Best 2009 Model Pickup Trucks

Whether you are planning to buy a pickup truck or just one of the many auto enthusiasts who crave for news and latest info about trucks, here’s an interesting article for you. The site, TheCarConnection.com, named the best 2009 model pickup trucks based on their analysis.

Below is the list of the best 2009 pickups in their respective category and the review from TheCarConnection.com.

Full-Size Pickups: 2009 Dodge Ram
The latest version of Dodge's full-size Ram is the company's best pickup truck yet. It's smart in the same way that the company's minivans are smart: every interior inch has been outfitted with storage bins, even under the back seats. The interior's also one of Dodge's finest efforts yet, a marked contrast to Chrysler's latest cabins. And of course, there's the big power of the Ram's available HEMI engine - which takes a toll on highway mileage but pours on the power to provide the Ram with great towing and hauling numbers. The biggest change for the 2009 model year, though, may be in the Ram's hugely improved ride, which isolated and cradles occupants better than even the GM trucks that TheCarConnection.com's editors preferred until recently. The 2009 Dodge Ram is the leader in the full-size pickup trucks--the best in class for a class that's growing stronger and more sophisticated with each passing year.

Mid-Size and Compact Pickups: Nissan Frontier

A repeat winner from our Best Bang for the Buck comparo, the Nissan Frontier does everything expected of a less-than-full-size truck. Its rugged styling wraps around a choice of regular and crew cabs, with rear-drive and four-wheel-drive underpinning a choice of four- and six-cylinder engines. The V-6 Frontier is a grunty, powerful truck, and four-door Frontiers have good interior space to go with numerous bins and cubbies--and Nissan's flexible bed and cargo options stand out among the mid-size trucks. For those of us who don't live on a ranch, the 2008 Nissan Frontier is large enough to haul real people and cargo, but sized for the urban-congestion reality.

Sport-Utility Trucks: Cadillac Escalade EXT

TheCarConnection.com's other picks in pickup trucks are clear-cut--but when it comes to sport-utility trucks, there's a little more leeway to judge a vehicle's merits. This type of pickup includes everything from the HUMMER H2 SUT, to the Honda Ridgeline and Ford Explorer Sport Trac, to the Best In Class, the Cadillac Escalade EXT. All these vehicles have SUV-style cabins and short pickup beds--but only the Cadillac has the superb V-8 drivetrain, refined handling and plush interior, not to mention an exhaust note that would make Challengers and Mustangs nod in appreciation, if they could. The Escalade EXT is silky and somewhat usable--though TheCarConnection.com's editors have their doubts about how often buyers will actually drop its Midgate and turn the rear seats into part of the pickup bed. Nonetheless, the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT stands out as the world's only transforming luxury truck/SUV.

Take Care of Your Vehicle's Drivetrain or Powertrain

Here is a very sensible advice from the Hot on the Wheels which we may do very well to heed and follow. It is indeed very important for us to maintain our vehicles and most especially take care of one of its most important component: the drivetrain or driving train.

One of the important steering components that you should look after is the drivetrain. As it is responsible in delivering driving inputs, it needs to be kept in good working conditions, both for ease and safety while driving. Its location in the engine compartment makes it very difficult to access. However, periodic checking is recommended to make sure that it will not cause any problem right at the engine bay. Drivetrains work in conjunction with gears and other steering and transmission components. Knowing this would give you a clear picture of the catastrophe that happens if ever the drivetrain rack starts wearing and fouling up steering mechanisms.

It is advised that every vehicle must be submitted periodically to a technician for some tuning up. This way, all the necessary maintenance jobs will be done on the drivetrain. Accessing the rack need some expert hands for it need some of the engine bay components to be removed. Proper greasing can be done by anybody but the toggling and reinstalling of the rack as well as other engine parts will require enough knowledge of the anatomy of the engine compartment. That is why the job is best left to a qualified service technician. This way, the maintenance of the drivetrain and drivetrain parts and components will be done the right way.

One you have noticed sluggish steering responses or noises when you turn the wheels left or right, you may already be experiencing a problematic drivetrain. Have it immediately checked so timely repairs can still save it from replacement. Should there be a need for replacement, there’s no need to worry. Internet automotive shops make it easier for you to find used or new drivetrain replacements, whatever serves your budget best.

Would You Consider Fender Flares for Your Car?

Would you consider this? Here is Noelle Evans of Hot on the Wheels Blog take on this:

I am not expert but I know functionality and style when I see one in car accessories. As simple as car accessories, my instincts have never failed me yet. Whenever I look for new car accessories that are practical, I have learned to do my research so I will get my money’s worth in such indulgence. My classic example of such incident was when I decided to treat my car for stylish fender flares. These are the accessories that are fitted along the factory fenders of your car, extending the panels’ covered or protected area.

Adding up fender flares to your vehicle will surely spruce up its appearance as it is available n a number of fitment and design specifications. Whether you are looking for style or added wheel protection, these accessories offer both. In the style department, it extends the ultra-sleek profile of your car’s factory fenders, giving it a more appealing look while extending its protected area. Whenever a vehicle passes you by, you will notice that its ties usually throw out road debris such as grime, pebbles and rock chips as they rotate. What the fender flares do is shield the wheel well and the wheel assembly components from the intrusions of these elements. Its specially contoured form is also designed to minimize the splashing or dirt through the side panels of your vehicle. This feature is especially true when it comes to fender flares for 4x4 vehicles. Since it is used by vehicles that are built for all-terrain driving, the adding up flares is more about adding protection more than style.

More than cars, the addition of fender flares is common among 4x4 vehicles. Since they often have relatively higher suspension and a lot more of active suspension components, there are also a lot of components to protect. There are custom designed 4x4 fender flares that can be used to protect the wheel and suspension components. This way, you do not need to worry about pebbles and rock chips that might get stuck and interfere with suspension as well as chassis frame mechanisms.

Air Cars as Future Road Fighters

With the massive crisis and huge cost of crude oil nowadays, simple news about cheap and valuable goods is really helpful. Just like the invention of this air-powered car which is expected to be released all over United States, it definitely lessen the worries of consumers when it comes to oil price hike.

With regards to this, a new carmaker is about to present soon in the market this cheap and environmental friendly air-powered cars. These cars will soon be considered as hottest cars to be driven on the road. According to Zero Pollution Motors, consumers can anticipate the real goodness of this vehicle. Not only it is pollution-free but it is also offered with a cost that won’t hurt anyone’s pocket.

The capacity of this air-powered car has also been presented. The manufacturer can guarantee that air cars can set out at a top speed of 35 miles per hour for some 60 miles just by using a tank of compressed air.

Some people might be bothered and would like to know how this type of car can manage to be driven on highways. Well for those who are interested, the CAV can cruise at highway speed for nearly 800 miles. This is only with the use of a small motor that compresses outside air to keep the tank filled.

Another good thing about this newly invented air car is that its motor isn't finicky at all. It can use just about any kind of fuel. It can burn gasoline or diesel or even biodiesel and ethanol. Believe it or not, vegetable oil is also accepted.

Tata, the Indian car maker who is behind the success of this air car is also proud to announce that this car leaves the highest-mpg vehicles you can buy right now in the dust. It can produce an average speed of 106 mpg even when using a regular gasoline. Although this vehicle can’t match those cars that were used in speed racing, it can definitely set a sufficient distance for consumers to be transported to work and back to their home while completing their daily chores.

Although Tata doesn’t plan to produce this in the United States, he does not hinder the plans of building an assembly plant where tools, machinery and the rights to use such trademarks are forwarded to this country. Along with this, he plans to charge $15 million for the rights to the technology. For most, this is not a big deal. Since the advantages of using this air-car does not impede the interests of most people in having such a cool and functional vehicle in the driveway. Especially that high cost of gas has become one of the major problems in the industry today.

SEMA Show 2008

The 2008 SEMA Show has just started and will end on November 7. Wow! Another set of upcoming models will entice my eyes after the Paris Motor Show that showed some of most anticipated hybrid cars. . This time the Las Vegas Convention Center will be fraught with glitz and glamour, showing a great line of the hottest rides on the planet such as Lexus IS F, Toyota Venza, Nissan GT-R and “Firehawk” as a Pontiac G8, just to name a few.

And the 2010 Chevy Camaro is the official car of SEMA Show 2008. So, for the meanwhile, here are the general features of 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.
* A 3.6L DI VVT V6 engine with a projected 300 hp and manual six-speed transmission is standard on LS and LT models. Choose the available six-speed automatic with TAPshift to achieve an estimated 26 mpg highway

* A 6.2L V8 with a projected 400 hp with six-speed automatic transmission with TAPshift includes Active Fuel Management technology to achieve 23 mpg highway

* For the top-of-the-line, the 6.2L V8 with manual six-speed transmission produces a projected 422 hp

* Four-wheel independent suspension system, including a 4.5 link rear suspension

* Variable-rate power steering with the rack mounted forward of the front axle for better weight balance and greater driver feel

* Four-wheel disc brake systems with ABS standard on all models, including four-piston Brembo calipers on SS models

* StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System with traction control standard on all models

* Competitive/Sport modes for the Stabilitrak system offered on SS models, including launch control on SS models equipped with the six-speed manual transmission

* Robust body structure and exceptional build quality