Category: Car

Car Seat Groups And Stages Explained

Which car seat is right for your baby or child at each stage of development can be confusing. There are four stages ( 1-4) that correspond to four groups (0-3). Your child will move through these stages (or groups) as they grow. Each is designed to suit a specific weight for child and position in the car. Many of these convert to work within several groups, so you don’t necessarily have to buy a new seat every time your child out grows a stage. When possible car seats should be always used in the rear where they are safest. NEVER place a child in a car seat in a front seat where there is an airbag.

Stage One:

group 0 and 0+

Group 0 seats are suitable for infants up to 10 Kg (22 lbs) which is typically around age 6 – 9 months.

Group 0+ is the same as group 0 but is suitable for a bit more weight so may last few month longer. The age and weight recommendations for this group are 13Kg (29 lbs) which is typically to the age of 12 – 15 months.

Both groups are suitable from birth.

These are rear facing seats. It is advised that they be used in a rear seat whenever possible. While it maybe hard to hear your baby cry and not be able to reach over to them in the front, the safest placement really is in the back.

An infant should only be moved to a group 1 seat when they have either exceeded the weight limit or the top of their head is above the back of the seat.

Stage 2:

group 0

Group 1 seats are suitable for children 9 – 18 Kg (20-40lbs) which is typically between the ages of 9 months up to 4 years old. So, choose wisely, this seat could be with you for a while.

These are forward facing seats. It is, however, still recommended that they be used in the rear seat whenever possible and NEVER in the front seat if there is an airbag.

Harnesses should always be checked and adjusted with growth to insure that the child can not slip out of the seat either through the legs or arms.

As with the group 0 and 0+ seats, a child should only be moved to the next stage when they have either exceeded the weight limit or the top of their head is above the back of the seat.

Stage 3 and 4:

group 2 and 3

These are grouped together because adjustments can be made to a group 2 seat to make it suitable for stage 4.

Group 2 seats are designed for children between 15 – 25 Kg (33 – 55 lbs) or approximately 4 to 6 years.

Group 3 seat are designed for children from 22 – 36 Kg (48 – 79 lbs) or approximately 6 to 11 years.

These seats are boosters seats. They are grouped together because group 2 seats can be converted to use when a group 3 seat is necessary. In many cases the back can be removed from the booster seat moving it from a group 2 to a group 3.

Boosters seats do not have a harness system. Instead they are designed for use with adult seat belts. When properly fitting the diagonal part of the seat belt should be across the chest and NOT across the neck.

Once again, as with all stages of car seats, a child should only be moved to the next stage when they have either exceeded the weight limit or the top of their head is above the back of the seat and it is always recommended that any car seat be used in the rear seat whenever possible and NEVER in the front seat if there is an airbag.

Why Do We Care For Our Car More Than Our Health

In a perfect world, your weight and your body’s fat percentage could be controlled simply and easily by monitoring the calories you consume and the calories you burn. Consume more than you burn and you gain weight and increase your fat. Burn more than you consume, and the fat disappears and the weight comes off.

But your body is a machine, just like a car is a machine (well almost, there may be a couple of small differences). In a perfect world, you could put gas in your car and it would perform perfectly. Since most of us understand cars better than we do our own bodies, let’s consider the following parameters:

– would your car work the same whether you put 85 octane gas in or 95 octane gas? – what if your spark plugs were dirty and your fuel filter and carburetors clogged? – what if your car had super dirty oil, no oil, or a clogged oil filter?

Just imagine you inherited a half million dollar Rolls Royce. Would skimp on cheap gas an oil changes with this vehicle? Or would you baby it, take care of it, and do whatever you can to ensure it keeps its value and lasts for a very long time?

We can ask the same questions about your body:

– would your body work the same whether you ate low nutrition density calories or high nutrition density calories? – what if your body were lacking the necessary antioxidants, botanicals, vitamins, minerals and trace elements needed for efficient and maximal oxygen transport, nerve transmission, muscular contraction and metabolism? – what if your kidneys, liver and lymphatic system were clogged?

Now ask yourself this: What has more value to you, your body and your health or your car (even if it is a Rolls Royce)?

I think we all know that we can get a new car, put cheap gas in it and it’ll run fine-. for a while.

But what happens with that car if we never change the oil and filters or take it in for a tune up? I think we all know that sooner or later we’re in for trouble and a large bill from the mechanic!

We all know that we have to brush our teeth, wash our hair, and clean our skin, usually on at least a daily basis- But why do most of think we can eat poor quality food and ingest toxins day after day, month after month and year after year, and still have our bodies (our machine) function at maximum efficiency?

Just like a car, when our bodies are stressed and not working as well as they should, the solution isn’t just a matter of filling the tank with some high test gasoline or following a week long -secret diet- solution.

Every time we get in the car we should ensure we have enough gas, the fuel and oil filters are clear, the spark plugs are clean and producing a good spark, and the oil is circulating and keeping everything sufficiently lubed. Just to make this metaphor even clearer, how far are you going to get if you buy a brand new car, but when you try and drive it off the lot you learn that this new car doesn’t come with a battery! A car may be comprised of 1000 pieces. 999 of those pieces may be brand new, but how functional is that car if it is missing just that one piece?

This is the same with our diet. Certainly we need proper, high quality macronutrient nutrition (protein, carbohydrates, and fats). But we also need to ensure our systems of cleansed of toxins and we also have a sufficient level of vitamins, minerals and trace elements to ensure our bodies can make the best use of that nutrition. And just like we need every piece of that car if we expect it to work, we also need every building block of the human body to be in brand new condition if we want our bodies to perform at their maximum capacity.

Monique LaFleche To compare and contrast today’s top 25 diets side by side, check out our free e-book WHY DIETS FAIL

Classic Car Restoration Hobby To Career

Classic car restoration can be both a satisfying hobby and a lucrative career. In fact, the lucrative career usually starts out as the satisfying hobby. Such was the case with me. Car restoration to me was like a kid working on model cars at the table. Only my table was a garage floor, and my model would actually squeal tires when Ifinished. I have been building and rebuilding classic cars for 37 years now, and I have picked up some experience and lessons learned that I would like to pass on to you.

The first thing you need to determine is your budget. How much can you afford? Unless you are very rich, you probably shouldn’t shoot for history making classics. Model T’s and such are most likely not in your grasp. Realize though, that some of the cars that weren’t the hottest model on the streets in the 60’s really turn heads today when you roll by a crowd in the gleaming relic. One thing that will help you keep cost down is to find a car that is in already decent shape. The less abused, the easier and less expensive it should be to restore (not to mention the saved labor time).

You will also need to decide what type of car you are after. In this day and age of mini compact fuel efficient cars, muscle cars seem to be making a real comeback among collectors.

Then you will need to decide whether you want to go for a true classic car restoration; using all original parts, or a custom updated version of the classic. True classic generally will take alot more time and money. Tracking down the parts you want can be very difficult, though the internet has made a profound difference in the ability to locate parts. Specialty auto parts websites, internet auction websites and junkyards are all great places to find what you need. There is very little room for creativity in true classic, as your aim is to reproduce what used to be. In custom car restoration, there is plenty of room for expression and creativity. It is generally less expensive, but will also sell for less (much less) than a true classic. It is, however, very fun to put your own spin on a classic. Plus, with the right flare and twist, you can sell customs very quickly and easily.

Whatever route you take, I know that you will find classic car restoration to be a satisfying hobby and/or career. Always respect the vehicle, and above all, have fun!

Mississippi Car Salvage Laws

Auto salvage laws were implemented as a measure against the operation of unsafe vehicles on the roadways and Mississippi car salvage laws are no different. Before you are able to drive a recycled car in Mississippi, you are required to make sure that you meet the requirements for inspection and insurance, which are set by the Department of Public Safety. Whether you are the owner of just one salvage car or you sell recycled cars for a living, you must ensure that these requirements are met, since failure to comply with the laws can result in penalties or fines being imposed. Below are a few of the requirements:

Salvage Title

All trucks and cars operated in the state of Mississippi should have a title under code 162 of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS). You can visit the nearest DPS office in order to get a title for your salvaged car and will be asked to provide your address, name and the identification number of the vehicle that is provided on the salvage title application. Additionally, be sure to provide information relating to the type of damage the car suffered.

Motor Vehicle Inspection

Section 63-1309 of Code 162 requires that salvage cars must be inspected at any authorized auto inspection service station in Mississippi before the car is allowed on the states roads. Ensure you take proof that the car has been repaired when you go to have the car inspected as well as photos of the car before the repair was done. Remember, your inspection has to be done within the district you reside so make your appointments accordingly.

Flood/Hail Damage

Mississippis Salvage Inspection Unit has a Bureau of Investigation, which asks that insurance companies make contact with the DPS before they take over the ownership of any car declared salvage. In addition, insurance companies are also required to title the salvage car in the companys name beforehand. Four photos showing the state of the car before repair is also required in this case. The title for cars suffering flood damage will be marked Flood Brand but for those with hail damage, the title will remain unmarked.

Selling the Car

The DPS Bureau of Investigations require that you inform the buyer that the purchase is a salvage car as this will stay a permanent part of the cars title history. This requirement will apply regardless of how the vehicle was damaged.

The Options Of Car Stereo Systems Available In The Market Today

Car stereo systems are the most important components of any car audio. In the recent days, more and more people are realizing that a car stereo system is not good enough when it does not please your liking. With many upgrades from the first car stereo system in 1930, the options available to choose from today are amazing. You might have a system that is flat and without an extra spark that can pull you into the pleasures of good music. You are probably used to having a system that does not even do a job good enough decorating your car. New age car stereo systems have been designed to ensure that dull reception of audio is a thing of the past. You therefore need to think seriously about what you need to do to upgrade your system.

If you need to improve your sound, speakers are stocked in varieties. They are affordable and usually upgraded every now and then. Just by replacing them, you will improve the sound of your car stereo system drastically. If you use broken speakers, you definitely need replacements. Your system may be perfectly in the right functioning capacity and your replacements will enhance the sounds. If you want to improve on the quality of your sound with increased volumes, you need to get amplifiers. They make sure sound is delivered without being distorted on high volumes. They are widely available and affordable. Amplifiers come in many ranges and they are there for your asking and convenience.

Vibration damping materials make sure your noise levels do not get out of control. You can view some of the noise reducers on sites that have the information. They are affordable and will go a long way in ensuring your interior sounds are controlled. Subwoofers come in handy to make sure you feel the beat. They work to enhance sounds and produce great bass balances that will leave you asking for more music. They can be mounted under seats and in your cargo area. Therefore it will be good to ask for vehicle specific subwoofers. They also come in various varieties one being, component subwoofers which are very easy to install. You really have so much storage space even after installing them. So go ahead and get them.

You must put into consideration your music style because it determines the kind of car stereo systems you will get. The systems can be bought from legal audio stores and online stores. They come with so much product information and you do not have to wonder about a product you wish to get. Sites of online stores provide forums for discussions about products and also share consumer reviews to gain credibility. They also deal with a variety of brands. A quick search for the brands history will empower you to know which brands are more trusted. They must come with high quality and features that will please you. Finally, you need to consider the price. The bottom line is to get a car stereo system that will be fair and fitting to your budget. There is so much to learn about car stereo systems and when the process is over you know you will take to your car a much better system.