straits during the difficult years of the early 1900's. The stock market panic in 1907 put a lot of small companies into financial distress. Many of these companies were running on credit from various bankers. This was a golden opportunity for Durant, who proceeded to buy smaller car builders, and companies that built car parts as well as car accessories. In 1908, these various companies were folded into a single unit, thus creating the new GM entity. This marked the exciting beginning of the true history of GM.

William Durant was a flamboyant businessman whose curious mix of genius and over-reaching took GM both to its heights as well as plunged it into financial distress. In 1910, bankers were forced to step in to prevent financial collapse of GM, and Durant was removed from the company he had founded. But by 1911, the company had made enough advances into the international market that the General Motors Export Company was established to handle sales outside the U.S and Canada.

Durant managed to use another company he formed, Chevrolet, to come back to power in GM during 1915, and the history of GM from 1915-1920 is full of successes. During this time, the Cadillac became wildly successful. In 1918, GM bought the operating assets of Chevrolet Motors. But, soon America was hit by a power recession and in 1920, Durant again found himself out of the company.

During the financial boom in the 1920's, the history of GM virtually glowed with success. Auto sales reached the 4.5 million mark, and the auto industry now had three giants - GM, Ford and Chrysler. GM now had a brilliant engineer turned industrialist at its helm. Alfred Sloan who was later acclaimed for his marketing genius had slowly worked his way up among the ranks of GM. His marketing genius breathed a fresh lease of life into GM that was beginning to get overshadowed by Ford.

Ford's philosophy of giving the public the best value for their money offered little variety. But Sloan and GM were interested in providing the public with more than a black box. Stylish colors, features and comfort became the new motto of the company. GM also made a path-breaking offer - the public could now buy a car on credit. The five brands of GM - Pontiac, Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile and Chevrolet began changing every year with the focus being directed mainly at looks and style. This strategy paid rich dividends. Ford was pushed to the backseat again by GM.

The great Wall Street crash in 1929 put an abrupt stop to all expansion plans at GM for the time being. Stocks of GM fell rather badly. But, by early 1930's GM bounced back and bought the Yellow Coach bus company. In 1930, GM bought Electro-Motive Corporation, the internal combustion engine railcar builder. The next 20 years saw GM powered diesel locomotives running on American railroads. December 31, 1955 is another landmark in the history of GM. GM became the first company to make more than a billion dollars in a year.

There was a time in the History of GM when it was the largest corporation in the US. The history of GM also shows that there was a time when GM was the single largest employer in the world. But, in recent times GM has been beset with financial woes. November 2005 saw GM booking a $4 billion loss and about 30,000 employees were laid off. 12 plants were closed down.

Tips For Buying Car

10 Great Tips For Buying Car Tires Online

Cars need tires and it is best to buy new tires. The key is to get high quality car tires at low prices. The market online and offline is filled with a huge variety of tires. Choose tires with care and get a set of tires that are most suited to your car.

The first step in buying car tires is to follow recommendations made by the car manufacturer. Unless you are an auto mechanic or formula one car racer what the manufacturer recommends as suitable tires for the car are the best choice.

1. Get all the parameters right. From the side of the tires or your car manual jot down : vehicle application; tire width; aspect ratio; radial designation; wheel diameter; load index; speed rating; DOT; ply construction; load and pressure limits; tread wear and traction ratings.

2. Be smart shop around for the best deal locally as well as online.

3. Check aspects like factory warranties and shop guarantees before paying for the tires.

4. Know which features are important and find tires that will give you safety, longevity, and peace of mind.

5. Find out if you are buying online how the tires will be delivered to you, who will mount and balance the tires. Many online sites offer tires for great rates but you will have to pay for shipping as well as for a mechanic to fit the tires. So well before buying check out the instructions on the website and find out exactly how much it will cost to get new tires fixed on the car.

6. While many recommend buying refurbished tires in the long run new tires will stand you in good stead. While you may save money on purchase the wear and tear will be quicker.

7. Most people buy all season tires but in case you live in a snow bound or very wet region you may need special car tires for specific seasons. If in doubt consult an automotive expert.

8. Check whether the tires you are considering buying are for passenger vehicles and radial. Tubeless tires are great for urban roads that are well maintained.

9. Always get the tires fitted by an expert and ensure that balancing is done. Ask about how to prevent new tire wear and tear by rotating the tires/wheels.

10. Always replace tires in pairs. It is best to replace all four but in case of budget constrains then do the needful two at a time. The front wheels first followed by the back wheels. Never replace one in the front and the other at the back.

Read up about tires on the internet. When in doubt ask the manufacturer. If you care for your car and its tires then the car will serve you well.

Caring for Leather Car Interiors

Leather consists of thousands and thousands of intertwined fibers, with penetrable pores throughout—just like skin. Proper maintenance starts with cleaning the fibers. Cleaning removes fiber-severing abrasives and pore clogging dirt and dust, both of which will breakdown the leather over time and give it a less than pleasing texture and appearance.

If you have pets, then you may want to invest in pet pads or pet seat covers for your interior. You will also want to look into a good reflective sun shield.

With regular cleaning and conditioning, a leather interior will last for the life of the vehicle. Leather is tough and abuse resistant. The main concern is to determine is what type of leather interior you have, then choose cleaners and conditioners designed specifically for the task. Traditional leather interiors are made of 100% leather, where as some modern interiors are leather coated with a supple vinyl.

A quick test to determine which type you have is to use a small amount of cool clean water. Traditional leather will absorb water, where vinyl coated leather will repel it. Either way, a few drops of water won't harm your interior.

The next step is to determine the right cleaners and conditioners for your leather. Saddle soap and conditioners, while good for your baseball glove or go-go boots, are not to be used on automotive leather of any kind. The soap contains alkalis, which can permanently damage the material in your seats. Household detergents and cleaners can damage leather as well. Always use only a product designed for the type of leather your vehicle has.

Removing harmful oil and dirt deposits is the crucial first step. Always use clean soft cloths to prevent damage to, or inadvertent removal of the leather dye. Stubborn dirt lodged into crevices may require the use of an upholstery brush. Removal of gunk and grime must be done before conditioning the leather, as you don't want to permanently push these contaminants into the pores.

The next step, probably even more important, is conditioning. This nourishes and moisturizes to lubricate individual fibers, keeping them from becoming brittle and dry. It replaces essential, natural oils that evaporate. How can you tell a good conditioner? A good conditioner will offer UV protection. Like human skin, ultra-violet rays will quickly cause deterioration of the leather and shorten its lifespan significantly. A good conditioner will be absorbed into the leather, not sit atop the surface or leave residue behind. The surface should not be oily after application. The very best conditioners are pH balanced, have stain repellants, waterproofing agents to protect from accidents.

While cleaning and conditioning your interior be sure not to leave any tools or sharp objects in your pockets that could put a hole in your seats and your good time. As with any cleaner, conditioner or chemical that involves the potential for ruining something really expensive, always test first in a small, inconspicuous area.

Inexpensive leather cleaners and conditioners will contain petroleum distillates, silicon or silicon oils, and gloss agents that deliver an inferior, greasy finish that does nothing for the leather, and transfers to anything that the leather comes in contact with. These chemicals are harmful to your leather.