Welcome

Welcome to Utah Auto Reviews! Home of Utah's top auto and automotive product reviews. If you are in the market for a new car or looking to upgrade the one you got then you should definitely check out the reviews on some of todays top cars and products. . 2-4 times a week we will be posting new reviews of products and cars, also from time to time we will be posting how to's for all you DIY readers. So stay tuned for whats to come!


Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Dodge Nitro- How to replace brake light -Brake Light

 Dodge Nitro Replacement Tail Light - a step by step guide to safe you time and headaches!

Replacing brake lights on a Dodge Nitro is quite simple and can be done in about 15-20 minutes depending on if you have the correct tools or not. If you will follow these simple steps you will have your brake light replaces in no time.


Replacing Burnt/Broken Brake Light-
Step 1-
Assuming you already know which Brake light is out, you will need to open the back door/hatch to access the 2 black clips. Once you have located them you will just need to use a flathead driver and pry them out. Once you have done this move to step 2.

Step 2-
Now that you have removed the 2 clips you will need to move around to the outside of the car and use the same flathead driver to pry between the taillight and the body of the vehicle. By applying light pressure at this meeting point you will be able to detach the taillight from the vehicle and once you have done so move to step 3

Step 3-
Once you have detached the taillight from the vehicle you will need to unplug the wire simply by pulling it off. Now that you have the taillight completely detached from the vehicle you will now be able to access the back of the light and attach Replacement Tail Light. There will be two alan head screws that you will need to take off to access the bulbs. Once you have done so please move to step 4.

Step 4-
Now that you have accessed the bulbs you will need to locate the bulb that needs to be replaced and once you have found it you just need to pull it straight out. When you are ready to place the new bulb in I highly suggest that you place some dielectric grease on the base of the bulb.



Now that you have moved through all the steps you just need to go back through the steps vice versa and be sure to take caution when replacing the clips that you do not break them. All though they are simple little pieces of plastic they are quite expensive to buy new ones. Replacing brake lights is never a fun job but remember you can save yourself a lot of money by doing it yourself.

3 Easy Ways to Gain Horse Power

How can I gain horse power without going bankrupt or spending an entire weekend in the garage? Well here is your answer, these are the 3 easy ways to gain horsepower with out spending the big dollars or even spending more than an hour under your car.

1.Intake-
Installing an cold air intake in your car and greatly affect you cars hp from 3-15hp depending on whether you purchase a full intake or just the filter/cone. Now days you can purchase a cold air intake or the cone just about any where auto parts are sold. Ebay is quickly becoming one of the highest selling auto parts site and you can find great deals there if you know where to look.Installing a cold air intake normally take about 30-45 minutes depending on the style you get and normally only need a screwdriver to install them.

2.Spark Plugs-
Spark plugs have came a long way since there inception. Now days we have triple platinum diamond fire 4 prong plugs that have a hotter spark than ever before. Having more efficient cleaner spark going to your engine allows the fuel to burn cleaner and faster creating more energy/HP. Your normal spark plug change can vary depending on the engine and amount of cylinders as well.  Normally it takes about 3-6 minutes per plug to change and you can pick up a top notch plug at any local automotive store or online.

3.Headers-
Headers as we all know are a great start to a free flowing exhaust for your engine that if you purchase the correct ones are a simple bolt on application.I recently install headers onto my d15 honda motor and saw an significant increase and it only took about an hour to install in the driveway.Plus headers(once again depending on which you purchase) can give you a great sound to your engine as well. Your normal header can take anywhere form 50-65 mintutes to install and normally only require a few basic wrenches and breaker bars.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Gas Saving Tips

Many of us want to do all we can to either buy a new car that is more fuel efficient or to come up with a new way to save on gas such as carpooling, riding the bus, etc.  Well I dont know about you but the bus is not the greatest way to impress your hot date on a Friday night. So instead of hitting the road on your peddle bike just read these top 5 gas saving tips so you can roll in your own dream machine!

Tire Pressure-
Not only does having low tire pressure hold you back on mpg's but it also turns your 5 star safety rated car into a 2 star death trap. When your tires are low it creates a wider tire track therefore creating more friction on the road that will hold you back. Just think of it like this, If you push a car that has all four tires up to there rated psi it it move easily. Now, push that same car but with all four tires flat! Well no matter how strong your engine is it will need to compensate by using more fuel.

Windows Up!-
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past million years then you may have heard of a little thing called aerodynamics.Car makers actually spend hundreds of hours designing cars that are more aerodynamic for many reasons and one of those being fuel efficiency. Well when they test there cars they have the windows up because with them down it acts like a parachute catching air and holding you back. So keep your windows up so that your car is not working against itself.

Fuel Cap Tight-
You may have never noticed before but your fuel cap actually tells you to put it on tightly. And the reason why it tells you to do so is because your engines fuel system works better when compressed. By having your fuel cap on tightly there is very little room for negative air the fuel will be able to flow freely. Some cars check engine light will actually come on if your cap is loose. And remember your gas cap can go bad, a good way to check for this is if your fuel is low and you open your cap you should hear air escaping and if you don't then its time for a new one.

Clean Air Filter-
Many of you neglect your air filter because it is an easy thing to forget, but its also one of the easiest parts to maintain and replace. The filter is what allows your engine to breathe and get the air that it needs. Your engine runs on a specific fuel to air ratio and if there is a dirty or clogged filter than it can throw the ratio off or cause it to be uneven. When the fuel to air ratio is off then your engine tries to compensate for that and uses more fuel than necessary. An easy example or test of this is to run a mile while breathing through a straw and you will realize how necessary it is to have enough air, so keep your filter clean and dirt free.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Turbo Vs. SuperCharger

To put the long standing debate to rest I just want to start off by saying neither one is better than the other because they both have there pros and cons. I will not go into all the details and all the pro and cons for each because I am sure what you are looking for is a simple yes or no answer.I will say that when it comes to choosing one for your car you probably wont want to put a turbo on a 1970 Chevelle SS thats just wrong! A good rule of thumb is to leave the turbos for imports and superchargers for american made muscle. Most people

Monday, May 2, 2011

Honda CRZ Put to the TEST!

Concept to Creation

Since the first Honda hatchback hit the market the world could not get enough from the CRX to the EG Hatchback the world and underworld ate them up. Talking with fellow tuner enthusiast one thing kept coming up in our conversations and that one thing was Hatchbacks! For years Honda dominated the world of 2 door hatchbacks and seemingly over night they fell off and were no where to be found. Honda continued to make and sell hatchbacks but kept them from the states and this turned the the hatchback game upside down, the states had no cool hatchback to tune with. Behind closed doors Honda's mad scientist were hard at work creating a beast that would knock your socks off with its looks alone. Then just two and a half short years later Honda unveiled the beast that would later be called the CRZ and the world went crazy with excitement, the underground scene buzzed like a million bees in a hive but we all wondered the same thing, Will it perform! Many thought that Honda had lost its cool and with the new Si series not proving to be even half as great as the ancestors were but Honda completely redeemed itself and unveiled the sickest hatchback the world has ever seen. A car that looked so sharp and stunning that it could cut you just by looking at it, they had proven that they could create a beastly creature but now they had to prove that is could perform.

Proving Grounds

The philosophy of a fun, lightweight, two-seat coupe continues with the CR-Z. Featuring a mode for every mood, the 3-mode drive system lets you change how the car performs in real time. If you want efficiency, simply push the ECON button; for more thrills, push the SPORT button; and for a combination of the two, push the NORMAL button. Using the latest generation of IMA technology, the 2011 CR-Z should set the standard for sporty small cars of the modern era, just like its predecessors did back in their day.The CR-Z's sporting credentials include a 6-speed manual transmission—the first production hybrid vehicle ever to be equipped this way. The transmission allows enthusiasts to drive the CR-Z to its maximum capabilities. Those who choose the CVT automatic transmission, however, are treated to racing-inspired paddle shifters that also provide driving excitement and engagement.

Conclusion

The 2011 Honda CRZ is a fun, sporty, hybrid (and yes i did say fun and sporty in the same sentence as hybrid) that any man, women, or teenager with a heavy right foot could enjoy. I have personally had the opportunity to drive a CRZ  and i personally testify that the CRZ is the best hatchback that Honda has ever came out with. It is an all around fun car that is the total package. It has great style inside and out and is sure to turn heads when doing 80 down the highway.

Top Sedans under 25k in 2011

Honda Accord LX

The 2011 Honda Accord is a beautiful car that is well equipped with plenty of bells and whistles and also POWER! With a starting price of only $21,180 it is a great car for any family, businessman, or even single male or female looking to attract the opposite sex. The Accord gets an awesome 23 mpg when cruising around that city and when your ready to hit the open road don't worry about looking for a gas station because it gets an amazing 33 mpg on highway. If you do happen to find yourself in a tuff spot on the open road no worries the 177hp 2.4l I-Vtech engine has enough power to fly by that old couple in their Oldsmobile. And if you don't want to hear the roar of the engine at 3500 rpm dont worry because the 160 watt speed sensitive stereo will make sure that the only thing you hear is the sweet melodies of John Mayer or Lady Gaga for you ladies. The 2011 Honda Accord is an awesome car the demands to be driven and at this great price it also demands to be bought or at least test driven.

Toyota Camry LE

The 2011 Toyota Camry is a smooth ride that fits any older couple that is looking for a car that can get them anywhere they are going. With a low cost to own and an awesome 5 star crash rating you can feel safe to bet that you and your loved ones are in good hands. The Toyota Camry comes well equipped at a great price of $21,275 and a 36 month warranty to back it up. Looking for a car that listens to you? look no further all of the Camry's controls are fully functional via Bluetooth that comes standard on all LE models. Afraid that the Bluetooth is not cool enough well the Camry comes equipped with 160 watt 6-speaker cd/mp3/wma player sure to blow the socks off of any of your friends '93 Geo Metro. Toyota being of sound mind and body always reminds us that its the small things in life that matter, like their new key-less entry fob that has audible and visual confirmation. The 2011 Toyota Camry LE is a great fit for any growing family that is looking for a safe and reliable vehicle that wont break the bank. 

Ford Fusion I-4

It was not that long ago when the Fusion was first unveiled to the world and a few short years later it is in the ring with top cars such as Accord,Camry and Altima. For many years Americans looked across seas for an affordable and reliable car but with the Ford Fusion quickly moving up in ranks its only a matter of time before Americans no longer need to speak a foreign language to get a deal. With the Fusion conveniently priced at $21,615 and all the trim and features of its top competitors it is definitely holding its own in 2011. Many skeptics believe that when the Fusion first came out it did not posses the power it takes to get you to your destinations quick enough, so Ford took that as a challenge and released the 2011 Fusion equipped with a 175 hp 2.5l DOHC engine that's just 2hp below the top car in its class. The Fusion is the perfect car for any man or women looking for a car that can empress their colleagues with style and finesse while still being able to throw them back in their seats. The 2011 Fusion also comes equipped with paddle shifters and is the only car in its class to do so. The 2011 Ford Fusion may be the new kid on the block but this kid can FIGHT!

Nissan Altima 2.5

The 2011 Nissan Altima amazingly has the lowest ticket price coming in at a very low price of $20,270 but don't worry the Altima still comes equipped with all the essentials to fight for the top position against any competitor. The 2011 Altima comes equipped with  a 175hp 2.5l engine equipped with Nissan's anti shift shock transmission allowing you have a smooth ride. This long time top spot contender has not made much changes since last years model but at a lower price than last years model it may prove to be a tough competitor based on price alone. When driving the Altima you constantly have the urge to put the pedal to the metal and feel free to do so because you wont feel a thing do to the Altimas front and rear stabilizer bars and independent front suspension giving you a smooth rid, you might even think that you are driving on a cloud. The 2011 Nissan Atlima is a smooth driving, head turning machine that will even leave enough change in your pocket to take the new girl in billing out for lunch.