Prundo Bear

An amazing rock formation in the shape of a teddy bear, called ‘prundo bear’ was discovered recently by the Prundo.com CEO Alka Gupta. This rock formation is in California and the exact location of this formation can be found by visiting the website www.prundo.com/bear. According to Alka Gupta, this rock formation will be a treat for the kids who will love the formation and would appreciate how close it resembles to a teddy bear. She has named this rock formation as ‘prundo bear’ after her company name.

Alka also added a caution regarding this rock formation.  As this amazing rock formation can be viewed from a high speed and high traffic road, she has cautioned all viewers to make sure that they follow all traffic rules and regulation and should be extremely careful about the traffic as it can lead to a serious accident. Therefore, please use caution when viewing this bear.

About Prundo: Prundo.com ( http://www.prundo.com), located in Irvine, California, is based on a patent-pending concept, to make auto repairs easier and cheaper for both, their customers and the auto repair shops. Customers can view and download money-saving coupons for brake, tire, oil change and over 30 other routine maintenance and auto repairs needs. Registration is free for all members

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Will the sale of a car be independent of its name? Will mini-cooper had the same sales, if its name was bunny? Maybe — or maybe not. At their core, cars are essentially appliances to get from one place to another. And yet, we want our cars to protect and project a certain image. As J Mays, Ford’s chief designer recently told Esquire, “Anybody can make a toaster toast. Very few people can make a toaster something you covet.”

A car’s name is part of how automakers make their cars worth coveting. Get it just right, and the car’s image can be projected in a single word. Get it wrong, and the car can become the butt of jokes and a sales nightmare.

Naming car also brings in another challenge of not offending the customers. An imaginary and meaningless name may mean something offending in another language!

Therefore car companies like to play safe and use a few letters and numbers that have less of a risk of offending consumers. According to Forbes, with number/letter names part of the goal is for owners and buyers to “think and talk of the brand, and not the nameplate.” That works well for automakers with focused lineups.

Of course, that doesn’t mean there aren’t trends in the letter names. Odds are, if there’s an X in the name, you’re looking at a crossover or SUV (Lincoln MKX, Volvo XC90, Infiniti EX, BMW X3), though there are a few exceptions — like the Jaguar XF and Acura TSX.

Tacking a few numbers onto a car’s name not only helps it sound cool, it can tell savvy shoppers exactly what the car is packing. The Infiniti QX56 gets the “56″ from its 5.6-liter engine and the Infiniti G37 has a 3.7-liter engine. However, the pattern doesn’t always hold. While the BMW 3-Series has 3.0-liter engines across the line, so does the BMW 1-Series. And while we’d love to see what a giant engine could do in the BMW 7-Series, that model only has a 4.4-liter V8, not 7.0 liters.

Car makers also dig through several foreign language dictionaries to come up with a name which is cool and also reflect its character.

The Porsche Carrera means “race” in Spanish — a fitting and flashy name for a hot-performing luxury car. The Hyundai Tiburon got its name from the Spanish word for “shark,” giving the entry-level sports coupe a dash of mystique and animal magnetism. Prius is Latin for “to go before,” perfect for a car that Toyota hoped would change the automotive landscape.

Of course, the problem with using foreign words and phrases is that they may not work in all markets. For example, the Buick LaCrosse may give Americans an image of European refinement, but LaCrosse is slang among French Canadian teenagers for a certain private act. Ever hear of the Mitsubishi Pajero? Probably not. In the U.S. and Latin America, it’s known as the Montero — because Pajero is Spanish slang for a man who engages in that private act that French Canadian teenagers call “LaCrosse.”

Another very popular option and avenue used by car companies is to use animal names with strong personalities.  Examples are Mercury Cougar, Ford Mustang, Chevy Impala and Dodge Ram. The Ram takes its theme even further; while a Ram is simply an uncastrated male sheep, Dodge offers its Ram truck in a Bighorn edition, which is a larger mountain sheep species.

So, car makers have tried-and-true naming conventions, but how do they finally christen a car? They let consumers decide. Before a name hits the market, automakers go through rounds of testing where focus groups react to possible names. Some carmakers are even more democratic. For the Tiguan, VW let readers of Germany’s Auto Bild magazine vote on the name — and 350,000 did, selecting Tiguan over names like Nanuk and Rockton.

For most cars, the naming process can be pretty boring. According to Beverly Braga, a Product Public Relations Manager with Kia, the process for choosing the name for the Kia Borrego was pretty straightforward. “Although there is a loose connection to the Anza Borrego Desert in Southern California,” Braga says, choosing the name came down to two factors: “What vehicle names were not already trademarked?” and “What names were received well in focus groups?”

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2010 did not bring any excitement with respect to new cars or any new features. Most of the new 2010 cars have same issues as their predecessors: not enough power, poor fuel economy and questionable reliability.

After going through several websites and compiling their recommendations, following is the list of cars you can buy and you can avoid:

2010s You Should Buy

Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Pros:

1.   provides real rear-wheel-drive sports performance for a fraction of the price.

2.   Shoppers can choose between a 210-horsepower turbo I4 engine and a 306-horsepower V6.

3.   Features a sleek exterior design, an accommodating four-passenger cabin and good scores in federal government crash tests.

MSRP: $22,000 – $31,000

Ford Transit Connect

Pros:

1.   This workman’s van provides a whopping 135 cubic feet of cargo space.

2.   Impressive city/highway fuel economy of 22/25 mpg, and loads of business-friendly features.

3.   In-car computer system that uses 2G and 3G networks to access records and track fleet activity.

4.   Was recently voted North American Truck of the Year.

MSRP: $20,780 – $22,350

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Pros:

1.   It provides sportier handling dynamics, an elegant exterior design, a lavish cabin and an old-world feel that few luxury large cars can match.

2.   Features revolutionary safety systems like Attention Assist, which utilizes behavioral detection technology to alarm drowsy drivers — and comes standard.

3.   The new E-Class is cheaper than last year’s model.

MSRP: $48,600 – $58,800

GMC Terrain

Pros:

1.   Provides a bolder exterior design and loads of snazzy yet practical interior features.

2.   Standard rearview camera

3.   iPod interface and a sliding rear seat.

4.   Excellent fuel economy and even leads its class with a highway fuel economy rating of 32 mpg.

MSRP: $24,250 – $31,000

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon

Pros:

1.   Available with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drivetrains.

2.   It also features a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, which is the longest in its class.

MSRP: $39,830 – $53,620

2010s You Should Think Twice Before Buying

Honda Accord Crosstour

Cons:

1.   Commands an expensive price tag.

2.   Only 25.7 to 51.3 cubic feet of cargo space, it doesn’t provide much utility.

3.   Odd exterior styling.

MSRP: $29,670 – $36,220

Dodge Caliber

Cons:

1.   Subpar interior materials

2.   Underpowered engine options and sloppy handling.

3.   No longer offers a lifetime powertrain warranty.

MSRP: $17,090 – $20,925

Lexus HS Hybrid

Cons:

1.   While its combined 35 mpg fuel economy is great for an entry-level luxury car, it’s nowhere near as impressive as the 50-mpg Prius.

2.   HS has also been included in a global safety recall, along with the Prius, due to a defect with the cars’ braking systems.

MSRP: $34,200 – $36,970

Chrysler Sebring

Cons:

1.   Lower trim engine options are underpowered.

2.   Its strongest engine features dismal fuel economy.

3.   Low-quality materials and not much cargo room.

4.   No longer offering a lifetime powertrain warranty.

MSRP: $22,115 – $34,705

Land Rover LR4

Cons:

1.   Lackluster city/highway fuel economy (12/17 mpg),

2.   Poor reputation for reliability and high sticker price significantly detract from its overall value.

MSRP: $47,250 – $47,250

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I was reading the latest issue of Car and Driver, and was very much interested by their article on how to avoid blind spots. I am providing a summary of the article for the benefit of all of our readers.

Lots of interested has been generated to come up with a good system, which can avoid blind spots. Several companies have very high tech products which claim to eliminate or minimize these blind spots. These systems are either very expensive or are not versatile enough so that they can be used in all vehicles.

Society of Automotive engineers -SAE published a paper in 1995 providing recommendations on how the side mirror should be adjusted to eliminate the blind spots. According to the paper, the mirror should be adjusted so far outward that the viewing angle of the side mirrors just overlaps that of the car’s rear view mirror. Although this may take some to adjust to and in many cases may be disorienting for drivers who are used to see portion of their car in the side mirrors. But if this advice is followed, the mirrors negate car’s blind spots. The greatest advantage is no more glancing over your shoulder to check any incoming car for safe lane changes. Also you can save lots of money by not spending on complex and very expensive systems.

Picture courtsey: Car and Driver Magazine

Disclaimer: We are providing the above information from a published document for your information only. Please use your judgment before you follow the above recommendations. We will not be liable for any injuries or accident which may occur due to the above information.

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It is important to understand the industry definition for commonly used words in an invoice or an estimate:

Aftermarket Parts: parts that are not made by or for the manufacturer.

MSRP: retail price

OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer. Manufacturer approved parts designed specifically for your vehicle.

Flat Fees: services such as alignments that do not get into parts, tax, labor disaggregated

Miscellaneous Charges: these can include, but are not limited to shop supplies – rags, chemicals, hazardous waste disposal fees, waste oil, etc. …

Labor costs: Repairs Shop hourly fee service your vehicle

Established labor time: the time or hour, it will be correct in your vehicle

Labor Description: The Step-by-step written details of repairs and / or services

TSB: Technical Service Bulletins. Information and instructions of the manufacturer for known and specific concerns provided they (can not remember) himself.

Now let us look at the information which is required or provided in an estimate

There are six basic components to a car repair estimate

1) Customer / Vehicle Information

2) Parts

3) Labor Charges

4) Miscellaneous Charges

5) Apartment Fees

6) Summary of charges

Customer and vehicle information
This is quite simple. Basically the top portion contains your personal data and characteristics of your vehicle: year, make, model, mileage … etc, as well as your request or concern.

Car Parts
Parts are listed usually with a short description and the quantity and price. There are three types of parts: OEM (parts by or on behalf of a manufacturer). These are the parts installed by a dealer, although many local shops use OEM parts.

Aftermarket parts are non-OEM parts, and there are different degrees of quality, depending on the brand and where they’re made – China against the United States, for example.

Then they used parts purchased from a salvage Yard.

To determine if you are paying too much for the parts, first find out, what kinds of parts are used? With OEM parts, you do not want to pay more than MSRP, although most people do without realizing it. Premium aftermarket parts are also from the best brands, but do not cost more than MSRP and should be lower than OEM parts. Used Parts prices are all over the place, so choose the prices in the middle.

Auto Repair Labor

The work is set in tenths of a bill. So 1.0 equals 1Hour. 1.5 corresponds to an hour and a half.
Labor costs of $ 60 to $ 100 per hour at local repair shops and $ 80 to $ 140 per hour at the dealer level. Labor hours are dependent on the established industry guidelines, which are often misused.

When you see the shop labor rate posted on the car repair invoice, ask your service center for the speed. Workshops are able to manipulate the labor rate (among others) with a labor matrix. Matrix quantities are a complex and ethically questionable practice. What you need to know if you paid as high as $ 150 per hour, rather than the posted labor rate of $ 105 per hour due to ‘low’ speed of repair.

You may want to multiply the number of hours billed (which is also often not posted) by the work of the workshop rate to determine whether you have been charged accordingly.

Most of the work descriptions are poorly written and difficult to understand. To ask questions.

Here is a “clear” job description is for a 30,000 mile-service on a Toyota Camry.

Performed 30,000 miles on customer service and in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. Changed oil and filter change, installed new air filter, cabin filter and performed all necessary checks, controls and procedures, including the road test (miles 30,123 – 30,125). Performed lubrication services and confirmed proper operation of the vehicle. Set tire pressure, and checked fluids, belts and hoses. Note: car pulls slightly to the left. Needs Alignment

Miscellaneous Charges

These costs may include, but are not limited to, shop supplies – rags, chemicals, hazardous waste disposal fees, waste oil, etc. … The latter can be charged separately in a summary at the end of your repair bill.

Flat Fees

Flat Fees can be another area very difficult. Flat Fees are services such as an orientation, not to get broken down into parts, tax and labor reform. This makes it difficult to identify the real and fair price. On the positive side, most flat fees are competitively priced.

Be warned, however, another term for Flat Fee is called Menu Selling. In other words, you might see Tune Up: $ 99.99 or Transmission Flush: $ 89.99. You need to confirm that the shop will actually provide the service based on the car manufacturer recommendation and not their own menu.

Summary of charges

The last part of an automatic repair estimate is the summary of the facts. It is found usually in the lower right corner of the invoice. Check against the fees to ensure that it all adds up mathematically, as well logically.

We hope that by following above steps, you wil be able to get an estimate which is realistic and more accurate!

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Here are a few pictures borrowed from yahoo website. Enjoy and leave your comments!

Very Good Looking

Excellent

Elegant

Mermaid?

Modern

Science Class Model?

Victoria Secret Paid Her!

Nothing New or Exciting

We have seen this before

At Least She tried

Normal. Nothing exciting

This is innovative and elegant

Just Ok

Another Mermaid?

Not Bad

Looks like a School Girl

Always Elegant

From Mermaid to Sprinklers?

Too Much Leather

One more Mermaid. How many do we have?

Buy one get two free!

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Prundo.com announced today that it will donate to Haiti relief fund for every new registration. People can now help the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti, by registering for free with www.prundo.com and also save money on all auto repairs by downloading free coupons for services like oil change, brakes, tires and over 30 other auto and car services.

Prundo.com CEO Alka Gupta said “At this time of crisis everyone should make an effort to help the victims of Haiti. This is the time when every one needs to come together and work for the common goal of saving lives and helping people in distress”. She also added, “Prundo takes its social responsibility very seriously and would like to contribute to the Haiti relief fund for every new registration starting today”.

This is the easiest way to donate for the people of Haiti and also save money on auto repairs at the same time said Gupta.

Register now and Save lives!

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Saving on Auto insurance is really very S.I.M.P.L.E

Shop Around:

By comparison shopping for auto insurance you can save over 20%. However, this process requires caution. Before you switch, consider the cost of losing any loyalty or good-driver discounts you’ve earned. . If you’re serious about switching, first look into the insurer’s consumer complaint record, which you can do at your state’s department of insurance via the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website. Also be aware that getting a full-fledged quote for coverage may appear on your credit record and your insurance record. If you decide to shop around and want to compare the majors with some locals, go to the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America website or InsWeb.com to find someone local to give you a quote

Increase your deductible:

Higher deductible means lower premium: This is a simple equation. Deductible and premium goes in opposite directions. The more deductible you have, the less premium you will pay. If your current deductible less than $500, you’re probably paying a premium for your coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Simply increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce the cost of collision and comprehensive coverage by 15% to 30%. How does that translate into actual dollars-and-cents savings? Well, with the average annual premium around $820, that one move could put $123 to $246 back in your pocket. Increase your deductible to $1,000, and we’re talking 40% or more in savings on your premium, or $328-plus.

Remember, the higher your deductible, the more money you will pay out-of-pocket before your coverage will kick in. The cleaner your record, the better your rates.

Multiple Insurance with the same company:

Combining your auto and homeowners coverage with the same company can save you anywhere between 5-25%. Many insurers will give you a break if you buy two or more types of insurance. You may also get a reduction if you have more than one vehicle insured with the same company. Some insurers reduce the rates for long-time customers. But it still makes sense to shop around! You may save money buying from different insurance companies, compared with a multipolicy discount.

Professional group memberships can save money too!

GEICO unit gives discounts to members of a number of organizations and associations — including Berkshire shareholders. Alumni associations and other groups often negotiate better rates for members by delivering volume business. So inquire.

Less Driving means Less Auto Premium

According to a SmartMoney survey of major auto insurers, driving fewer than 7,500 miles annually can earn you discounts of 10% to 34% on your premium. Customers whose one-way commute clocks in at less than 10 miles may be eligible for an additional 5% discount at some insurers. Insurers require different levels of proof, ranging from a simple phone call letting them know you’re spending less time behind the wheel to using an electronic mileage/speed diagnostic device.

Every little bit helps: A 10% discount means $82 off the average annual cost of coverage.

Even more savings

According to the Insurance Information Institute, you can save even more from any one or combination of following!!

• Insuring more than one car.
• No accidents in three years.
• No moving violations in three years.
• Drivers over 50-55 years of age.
• Taking a driver training course.
• Taking a defensive driving course (see “More ways to save” below for details).
• Having a car with an antitheft device.
• Having a car with safety features such as air bags, antilock brakes or daytime running lights.
• Being a student with good grades.
• Combining your auto and homeowners coverage with the same company.
• Having college students away from home.
• Being a longtime customer.

The list may seem long, but the savings can stack up significantly. For example, combining your homeowners and auto coverage is often worth a 10% to 20% discount. Young drivers who are students acing their classes could get a 25% break.

By using above tips you can save a ton on Auto and Car insurance!

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Well it is not that easy to maintain a car like new. However, you can do a reasonably good job in protecting its paint and shine by regularly taking care of its exterior.

European coach builders were the first that applied coatings of animal fats and wax to protect the custom paintwork on their horse drawn carriages. This tradition has endured over 100 years and is still the best way to protect the paintwork on modern-day coaches. Regardless of how fine the finish is now, it will deteriorate and dull. Radiation and ultraviolet energy, acid rain, salt, atmospheric pollution, insect fluids, and bird droppings wage a constant war on your car’s finish.

Waxing provides an easily renewable, transparent barrier between the finish and a hostile environment. Quality waxes now combine enriching oils that “wet” the surface with Carnauba Wax and/or modern polymers for a high gloss shine.

How to select wax?

Waxes can be made from a natural wax, usually Brazilian Carnauba, or synthetically made with polymers and acrylic resins. In choosing a wax, here are some points to consider:

Carnauba Waxes

Positives:

• Carnauba car waxes tend to produce a deeper, darker, richer shine that is often described as “three-dimensional”.
• Carnauba waxes bead water nicely
• Absorb the acid content in rain and
• Hide minor swirls in the paint.

Minuses:

• Carnauba waxes are not as durable as synthetic waxes. Depending on your climate, they typically last 90 days.
• Some carnauba waxes are a little harder to apply and buff off.
• Carnauba waxes can be temperamental, sometimes “streaking” under certain temperature conditions.

Synthetic Waxes

Positives:

• Made from modern polymers and acrylic resins, synthetic waxes offer maximum durability and ease of application.
• Synthetic waxes can last six to nine months or longer and typically wipe on and buff off with very little effort.
• These waxes, sometimes called sealants, create a very bright shine and are resistant to clouding and streaking.

Minuses:

• Synthetic waxes lack depth and richness. Black cars can look a sterile silvery-white in direct sunlight.
• Mirror-like polymers can collect in minor swirls and actually highlight paint flaws.

Proper Waxing Tips

Once you’ve selected a wax, here are some tips to make waxing easier:

1. Always work in a shaded area. Elevated paint temperatures cause waxes to dry too quickly. this may cause hazing or streaking.

2. Apply waxes using as thin a coating as possible.

3. Remove wax and buff using clean, dry terry towels.

Tightly woven material (like diapers) can trap particles between itself and the paint and cause fine scratches. New microfiber towels like the Magic Towel work unbelievably well as a final wipe towel. Keep one Magic Towel just for use as a final wipe towel.

4. If you have difficulty buffing the wax to a uniform shine, switch to a clean wipe towel.

5. Hazing, streaking, and uneven gloss can result from using too much wax or waxing a surface that’s too hot. If the gloss is uneven, mist the waxed surface with distilled water and re-wipe with a fresh towel. (A spray bottle with distilled water and 1/2 teaspoon of Isopropyl alcohol is a great solution for removing problem streaks and cloudy patches.) Simply mist the surface with one of these products and wipe with a clean towel.

Show-Car Trick

Detailers that prepare show cars will often layer a carnauba wax on top of a synthetic wax. The synthetic wax acts as a gloss layer while the carnauba wax adds depth and liquidity.

Try these steps and you will have a great looking car!

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