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Choosing the Right LED Light Bars for Your Vehicle

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LED light bars are an important fixture, installed on vehicles, as a medium to convey messages to other vehicles and people on the road. When on roads, lights play the key role, since there is too much noise, and barely anything is audible. To convey messages, lights of high intensity are deployed. Especially meant for transporting signals during a case of emergency or accident, these light bars are made to be strong and robust. When combined with a sound (alarm) system, the effectiveness of light bars on your vehicle rises.

If you are considering installing LED light bars on your vehicle, here are a few important things to mull over –

Type of beam –

Bars are available in three beam types or patterns: spot, flood and combo. Spot beam light heads are ideal for use as a takedown light to illuminate suspects or want focus on specific area or see long distance. Normal light heads have a spread of 40º to 160º and this feature makes them effective for general warning use.

Flood light bars have anywhere from 90º to 180º wide beam pattern which makes them best for the occasions when you want more light and a broader focus for illuminating a large area at night.

Combo bars are a combination of both the patterns, making it unique for narrow and broader areas, both. In the same bar you get both the beams, and the switch at the dashboard helps changing over the beam.

Choosing the right beam pattern is all about your preferences, requirements and budget. The size of the bar also depends on your budget and the aesthetics of your car.

The location –

In which area of your car, a specific LED bar should be installed is another imperative question. The location matters, as installing it at a wrong place would not shower the light properly. Bumpers that come with car package are the ideal place for installing bars. They have holes and spaces for the additional installation. Light bars are normally mounted on the roof for maximum visibility. For undercover use, the light bars are mounted inside of the vehicle, close to the windshield and the rear window for concealment and performance.

Why choosing LED bars, not the bars with ordinary or traditional bulbs?

LED is an effective and low energy consumption technology. There are many factors that helped the innovator fetch the most prestigious award. LED is more durable and more reliable, and it does not drain the battery as the bulbs of previous generations would do. A small LED bulb can throw more light than a traditional bulb, hence a cost-effective means.

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Source by Luke Harper

Great Annual Events in Las Vegas

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There’s always something to do in Las Vegas. Every day is an event. The lights. The massive hotels. Fine dining, non-stop partying, endless gambling and scores of world-class shows are daily happenings. Las Vegas, however, doesn’t seem satisfied with its everyday excitement. The city sweetens the pot with a wide assortment of annual events that add yet another dimension to the Vegas experience.

There is something special happening on a daily basis, but some of the annual events really stand out. Consider just a few of the annual happenings that never fail to attract a crowd.

Las Vegas BikeFest

If you’re a fan of the open road and motorcycles, the FSE Las Vegas BikeFest is the place to be. Motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the world gather to celebrate their hobby and lifestyle.

Races

There are a series of automobile races in Las Vegas every year. Whether you’re a fan of the dragsters who burn down the track at the Las Vegas NHRA Nationals, into the Craftsman Truck race series or obsessed with cheering on your favorite NASCAR driver, you can find a way to feed your need for speed in Vegas.

Rodeo

Las Vegas is a western town and that legacy shines through in its strong support of top-grade professional rodeo events. The most famous is the always-packed National Finals Rodeo. The NFR, however, is merely the biggest jewel on the Vegas belt buckle. The PBR event shows off the skills of the best professional bull riders. The annual senior rodeo is a hit, too. Hey, Vegas is even the host of the annual Miss Rodeo America pageant. If you love rodeo, you’ll love Las Vegas. Shine up your boots and grab your best Stetson. It seems like there’s always a rodeo event in Vegas.

Poker

Most of us make an immediate connection between Las Vegas and gambling. Poker is the epitome of professional gaming and Vegas plays host to the granddaddy of all poker tournaments every year. The World Series of Poker is an awesome annual event. There’s always a poker tourney somewhere in Vegas, but the notable annual events are nothing short of a tourist attraction in their own rights as celebrity professionals hit the tables and try to draw winning hands.

That’s just a taste of the wide assortment of annual events that up the ante in Las Vegas. It only scratches the surface. You can find annual fairs, get togethers, rallies and festivals of every sort. You have Salsa Days in Henderson, the Clark County Fair, Reggae in the Desert, the nation’s biggest New Year’s Eve Party, film festivals, Independence Day celebrations and loads of other exciting and fun annual happenings that make visiting Las Vegas extra special.

You can put on a blindfold and throw a dart at a calendar. No matter what day your dart hits, you can be assured that there’s something different happening in Vegas. Every day offers the “standard” thrills that only Vegas can provide, but the city goes beyond that with awesome annual events that guarantee added fun and adventure.

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Source by Mason Monte Q Pruitt

1997-2001 Toyota Camry P0401 Diagnosis

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One of the more common codes that I typically see on a 1997-2001 Toyota 2.2L 4-cylinder Camry is a P0401. It is a code that indicates that there is a problem with the EGR System, not necessarily a problem the EGR valve itself. I hear stories of people pulling getting this code and replacing the EGR Valve without doing any testing because they don’t know what to test. They spend needless money and still haven’t fixed the problem.

There are three parts that will generally make this code appear on your car. Yes the EGR Valve is one of them, but you also have the EGR VSV, and the EGR Modulator. The first parts of inspection will be to check the function of the EGR Valve by pulling a vacuum on it with a vacuum pump. You can get a vacuum pump at and auto parts store for around $20 and even rent one at some stores.

Hook up the pump to the only vacuum port on your EGR valve. There will be a small hose attached, that you will need to disconnect and install your pump onto the same port. With the engine running at an idle you should be able to pump the vacuum pump to create vacuum on the EGR valve. The diaphragm inside the EGR Valve should raise and cause the car to die. If your car does die then your EGR Valve and it’s ports are fine. If your car stumbles or doesn’t have any change in the way it runs when you’re pulling vacuum then you probably have a bad EGR Valve or a clogged port in your intake.

If you think you have a bad valve then you should take it off the engine and test it with the same vacuum pump. You should be able to see the diaphragm inside the valve move as you are applying vacuum. If the diaphragm does move then you may have clogged ports in your intake and may need to have the intake cleaned. If it doesn’t move then you should replace the EGR Valve.

However, if your Camry stopped running when you applied that first vacuum then you should start looking to the EGR VSV. I know VS what? It’s a small blue solenoid located on the back of the engine block. It will have a couple of vacuum hoses, and a small plug attached all be held up there with one 10-mm bolt. Remove the VSV and test it by applying power and ground from your cars battery (VSV should not be plugged into harness when testing.) If you hear the VSV click when you apply power then you should replace the EGR Modulator.

The EGR Modulator is located to the right of the EGR Valve above your intake. It will have several vacuum hoses coming off of it and slides into a holder. The EGR Modulator can be purchased relatively cheap at your dealer. There is no easy testing for the modulator. If you replace the modulator and still have a problem and the light comes back on, you should then replace the EGR VSV also known as the Vacuum Switching Valve. Sometimes the VSV can have an internal break and still click when you put power and ground to the terminals, but still be bad.

So you could be wasting your money by just throwing on a valve. Remember the only way to fix something right is to know the proper testing procedure so you can come to a correct fix.

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Source by Josh Ingle

Foreign Sport Technician of Santa Monica, California Offers Advice on Purchasing Sports Cars

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Foreign Sport Technician of Santa Monica, California Offers Important Advice on Purchasing A Pre-Owned Ferrari, Masserati, and Porsches.

Tech Tip – Purchasing Pre-Owned Foreign Exotic Sports Cars, A Tech's Perspective

Having specialized in service & repair of foreign exotic sports cars such as Ferrari, Maserati, BMW, Lamborghini, and Porsche in Los Angeles, California for the last 35 years, I am commonly asked to serve as consultant, mechanic, psychologist, and hand holder By clients who are contemplating the purchase of a "pre-owned" foreign exotic sports car. The following is a method that I use when inspecting a foreign sports car being considered for purchase.

Learning About The Sports Car Driver

The first question is to determine how you intend to utilize the car. Will you be driving it only on the weekends, or daily? Areas with heavy traffic such as Los Angeles, California can affect a certain performance vehicles over the course of several years.

The second question is the asking price of the car. Price is always a consideration – and they vary from region to region. How much car can you afford? Do not forget to factor in maintenance costs into this equation.

Initial Sports Car Inspection

The next step simply enough is an overall visual inspection and then the first of two road tests. When road testing the car for the first time, pay special attention to the feel and sound of the car. Take the time to listen for every noise possible, and take notes! Driving performance is also important. Also scrutinize how the car behaves in turns and whether the gear box is smooth or harsh, while feeling for clutch slippage, and making sure there is no differential sound. The road test acts as the pre-cursor for my examination, providing me with a point of origin.

Put The Sports Car On The Rack

Now it's time to place the vehicle on the rack. Providing that the car passed the road test and there were no discernible problems, first look for frame damage caused by accidents or some kind of off-road encounter. While under the car inspect for rust and or corrosion, and fuel line punctures. Then pull the wheels off to inspect the condition of brake, rotors, pads, lines and check end play of wheel bearings. The next details of the inspection include the front end evaluation, looking for wear and tear of ball joints, suspension arm bushings, tie rod ends, rack and pinion or steering box. If the particular car being checked is front engined then check for oil leaks, condition of the cooling lines and motor mounts. Then check the external condition of the gearbox or transaxle, determining if it has been previously taken apart, and then remove the oil filter plug and take some oil samples. All of the above is done visually.

Inspecting the Engine of the Sports Car

It's now time to inspect the engine, starting by pulling the spark plugs and checking for unusual carbon deposits. A compression test is used as a partial indication as to the condition of the engine. It is used concomitantly with a leak down test to evaluate the condition of the piston rings, valves, cylinder head and head gasket. The next step will be to check the oil pressure. If there is speculation that the gauges are inaccurate, then a shop mechanical gauge shall be used. While the engine is running look for abnormal vibration or sounds. Also noted is the color of the smog generated through the exhaust. Then inspected are all the engine components including power steering pumps, air conditioning, smog devices, fuel injection or carburetors, hoses, belts, electrical harnesses, etc.
Inspecting the Asesthetics

The next step is to check the aesthetics of the vehicle. Inside the interior, first check window operation, heating and air conditioning function, and other accessories. Next view the general condition of the interior including seats, door panels, headliner, dash, etc. Evaluation of the exterior should include checking for paint condition and body work, looking specifically for cracks and rust in an attempt to determine how well the care has been maintained.
Follow Up Roadtest

Now that you are familiar with the vehicle, it is time to perform a second road test. This second road test helps clarify any original doubts since I am now familiar with the vehicle.

Through the inspection, take into careful consideration the service, maintenance, and repair orders previously performed on the car. These records are critical to verify the originality of replacement parts in order to maintain the value of the vehicle. Careful records and the use of original parts are good indicators as to the quality of previous repairs.

Customarily, the inspection achieved takes approximately three hours. It's an inexpensive investment to have the car thoroughly evaluated for what could be very costy and frustrating.

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Source by A. Claudio Szyszkowski