Monthly Archives2017 June

[ad_1]

Marathon gas card, credit cards and gift cards just make shopping and fueling you care easier. If you have a gas card, you can use it right at the pumps so you avoid standing in line at the cash register. Although there are many different credit cards and gas cards, you can choose the one that will fill all your needs. There are benefits to having the gas card to use at any Marathon gas station including rebates and detailed reports every month of your gas usage. There is the Marathon Regular Card, Marathon Premier Card, SuperFleet Card, Marathon Commercial Card and Marathon Fleet Card.

Fleet, Commercial and SuperFleet Cards

The Fleet card is designed for business and commercial customers that need to have better saving, security and control over the use of the cards. This card allows businesses to save money on fueling costs and control who uses the cards for fueling. The Commercial card is simpler and gives the basic information about each transaction and other information. The SuperFleet card is designed to help fleet operators see where their money is going for fuel. This card is good at Pilot and Rich stations, Marathon, SuperAmerica and Speedway stations.

Premier and Regular Gas Cards

The Premier card offers rebates and interest free terms of payment. Many other features make this card easy to use. The Marathon gas card is available at over forty-four locations throughout the United States. You can get up to two percent rebates off your monthly purchases. The card is also good for five percent cash back on cruises, hotels and airlines and fifty percent off movie tickets. There is also a locksmith service and fifteen hundred dollars emergency cash if you are stranded.

The Regular gas card is a great way to purchase fuel at the pump or in the store. This card has no annual fee and is available in over forty-four stations in the country. You can get extra cards at no extra cost.

Buying Power

With most of the Marathon gas cards, you can use them in the stores, car washes and at the pumps. However, some of the cards do have provisions and are only good for gas purchases. The cards that offer open buying are easy to use at the convenient stores. The gas cards are not good for purchases from the co-brand fast food restaurants that are on the premises.

Whether you have a Marathon gas card or a credit card, you will be able to fuel your car at the pump for more convenience. If you need a few groceries, some of the cards allow buying other things on the cards. There are provisions that govern the purchases you can make. The personal use cards are great for those monthly purchases and fleet cards are great for keeping track if purchases made by your employees. Some of the gas cards allow you to choose the card design that you would like. There is no extra charge for this feature.

[ad_2]

Source by Hayden Anderson

[ad_1]

ATV and UTV are fun, smooth riding and hard working off-road vehicles that are growing in popularity, even in this economy.

They are being used in a variety of different areas, such as: farm, construction, landscaping, hunting, racing and general recreation activities.

The John Deere Gator is the most popular brand, but Polaris, Kawasaki, Kubota and others are giving them a run for their money.

When is an ATV the best choice and when is the UTV the best choice?

Here are the 6 important factors to consider:

• The UTV is wider, more stable and safer than an ATV.
• The ATV can turn sharper and is easier to manipulate through the woods.
• It’s easier and quicker to get on and off of an ATV.
• The UTV is more functional. You can haul a lot of stuff in the truck-like beds and with accessories like snow plows, dump beds and others, it is for sure more functional and useful for getting work done.
• The UTV is more comfortable with it’s bench seat – especially for longer trips.
• And one of the biggest factors to consider is that an ATV is less expensive than an UTV. Also, the basic UTV can be upgraded with heated cabs and a list of accessories that can really run the price up.

Bottom line: Let’s face it, an ATV is less expensive and more fun to ride with it’s saddle-style seating — you are part of the machine rather than riding along on a bench seat as you are in an UTV. But the UTV is safer and you can do a lot more work with it.

[ad_2]

Source by Jerry Minchey

[ad_1]

Paint protection film is a layer of thermoplastic urethane applied to the painted surfaces of an automobile to protect the paint job from chips, splatters, and small abrasions. Is is also commonly used on airplanes, motorcycles, electronic, cell phones and other electronics. Almost all automotive manufacturers have approved the usage of paint protection film on vehicles. It is also commonly referred to as Clear Bra which was the original manufacturer.

It is recommended by manufacturers to entrust the application of the product to certified Vinyl Wrap and Clear Bra professional shops as the installation requires unique skills and techniques to get it to look right and last the life of the film. Many Window Tinting and detail shops also perform the installation.

The primary purpose of Clear Bra is to prevent scuffs, rock chips and other types of vandalism which cause damage to a vehicle’s paint and body. It is commonly applied on the front facing portions of cars, trucks, and SUVs. It may also be used on the full body of a vehicle to provide maximum protection for the vehicle’s factory paint.

Originally developed for use in military applications, it is now commercially available for public use. The automotive industry took note of the benefits offered by the paint protection film and began applying it to race cars to protect the expensive carbon fiber and fiberglass bodies. Originally the film was thicker and tough to install because the thick film was designed to protect helicopter blades from sand erosion.

The film available on the market today is specifically designed to be flexible and conformable to a vehicle’s body. There are many options available in the market with specific types manufactured primarily with the technical capability to offer top level protection and even self-healing capabilities.

Why use Paint Protection Film?

Scratches on brand new or well-maintained vehicles not only destroy the look of your car, truck or SUV, they reduce the resale value. To prevent a car from suffering at the hands of vandalism or road debris, paint protection film is the perfect solution.

Clear Bra has the strength to withstand the hazards on the road such as debris, rocks, sand and cement. It will shield the areas on the vehicle where it is installed and keep the body looking like it did the day you applied the film. Many of the premium films have self-healing properties so the film will heal itself when damaged by scratches and cracks. Another great application is to protect your vehicle from children playing near the car and scratching the paint surface with their toys.

Which Paint Protection Film Brands are the most trusted?

The most reliable brands of paint protection film on the market today are the original Clear Bra, 3M, Suntek, and Xpel. Xpel and 3M are the preferred films used in our shop due to their self-healing properties and industry leading warranties. In addition to full rolls of film, many of these manufacturers offer the DIY enthusiast pre-cut kits that are unique to a vehicle’s make, model and year.

Today there is no shortage of cheaply made films imported from places like China and India and sold on sites like eBay and Amazon. Always be wary of any material that does not come from a reputable manufacturer. Cheap paint protection film will not protect your vehicle, and often the cheap adhesives used in this type of material will damage your factory paint when you attempt to remove it.

How is It Applied?

There are many types of installation for paint protection film. Most installers do not have plotters. Therefore they have no choice but to apply the fill directly from the roll and cut the material to length on your vehicle. Reputable installation shops that have invested in plotters use specially designed software to create a pattern for the shape of the panel on which the film is to be installed and have it plotted or cut with precision. A plotter can also be used to modify the cut pattern to fit custom patterns such as aftermarket body kits and bumpers.

A popular installation technique for the DIY customer is a pre-cut kit. A pre-cut kit can be ordered by your vehicle make, model, and year and comes ready to install out of the box. The downside of a pre-cut kit is if you damage one of the sections of material during installation, you’ll have to purchase an entirely new kit. Pre-Cut Kits are also not available for any custom parts you have on your vehicle such as an aftermarket bumper, body kit, or spoiler.

When you are looking for a Clear Bra installer, it is imperative to select a reputable shop with good reviews. The installation requires cutting near your car, truck or SUV’s paint with razor blades. An impatient or unskilled installer can quickly cause substantial and irreversible damage to your expensive vehicle.

Where can the Film be Applied?

Paint protection film is manufactured to appear practically invisible to the naked eye to maintain the appearance of your vehicle. It can be applied to any area of the car however it is mostly recommended for portions of the car that are susceptible to damage. The most common areas are the side mirrors, front bumper, and hood of your vehicle. Another area that Clear Bra can be used is door edges as they are prone to wear and tear from the constant opening and closing. Protecting door edges offers an excellent shield against chipping and scrapes which often happen in parking lots.

It may also be applied to door handle cups because they get damaged from constant use. The scratches and scrapes can are prevented through the application of an invisible film of Clear Bra on the door handle cups.

Benefits of a Paint Protection Film

Clear Bra is flexible and stretchable as well as long lasting. It is almost invisible and can be molded to fit any surface of the vehicle. It seals the painted surfaces to give a long lasting glossy appearance and shiny exterior. Clear Bra is a branded self-healing coat which is resistant to scratches and cracks. It puts up a tough defensive front to damage of any kind which in inevitable when it comes to cars.

[ad_2]

Source by Elliot R Hutchens

[ad_1]

Looking to buy a used car? With a lot of choices in the market today, searching for the right car to suit your tastes and preferences can be a challenge. Hence experts shared some great tips to help you find and buy your perfect used car.

Factors To Consider

Budget – If you want to take out a lot so you can pay for your car, make sure that your car payments must not be more than 20% of your take-home pay. And when you are sticking to a limited budget, consider spending even less. Used cars will need a bit of attention from time to time, such as new tires. You also need to account for insurance and fuel. In case the car you wish to buy is out of warranty, you need to set aside a fund to cover for all unexpected repairs.

Have a target list – There are plenty of good cars for you to choose from. But some can cost a few thousand more than the others. So if you want to save money, check out various brands. Make a list of 3 cars that will satisfy your needs and is within your budget.

Check the prices – The price can vary in location or where you are shopping. Oftentimes, private-party cars will have the lowest selling price.

Look into the used cars for sale within your area – Filter your search by many different factors like its price and features, the miles on the odometer of the car, and the distance of the dealer from you. To save time, you can use the websites for other marketplaces.

Read through the vehicle history report – Unless you are getting the car from a family member or a close friend who can guarantee its history, you need to obtain a vehicle history report. This is a very crucial step. This report will reveal significant information about the car.

Speak with the seller – Calling the seller must be done first before running out to see the prospective car. This is an excellent way of establishing a good relationship with the seller and of verifying the car’s information. There are instances wherein the seller may say something that is not provided in the ad – and this may change your decision.

Test-drive the car – This is the best way of knowing if this is the right car model and make for you. This will also help you in assessing the car’s condition. Hence, you need to focus on the car. Determine if you can easily get in and out without banging your head, if there is enough legroom and headroom, if you can see a lit check engine light, and if the air-conditioning system blows cold. You must also use your nose. Do you smell burning oil, gas or anything amiss?

Aside from these, you must also let an expert check the car to make sure that it is really is a good fit to you.

[ad_2]

Source by Jon Ryan Zimmerman

[ad_1]

Carborundum is the other name for silicon carbide. This compound as the name suggests is made up of carbon and silicon elements. SiC is the chemical formula for this compound. It occurs naturally in the form of moissanite, which is a mineral compound. It is presently being used as abrasive which is the reason for its mass production for several years.

Bonding small granites help to form hard ceramics by the process of sintering. The ceramics are used in car brakes, ceramic plates, bulletproof vests, and car clutches. Even the light emitting diodes are incomplete without these ceramics. These are also used in the semiconductors of the high voltage areas. With the help of Lely process, larger crystals of carborundum are made which can be cut into structures of gems.

Details about the compound

Carbide is hard bonded by a covalent bond with silica that has been reduced by the carbothermal process. The resultant formed is in groundmass state or finely powdered that depends on the exact reaction situation.

Properties of the compound

Several properties of carborundum materials are there. The melting point of silicon carbide is high. The thermal conductivity is high and hence the thermal expansion is lower. Silicon carbide is hard and is resistant to corrosion. It is greatly stiff. The properties of carbide are interesting because of the varied semiconductor features.

Silicon carbide and its commercial grading

These are used in the engineering applications commercially. There are primarily three forms of these compounds- one is the nitride bonded carborundum, the second one is the reaction bonded carborundum, and last but not the least is the sintered carborundum.

The types of silicon carbide are many. They are mainly siaion bonded silicon carbide and the clay-bonded ones. Clay-bonded silicon carbide is useful for refractory applications depending on the needs of manufacturing.

Benefits of carborundum in electric voltage purposes are many. This compound has a greater voltage acceptance than silicon. Switches made out of them can be placed in series. These are useful for several high voltage requirements. It minimizes the complexity of the system. The best part of these compounds is that they are cost effective and can be relied on. It can be placed in the higher temperature areas that have 400 degree or more which is much more than silicon. These also reduce the cooling costs and the complex issues that are associated with the high voltage areas.

[ad_2]

Source by Urvi Tandon

[ad_1]

First of all, as with fitting all new or used car parts, Always remember safety! If you raise the vehicle on a jack Always support the car with axle stands! The one thing to be careful about when removing the wires to the starter. There is a red wire fitted from the battery to the rear of the solonoid, this wire is live & if it comes into contact with anything which is earthed, you will have problems. So be careful, a good rule of thumb is to tape up any wire ends with electricians tape or disconnect the battery completely but only if you have your radio code.

The two lower starter motor bolts are best accessed from the underside of the vehicle as these two lower bolts are located on the underneath of the starter motor. You will find the starter motor located in the centre of the engine at the rear under the air filter box and above the exhaust front pipe. The starter is connected to the car battery with red wire you must disconnect this wire by undoing the 13mm nut and washer from the rear of the starter solonoid, then you will find a 10mm nut and washer securing the wires on the smaller terminal. After removing the wires from the rear of the starter solonoid you will then need to loosen the two 13mm bolts that secure the starter motor to the gearbox. (A good tip is to always remove the lower bolts first to save the weight of the starter pulling downwards with gravity making the top bolt appear tight to the very last thread)

The lower bolt can be easily located and undone from the underside of the car where the top bolt is not quite as accessible, the top 13mm bolt is best accessed from under the bonnet at the rear of and below the vehicle battery it is easier to access this bolt with a 13mm socket.

To refit your new or used starter is a simple reversal of the removal procedure. After finally reconnecting the vehicle battery the starter fitting is complete. Finally expect to pay around £25 for a good second hand used unit from a Car Breakers Yard.

[ad_2]

Source by Amy L Cook

[ad_1]

Why would anyone want to drive a sedan? Well I think anybody who owns a sedan would agree that needing more space is the main reason people choose to drive sedans. Sedans are known to be the family type of car, the type of car you can throw your children, dog and luggage in with room to spare. So it is the practicality of the vehicle which makes it a winner with families and people who enjoy road trips.

When one is single it is easy to fit all of your belongings into a car but when you have a family the task becomes a bit more tricky. Sedans seat a minimum of 4 people comfortably with ample space in the back for cargo. Even though a sedan has different compartments for passengers and cargo the back seats can often be dropped in order to load more cargo when passengers do not need the seating. This makes it very convenient for loading large items and for rearranging a larger number of smaller items to fit in the space.

One of the main attractions when looking to buy a sedan is the ample cargo space however it does not mean that great design and luxury needs to take the back seat. Sedans come in different sizes and models. You can find a very inexpensive small to medium-sized sedan or a larger luxury sedan the choice depends on what your needs and budget are. Both the small to medium size and the luxury sedans have their advantages and disadvantages.

Fuel efficiency is also another point which many buyers consider before buying a car. Sedans which are small and midsized are more efficient than the luxury versions. A luxury sedan is bigger and because of its size it uses more fuel, so if you want a family car which is economical then I would suggest going for a small to medium size sedan. The larger luxury type sedan also has a more powerful engines which is needed because of the weight of the sedan.

Another disadvantage of driving a bigger sedan is that finding parking becomes really difficult. This type of vehicle is perfect for when used to take weekend breaks with the family but can be impractical when needing to spend lots of time driving in cities. Smaller to medium size sedans offer you and your family the comfort of driving in a spacious car while still allowing the driver ease of motion and flexibility.

When buying a sedan your primary concern is buying a car which has enough space. Whilst buying a luxury car is always a question of personal taste and financial resources, for a majority of people easy handling and fuel efficiency are still major concerns when buying a car which is why the small to medium size sedan’s are perfect for a small family. There are many makes and models of family, sports and luxury sedans on the market. Spend some time doing some online research and you are sure to find a sedan which suits your needs.

[ad_2]

Source by Gert Demsky

[ad_1]

Have you ever thought that filling of Nitrogen gas in the tyres of your vehicle would help in the maintenance of the tyre? Well, today in this article we will discuss as to why Nitrogen gas is must for our car and bike tyres.

Nitrogen is a chemical substance which is non-flammable in nature. It is a non-toxic gas and belongs to the family of inert gases. The property of inert gases is that they do not fuse with any other gas at any temperature. The fundamental nature of nitrogen is to keep minimum moisture inside the tyres.

Since nitrogen gas is cooler than the naturally compressed air, it makes the car useful in any driving conditions. How come? Since the stress level on the tyre, while moving is less, it means that the tyre remains cool. Due to less temperature, the wear and tear of the tyre are also less.

After long hours of running the temperature of the tyres become very high and has a tendency to burst. So, filling of a tyre with nitrogen gas reduces the chances of explosion by 90%. This becomes a lifesaver on the highway where high-speed and long hours, both pose a threat to the car and its passengers.

So filling your car tyres with nitrogen gas causes no harm but the benefits you get by filling it should be commensurate with your usage. I came across most of the articles stating that filling of nitrogen gas in car tyres makes no sense if you are a city user or driving on highways at 70-80 km/hr.

But, to be very frank and honest with my reader’s I would like to tell you that you can fill your tyres with nitrogen gas no matter whatever may be the condition. After going through the benefits of this gas why would it make no sense in filling it? I, myself, has filled my car tyres and as well as my two wheelers with N2 gas. You can opt for one year membership for your car at around INR 300-500 and two-wheelers at INR 250. Once you fill your vehicle with N2 gas check it every three months for tyre pressure. In the end, they close your tyre filling nozzle with a green cap indicating that your tyre is filled with nitrogen gas.

So, the eight important reasons for filling your vehicle tyres with nitrogen gas are as follows:-

1. It maintains proper inflation 3-4 times longer. You need not fill your tyres or check it every time for gas pressure.

2. It reduces puncture. In the case of tubeless tyres, it becomes more beneficial.

3. Superior handling of the vehicle in all-weather conditions.

4. It is mostly used in racing cars (F1) and aircraft tyres.

5. Saves your fuel up to 10%.

6. Your tyre life becomes longer.

7. Decrease in wheel corrosion due to the absence of moisture unlike in the case of regular air it contains moisture.

8. It does not catch fire since nitrogen is an inert gas. (For your knowledge, inert gases are those who do not undergo chemical reactions under a given set of conditions).

So don’t keep a doubt about filling your vehicle tyres with N2 gas. I give you my word, and hopefully, you can trust me. You will find this gas at large outlets of tyre showrooms and repair shops. Some of them are Bridgestone, Ajmera tyres and similar like that. Well, I filled it from Ajmera tyres. There would be many gas filling stations in your city, and the cost would vary not only from city to city but also vary with each shop.

I hope you find this article helpful by all means. If so, kindly like it, share it with everyone and on your social media sites and leave your valuable comments below.

[ad_2]

Source by Sujish Kandampully

[ad_1]

A used car loan after bankruptcy can be a real asset to begin rebuilding your credit score. Securing a loan and making the payments on time can work like a charm by allowing you to build a positive credit history and get back on track financially.

If you have recently filed bankruptcy and had to give up your vehicle as part of the discharge, you may not be stuck out on the highway with no wheels. Today there are lenders who work closely with those that have poor credit to obtain a used car loan after bankruptcy.

You can begin by doing a search for subprime lenders in your area to find such a loan. Not all car dealerships offer this service and to prevent even higher interest rates you may want to avoid those that do not work with bankruptcy car loans.

Finding an auto consultant who will work closely with you to get a used car loan could end up being your best ally. Auto consultants are usually more concerned with your situation and getting you the right terms and car, instead of just selling you a car today. Tell them your complete situation so they can be sure to get you a loan that you can afford each month.

Another key to getting a car you can afford each month is to be careful of dealerships that want to put you into a brand new car. Where it is true, there are some salesman who will offer you a loan on a new, never been driven vehicle, this may not be the best choice.

The first reason is that more than likely you will be paying top interest rates and this will cost you more money in the long run. In addition, a car loan on a new car will most likely be stretched out over 5, maybe even 6 years. This scenario will total more interest over a much longer term, which means the car will end up costing you much more money. Plus you will have more depreciation on a new car than you would a used car.

This is a common reason for people finding themselves upside down on their auto loan. Being upside down means that you owe more than the car is worth. If you were to consider selling it or trading it in before the term of the loan is fulfilled, you could be left owed more than you get for the trade or the sale.

Consider a quality used car loan after bankruptcy to help you save money and keep you on a budget you can manage. This could be your best choice to put your finances back on track and begin looking forward to a brighter financial future. Remember, bankruptcy is not the end of your life.

[ad_2]

Source by Mike Reitz

[ad_1]

Catering operations are quite wide-ranging and include the special events, business activities, mobile services, and industrial. In the process of hiring the services of the caterers it is crucial to hire the professional and reputable companies to make sure the food servicing aspect of the event goes as smooth as possible. Here are some of the most popular catering services –

Special Event

A special event catering company is likely to offer the all-inclusive services for the large-scale parties, receptions, anniversaries, and weddings. Special event operations involve both the service and presentation side of providing a stunning menu. Many companies are also involved in certain aspects of arranging the event, such as providing creativity for planning and decorating the event. Also, they can help with introducing other services such as those relating to florists, rental companies, and musicians. The special event caterer is likely to specialize in one of the particular types of services, while other companies might be more versatile and tailor to several event requirements.

Business

A business catering service is intended to offer the style of food favored at corporate parties, conferences, training sessions, lunches, and business meetings. This is one area of the catering industry that is in very competitive and in great demand with the ability to enjoy year-round catering opportunities. It is important to prepare the more popular types of foods for these events since it is necessary to please everyone that is attending these corporate events and meetings.

Mobile

A mobile catering service isn’t likely to be conducted through prior contact, but more relates to the mobile truck or van traveling to specific locations with the right food and equipment on board. Mobile catering services might relate to parking-lot vendors, meals-to-go services, farmers markets, fairs, and festivals. A fully equipped mobile catering unit is required for the professional offering this particular type of food service. A quality aspect of the mobile catering service is the often low set-up costs due to the part-time and small-scale nature of the business.

Industrial

A catering service involved the industrial area is certain to offer meals for airlines, universities, factories, prisons, hospitals, schools, and similar institutions. Many of the industrial caterers agree semi-annual or annual contracts with the different companies to help provide the more stable and long-term employment. Serving the food isn’t a requirement with the industrial caterers since the prepared food is passed on to the institutions are served generally in the cafeteria style.

[ad_2]

Source by Leo Eigenberg