The problem with a smartphone as a navigation device, however, is that using your phone’s navigation app can result in data charges – and even data roaming charges when you’re headed outside your primary coverage area. If you’re not careful, your phone’s “free” navigation app can actually cost you a small fortune.

As a result, many consumers are still happy to use their old portable GPS. But what about map updates? Depending on how long you have owned the device and which unit you have purchased, you may be able to download updates for free for for a nominal fee.

Here’s a short overview of the different options available for the different units.

Garmin Nuvi GPS Map Updates

Garmin offer three different download models: nuMaps Guarantee, nuMaps Onetime, and nuMaps Lifetime. The Guarantee option is the free map update version – but is only applicable to car drivers that are in the first 3 months of ownership of their Garmin Nuvi GPS. Should you wish to purchase new maps after 3 months of ownership, then you can buy the Onetime update for $50 Dollars, or the more expensive Lifetime update option (which is just what it sounds like – updates forever) at just under $80.

TomTom GPS Map Updates

TomTom offers free map updates via their TomTom Map Share Technology. This lets their customers upload their own changes to a centralised website resource – however, TomTom won’t guarantee the accuracy of these changes. Should you want official TomTom upgrades then you will need to register the device with them and sync your GPS up to the TomTom Home website to view all available options, as the pricing changes depending on the model and original purchase date.

Navigon GPS Map Updates

Navigon is a German company who also sold a lot of portable GPS units in North America. They run a map update service called Fresh Maps, but unfortunately it’s not possible to download any free updates. Instead, the customer has to purchase an update online with prices starting at around $120. Considering the cost, one might be better off with a new GPS device from TomTom (which offers quality free updates via Map Share).

More Information on GPS Map Upgrades

For a full list of other manufacturers and more information on the different options available, please visit the independent advice website at http://www.mygpsmapupdates.com. It contains full listings on all brands and models and lets the customer choose their GPS model and find out how to update the latest software install.

Neoprene seat covers, like this set from Coverking, offer vehicle owners a lot of benefits.

Neoprene is special because, in addition to the five characteristics below, it’s very durable. In terms of your car, this durability has many advantages over standard car seat covers. Nearly indestructible seat covers are one of those things that just make a car owners life easier, like scheduling maintenance to prevent breakdowns or comparing car insurance quotes online rather than calling five companies individually.

Here are five reasons to think about neoprene seat covers:

Reason #1: Protection from High Temperatures

Although the temperature outside may feel like 100 or 110 degrees, the temperature inside your car may rise to 140 of 150 degrees. If you have a leather interior, you are well aware of how uncomfortable sitting down in your car can be; you may feel like you are getting into an oven. Neoprene seat covers, however, absorb less heat, making them much more comfortable on your bottom.

In the summer months, your seats will be cooler, and they will stay warmer over the winter months. Neoprene also helps your car’s air conditioning and heating systems perform more efficiently because they do not work as hard to cool and heat your vehicle.

Reason #2: Withstand Elements

Neoprene seat covers do not fade in the sun as easily as other seat covers, so they look better longer. If you spend a significant amount of time outdoors or getting in and out of your car, you know that car seat covers must be able to be cleaned easily. Neoprene can be simply wiped off to remove any dirt or grime that can build up as the result of taking your children to sports practices, driving your dog to the veterinarian or getting in your car after a long day on the construction job site.

Reason #3: Shock Protection

Even though your vehicle has a natural suspension system, adding an extra layer between you, the vehicle and the road can provide you with extra shock protection. Not only will you notice an increased level of comfort simply by sitting on the seats, but the padded seat covers will also help to absorb the jolts, bumps and potholes you may hit while driving.

Reason #4: It’s Non-Flammable

If you are a smoker, chances are you may have dropped a cigarette or two on your car seat. These accidents can damage seats very quickly. Neoprene seat covers, however, are non-flammable, so any ashes or cigarettes you drop will not cause damage to your seat.

Reason #5: Prevents Moisture Buildup

Because neoprene is made of the same material divers use in their wetsuits, car seat covers made out of this material can keep any spills or excess moisture from harming your car seats. Neoprene seat covers are best for individuals who own open-topped cars since the material can withstand rain and dries quickly.

Guest Post By CarInsuranceQuotesComparison.com, which provides helpful advice to car owners with tips on safety, car accessories and a free tool for comparing car insurance quotes. Be sure to check out their Car Insurance FAQ page.

Related Posts:

• Wet Okole Seat Covers – A Quick Review
• Coverking Neoprene Seat Covers from $299

The 10 Most Popular Exhaust System Brands, via ExhaustVideos.com

*Please note that motorcycle exhaust systems have been excluded from our list here.

1. Borla

Borla states that their exhaust systems will boost your vehicle’s performance by seven to ten percent. If the stock catalytic converter is not removed, the installation of a Borla exhaust system will not void a factory warranty. Borla offers a million-mile warranty on their products.

2. Flowmaster

Flowmaster exhaust systems are designed to provide maximum horsepower while maintaining acceptable levels of exhaust sound, inside the vehicle and out. Flowmaster offers a ten year warranty on stainless steel systems and three years on aluminized systems. Listen to some flowmaster exhaust system sounds.

3. Gibson

You can add 10-20 of extra horsepower and additional MPG with a Gibson exhaust system. They are covered by a lifetime warranty and will not affect your factory warranty. Gibson’s stainless steel systems come with a lifetime warranty.

4. Magnaflow

Their goal is to provide race performance exhaust systems for the masses. They have been endorsed by Mario Andretti, Ivan Stewart, and some more of the top race drivers in the world. They are manufactured in the US and their stainless steel systems comes with a lifetime warranty.

5. Walker

Walker is the world’s largest producer of replacement and original equipment automotive exhaust systems. They offer a complete line of emission control products for every type of vehicle and budget. Walker products come with a 90-day risk free offer and a limited lifetime warranty.

6. Corsa

A relatively new player in the industry, Corsa was established in 1998 and initially created products for the Chevy Corvette. Their products are made in the US, built with stainless steel, and come with a lifetime warranty.

7. MBRP

MBRP’s products are known for their bolt-on designs, quality materials, and their ability to substantially increase performance. They also provide excellent toll-free customer support that can help even the most inexperienced home mechanic. Aluminized products come with a three year warranty and stainless steel systems come with a lifetime warranty.

8. Bassani

Bassani began in 1969 by making exhaust systems for motorcycles. With years of experience, they know how to build quality products that boost performance. They make exhaust systems for any type of vehicle – motorcycles, autos, trucks, SUVs, and race cars. Most of their products carry a lifetime warranty.

9. Banks

Banks began in 1958 and now designs and creates their products on a twelve-acre campus that is staffed with world-class engineers who design and create high-performance systems. Warranties on their products vary from two years to lifetime.

10. GReddy

Greddy sells exhaust systems for every type of user- economical systems that comply with all laws, racing performance products, and systems for off-road vehicles. Their warranties vary depending on the product, but they claim to have one of the lowest warrant claim rates in the industry.

Do-it-yourself car stereo installation. Image copyright Flickr user czarcats - click image to see original.

Then all of a sudden, car stereo installation was made even more convenient by the advent of the CD player. When it first came out, though, the disc jumped every few seconds. And then later, it was placed in a multi-play unit at the back of the car. Sure, these worked, but wiring them up became – well, more complicated.

That was then. This is now.

The car entertainment package has now evolved drastically, thanks to advances in sound engineering and music technology. At the same time, we now demand so much more from our in-car entertainment systems. Consumers want high-quality digital music that will play MP3 files, but at the same time, a number still also want the “old-fashioned” CDs – or the “older-fashioned” radio. We need the unit to tell us at all times what it is doing, which frequencies are turned up (bass, mid, treble?), or who is singing what song of which genre from what album released in what year.

Today’s car stereo is also designed with new features and technologies: not only is it a high-quality system with the ability to pick up satellite, FM and AM radios; it can also retrieve your playlist from the Internet, or personalized bits and pieces of news and traffic reports. And there’s more. Bluetooth headsets, for example, now allow us to listen to crystal-clear music, wirelessly, as we drive.

And this is not to mention the speakers, the number and level of sophistication and quality. Where does one fit the speakers now to avoid vibration noises, or to prevent clicking from other electrical items the car uses? There is no point in having a state-of-the-art system that loses audio when you open your windows. The correct suppressors have to be fitted in exactly the right place.

Five reasons to hire a professional stereo installer:

1. The equipment is more sensitive now than it’s ever been. Static electricity can ruin a thousand dollar head unit in less than one second.
2. The cars aren’t nearly as easy to work with as they used to be. The modern vehicle dash is a cramped, complicated place.
3. Making a wiring mistake can cause collateral damage. If your stereo wiring is incorrect, it could damage your engine computer, other dash electronics, etc.
4. There’s almost always a difference in sound quality. If you hire a pro, your system will sound better.
5. It’s really not that expensive, especially when you compare the cost of installation to the value you receive from your stereo.

Consider this: in the U.S., motorists spend nearly 1,000 hours a year in their car; others still considerably more. This is the time you really need the car stereo and entertainment system to be working at its absolute best, no matter its level of sophistication, no matter how many devices it connects to, no matter where your speakers are installed.

So basically, the days of spending a day at the garage fitting every component in car have gone. The specialized equipment and the intricate requirements of today’s electronics require car owners to have professionals and specialists install the in-car entertainment systems. If something goes wrong, they’ll find out about it quickly enough, saving hours or even days of frustrated driving.

Author Bio: John Grant is a British entrepreneur and freelance writer. He spends his time exploring the wonders of science and engineering, and is passionate in particular about automotive care – including car stereo installation – and preventative maintenance.

1. How Often Do You Use Your Car?

First of all, consider how often you use your car. If you’re going to cover your car for an extended period, then you don’t need to worry about ease of removal…but if you’re covering and uncovering your car every other weekend, you’ll want to invest in a cover that’s easy to remove.

2. The Current Condition of Your Car

Our next factor in determining whether a car cover is the best option in protecting your car is the current condition. Is your cars exterior already in good condition? If so, it is much cheaper to keep it in good condition than to incur the high costs of repairing dents, dings, cracks and scratched or faded paint.

3. Is Your Car Parked In a Garage?

It is also important to consider how much protection your car currently has. Is it parked inside a garage or outside? Is it parked along a busy street, a neighborhood street or in a driveway? Each of these parking situations may have certain protections or certain hazards that go along with them. Generally speaking, the worse the conditions, the better the cover should be.

4. How Often Do You Wash Your Car?

If you are the type of person who enjoys washing their car each weekend, this decreases the benefit of protection from dirt that may fall on a parked car…which means a cover might not be necessary.  However, remember that a car cover can still offer protection from sun damage, debris, acid rain, etc.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to cover your car isn’t too complicated. If it’s a vehicle that’s parked outside and rarely driven, a car cover is the best way to preserve it’s condition and value.

Article by Will from Custom Car Covers Dot Com.

It’s not surprising that now more than ever, those fuel saving gadgets and additives that used to be exclusively advertised on late night TV have suddenly become mainstream products. With everyone looking for an edge on gas mileage, you might have been tempted to purchase one of these devices and install it on your car or truck. Is it possible that any of these products live up to their promises, or is it all just snake oil in a box?

Sadly, it seems that almost all of these miracle cures for poor fuel mileage don’t add up to much more than marketing hype.

The ‘Turbonator’ is a device which is designed to be fit into the pipe that brings fresh air into the engine. Essentially, the makes of the device claim that by placing a stationary fan blade inside of the pipe, it can create a ‘vortex’ which will more efficiently burn fuel, increasing both mileage and horsepower. The makers of the Turbonator claim mileage increases of as much as 33%. Lofty claims like this one are an easy way to spot fakes and frauds. To begin with, if it were that simple to dramatically improve the fuel mileage of a vehicle, then Turbonators would all come stock on every car sold around the world. Unfortunately, automotive engineering is a lot more complicated than a one-size fits all vortex generator.

Another popular set of ‘fuel savers’ are devices which claim to use the power of magnetism to somehow improve your miles per gallon. These devices usually stick onto the fuel lines heading into the engine bay and make pseudo-scientific claims that the magnets ‘align’ the fuel molecules in order to promote quick burning. Sadly, magnets do not affect non-ferrous materials, negating any effect they might have on your engine’s performance. Even if these magnets were able to somehow re-arrange the molecular structure of fuel they way they claim, there still would not be a noticeable improvement in engine performance, as there is no evidence that this type of effect provides any real benefit.

The list of fuel additives and mileage increasing devices is quite long, but nowhere amongst any of those vaunted products will you find anything that will affect the efficiency of your vehicle more than a program of regular and consistent maintenance. Things like maintaining the proper air pressure in your truck’s tires, regularly changing your oil, spark plugs and air filter, and cleaning the carbon out of your intake manifold will not only increase your fuel mileage, but also lengthen the life of your truck. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of snake oil any day of the week.

Fortunately, the factory exhaust system is efficient and doesn’t require much modification for you to improve it. The first component in your exhaust system is the exhaust manifold – a part that directs exhaust from individual cylinders into one or two main exhaust pipes. Most exhaust manifolds are pretty efficient and don’t require replacement, but if you decide you’d like to replace this part, then you’re going to look at a set of headers. A good set of headers will offer a ceramic coating as well as factory mounting points for sensors. Again, most of the time the factory exhaust manifold is just fine.

The next components the exhaust gases travel thru are the catalytic converters. There’s really no benefit to changing or modifying these, and taking them off is a bad idea. Today’s modern catalytic converter is very efficient and legally required, so it makes sense to leave it alone. You would only consider replacing the factory catalytic if you were adding an extremely powerful engine upgrade, like a turbocharger or supercharger.

After the catalytic converters, the exhaust gases cool somewhat and enter the muffler. Again, the factory exhaust system is pretty good and the standard mufflers aren’t very restrictive. Replacing them usually won’t result in a significant hp or torque gain…3-5 hp and 5-10 ft-lbs of torque on average. However, after market mufflers will make your truck sound much better. The rumble you’ll hear with after market mufflers is exciting, and well worth the cost. After leaving the mufflers, the exhaust will exit out of the tailpipe. Tailpipe tips are a popular add-on, but they’re decorative only and have no impact on your exhaust system’s performance.

Since changing the factory muffler will have the biggest effect on your exhaust system, they’re the most logical component to replace. When you’re looking at after market mufflers, here are some things to consider:

First, do you want to hear the exhaust ALL the time? In other words, when you drive down the highway, is a little exhaust drone OK? If not, make sure you choose a muffler that’s not described as being loud. Check the web and ask your local muffler shop for advice on finding a good muffler. Many muffler manufacturers are even putting sound clips on their websites now.

Second, do you want something that people can slightly hear when you drive by, or do you want something so loud that the neighbors know exactly what time you leave for work every morning? Words like “racing” or “glasspack” usually indicate exceptionally loud mufflers, so watch out for those terms unless you want a lot of attention.

Another important choice when considering a new muffler is single or dual exhaust. Remember, most factory exhaust systems are pretty good. If your truck came from the factory with a single exhaust, it will work just fine and give good performance with a single after market exhaust system. Dual exhaust systems are more money, but they look and sound and single exhaust systems. If you decide to go with a dual exhaust, make sure that your installer works around your trailer hitch and/or leaves room for one in case you want to add it on later.

Finally, what exhaust system material is best? It’s a decision that should be based on geography. If you live anywhere near the corrosive effects of saltwater, stainless steel is the smart choice. While it’s more expensive up-front, it will last much longer than galvanized or aluminized steel in these climates. People living in dry climates really don’t need to purchase stainless steel — if rust attacks their system, it will be years before anything is damaged.