Enjoy a Quality and Comfortable Ride with a Pontiac Shock

Control, handling and comfort are some of the things we look for in a vehicle. Whether it is for a short drive or a long trip we want to be comfortable even when driving through rough roads. And we expect the drivers to be able to handle drives over bumps, road cracks and off-roads that are not paved. We also know how much bumps on rough and uneven roads would affect our most treasured vehicle, whatever that may be. Shocks, which are usually found on the rear of some front-wheel drive vehicles, are the components that ensure our drive is as comfortable as possible. Pontiac Shock slows down and reduces the magnitude of vibratory motions by turning the kinetic energy of suspension movement into heat energy which can be dissipated through hydraulic fluid. These auto parts are typically employed on vehicles using standard suspension systems.
The shock is also known as the shock absorber and it functions to curb the unwanted movement of the vehicle s springs as they compress and rebound while the car is running in a process called dampening. Without the Pontiac Shock, it would be so hard to control the car especially as there will be so much bouncing. When the vehicle s wheel encounters a bump and causes the spring to coil and uncoil, the energy of the spring is transferred to the shocks and to the piston through the rod. The Pontiac Shock delivers resistance by forcing hydraulic fluid through the piston valves as it goes up and down. But oil is incompressible so only a particular amount of fluid is forced through the piston valves. This generates the resistance to the movement of the vehicle especially on uneven and irregular road by slowing down the piston which in turn slows down the spring. The shocks also ensure that the tires are constantly connected to the road because it has a very strong effect on the handling of the car. The Pontiac Shock work in two cycles the compression cycle and the extension cycle. The compression cycle happens when the piston moves downward and compresses the hydraulic fluid in the chamber below the piston. The extension cycle happens when the piston moves upward and compressing the fluid in the chamber above the piston. There is more resistance during its extension cycle than its compression cycle. The extension controls the heavier sprung weight while the compression controls the vehicle s unsprung weight.
There are different kinds of shocks and some of them are the premium and the regular hydraulic shock. The premium which contains nitrogen gas is basically superior to the hydraulic shocks with air simply because the nitrogen prevents the formation of bubbles which is possible with air. Formation of bubbles reduces the ability of the shock to give resistance and prevent bounces. Nitrogen gas also hastens the response of the shocks movement increasing comfort and control. All Pontiac Shock are velocity-sensitive meaning the faster the suspension moves the more resistance is provided by the shocks. This enables the shocks to adjust to the road conditions and control all the unwanted motions of a moving vehicle including bouncing, swaying, brake dive and acceleration squat.



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The Convenience of Getting Auto Parts Online

The Internet offers a huge variety of products abounding beyond what usual retailers can offer. It is a wonderful place for buying many things like automotive components as it provides instant access to options that regular customers are not aware of. There are many more choices and one can often find a better deal on items online than in a brick and mortar store. Purchasing auto parts online benefits customers because it allows citizens from around the world to gain further information about a company and its products.
With the Internet s capability of providing access to millions of websites created by many different stores, it is more likely that an online shopper can find the right part, even the most obscure ones, for his vehicle. The National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA), for instance, which distributes automotive components to corporate and independent sellers, is one of the reliable online sources in the United States. NAPA auto parts are distributed from about 69 centers and 6,000 stores.
Today, potential customers can look through various catalogs of auto parts online, which means they can just stay in their homes or offices, click order, and wait for the package to arrive. In a recent study from Comscore Networks, an Internet-measurement firm, data indicates that 59% of the $45 million in US purchases use the web and are typically transacted in workplaces; only 37% are done at home while 4% are from schools. Compared to the variety of auto products that can be printed on a NAPA pamphlet, a more extensive range of NAPA auto parts can be browsed on a website.
Furthermore, customers who shop online are not limited by global time differences, so they can shop auto parts online anytime at their personal convenience and not only during set hours which many built shops stick to. NAPA auto parts online can be cheaper as customers avoid the cost added individual stores. Whether buying or selling computers, auto parts, mobile phones, or other electronics items, the Internet has indeed become the new medium for efficient business transaction.



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Suzuki Forenza Wagon 2005: The Weekly Driver Review

As an entry level wagon, the 2005 Suzuki Forenza offers budget-minded buyers a spacious wagon with a good supply of standard features. But as a debut vehicle, it s also unproven in the resale market and has shortcomings that ideally define its position in the marketplace.

My weekly test drive was the LX wagon, one of 10 available Forenza models in 2005. The 2.0-liter, 16-value, 126-horsepower engine has a four-speed automatic transmission, the only option.

The vehicle has good mileage estimates for its class, and the wagon accelerates adequately in city driving scenarios. But it s sluggish and needs a full-throttle jolt on the steady highway inclines or in a quickly needed lane-change situation.

The Forenza wagon isn t particularly quiet on the open road and the ride quality is marginal, with bumps easily felt and the overall feel a little stiff. But as an economically priced wagon, the Forenza also has several features that warrant its consideration.

The vehicle s exterior is designed nicely, with a contoured body, alloy wheels, fog lamps, and a power tilt slide sunroof. My test vehicle s test color was listed as "Fantasy Black," and the exterior was complemented by cloth light gray seats.

Several passengers mentioned that while Forenza looks small from the outside, they were surprised by the interior spaciousness. One 6-foot-2 friend sat in the back seat and had more than a one-inch clearance. He said the headroom was more than he s had in the back seats of some SUVs.

The same is true from the driver s seat perspective. As a 6-foot driver, I had good head clearance and leg room. The spacious interior extends to the cargo area, which is wide, easily accessible from the back seat and has a convenient hatchback style entry.

The interior of Forenza seemingly has one general theme - simplicity. Radio controls and other instrumentation are easy to use and have a straightforward design. The instrument panel numbers have retro-style lettering, and the back panel has an attractive light green tone when illuminated. Another nice feature is the dashboard design. Its textured pattern looks like (and feels like) the surface of golf balls - if they were black.

The Forenza, like many vehicles, has remote keyless entry, and its functionality is fine. But the high-pitched noise heard upon closing is reminiscent of a rodent in pain.

Considering its designation as a compact wagon, the Forenza has a good supply of standard features: air conditioning, cruise control, AM/ FM/CD (eight speakers), tilt steering wheel with remote stereo controls, 60/40 split folding rear seats, power windows and locks and heated and power mirrors.

The car s one optional feature is its antilock brake system, which adds $500 to the suggested retail base price of $16,649. Destination and handling boost the price another $545 to $17,694 a strong argument for consideration among economical buyers.

And finally, while Suzuki may not yet be ready to battle its more well- known competitors on several levels, the manufacturer s 7-year, 100,000-mile power train warranty and 24-hour roadside assistance can t be easily dismissed.

Suzuki Forenza Wagon 2005

Safety features -- Driver and front seat passenger side airbags, front seat passenger front airbags; 24-hour roadside assistance.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 20 mpg (city), 28 mpg (highway).

Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain 7 years/100,000 miles; Corrosion, 3 years/unlimited miles.

Base price -- $17,694.00

James Raia, a journalist in Sacramento, Calif., is the author of the syndicated automotive column, The Weekly Driver Review, and co- author of the e-book "How To Buy A Car Without Getting Ripped Off."

To read more car reviews, visit: The Weekly Driver Review

To subscribe to James Raia s free electronic endurance sports newsletters, visit his web site: http://www.ByJamesRaia.com



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Gear Up with the Works: GMC Parts

Got troubles looking for the right parts? GMC Parts as well as car accessories of different kinds can be acquired through GM Service and Parts Operation. In the course of its circulation, GMC Parts, sold under the GM brand, as well as the GM Performance Parts brand and GM Goodwrench, has earned a substantial following among consumers that has ensured the stability of GM s place on top of the chain. If you ve never gone for any brand other than GMC Parts for your car s replacement parts, you may find yourself familiar with these names since these are the brands that supply GMC dealerships and distributors as well on a worldwide scale. Incidentally, ACDelco is another GMC brand of auto parts.
At one time or another, when other automotive companies were being forced to close their doors or sell their businesses on the market left and right, General Motors Corporation, or GM, had continued, and still does, to be the leading automaker in the world. Since it was established in 1931, GMC has grown and evolved into a corporation that now has manufacturing plants to be found in over 33 countries. Following in the heels of this thought, it is not hard to believe that General Motors even grew to be the largest company across all states of the U.S. at one point in history. The GM Corporation locates its head offices in Detroit, Michigan. Among the countries GMC operates in is China, under the banner of Shanghai GM. The motivation behind its campaign there is to build and promote more than a nodding familiarity with Chinese consumer markets. Efforts along this line have obviously been successful, considering that GMC currently ranks as the second largest automaker in mainland China. Arrangements such as these have allowed favorable cultural as well as business relations to exist between the said U.S. company and its Chinese counterpart. This has, in addition, enabled business proposals safeguarding Chinese interests to get one foot in the door, a business strategy that economists say would be followed by China s entry into the U.S. market in much the same way that the Japanese and Korean automotive companies of Toyota and Kia had done, respectively. But GMC is not worried, reports have said. People key to the success and achievements of GM in the automotive industry, especially in areas of vehicles running on alternative automotive technology, are confident of the company s staying power in the playing field.
With a number of competitors trying to gain in on GMC, it is indeed a wonder that the company has continued to consistently be on top of the game, always staying a step or two ahead of the rest. Having several years of expertise and experience under its belt has made GM a force to be reckoned with. And this is true for its products, namely for its engines and GMC parts. GMC parts are recognized for many things in the market, chief among them is for quality performance for car parts. It s a fact that with GMC parts or auto replacement pieces, your car won t be in the DL (disabled list) for too long.



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