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Jason Lancaster's Articles in Cars

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  • Is Synthetic oil right for the new Tundra?
    This is a question I hear all the time - "I just got a new Tundra and I want to treat it right - should I use synthetic oil? If so, should it be full synthetic or synthetic blend?" Unfortunately, the answer is complicated. Generally speaking, because synthetic oil has fewer impurities, better properties at high temperatures, slightly better viscosity, and it is more resistant to breakdown than regular oil, synthetic is better for AN engine. However, whether or not it's better for YOUR engine depends on a few things.
  • A Guide to the Toyota VVT-i System
    Any mechanic or automotive enthusiast can tell you that an engine is essentially a large air pump. The more an engine can suck in air to mix with fuel, the more it can create power through combustion. Thus, the more efficiently an engine removes exhaust gases from the cylinders, the better it can manage that power. The key to a strong, healthy engine is adequate air from one end to another.
  • Some Basics to the Toyota Tundra Supercharger
    Here's a quick look at the numbers for the new Toyota Tundra supercharger from TRD: it adds 504 HP and 550 lb-ft of torque; sells as a complete kit for $5 875; and costs about $6 800 total when installation is figured in, based on a labor rate of $105/hr.
  • Vehicle Parking Assist Systems Explained
    Vehicles of virtually every type and make have been steadily growing over the past ten years. "Entry level" cars by companies like BMW are almost the same size nowadays as a mid-size car from a decade ago. One of the consequences of vehicle sizes expanding is that parking now is harder than ever.
  • Putco Side Bed Rails Guide
    Pickup trucks are typically very practical vehicles, especially for hauling cargo. However, some drivers often need to carry bulkier gear like furniture, motorcycles, or pallets of wood, which don't fit snugly within the walls of the truck's box. These items could possibly be damaged by too much side-to-side movements. Newer pickups are often fitted with cut-outs and tie-downs which ropes and chains can attach to, but these are usually at very fixed locations, and aren't always easy or convenient to access.
  • Your 2-Minute Guide to Vehicle Parking Assist Systems
    Almost every kind of vehicle has experienced a growth in size over the past decade. An "entry-level" car by a company such as BMW nowadays might be near the size and weight of a mid-size car ten years ago. As vehicles have gotten bigger, parking has become harder and harder.
  • A Quick Intro to the Toyota Tundra Supercharger
    Here are the official specs for TRD's new supercharger for the Toyota Tundra: it adds 504 HP, 550 lb-ft of torque, and list price for the entire kit is $5,875. The total cost, including installation, will be around $6,800, if based on a labor rate of $105 an hour.
  • Are Chrome Fuel Filler Doors Worth It?
    It's a classic muscle car look: the fat, brushed aluminum gas cap sitting high on the rear haunches, almost taunting the world with the fact that yes, this car uses a lot of gas, and yes, it's because it makes a ton of horsepower. Muscle car designers originally took the idea from the racing fuel caps that they had seen on cars in the 50's and 60's. Race cars had large fuel doors to make them easier to open and close during pit stops, and they were made of metal to ensure that they could withstand the aerodynamic rigors of racing.
  • A Short History of TRD
    After his victory over the Pharnaces in 47 BC, Julius Caesar addressed his Senate and spoke the famous lines, "Veni, vidi, vici" - "I came, I saw, I conquered." Today, over 2000 years later, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) might say the same of every racing venue it has entered.
  • Are Chrome Fuel Filler Doors Worthwhile?
    What would the classic look of American muscle cars be like without a fat, brushed aluminum gas cap perched high on the rear? This iconic look is popular for how it unabashedly flaunts a car's power and muscle. The design originally came from racing fuel caps on cars in the 50's and 50's. Race cars needed big fuel doors that were easy to open and shut during pit stops, and they needed to be made of metal so they would be strong enough to handle the aerodynamic stress of racing.
  • Ivan Stewart is The Ironman
    Off-road race fanatics don't think of comic creator Stan Lee or actor Robert Downey, Jr when they hear the word "Ironman." The real Ironman in the racing world is Ivan Stewart, who has earned the title for himself.
  • Some Basics to the Toyota Tundra Supercharger
    Here are the official specs for TRD's new supercharger for the Toyota Tundra: it adds 504 HP, 550 lb-ft of torque, and list price for the entire kit is $5,875. The total cost, including installation, will be around $6,800, if based on a labor rate of $105 an hour.
  • A Brief History of TRD
    Following his victory over the Pharnaces in 47 BC, the legend is that Julius Caesar addressed the Roman Senate and announced, "Veni, vidi, vici" - "I came, I saw, I conquered." A couple of millennia later, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) USA could easily make the same boast in every racing venue it has entered.
  • Toyota's VVT-i System Explained
    By now, you have probably heard a mechanic or automotive enthusiast tell you that an engine is essentially a large air pump. Basically, the more air an engine can suck in to combine with fuel, the more power it can create through combustion. It also follows that the more efficiently an engine can remove exhaust gases from the cylinders, the better it can manage that power. Air flow from one end to the other is the key to a healthy, strong engine.
  • Are Chrome Fuel Filler Doors Worthwhile?
    It's a classic muscle car look: the fat, brushed aluminum gas cap sitting high on the rear haunches, almost taunting the world with the fact that yes, this car uses a lot of gas, and yes, it's because it makes a ton of horsepower. Muscle car designers originally took the idea from the racing fuel caps that they had seen on cars in the 50's and 60's. Race cars had large fuel doors to make them easier to open and close during pit stops, and they were made of metal to ensure that they could withstand the aerodynamic rigors of racing.
  • Are Chrome Fuel Filler Doors Right For You?
    It's a classic muscle car look: the fat, brushed aluminum gas cap sitting high on the rear haunches, almost taunting the world with the fact that yes, this car uses a lot of gas, and yes, it's because it makes a ton of horsepower. Muscle car designers originally took the idea from the racing fuel caps that they had seen on cars in the 50's and 60's. Race cars had large fuel doors to make them easier to open and close during pit stops, and they were made of metal to ensure that they could withstand the aerodynamic rigors of racing.
  • Toyota Tundra Supercharger Basics
    Here are the official specs for TRD's new supercharger for the Toyota Tundra: it adds 504 HP, 550 lb-ft of torque, and list price for the entire kit is $5,875. The total cost, including installation, will be around $6,800, if based on a labor rate of $105 an hour.
  • A Quick Guide to Putco Side Bed Rails
    The typical pickup truck is an extremely practical vehicle, especially when it comes to hauling cargo. However, some people often carry bulky gear that doesn't always fit snugly between the walls of their truck's box. It might be furniture, lawnmowers, motorcycles, or pallets of wood - anything bulky that could be damaged by too much movement from side to side. Most newer pickups are outfitted with cutouts and tie-downs that allow for ropes and chains to be attached, but they are positioned at very fixed locations, and it's not always easy or convenient to use them.
  • A Guide to the Toyota VVT-i System
    You probably know or have heard that engines are basically large air pumps, and the more air an engine sucks in to combine with fuel, the more power it will create through combustion. Also, an engine that can remove exhaust gases from the cylinders more efficiently will be better able to manage that power. Good air flow from one end of an engine to the other is the key to a strong, healthy engine.
  • A Quick Guide to Putco Side Bed Rails
    Pickup trucks are extremely practical vehicles, great for hauling cargo. Some people, however, often carry gear like motorcycles, lawnmowers, furniture or pallets of wood, which are too bulky to fit snugly in the truck's box, but which could be damaged by too much side-to-side movement. Newer pickups are usually outfitted with tie-downs and cutouts so that you can attach ropes and chains. However, these are located at very fixed positions, and might be difficult or inconvenient to use.
  • A Guide to the Toyota VVT-i System
    By now, you have probably heard a mechanic or automotive enthusiast tell you that an engine is essentially a large air pump. Basically, the more air an engine can suck in to combine with fuel, the more power it can create through combustion. It also follows that the more efficiently an engine can remove exhaust gases from the cylinders, the better it can manage that power. Air flow from one end to the other is the key to a healthy, strong engine.
  • What You Need To Know About Special Ordering A New Car
    "Have it your way." "Made to order." These are phrases our culture has come to embrace. When it comes to buying a new car, I'm often asked about special ordering. People want a certain color, feature, or option that will make their car unique or better for them. Unfortunately, when it comes to cars, it's just not that simple. Here's why.
  • What You Need To Know About Special Ordering A New Car
    Special ordering a new car is supposed to mean that you get exactly what you want, usually within a couple of months. If you look back at the history of car manufacturing, you can read about several instances of people ordering very specific cars directly from the factory. Today it's not that simple. Here's what you should know.
  • Car Loans: When to Refinance
    When it comes to refinancing your car, it's important to realize that there are really only three good reasons to do so:
  • Car Loans: When to Refinance
    When it comes to refinancing your car, it's important to realize that there are really only three good reasons to do so:
  • Dealer Holdback Explained
    An auto manufacturer pays a dealership money, or holdback, to stock their inventory.
  • 8 Tips For Selling Your Car Yourself
    1. You need to get organized. Clean out your car, taking out all of your personal things. Next wash it inside and out, making it shine as much as it possibly can. Take all of the service records and put them in chronological order. If you have any spare parts or accessories, be sure to put those back in the car. Your car needs to be ready to be driven away when you show it so that they can drive it away if they decide to buy it. Then you won't have to deal with it again.
  • Calculating Your Gas Mileage The Easy Way
    Figuring out your gas mileage yourself is very easy to do, and if you remember this simple method you can figure it out for yourself every time you fill up your tank.
  • Used Car Financing Basics And Tips
    For most Americans, buying a car requires financing. There are many financing options and just as many, if not more, lenders. Don't get overwhelmed. Most used-vehicle financing abides by the same basic rules.
  • Used Rental Cars: Should You Buy One?
    Used rental cars are an excellent compromise between buying an older used car and buying a brand new vehicle. Used rental cars tend to have fairly low mileage, they're almost always less than a year old, and they're thousands of dollars less than a new version of the same car. Unfortunately, used rental cars also tend to be a little rough around the edges. Because they're commonly used and abused by their renters, they tend to have more scratches, dents, dings, and general wear-and-tear. But just because a used rental car has a little more wear, that doesn't mean it's a bad deal. Here's how you can figure out if a used rental car is right for you:
  • Is A Down Payment Necessary To Buy A Car?
    There are two questions that are frequently asked about a down payment on a car:
  • What Exactly Is A Certified Used Car?
    When used cars are certified, they are:
  • The Best Time Of Year To Buy A New Vehicle
    If you are buying or leasing a new vehicle, you should know when you will be able to get the best deals. Car-selling season begins in March and goes through mid to late October. However, this isn't necessarily the best time to buy or lease a vehicle.
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