Surfing The Channel

Archive for the ‘Automotive’ Category

There are a few things for which the majority of the mainstream population in the United States are obsessed. Some of these include sports, their cars and television shows. These are lifestyle related, though we could include emotional, mental and even belief system aspects like religion and politics; however, the majority of people veer toward the above items as part of their ongoing habits and activity obsessions. And referring back to the top three mentioned above, some people even combine them. Of course the majority of sporting events are viewed on televisions, whether from one’s home or at a sports bar. And for those who prefer their NBA action live, they’re more than proud to pull up at the sporting arena with their spiffy Cragar wheels on their hot new sports car.

Meanwhile, it’s also true that many people are fascinated by certain television shows due to the cars that frequently star in them. Magnum P.I. and Knight Rider are just two examples, though they are definitely significant ones. However, for any great auto enthusiast, of which there are many, they happen to know the make, model and year of almost every vehicle in every show. And they can sometimes describe characters more by the car they drive than say for their profession. This might not be true when the show revolves around a particular profession, such as Boston Legal or Grey’s Anatomy. For these shows and others like them it’s anyone’s guess if the star happens to use toyo tires or buys them from a discount store.

Meanwhile for shows like Magnum P.I. and Knight Rider, the cars as much of the program’s stars as are the human characters. The Knight Rider is most famous for David Hasselhoff and KITT, the two main characters. While Hasselhoff played David Knight, a modern day crime fighting knight, KITT is the show’s modified Pontiac Trans Am, and received as much as or more attention as the car’s human counterpart. The car featured an assortment of extremely attractive and fascinating features. These included the durable shell frame and infamous artificial intelligence. Knight and KITT had communications that related to human connections, and in most ways the car served as Knight’s most trusted friend. This is a personification of the metaphoric relationship many people have with their own cars. Regardless of the combinations of obsessions, television, sports and cars go hand in hand in living the American dream.

Television has become a huge part of the world culture and many fads, phases and phenomenons have been sparked all by one television show. Producers and creators of television shows have come up with so many different types of shows ranging from reality shows, dating shows, dramas, comedies and even how tos. One trend that has been very popular with television shows is focusing the show around cars.

Cars have been a popular subject of television shows because most people like cars, they enjoy them and there are so many different angles that a producer or director can choose to utilize. Many of the tv shows featuring automobiles have been huge hits, so here are just a few.

First is Pimp My Ride, where the host, Xzibit, would take over a persons run down, old car and give it to West Coast Customs to customize and “pimp” out the car. Some of the features they would include in the cars are television screens, a milkshake maker, custom stereo systems, new interior and even a bowling ball washer. The outside of the car usually featured some crazy paint job and brand new wheels and tires. This television show sparked a lot of interest in the customizing of cars and customizers saw an increase in rims for sale.

Another great television show that featured a very popular and well-liked car is Herbie. The show only ran for 5 seasons but it sparked 6 movies and the car is one of the most recognizable and iconic cars. Herbie was a white Volkswagen Beetle Bug with blue and red racing stripes and he was able to drive himself and usually triumphed through difficult situations.

Television has become one of the most influential pieces of pop culture and has spurred many trends. One of the greatest trends in television is the use of cars as the main character or main feature of a show. There have been all different types of shows revolving around cars and there will be more to come.

When it comes to do it yourself auto repair there are simple things that anyone can do, and then there are the more difficult tasks that should probably be left to the professionals, or at least to DIYers who have a lot of experience under the hood of a car or have actually taken classes in auto repair.

The most basic car maintenance that an car owner can undertake is purely cosmetic. Washing the car, auto detailing , and removing small scratches and dents from the body of the vehicle are fairly simple. Next up is the replacement of simple car parts. Anyone can figure out how to replace windshield wiper blades or put in a new headlight. Checking tire pressure and adding air to a tire is also a simple task.

With a little bit of instruction from a person, car manual, or online video, drivers can learn to do the next level of repairs. They can change the oil in the car or replace an air filter. Some will replace spark plugs, put in a new battery, or even rotate their own tires. These mid level repairs aren’t difficult, they just require an understanding of how the car components work, a familiarity with handling tools , and a willingness to get dirty.

More elaborate repairs that involve computer systems, electrical wiring or the larger systems of the car should probably be left to a professional mechanic. They will have the diagnostic equipment and special tools to make these repairs properly and safely.

In a history stretching back 107 years, founded in 1897 by Ransom E. Olds, the Oldsmobile brand of automobile produced 35.2 million cars, one of the oldest car brands in the world. Phased out of production in 2004, the Oldsmobile continues to be used by its owners, but as these vehicles age and wear out, these owners are increasingly turning to their repair manuals as their mechanics inform them that the chances of acquiring replacement parts may be a difficult task.

Another long-lived car brand, the Mercury, was created in 1939 by Edsel Ford , the son of Henry Ford . This brand of vehicle, originally known for its performance, is also scheduled to be phased out beginning this year, with all production stopping by the fourth quarter of 2010. As these vehicles continue to age, they pose a similar problem for
their owners as the Oldsmobile do for their owners. Having access to a Mercury repair manual is a good first step to help with the inevitable search for needed parts.

With both the Oldsmobile and Mercury brands, familiarity with these repair manuals will allow owners to talk more specifically and confidently with dealers, mechanics, and/or salvage yards, especially as parts are phased out, too.

As a quick example, if an owner were to have an Oldsmobile LS 88, circa 1996, and the emergency brake is sticking or worn out, mechanics will say that this part is no longer made and that a dealer or a salvage yard may be the only place to go for help. The Oldsmobile repair manual should prepare a person for that conversation, so when dealers or mechanics begin talking about calipers, rotors, boosters, drums, and pad sensors, the owner will be ready.

The importance of good tires on a vehicle can’t be underestimated. For basic functionality, people need to have tires that can hold the road. Good tires make for safe driving, allowing you to take the corners with confidence, and always maintaining control of the vehicle. This means being able to anticipate bad weather conditions. Of course, a lot of this has to be negotiated by the skill of the driver , but the tires can play one of the most instrumental parts in allowing the skills to come through. They should help to make the work of traveling easier, and sometimes they can help add to the fun.

There are other considerations for tires as well, where the size and cosmetic appeal can help to amp up the attitude of a vehicle, giving it a presence and personality on the road. This can add tremendous excitement to the drive, and make the social aspects of life in a car more fulfilling and interesting. For some, driving is a utilitarian activity, getting from one place to another on time. But for others, it’s got utilitarian aspects as well as those aspects that can turn driving into an art form. For those dedicated drivers, good tires are as important as a hair style, giving an edge that makes life worth living.

It doesn’t just end with new tires, however. Careful and proper maintenance can extend the life of a tire by significant proportions. This means taking care to check for proper inflation