by: Matthew C. Keegan

Driving down the street with the setting sun at his back, Bob Cummins navigated around parked cars and fire hydrants to find the right place to park. It just wasn’t something that was easy to do – finding a vacant spot – on his narrow, winding suburban street. Wedged between two business districts, Bob’s block was frequently filled with cars from outside the area, taking away from the already limited on street parking. While he knew he could simply pull into his own driveway and park, he also knew that he’d have to move vehicles around later when his wife, Susan, returned home with the kids.

Glancing out of his right mirror he noticed it and slammed on his breaks. A car pulled out of a spot down the street behind him and its driver pulled into a nearby driveway and exited the car. Bob slowly backed up halfway down the block and slipped his Volvo XC90 into the empty spot. A little tight, he thought, as he left just enough room between the driveway in front of him and the car behind him for his SUV. Within moments Bob left the comfort of his Volvo and stepped inside the foyer of his center hall colonial.

Less than ten minutes later the sounds of sirens filled the neighborhood. At first, Bob did not give it much thought, but as the sirens drew closer he decided to step outside to investigate. To his utter horror, a car just two houses down from his home was engulfed in flames. Within moments his worst fears were confirmed: his new Volvo XC90 was on fire! Minutes later the fire was extinguished but Bob's SUV was destroyed.

An important part of your vehicle’s emission system is the catalytic converter. It is tasked with reducing harmful emissions that pollute the atmosphere and it has been a part of nearly every passenger vehicle built since the mid 1970s. Unfortunately, the catalytic converter can also run very hot and, at the same time, spark ignition of anything that it comes into contact with. In Bob’s case, it was his 2005 Volvo that was parked directly over a small leaf pile that started the fire that destroyed his XC90.

When parking your vehicle, take care to make sure that no debris is on the ground directly underneath your car. Even a small pile of dried out leaves can be just enough fodder for a fire. In the case of a high profile vehicle, such as the XC90, the clearance between the bottom of your vehicle and the ground is higher, meaning you many not notice anything underneath when backing into an empty parking space.

Hundreds of vehicle fires every year are attributed to motorists who park their cars over leaves; unfortunately this practice almost always results in the total loss of the vehicle due to excessive fire damage.

Play it safe when parking your car, truck, van, or SUV by examining the area underneath it to make sure that is completely free of all debris.

About The Author


Matthew C. Keegan

Copyright 2005 -- Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for Auto Parts Canada: http://www.autopartsonlinecanada.com , a wholesaler of fine Volvo parts and Volvo accessories: [ http://www.autopartsonlinecanada.com/make/volvo.html ] for your Volvo vehicle.



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by: James Williams




There's nothing quite like that "new car smell", but chances are, time has caused your vehicle to smell like a combination of tennis shoes, tobacco and wet dog. There's no magic potion to regain the original luster of your car's interior, but with a little elbow grease and detailing, you can breath new life, and a fresher scent, into tired upholstery.

Automotive upholstery comes in a variety of materials and fabrics including vinyl, leather, cloth and velour. Maintaining the durability and cleanliness of automotive upholstery can be quite expensive, as many upholstery professionals charge expensive rates to remove the smallest stain. Fortunately, there are a number of inexpensive tricks that you can do to clean up the kind of minor accidents you'll encounter during your daily drive.

These automotive upholstery care tips can involve the use of common household products that are easy to use and readily available. However, you must keep in mind that major stains or marks might require the assistance of a professional automotive upholstery service to avoid further damage caused by improper treatment.

* Cleaning Automotive Upholstery

Common automotive upholstery, like many fabrics, can be easily cleaned. Eliminate all surface dust using a small vacuum, and then use a crevice tool for detailing between small cracks and spaces in the upholstery. Leather and vinyl upholstery must be cleaned using a suitable cleaning solution with protector. This added protection helps to maintain a pliable leather surface, and prolongs its beautiful appearance.

* Spills

It's bound to happen to any commuter: you hit the tiniest bump or hit the brakes, and you've got a spill on your upholstery. When it happens, try to soak up as much of the liquid from the surface of the upholstery as you can, as quickly as possible. On cloth or velour seats, use a cotton rag or wads of paper towels to soak up the liquid. You'll need to apply heavy pressure to get as much of the liquid as possible from the upholstery.

* Heavy Stains

Heavy stains can give you a heavy heart, but don't be too quick to bring out stain removing chemicals that can damage upholstery. For most colored stains on automotive upholstery, especially noticeable ones, try dabbing the affected area with a baby wipe. If that does not lift the stain, try pre-treating the spot with a little soda water.

* Odor Removal

Aside from obvious sources like spilled beverages, automotive upholstery can easily pick up odors that circulate throughout the rest of the vehicle. After a while, the scent of the upholstery itself can be quite overwhelming, even after the odorous perpetrator has long since vanished. Cigarettes, drive-thru fast food bags and even innocent cups of coffee will all leave a lasting impression. In most cases, deodorizing sprays can clear the air. Make sure that the windows are open when you spray, to let harmful fumes escape. If your stinky culprit is cigarette smoke, more drastic measures can be in order to drive the odor away. Try to snuff out the smoke smell by shampooing the carpet with a quality commercial product. If the smell persists, you'll need to seek professional help.

* Leather Upholstery Care

There is nothing more luxurious than a car with leather seats. Automotive leather is the pinnacle of upholstery options, but can also be the hardest to maintain. If your automobile is clad in leather, you've already made quite an investment, and you know that it requires meticulous care. Most leather interiors undergo more wear and tear than fine leather furniture, and require the same degree of care. As with any type of leather, automotive leather upholstery reacts unfavorably to extreme temperatures. Premature deterioration, cracked surfaces and a dull appearance can be caused by severe hot and cold, water and excess dryness.

* Spills on Leather

Unlike fabric seats, sudden spills on leather upholstery can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth. Leather upholstery must be maintained with protectant. Purchase protectant specially developed for leather automotive upholstery, and apply it regularly to preserve the supple feel and natural moisture of the leather. Your beautiful leather seats can easily become a sticky, grubby mess. Avoid build-up by wiping away surface residue and dust on a regular basis.

Automobiles are big investments, and maintaining your car will help retain its value. With proper automotive upholstery care, you'll be able to keep your automobile looking--and smelling--just like a new car.


About The Author
James Williams contributes to several web sites, including http://rukar.com/ and http://yuzie.com.




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Labels: automotive, car engine, car performance, used car