Thursday, December 20, 2007

Do You Drive A 1996 Or Newer Car Or Light Truck?

If so, you'll be glad to know that your vehicle is equipped with an early warning system that could save you time, money, and fuel in addition to helping protect the environment! Today’s vehicles are highly sophisticated and efficient. All 1996 and newer cars and trucks have an advanced power train control computer that uses second generation on-board diagnostics technology to manage and monitor the operation of the engine, transmission, and emissions control components. OBD keeps your engine running at peak efficiency and will alert you when repairs are needed.

When you turn on the ignition, the “Service Engine Soon” or “Check Engine” light should flash briefly, indicating that the OBD system is ready to scan your vehicle for any malfunctions. If the light comes on and stays on, the OBD system has detected a problem. Your vehicle might have a condition that wastes fuel, shortens engine life, or causes excessive air pollution.


If the light stays on there is no cause for panic. The vehicle is just telling you to seek attention soon. When you reach your destination, make sure the gas cap is not loose or missing. Always turn off your engine when refueling. If the light does not go out after a few short trips following gas cap replacement or tightening, have your vehicle serviced by a qualified repair technician soon! If the light is blinking, a severe engine problem such as a catalyst-damaging misfire is occurring and should be addressed as soon as possible.

Related Links:
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Chevy Dealer Atlanta
Pasadena Audi
Electric fuel pump

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Christmas Tree Buying Tips

The most popular varieties of Christmas trees are: Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir, White Pine, Scotch Pine, Noble Fir and Balsam Fir.

The most important consideration is freshness. Many Christmas trees are trucked a considerable distance, sometimes part way across the continent and days or even weeks may pass between the time the trees are cut and when they arrive for sale. Always ask the vendor where the tree has come from and how long ago it was cut. If possible, buy a locally produced tree. Does it appear green and healthy with a fragrant smell and moist flexible needles or is there evidence of drying or browning. Avoid any trees with broken branches or damaged bark. Bounce the tree lightly on its cut end if you can or shake it. Does this result in an inevitable little sprinkling or does it produce a shower of needles? If needles rain down, you might be wise to look around a little more. The next consideration after freshness is size. Make sure the tree you buy will fit comfortably in the room and location you have chosen. Use a tape measure if necessary. Check the bottom of the tree. Is there enough space between the end and the lowest branches to make a slightly diagonal fresh cut? Cutting an extra inch off the bottom before mounting your tree will greatly help water absorption and ensure your tree lasts as long as possible. Be sure to make this final cut just before placing it in water. If it is exposed to the air for too long, the vessels will become blocked.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Over-Weighting in High-Risk - Non-Diversified Funds

This mistake is an explicit case in point of portfolio disparity. A huge amount of total portfolio assets are determined in funds with very high risk/reward characteristics, even though the fund types may actually imitate selected investment objectives. The result is extreme instability in the price movement of these funds, which, in many cases cause poor performance of portfolio as very large proportion of risk does not justify the potential reward -- in other words, the risk is highly unequal to overall profit potential. Over-weighting can occur with any type of risk tolerance, even though this specific type of over-weighting is more likely to be a problem in portfolios with aggressive risk tolerances.

High-risk, non-diversified stock fund categories include domestic and foreign small-cap growth, emerging markets and sector funds; in bond categories, emerging market and certain high-yield funds are also high risk. These fund types can be appropriate in many portfolios, provided an investor adheres to the principles of effective diversification: distinct risk/reward objectives within a variety of fund types and a reduction in overall portfolio risk.

Are there any acceptable percentages of high-risk, non-diversified funds to own in a portfolio? Most guidelines suggest between 5-30% of total portfolio assets, depending upon the choices of aggressive, moderate or conservative risk tolerances and growth, balance or income-oriented return objectives. The key is to treat high risk, non-diversified mutual funds as a suitable portfolio supplement without dramatically increasing overall risk.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Window Cleaning Services for Commercials

For any business finding a good office cleaning service may be a tedious task and time consuming. The alternative option for cleaning windows is to hire a window cleaner to do the work. When you decide to hire a professional window cleaner, you must consider various things as regards to their work.

Regardless the height of the building, they provide an efficient, safe and qualitative window cleaning service, even where there is no proper accessing. You will be assured that your windows will be cleaned by a licensed, insured and bonded professional window cleaner.

It is competent to hire the professionals who are specialized in commercial window cleaning services and have clients in both the public and private sector. Their trained operatives clean large office blocks, banks, retail, warehouse environments and apartment complexes.

Previously, they used to be worked through the squeegees, cloths and ladders, and now moving successfully into modern technology was using the water fed pole system. This was found to be a refreshingly, professional and honest company to deal with and would have no hesitation in recommending them to others. The cleaners will commence their work without any disruption at the workplace, or noise and traffic movement. This service is designed to maintain the commercial windows cleaning and pristine condition every time.

Their quality management team will often meet the clients and ensure the delivering the high quality services. And the price for the service depends on the techniques required to access the window. That's why it makes good sense to use the professionals Window Cleaning services.