However, cars aren’t only for commerce. Mostly, cars are used for personal reasons. These may include going to school or your office or just performing daily chores.

All of us probably own or have at some point owned a car. If you work or travel, they are probably one of the most important units of machinery in your life. You rely on them for getting from one place to the other without the hassle of taking public transport.

A lot of car owners may relate to the fact that with time you develop a bond with your car. After all, you use it every day. This may lead you to want to personalize your car, for example, you might want to attach private number plates for a unique look, so you can make it stand out or make it feel more yours. For this very reason, we’ve listed some ways to customize your car and make it noticeable.

1: Go JDM
JDM refers to the Japanese domestic market. Japanese culture has had a huge effect on the customization of cars. Their influence is seen throughout the world. Widebody kits and sleek designs are a norm of JDM customization. Movies such as Need For Speed and The Fast And Furious have been influenced by JDM.

JDM is also very popular. That means you can easily find parts and mechanics that will help your car look out of this world.

2: Seats
Why not start customization from the place you’ll visit the most? Your car seats will always be a very prominent part of your car’s interior. Changing your seats or even your seat covers can give a whole new outlook on the interior of your car. If you’re looking to save money and not spend too much, change your seat covers. You can have them tailor-made to the specifications of your car. You can even choose the color and type of cloth as well.

If you have a little more budget, you can opt to change your entire seat. If you’re looking to give your car a sporty look, SPARCO seats are a good choice.

3: Dashboard
If you’re restoring an old car or just want a different outlook on your car, customizing your dashboard can be helpful. We get it, as vintage as old dashboards may feel, sometimes they just don’t cut it. Or maybe you just want a flashier or cooler outlook on your new car. Whatever the case maybe it is possible to customize your dashboard. There are companies out there that offer services such as hydrographic printing. This can help you custom print your dashboard and give it that wow factor you’re looking for.

4: Headliner

Headliner refers to the interior roof of your car. There are a number of ways to customize it. For example, you could use a different material or a different color. You can also opt to use an LED light to create a starry effect on your roof to make it look more luxurious. Additionally, some car owners choose to personalize their headliners further by adding private number plates that reflect their unique style and identity.

5: Headlights
Headlights are often referred to as the eyes of your vehicle. Just as a lot of people use makeup and other cosmetic substances to make their eyes look better, headlights do the same. Customized headlights can help give your car a cooler and meaner look. Companies such as Sunway vehicle lighting solutions have been around for a while. They help provide lighting solutions for your cars and make them look a lot better.

6: Bumper Kits And Side Skirts
Bumper kits and side skirts give your exterior a much more refined outlook. Depending on what style you go with they can make your ride look like a mean machine or something straight out of a Need For Speed game.

This may prove to be pricey customization on your car depending on where you get your car kit from. However, if you know how to find Chinese manufacturers, you will be golden. Chinese variants can be found much cheaper and you can order them online as well.

Conclusion
Customizing your car depends on a lot of factors. It depends on your personal preferences and the amount of money you are willing to spend as well. For example, you can find brake calipers for 500$ or even 100$. Therefore it can be said that customization of your vehicle is subjective.

It also depends on where you live. A lot of countries have laws that prohibit certain customizations. Some countries such as Japan allow greater freedom while customizing cars whereas some European countries do not.

Another factor is the car itself. Customization can be limited by cars as well. The degree to which you can customize your vehicle will vary from vehicle to vehicle. For example, a Nissan GTR will be much more customizable than a Honda Odyssey.

The post 6 Ways To Customize Your Car appeared first on The Tiny Tech.

Occasions Calling for One-way Rent

One-way renting is ideal when you plan cross-country road trips. Sometimes you do not know how long you will be driving. You might not even know your return date. Then, you could save time by not returning to the original location just to return the vehicle. Sometimes you might even decide to change your route. Or you might want to give yourself the option to change the course of the trip. Instances like these call for a one-way car rental.

This method could also be useful when you want to travel to an airport. You need not worry about driving with someone just so they can return the car. You will also find one-way booking handy when you are moving house. If you are moving a long distance away, you will find one-way traveling useful.

Fees

Some rental companies charge a return fee when you rent their vehicle one-way. This is to cover the cost of driving back to the original location. However, popular companies that have branches in many places might not charge this fee. This is because they do not have to return the car as they have many clients waiting in line.

The one-way fee is mostly charged if you are driving a very long distance. Therefore, the longer the distance from the origin, the higher the fee. This might not be applicable of you return the car in the same state or city. However, on rare occasions a fee even at such an instance might be charged.

In the US

Crossing borders might call for extra fees. This will be according to the laws and regulations in countries or states in question. In the US, most companies allow crossing state borders. Some companies have limits as to which borders you can cross. For example, in Alaska and Hawaii you probably will not be able to cross borders in most cases. 

Driving to Canada is allowed by most car rental companies. However, conditions may apply as to the type of car. You might not be allowed to drive a luxury car across borders. If a rental car company allows driving to Mexico from the US, there are special rules that apply. You will need to buy extra car insurance, for example.

In Europe and Elsewhere

In Europe, crossing borders is commonly easy although you might have to pay an extra fee. This fee will cover insurance and taxes most of the time. If you must drop the car off in a different country, you might have to pay another extra fee. Your rental may cover a limited number of countries.

In Asia, Africa, and South America, there might be additional rules that make it very hard to cross borders. There might be requirements of extra documentation, in addition to extra fees. It is best to learn the rules before renting one-way in such cases.

Tips

There are some tips that might come in handy when you are renting a car one-way. Make sure to book well in advance in case you need changes made. Read the fine print about fees. You also must check the company-specific and country or state-specific rules. You might also have to check about extra fees and requirements. When you are given the charges, break them down and re-check. Also, if the company you book from is using car rental software you will have transparency over the extra fees.

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What is autozone?

AutoZone is a U.S.-based international retailer of automotive parts and accessories, selling mainly to do-it-yourselfers. It sells parts for cars, trucks, motorcycles, SUVs, RVs, boats, lawnmowers and watercraft.

The company also offers a line of tools, cleaning supplies, and other products.

The corporation operates over 5,100 stores throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Mexico. It also maintains its own manufacturing facility in Roanoke, Virginia for certain parts. AutoZone sells Genuine Parts Company aftermarket parts in addition to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) automotive parts under the part number prefixes “GVWR” (“GV” standing for “General Vehicle”, with “R” denoting Regular brand; e.g., GVWR-3224 is same as 3224) followed by two digits representing the manufacturer’s suggested retail price code (MSRP Code). This guarantees that all components are interchangeable and also ensures that should a part need to be returned for warranty purposes, the same part number is issued rather than having to cross reference numbers.

AutoZone stores are typically freestanding buildings with an open parts “lobby” area and an array of service bays where technicians work on vehicle repairs and installations.

The first AutoZones were opened in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1979 by Pitt Hyde (the founder of AutoZone’s parent company, what is now called J.C. Penney). The idea was conceived while working at his family’s retail store which sold automotive parts and accessories; customers often asked about used parts for sale. This experience convinced Hyde he could operate a more business focusing exclusively on new items and ancillary equipment such as tools and cleaning supplies. At this point, Willard Pape was recruited to begin the first stores which offered only new parts.

Carbone’s Auto Parts of Memphis, Tennessee began in 1972 with $5000 and a beat up Volkswagen van that died a week after Carbone bought it for a “get-it-running” trip across the South selling wholesale automotive parts out of the back end while his friend Frank sold from the front end. His customers were garages and auto repair shops who serviced vehicles ranging from VW bugs to 4X4 trucks. The market was based on customer need but since Carbone did not know how to fix them himself he relied on the dealership master technicians for advise and instruction.

Autozone products & Service

AutoZone sells a variety of products and services. These include:

“AC Delco Batteries: These batteries are designed and manufactured by the AC Delco Division of General Motors Corporation, and carry the factory warranty for cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, boats and other marine equipment. AutoZone is the only battery retailer who offers such a warranty.”

“AutoCare Services: AutoZone offers a variety of services such as oil changes, brake repairs, tire installation and alignment, etc.”

“Chrome Auto Parts: AutoZone carries chrome-plated parts that provide an elegant look to a car or trucks exterior.”

“Car Care Services: AutoZone offers car care services including oil changes, coolant flushes, tire rotations, etc.”

“Computerized Wheel Balancing & Alignment Service: This service ensures that wheels are properly aligned. Computerized wheel balancing saves the time of technicians and thus improve productivity for garages while saving money for customers.”

“Custom Wheels: Custom wheels are designed by leading aftermarket wheel manufacturers to fit your vehicle precisely. Custom alloy or steel wheels come in a variety of styles and finishes-including chrome, powder coat/paint, machined/satin black painted centers, gold centers with polished lip (.500″), matte black centers with satin silver lip (.500”), silver centers with machined.

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Advancement and innovation in the automotive industry is inevitable, and today we have some of the most luxurious and practical technologies in our vehicles that we’ve ever seen. And whilst it was mostly in purpose-built performance cars and high-end luxury vehicles that these modern features were specified in, nowadays you can enjoy them in even the base models of most nameplates, including most Hyundai SUV models. In many cases, however, when one is purchasing a new car, these state-of-the-art and typically expensive specifications don’t come standard and will have to be opted in. If this is the case, here are the ones most certainly worth considering:

Crash Prevention

Crash prevention technologies are relatively new and are perhaps the best innovations in recent years. Just about every automaker out there has their own anti-collision warning systems for their vehicles, and are available to hybrid and EVs such as the Hyundai Kona electric, too. Here are just some of the setups:

• Forward Collision Warning: By using the forward-facing sensors and/or cameras in the front bumper, a car can sense or identify an oncoming obstacle, car, or pedestrian. It will then warn the driver of the potential collision by emitting an audible tone and can then even automatically activate the car’s brakes to help avoid or mitigate the severity of the accident. Many manufacturers have committed to standardizing the technology because of how effective it has proven to be.

• Automatic Emergency Braking: AEB works in conjunction with forward collision warning. After the forward collision warning system senses a potential collision, it can prompt the AEB system to start applying the brakes if it senses the driver hasn’t reacted in time. The system works faster than a human can react, and it can even calculate whether or not the driver is braking hard enough to avoid an oncoming collision, and if not, will increase the braking pressure.

• Lane Keep Assist/Warning: Lane keep warning notifies the driver when the car is drifting out of its lane or over the white lines. It usually uses an audible alert to catch the driver’s attention. In more advanced vehicles, this software is paired with lane-keep assist

Remote Start/Stop

There are many benefits to being able to turn your car on before entering it. When the weather is hot you can turn on the engine and activate the air conditioning to cool the cabin before you enter, and when it’s cold out, you can warm up the engine and get the heating going beforehand, too. While Remote Start is more of a convenience than anything else, Remote Stop can bring peace of mind as a preventative measure against your car being hi-jacked or stolen. Telematics companies can activate the remote vehicle shutdown to remotely turn the engine of your car off and bring a police pursuit to a halt.

Driver-Assistance

Driver assistance systems are great for making everyday driving a whole lot easier:

• Parking Sensors: Front and rear parking sensors are very handy, especially in a large size vehicle. They use auditory chimes to warn the driver of obstacles getting closer and the sound emits from the direction the car is nearing the obstacle from. It’s simply a great measure to have to avoid annoying dings and scrapes, especially when parking in tight spots.

• 360-Degree Camera: A 360-degree camera is ideal for those who want to park as effortlessly as possible, but it’s also a great security and insurance measure. These systems can create a virtual top-down view of the car’s surroundings and display on the infotainment screen, making it clear where garage walls and parking lines are all around the car. Police and insurance companies can review footage, too, which can help prosecute criminals or lay successful claims.

• Blind Spot Monitoring: Blind spot monitors use either audible or visual signals to warn the driver about other vehicles in his/her left and right blind spots. The audible alerts will come from the direction where there’s a car being sensed, while the visual alerts are little red lights typically located within the sideview mirrors. Many cars utilize both.

Online Connectivity

Connectivity options like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay have been standard in even the base model cars sold in the USA for a while now. But when it comes to internet connectivity and over-the-air updates for all connectivity functions such as cell networks, digital assistants, and navigation, it’s only now that cars are slowly but surely becoming part of the internet of things, and that’s a good thing. This will allow for handy actions such as:

• Automatically communicating with emergency services
• Communicating with internet-enabled devices remotely
• Streaming video and music
• Syncing contacts, calendars, and emails

Head-Up Displays

Also known as active-window displays, head-up displays are awesome, and not just for performance cars. HUD technology has come a really long way, in functionality and graphics, and availability. Most modern cars now have this either as a standard feature, or an available option. Drivers can have navigation routes displayed directly onto the windscreen, creating a sort of virtual travel route directly in front of them, and display other information such as speed, fuel economy, and more so they don’t have to take their eyes off the road at all.

Sooner or later, all these technologies will be standard fare in most, if not all future cars; that is, of course, if our cars aren’t all already driving themselves by then.

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