Are You Secure?

By Drew Berner.
(Posted On Yahoo - http://ca.autos.yahoo.com/p/2194/canadas-most-frequestly-stolen-cars)
First, the good news: car thefts in Canada are on the decline. But the bad news is StatsCan latest numbers show over 108,000 vehicles were stolen in 2009 - obviously still a lot of cars.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) published its list of the top 10 most frequently stolen vehicles, a list that includes an equal number of older import brands and luxury SUVs. Often those vehicles, particularly high-value cars like the Hummer H2 and the Cadillac Escalade, are exported out of the country, which in years past would have meant they were gone forever. But the federal government's passage of Bill S-9 - a law that gives the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) increased authority to seize stolen cars meant for export - has helped stem the flow of contraband cars out of the country, particularly at ports in Montreal and Halifax. In fact, IBC reports it recovered $30.7 million dollars worth of vehicles, including the seizure of 600 automobiles meant for export.

Professional thieves likely target specific vehicles, and they aren't all newer models - if you think no one would want to steal your 11-year old Honda Civic, think again. Here are the top 10 most stolen vehicles in Canada:
1. 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
2. 1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door
3. 2002 Cadillac Escalade 4-door 4WD
4. 2004 Cadillac Escalade 4-door 4WD
5. 2005 Acura RSX Type S 2-door
6. 1997 Acura Integra 2-door
7. 2000 Audi S4 Quattro 4-door AWD
8. 2003 Hummer H2 4-door AWD
9. 2006 Acura RSX Type S 2-door
10. 2004 Hummer H2 4-door AWD

Bill S-9 is a step forward, but as long as people are careless with their vehicles, car thefts will continue to be a problem. According to the IBC, about 20 per cent of stolen vehicles had the keys in them - practically an invitation to even the most amateur thief. Anti-theft devices like alarms, GPS trackers and engine immobilizers are always recommended as a way to prevent theft, but a few simple steps can greatly reduce the chance that your car will be stolen.

- Make sure your windows are rolled all the way up, your doors are locked and you're carrying the key
- Keep your vehicle registration and insurance certificate with you, don't leave it in the car
- Keep valuables out of view - if you have to keep them in the car, lock them in the trunk
- Never leave your car unattended while it's running - you don't want to leave your car warming up in the winter and find it's gone when you return
- Try to park in busier, well-lit areas and close to other cars
- Park in a garage at home if you can, and make sure both the car doors and the garage door are locked

 

It's All About SOUND

Car Audio and Electronics (Car Audio Mag)

Car Audio and Electronics is the trusted source for expert car stereo reviews, advice, and more,
since 1988. Full list of JL Audio articles - http://caraudiomag.com/category/topics/jl%20audio/articles/

JL Audio Introduces XD500/3 - NEW 3-Ch Amp for Smaller Systems

Press Release
JL Audio's XD amplifiers set a new standard for compactness and world-class fidelity when they were introduced in 2010. Expanding this popular series further, JL Audio is now introducing the XD500/3, a three-channel, 500-watt amplifier designed to power a component speaker system plus a subwoofer system.

JL Audio's highly efficient NexD™ switching amplifier technology allows the XD500/3 to produce huge power from a very compact package. The main channels produce 150-200W total, giving high-quality component speakers plenty of clean power to work at their best, while the dedicated subwoofer channel can produce up to 300W of clean, low-frequency power.

"This is a perfect amplifier for powering simpler systems in pickup trucks, sports cars or any application with a single component system plus a subwoofer.", said JL Audio's VP-Marketing, Manville Smith. "Because of its tiny size, reasonable price and impressive efficiency, we expect that it will also become very popular for motorcycle and other Powersports applications."

Beneath the XD500/3's extruded aluminum control cover is a full complement of studio-grade signal processing features, including fully variable crossover filters (with variable slope on the subwoofer channel), two or four-channel input mode selection, assignable preamp output source and assignable remote level control modes. Noise-killing, highly flexible differential-balanced inputs are also present, as is JL Audio's Advanced Rollback Thermal Protection System to eliminate annoying thermal shutdown events. A marine version of the amplifier will also be available (M500/3).

SPECIFICATIONS:
Continuous Power Output @ 14.4V / 1% THD+N (RMS Method):
Main Channels: 75W x 2 @ 4 ohms / 100W x 2 @ 2 ohms
Subwoofer Channel: 180W @ 4 ohms / 240W @ 3 ohms / 300W @ 2 ohms
Dimensions: 8.52 in. x 7.09 in. x 2.05 in. (217 mm x 180 mm x 52 mm).
Net Weight: 4.8 lbs. (2.18 kg)

 

NEW Wheels!

For many people, your car is not only a useful form of transportation, it is something to be proud of, take care of and even a hobby. One of the most popular parts of the car to customize to improve looks and also performance are the wheels. Trends often dictate the size and make and right now it is 24 inch wheels which are the must have size for your automobile.

When you decide on the size you want, the next thing to do is pick out the style which will suit your car and your personality. There is a huge range of styles which widely vary in price. You can buy silver, red and black rims or have them sprayed in a color to suit you. For a quality street style look, matte black, gunmetal or grey rims are recommended.

You can choose how many spokes you want when looking at various different styles. Three, five, six, seven and eight spokes are very popular or you may choose to opt for full face rims. The type of metal can also be your choice, chrome and high polished looks are sought after if you are looking for a way to make your ride stand out.

The prices are determined by the coloring and metal which has been used. The way the wheel has been crafted is taken into account and can alter the price dramatically. You will find that forged wheels cost more money than cast wheels. And the multi-piece designs will cost more than single piece cast wheels as they require more specialist equipment to be used in the construction process.

The size that you choose can have an effect on your vehicles overall appearance and performance. If you decide to go ahead and purchase the twenty four inch, you can achieve better handling. This is simply down to the larger size which enables the tire to grip the road better and gives you much better traction as well as improved response control.

Further benefits which are related to the size are that you can get better acceleration and even cut down on your gas usage. With prices of gas continuing to raise, this is a very positive bonus to help save money in the running of your auto. The gas is reduced simply because your car is able to cover more ground in a single rotation getting you further at a quicker pace.

You can pick up wheels by visiting shops or by looking online. The Internet has many stores which can give you great deals. You can browse a wider selection and even have them custom made which can make shopping for your new purchase easier. The prices will vary greatly depending on design, how they are made and the different metals used. Steel will cost less than chrome and aluminum.
This 24 inch wheel size will give you a more attractive overall look for your automobile. Custom chrome rims also help get a more cost effective ride which has more control. This means that you and your tires are safer as you drive the roads, and you look good while you are doing it.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5799065

 

What is Your STYLE?

 

Car Styling

The rule that 'you get what you pay for' also apply to your styling auto projects. The more you spend - the more complete the transformation will be - with the ultimate aim of creating a truly unique car.
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If you purchased your car and you really like it but you want to infuse it with your personality and style you can. Aftermarket auto parts are a great way to customize the look and feel of your car. Depending on how much you want to do and how much money you want to spend, you can even improve the performance of your vehicle. You may find that the more you personalize your vehicle, the more you enjoy spending time in it! For many people their personalized vehicle is a true source of pride.
There are a lot of aftermarket auto parts that you can purchase to improve the look and feel of your vehicle. You can start with simple purchases such as new seats or even just new seat covers. If you want to be sure that you get all of the comfort and support that you can get, this is a great place to start. Many people who are serious about personalizing their vehicle actually buy racing seats or seats that will provide maximum comfort. Other people just like to buy fun seat covers that allow them to express themselves through their vehicle.

Another option is to personalize your vehicle with items such as new wheels. Wheels go a long way toward infusing your vehicle with style and class. If you currently have stock rims on your car you would be surprised how much different it looks with a nice pair of rims on it. While a new set of wheels will set you back more than fuzzy seat covers, it is generally considered a purchase that is well worth it!

Of course, there are other aftermarket auto parts that you may buy more for a performance boost than a boost in style and class. Performance auto parts are very popular and many people are using them to modify their vehicles to get better than average performance when going down the road or even going around the street racing track. There are a lot of items that can help to boost performance in a vehicle such as special intake systems, new drive shafts, upgraded exhaust systems, turbo chargers for engines, and so much more. There are a lot of great products to choose from if you want to improve the performance of your vehicle. You can spend a pretty penny on this type of aftermarket auto parts, but for die hard modifiers, it is worth it!

If you would like to improve the look and feel or even just the performance of your vehicle, there are a lot of great products out there that have been developed to help you do just that. You don't have to settle for stock anything, you can push the limits of your vehicle or expand them to achieve great things!

If you purchased your car and you really like it but you want to infuse it with your personality and style you can. Aftermarket auto parts are a great way to customize the look and feel of your car. Performance auto parts are very popular and many people are using them to modify their vehicles to get better than average performance.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1992914