March 2008
Automotive SEO
The automotive industry is about to change their strategy to differetiate from their competitors… Many different car makers and dealers consider to expand their business with Internet (Chrysler, Toyota, Ford,…). They develop websites, they try to sell and promote some of their cars through the internet. Is the internet becoming a new distribution channel?
To succeed and make a difference in this business, automotive car makers need to learn how to use automotive SEO or automotive Search Engine Optimization. What is this?
According to Wikipedia : “it is the process of improving the volume and quality of traffic to a web site from search engines via “natural” (”organic” or “algorithmic”) search results for targeted keywords. Usually, the earlier a site is presented in the search results or the higher it “ranks”, the more searchers will visit that site. SEO can also target different kinds of search, including image search, local search, and industry-specific vertical search engines.”
Car makers and dealers have various techniques to improve their SEO or their page rank on the net: promote site to others in this business, provide unique content that could attract visitors (for example, for visitors interested by the car business, news about new cars, car design, …). It seems quite simple but it is a long process to make a site #1 on SEO and make a difference in this business. That is why car makers and dealers need to invest time and money to improve automotive SEO. Good luck to them!
Auto Insurance
When you consider insurance (personal, professional, auto,…), it is important to realize how much coverage do you need. It is unnecessary to get a $1mm coverage if you do not need it…
For personal insurance, it depends on the size of your assets. In general, you need to get a coverage which represents 2 or 3 times your salary each year. For example, if you make $100k a year, you need $300k coverage maximum. You do not need more.
For Auto Insurance, you need to find the right coverage. First, do not spend money on something you do not need: if you have car alarm, you save money for your auto insurance. And you protect your car from theft! That is why it may be interesting to add car alarm if you do not have it…
Last but not least, do not forget to compare auto insurances… Every 6/12 months, check the web to see if there is a better deal for you and find auto insurance quote. You just need to consider a few constraints and you may realize that you can get a better deal. If you can save money by finding great auto insurance quotes, that is good for you!
Good luck in your search…
Preventing fuel pump failure - the most common cause of no-start problems in cars
What does an electric fuel pump do, well, apart from stopping when an accident occurs it delivers the right volume of fuel to the fuel injection system at the right pressure.
Any experienced mechanic will tell you that the most common cause of no-start that he has encountered is the in-tank electric fuel pumps not working properly.
The most common reason for the electric fuel tank tanking is neglecting scheduled maintenance and cleaning the fuel filter. A choked filter impedes the flow of fuel from the pump, thereby damaging it. A filter should ideally be replaced every 24 months or 24,000 miles. Fuel filters do not cost more than $100-$110. A fuel pump replacement can be almost 7-8 times more expensive.
A filled tank helps to keep the fuel pump cool. You should try and keep the tank more than 1/4th full at all times and anytime you happen to run the pump with an empty tank, be prepared to shop for a new pump. A full tank also prevents the pump from sucking in sediments from the bottom, if the strainer at the pump inlet gets clogged, it will reduce the flow of fuel into the pump, which can lead to overheating of the pump and subsequent failure.
Keep your eyes and ears open for tell-tale signs that all is not well with your fuel pump. The pump may emit an uncharecteristic whine, the car may stall or the engine may not start at all. Head for the nearest service station without delay if you do not want to aggaravate the problem.
Winter Driving Tips
Driving through winter poses risks that can be overcome with a few simple tips:
- Carry emergency kit, heavy bag of sand in trunk; weight will lend traction on icy roads
- Check antifreeze level to protect engine
- Check battery; winter weather can cut battery life
- Replace windshield wipers
- Keep tires properly pressurized
- Maintain gas tank at least half full
What do these automobile acronyms actually mean?
Here goes….
AUDI: A Used Dodge Incognito
BMW: Bavarian Money Waster
BUICK: Big Ugly Idiot’s Cat Killer
CHEVROLET: Can Hear Every Valve Rattle, Oil Leaks Every Time
CHEVY: Cheapest Heap Ever Visualized Yet
CHRYSLER: Chrysler Has Raped Your Sanity Loser - Expect Repercussions
DAEWOO: Damn Asian Engineering Works Only Occasionally
DODGE: Dear Old Dad’s Garbage Engine
FIAT: Fix It Again, Tony
FORD: Ford Owners Recommend Dodge
GM: Genital Motors
HONDA: Horribly Overpriced, Needing Dad’s Assistance
HYUNDAI: Hang Your UNDerwear Anywhere Inside
JEEP: Junk Everyone Eventually Piles
KIA: Korean Industrial Accident
MITSUBISHI: Manufactured In Taiwan Sold Under British Influence Shipped Here Incomplete
MOPAR: Move Over People Are Racing
NISSAN: Need I Say Something About Nothing
OLDSMOBILE: Overpriced, Leisurely Driven Sedan Made Of Buick`s Irregular Leftover Equipment
PONTIAC: Plan On Numerous Trips In Another Car
SAAB: Sad Attempt At Beauty
TOYOTA: Too Often Yankees Overprice This Auto
VOLVO: Very Odd Looking Vehicular Object