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A head gasket is an important component of your car as it restricts the engine liquids from causing any kind of damage to the cylinders inside. This small piece of equipment can be found between cylinder head and engine block in your internal combustion engine. By resting at the right place, the gasket prevents leakage of engine oil or coolant into cylinders. Apart from this sealing effect, the gasket also keeps pressure within cylinders so that the gas is effectively combusted with compression. It is an essential combustion chamber component and its strength should be ensured at all times.

Unlike other exterior components, the internal parts of your car can’t be inspected on your own regularly. If you experience problems like cooling system failure or overheating of your engine, then it is time to take a closer look at your head gasket because this humble component can really result in serious problems. Due to wear in the gasket, coolant liquid can reach the cylinder and reduce the performance of cooling system. Water and oil can get mixed up and this will certainly create trouble with your vehicle. A broken gasket can result in decreased pressure and it can easily cause overheating in your car.

A blown head gasket is often a problem that car owners face most of the time and replacing this component is not cheap. Mild cases of failure of the gasket in the interior part of your car are hard to recognize. Often times, you will ignore the small signs and continue driving. As a result, continuous stress on the component will cause it to break down eventually, leading to major problems. When you take your car to a car mechanic with issues that popup all of a sudden, he will most likely inspect the head gasket first to find out whether there are any issues.

It is impossible to predict problems with the head gasket, but if you are careful enough to notice the minor signs that your car gives you, you can deploy preventive maintenance strategies to reduce the effect. Many car owners prefer to use coolant system conditioners that need to be applied only once in a couple of years. This will keep your gaskets in good condition, but sometimes, a bad conditioner can pose a new threat. Typically, you can choose conditioners that are suited best for the type of gasket used in your car.

Taking care of your engine will automatically ensure safety of the head gaskets. The oil temperature should be at least 60 Celsius before you try to ramp up to 3000 rpm. You can drive your vehicle at a low speed before halting in a parking lot suddenly. If you notice steam or smoke from boot lid vents, pay attention to it immediately to prevent disasters that may arrive at a later point of time. Frequent and professional checking of compression pressure using a pressure gauge will notify you about the status of your gasket. A leak down test is done by professionals to ensure that your gasket is not leaking any engine liquid.

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Source by John Bergers

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Alloy Wheels or Alloys are definitely “in” these days. Those bling-bling wheels you see on most vehicles today are all alloy wheels and they are gaining more fans and popularity everyday.

So what exactly are alloy wheels and how are they different from normal wheels? Are they better than normal wheels?

These are the types of questions I intend to answer in this article.

Alloy Wheels perform the same function in automobiles as the normal steel ones but they have certain added features that make them different and arguably better.

Compared to wheels made of steel, alloy wheels are composed of aluminum or magnesium alloys making them stronger and durable, lighter in weight, better in performance and most importantly, stylish. These wheels are manufactured either by the process of casting or by forging of metal alloys.

Forged alloy wheels are lighter and much more durable than cast alloys but they are a little hard on the pocket. These wheels are usually the preferred choice for high-performance sports cars but that does not mean you can’t fit them on any other car. Comparatively, cast aluminum alloys are heavier but they are cheaper and yet have almost the same styling as that of forged alloys.

There is however another type of stylish wheels called Mag-Wheels. Magnesium alloys or mag-wheels are whole magnesium cast or forged wheels used in racing cars as they are the lightest wheels available. Mag-wheels are high on performance as well as on styling.

Unmatched style is probably the main reason why most people now prefer alloy wheels for their vehicle. There is no doubt that alloys make the vehicle look posh and increase its cosmetic appeal but there are two other definite advantages of fitting them in your car instead of the normal steel wheels:

• Alloy wheels are lighter, that means your vehicle has less unsprung mass. This means your vehicle handles better and there is improved road grip on most terrains. A lighter vehicle will obviously perform better on the mileage count as well.
• They are also good in terms of balancing. Your vehicle balances well reducing stress on other parts of your car like the suspension and the axles.

Besides that, did we discuss about the style that a set of alloys can add to your vehicle?

You no longer require those fuzzy hub-caps and you can definitely avoid displaying those ugly looking steel rims. No matter how elegant your car looks, if the wheels are not up to the mark, it may be a case of “bride without the ornaments”. And indeed, wheels are ornaments, the ones to be proudly displayed. Alloy wheels maintain their luster for years (if maintained properly) and shine with that metal-chrome finish, enough to make your neighbors burn with envy.

A fact worth considering is that used alloy wheels and rims are available in the market at one-third the price of brand new ones. You get the style and features of alloys without spending much.

With all this information at hand, I am sure you are equipped to search for the best set of wheels for your car and tread the roads in style.

James Rodham

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Source by James Rodham

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Restoration isn’t a hobby – it’s a way of life. Whether you have a recently-purchased classic (stored safely under a car cover) or something that’s been sitting on blocks (without so much as a sun shade), taking that first step towards fixing it up can be a daunting task. Here you’ll find a few tips that can help prioritize the job and keep you from having to do things more than once.

Tip 1: Restoring a car is like building a house. There’s a logical order. You wouldn’t build the roof before the foundation. So, the first step in any restoration is to plan out exactly what needs to be done, making a complete list of the entire project to avoid missing something essential or risk damaging a refurbished bodyline or fresh paint job. Once you have an overview, organize it into a game plan. Depending on the repairs you’re making, it’s best to proceed in the following order: transmission, engine, electrical, suspension, interior, body and wheels.

Tip 2: An older car may have been built like a tank, but the downside is it usually sounds like one too, especially on the freeway. If your restoration includes stripping the vehicle down to the undercarriage, take the time to sound-proof your ride with spray undercoating, insulating foam or reflective insulating wrap. Undercoating helps minimize vibration through sheet metal and is highly effective when you need to reduce noise coming through metal air ducts or fender voids. Expanding foam is great for filling cavities in car bodies and holes in firewalls. Keep in mind, it’s called expanding foam for a reason. So, be sure to leave room for expansion, or your fender may swell out like a botched Botox treatment. Finally, reflective insulating wrap comes on rolls that are either two or four feet wide. It installs with spray adhesive and is thin enough not to require any modifications to upholstery or trim, making it ideally suited as a liner in doors, hard tops or over flooring.

Tip 3: The words steel wool and auto repair aren’t often used together. But there are different grades of steel wool intended for a variety of uses-notably, very fine grade 0000. It can be used on a variety of auto parts and car accessories, including chrome, glass, stainless steel and other delicate materials, without scratching the surface. Use it with chrome polish to brighten stainless to a high luster, polish auto parts with chrome trim like molding or wheels, and clean around your headlights or rocker-panels. You’ll find it in most hardware or do-it-yourself stores. One thing to remember when using anything for the first time: start small. Begin in a corner, underside or unnoticeable area and work your way out. It’s the best way of avoiding disaster should the surface not be compatible with the grade or chemical treatments in your polishing pads.

Tip 4: Taping off an area to be painted protects windows and trim but also raises the problem of tearing off a freshly painted surface if you use the wrong tape. If you can, use masking tape designed especially for your application. But when you don’t use the right thing and realize too late that you’re going to tear up your new paintjob, there’s a simple way to get standard masking tape off without ruining your finish, and it’s as close as your own bathroom: a hair dryer. Gently heat the tape as you peel it off the painted surface. In case you’re wondering, the operative word there is GENTLY. If you’re a pro and have a heat gun, that works too, but keep the temperature LOW. The tape will pull right up. It may leave a slight residue but it’s easily removed with a mild solvent or a variety of car waxes like Zymol wax.

Tip 5: Gluing vinyl or leather material onto panels or seats can result in splotches of contact cement on the appearance side. Cleaning products like 409, Mr. Clean or other solvents may remove the glue but discolor the vinyl or leather in the process. Instead, grab some vinyl or aluminum duct tape and wrap a little bundle around your fingers with the adhesive side out. Then, just like removing lint from a sweater, pat the glue spots with tape and the glue will come right up. This technique also works on sewed seams and seat covers, a task that’s nearly impossible to achieve with cleaners.

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Source by Andrew Bernhardt

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If the car’s starter clicks and the engine does not turn over, this could be caused by several things. The most common cause of clicking when the car is being started is a low battery. Most people would assume that the starter is bad if it only clicks, but low-voltage can cause the starter to make this sound.

The battery is the heart of the starting and electrical system. If the battery has been drained or has a weak cell, this can cause the starter to only click. Many times the battery could just been drained due to a door left slightly open, making the dome light stay on. Other times a vanity light or a phone charger could be left on. During my time as a master auto technician, I’ve had a trustworthy co-worker close me up in the trunk so I could make sure the trunk light went off when the trunk was closed!

In order to test the battery it must have a good charge. If the battery is not charged completely the tester will indicate that it needs to be charged before testing can proceed. The first step when checking the starter and electrical system is to make sure the battery is in good condition. Most parts stores will check batteries for free. Once it’s determined the battery is good the rest of the system can then be checked. Loose or corroded connections can also cause a clicking and for the car not to start.

Starter

The starter solenoid on many Ford vehicle’s is on the inner fender well, on most other vehicles the starter solenoid will be mounted on the starter. The clicking that is heard many times is the solenoid. But low-voltage either from a drained battery, bad battery or poor connections can cause this. Most of the time if the vehicle can be jump-started the starter is okay. This would also indicate that the connections to the starter are good.

Alternator

Once the vehicle is running the alternator output can be checked. If the alternator is not charging the battery, it will be drained during the process of starting the car and driving. When the alternator is checked, the voltage and amperage output can be measured. Also the diode pattern will be checked to make sure the alternator won’t drain the battery when the engine is turned off. In the past do-it-yourselfers could disconnect the battery while the vehicle is running to check the alternator, if the car kept running the alternator was good. Doing this on computerized vehicles can be harmful. If the battery is disconnected while a computerized vehicle is running the alternator output can increase sharply allowing excess voltage to spike the computer.

Battery

When purchasing a replacement battery the cold cranking amps required for the vehicle should be checked. It’s best to purchase a battery with more cold cranking amps than the minimum required. Also when purchasing a battery you should consider if you want maintenance free or not. If the battery is hard to access or has a cover then a maintenance free battery is preferred. For instance on some Chrysler Sebrings and Chevrolet Corvettes the battery is located behind an inner fender and on a Chevrolet SSR. the battery is located underneath the bed where the spare tire would normally go. If installing the battery yourself be sure to notice which side is positive and negative in case you were sold the incorrect battery.

Terminals

The terminals should be free of corrosion and should tighten up well. Sometimes especially on import vehicles the battery terminals will be very thin and can have hairline cracks causing a poor connection. Avoid forcing the battery terminals on by tapping them. The battery casing can be damaged causing a leak, if the battery acid seeps out it can cause fast corrosion. If the battery terminal bolts will not tighten, then replacing the terminals is recommended. When the connections are tight you should not be able to twist them by hand.

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Source by Dennis Bandy

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Auto transport industry is run by 90% by the brokers! The majority of auto transport companies don’t own car trailers. They don’t have the staff or budget to market themselves to the public or the customer service team to provide support to their clients. They typically rely on word of mouth or local advertising to get the business. Carriers deeply rely on the brokers to fill up their trucks and keep them moving.

Auto transport brokers have access to hundreds of transporters and can generally accommodate you on any location you may need to get your car picked up or delivered to. Working with a reputable broker may help you get a better price or find a company you wouldn’t otherwise find on your own. The broker may also provide you with a more competitive price quote and offer you better support. Many of the drivers are one man operations or are under-staffed to provide you with quality customer service.

How the auto transport industry works?

When you get a quote from different companies/brokers – they all compete for your business. But the reality is you are actually bidding for the drivers to move your car. If your quote is too low, you car will not be picked or it may take few weeks for the delivery.

Here is an example on how this works: let’s say the route is (NJ to FL). There is usually 20-40 cars waiting to be picked up on the dispatch board which is used by all truckers in the industry. They are all priced from high to low. The drivers will be more attracted to loads that are paying more. So if you picked the lowest quote and there are 10 cars all quoted higher on the list, your car will be sitting at your driveway for awhile. Your load will be the last to get picked up, or you simply may never get a driver assigned while a dishonest broker promises you the world and takes your money.

How to get the right auto transport quote?

In the industry where money talks – your budget will determine the price to get your vehicle picked up and delivered. Choosing the lowest car transport rates is not always recommended. We constantly hear complaints from consumers who first dealt with low balled quotes and than went with a higher quote – got their vehicles picked up with 2-4 business days.

Search Google for “auto transport quotes”, “car transport rates”, or “car shipping quotes” and checkout various auto transport company websites. Get quotes from individual companies, or comparison sites and compare rates. You can check the company’s track record on sites like Transport Reviews.

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Source by Jay Sweeny

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Knowledge is power. Do not scream your lungs out in dismay because of PPP. Do not even grieve and try to commit suicide and wait for a giant truck to hit you. To better understand what you are going through, do not just let others persuade you in believing it is some type of disease. A bit of research and a reliable reading material such as this is a definite help.

Before you get to explore the different remedies, first, here is a further discussion about Pearly Penile Papules. Find out what PPP is often mistaken for and learn more about its immense difference to skin diseases:

This Is Definitely Genital Warts

That is where you are wrong. It is definitely not genital warts and would never ever be. Genital wart is a type of a sexually transmitted disease caused by human papillomavirus or HPV. It comes from an infected partner and therefore it is very contagious. It is spread from a skin-to-skin contact, may it be genital, oral or anal sex.

If there is warm moisture developing on the genital area, this may indicate a wart growth. If you are sexually active, do not fret that it is PPP unless it looks like crooked pebbles clustered around the genitals. These warts may be very small in nature but could also form into large masses.

The warts could also occur to women, and it may appear inside and outside the vagina, on the cervix or opening, up to the uterus, or even around or inside their anus as well. This disease can be similarly widespread to men but the symptoms may appear less obvious. It may appear on the tip of the penis or on the shaft of it. It may also be seen on the scrotum area and similarly possible on the inside or outside of the anus. As for those who had oral sex with an infected partner, the warts could be seen on the mouth or the throat of the person.

Those infected with warts are in danger of acquiring certain types of cancer. Note that there is no cure for warts and only preventive measures are available. There are a number of diagnosis, varied examinations and treatments for it but all of which are just therapeutic and would help reduce the warts. You may try the warts vaccine although this is done before any sexual contact with anyone who might be a HPV carrier. All of these are preventive measures, thus it should not be misunderstood as a cure. There is unfortunately, no cure to genital warts or any type of HPV.

Now that you have an idea what genital warts truly is, you can be assured that it is very far from what is thought by many as PPP.

First, Pearly Penile Papules is not contagious and cannot be acquired from any type of sexual activity. Second, it does not look the same as PPP and the PPP only appears on the genital area. Lastly, PPP only occurs to men and it is not categorized under HPV.

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Source by Aaron Charles Morgan

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The first thing to keep in mind when shopping for a protective cover is the application. Tarpaulins come in a variety of weights, thicknesses, and materials. Most people are very familiar with the popular poly blue tarps that can be found at most discount stores. These “blues” are at the low end of the quality spectrum and are not intended to last for very long or handle much stress or strain. At the same time, the blue ploys are inexpensive, convenient, and highly useful for temporary cover. If more than that is needed, there are several other varieties to choose from in the poly and vinyl categories.

Generally speaking, vinyl is stronger than poly, and more expensive. If you need something that won’t be likely to rip or tear, vinyl is a better choice. At the same time, there are plenty of times when inexpensive poly will do the job beautifully and for far less money. Understanding the various types of both poly and vinyl tarps that are available on the market today will help you to select the best product for your needs.

Poly White Tarp

The most common use for a white tarp is to provide long term protection for boats, cars, and RVs. They are also used in landscaping, roofing, to cover wood piles, and even skating rinks. Unlike the lightweight blue tarp, a white tarp is a heavy duty tarp designed to last longer and to withstand the effects of sun, wind, and rain. A white tarp is waterproof, mildew, rot, tear and acid resistant, and can handle below freezing temperatures. They are also UV treated for protection against sunlight and to ensure a longer life. A quality white tarp offers heat sealed edges and the hems are reinforced with rope. Corners are reinforced with a solid plastic bar, adding strength and stability. The material is 11-12 mils thick, making it durable and tear resistant.

Poly Silver Tarp

A silver tarp is another variety of heavy duty poly tarp. At 12 mils thick, they are highly rip resistant. They are also treated to be water, rot, and mildew resistant, and can be used in sub-zero temperatures. Silver tarps are frequently used for roofing, trailer and RV covers, woodpiles, and landscaping. Like the white tarp, a silver tarp offers UV protection and heat sealed seams reinforced with rope in the hems and rust resistant grommets.

Vinyl Clear Tarps

Vinyl clear tarps are an excellent choice for patio and porch enclosures, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors without getting wet. They can also turn your RV awning into an instant porch with a view. Unlike many others, clear tarpaulins come in both poly and vinyl material. Vinyl clear tarps are available in both 18 oz – 20 mil size and 27 oz – 30 mil size. This means that they feature 18 or 20 ounces of material per square yard and are 20 to 30 mil thick. This makes them some of the strongest tarps available on the market. Clear vinyl tarps are highly waterproof, tear resistant, as well as acid, oil, grease, and mildew resistant.

Poly Clear Tarps

Clear poly tarps are lighter and less expensive and provide less protection than their vinyl cousins. If you will be painting your home and want to protect the furniture or the shrubs, poly is an excellent choice. In those situations, you can save a lot of money be using poly instead of vinyl. In situations where strength and durability are important, vinyl will give you all the protection you need.

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Source by Chris A. Harmen

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All too often we tend to look at manufactured products today, and just assume that they were made using some type of complex machinery or, processes that are out of our reach. The truth is however, that quite often this just isn’t so, and clay roof tiles are a fine example.

No Gas Fired Kiln Required

Would you believe that you can make your own ceramic products just the same way that they have been made for centuries, and in fact you don’t even need a gas fired kiln. It’s the same way that bricks, and tiles are still being made to this day in wood stoked ovens in Mexico.

You Need to Locate a Cheap Source of Clay

The first thing you’re going to need, is a voluminous supply of good quality clay, and if you’re willing to look around in the area where you live, you’ll most likely locate a natural source somewhere. Just dig it up, load it in garbage bags, and lug it home in the back of a truck.

It Has to Be Worked Well Prior to Being Formed

The clay has to be worked well prior to being formed, and this is traditionally done with the feet in some type of large container or, containment area. To make the tiles it’s then rolled out on a table, using ¾ inch sticks on each side as guides to regulate the thickness.

After the sheet is rolled out, the next step is to use a plywood template to scribe out, and cut out the overall shape of the clay roof tiles you plan on making. If they are to be flat then stack them to dry flat. If they are to be curved then place them over a curved drying surface.

Use a Template to Cut Out the Clay Roof Tiles

After they have dried for several days the next step is to arrange them min piles in such a way that they are safe from breakage. After that dried firewood is arranged around the piles of tiles, being careful not to damage the unfired ceramic pieces.

Build a Brick Oven Around Your Product

Then the way they do it in Mexico, is they then build a kiln out of brick around, and above the tiles. So where do they get the brick? The answer is simple. They form them with molds out of the very same clay they make the tiles from. They then ignite the wood, and allow the clay roof tiles to fire.

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Source by Sandy Ferris

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If you spot an electric car on the street, it is nearly impossible to tell that the car is powered by an electric motor because EVs (electric vehicles) look exactly like a gasoline powered car. If you are an automobile enthusiast, you would probably know the EVs that are available in your country and this may help you to figure out a car is powered by an electric engine. The only other way to find an electric motor powered car is the excellent level of silence that an electric engine has!

The entire technological differences between an EV and gasoline powered car are kept under the hood; so you need to open the hood to know how they work. For those who have gasoline cars, their engine bay features so many boxes and pipes which look like a complicated plumbing work but with electric cars, this is definitely different and will look like some electrical work. The car will be using an electric motor to power its wheels and this engine will be different from a traditional gasoline powered engine.

The electric engine directly uses electricity and starts rotating, which means the power output is instantaneous and the maximum power can be enjoyed from the very beginning. However, these engines have a downside when it comes to climbing hills. This system will not provide adequate power for hilly surfaces and electric car makers all over the world are working hard on resolving this issue. Traditionally, electric engines were powered by normal car batteries that didn’t last longer. However, this issue has been resolved with modern car batteries that allow you to drive your eco-friendly vehicles for quite a long time.

The Working Principle

In an EV, there is an ac charger which will charge the battery unit. Once you start the engine, the power will be directly delivered from batteries to the car. Instead of a gasoline meter, an EV will have a volt meter that will show you the charge. If the volt meter shows a low charge warning, it means that you should recharge your car immediately. The EV motor do not have clutch as the motor has limited control over its power output. Instead of an accelerator, it is a potentiometer that allows you to increase or decrease the speed.

To make the air conditioner work, there will be an additional battery source and for heater, a water heater will be fixed in the engine bay. The power windows and other accessories also use the electric charge and replacements are made. The potentiometer used in an electric car is similar to a fan regulator and works based on the resistance principle. However, increasing or decreasing the speed can’t help you to achieve a higher or lower mileage as the power output as well as energy consumption will be the same.

This is how EVs work, which is a very straightforward principle. There is no doubt that electric cars can help you to save a lot of money that you used to spent on fuel.

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Source by Tobias K

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When parents travel with a small child, they always consider the safety of their precious bundle when they need to drive or travel. Baby seats have been designed so that the infant or child does not get hurt in case of an accident. But parents cannot carry the infant all the time especially when they are shopping or sight seeing. Thus the need for a stroller so that their hands can be free and both the parents and the child can be comfortable. But there are advantages and disadvantages in using a baby car seat stroller.

A baby car seat stroller or traveler is a combined baby car seat and baby stroller in one. This is handy for parents who don’t want to spend extra money on separate strollers and baby seats. The advantages of having a stroller is that when you will be driving you can remove the baby seat from the stroller and attach it to the seat of your vehicle, then stow the stroller in the trunk or back of your car. When you get to your destination, you can just re-attach the baby seat back to the stroller. Another advantage with the stroller is that the accessories have been tested for safety together with the car seat and the stroller.

One of the disadvantages of having a baby car seat stroller may be its size or bulkiness. Parents will already have to deal with the extra baggage containing the baby’s diapers and feeding bottles, so it may be a hassle having to deal with stowing away the bulky stroller. Many parents also do not consider getting a stroller, instead they get separate baby strollers and baby seats for their child. They can simply strap the baby seat in the stroller the same way a stroller is strapped. In terms of safety, what matters most is the baby seat when parents do travel or go out.

As with baby seats, one should check if there have been any product recalls for the baby car seat stroller. Parents should check this one out especially if they are using a used stroller. Parents also need to make sure that the car seat will fit the child and can be attached properly to the seat of their vehicle. No matter how trendy looking the stroller may look with its color coordination, it will not serve its’ purpose if the baby seat cover cannot be properly installed. The same precautionary measures should be used in considering a baby car seat stroller and a plain baby seat cover.

Another factor parents need to consider when they will get a baby car stroller when it comes to its’ bulkiness is how much more space is left when the stroller is stowed at the back of their vehicle. As with all baby strollers, parents need to check if the bulkiness of the stroller when stored will take up all the space in the trunk or back of their vehicles.

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Source by Paul Picher