The Best Rated AWD Crossovers

• Adverse weather is no longer an obstacle with versatile AWD crossover vehicles. Charles Maraia/Photodisc/Getty Images

  The modern automobile has brought a number of safety advances. All-wheel drive (AWD) has lended drivers the security of knowing that their tires are working in concert to keep them on the road in adverse conditions. While once relegated to specific brands of vehicle and larger SUVs, AWD has now found a new home, in many crossover vehicles, cars and small SUVs that allow for more versatility and better mileage.

Audi Q5

• Audi is one of the leading car manufacturers when it comes to all-wheel drive systems. Over the past several years the company has expanded a product line that was focused mostly on compact performance cars to produce several larger, crossover and SUV category vehicles. The Audi Q5 brings performance, style and comfort to the crossover vehicle area. The Q5 is a downsized version of their popular Q7 and boasts a 3.2 liter V6 with 270 horsepower. The Q5 is based on the Audi Quattro all-wheel drive system and, according to Consumer Reports, the crossover provides some of the best handling and agility for an SUV.

Ford Escape

• You're going to have to pay for the luxury that you'll find in the Audi Q5. If you're looking to get in to a crossover AWD vehicle that falls in to a more economic price scale, you might want to check out the Ford Escape, one of the cars.com best-rated crossover AWD vehicles at a price that won't break the bank. The Escape is one of the more fuel efficient crossovers out there with an estimated 24 mpg on the highway. The package comes with optional all-wheel drive and you can also get it in a hybrid, for even better gas mileage.

GMC Acadia

• GMC Acadia, rated in the top 5 of medium-sized SUVs by US News, offers three rows of comfortable seating for up to eight passengers along with the best fuel economy in its class. The engine is on par with what Audi offers and comes in a 3.6 liter package. You can also up the luxury by getting the Denali version of the vehicles, which comes with additional comforts like chrome wheels and pipes, Xenon headlamps and a rear camera.

Rentals That Can Be Used for Towing Trailers

• Trailers can accommodate items too large for your car. George Remington/Creatas/Getty Images

  Using a towing hitch can serve a variety of purposes. You may need more storage space than is available in your vehicle, be taking along another car without a spare driver (or simply trying to avoid paying for the gas to drive both vehicles), or towing a trailer carrying specialty watercraft or all-wheel-drive vehicles. However, if you're renting the vehicle doing the towing, be aware that not all rental companies let you do this, and not all rental vehicles are capable.

Moving Truck Rental Companies

• The giant enclosed trucks you see on the road, from companies such as U-Haul and Penske, have powerful engines and sturdy frames, and a trailer hitch you are typically allowed to use. Because the mission of these companies is to enable functionality in moving, their contracts usually allow you to tow trailers with weights that do not exceed the tow hitch's load capabilities.

Rent-a-Truck Companies

• Most commercial car rental companies, which also rent trucks, have terms in their vehicle rental agreements which prohibit you from using any car you rent from them for towing. Even if the vehicle you rent comes with a tow hitch, the rental terms often do not allow you to use it. If you do, the company could charge you a fee for violating the rental agreement and void any policies you purchased which would have relieved you of responsibility for damages to the vehicle. The rental company will also charge you fees associated with fixing any part of the car, from mechanical issues that might have resulted from the towing to any damage to the body. However, if the rental company has a separate division dedicated to truck rentals, then these will frequently come with trailer hitches you are allowed to use.

Trailer Hitch Rentals

• Another option you have to tow a trailer is to rent a trailer hitch which you can install on your own vehicle, use for whatever towing needs you may have, then remove and return to the rental company when you are finished. This saves you money over purchasing the tow hitch yourself, and saves you the need to store a hitch you bought if you normally don't like the way it would look on your vehicle.

How to Get a Title for an Old Model A Coupe

Ford Motor Company of Detroit, Michigan, manufactured the Model A from 1927 to 1931. It was succeeded by the Model T. The Ford Motor Company manufactured nearly 4.9 million Model As in many styles. If you are an antique car enthusiast and are restoring a Model A Ford, you can get a title for the vehicle.

• 1

  Call the nearest Department of Motor Vehicles office. Ask the representative about obtaining a title for an antique car manufactured prior to the issuance of Vehicle Identification Numbers. Ask the DMV to mail a vehicle registration form to you.

• 2

  Refer to the bill of sale or use the engine number to complete the vehicle registration application. In some states, you may need a notarized statement from the seller or probate documents that show the car is a family heirloom.

• 3

  Complete the vehicle registration application and visit the local DMV office. Submit the application, pay the registration fee and get a title.

How to Compare Mileages of Hybrid Cars

Hybrids now come in all shapes and sizes. You can purchase a small compact hybrid model, or you can choose a mid-size sedan or even a full-size SUV. Hybrids have come a long way since they were first introduced, and the fuel economy and mileage for hybrids just keeps getting better. Before you decide which company and model hybrid to choose, you should compare the fuel economy of each model carefully. This helps ensure you get the cost savings and performance you want from your hybrid.

• 1

  Find out what type of hybrid you're comparing. There are only two types when it comes to mileage and fuel economy. The fuel-efficient types will get 35 to 50 mpg, while the performance-oriented models will only get 20 to 30 mpg.

• 2

  Think about what's important to you with your hybrid car purchase. If you care about conservation and want to save money, then the fuel-efficient hybrids are a better choice. If you care about speed and performance or if you plan to take your hybrid vehicle off-road, then choose a performance-oriented hybrid.

• 3

  Talk to the dealer if you would like a more specific mileage estimate. The dealer will be able to provide you with more in-depth details about each hybrids fuel economy and mileage.

• 4

  Use online resources to learn more if you would like to avoid talking to a dealer. You can look each model up online on the manufacturer's website to find out more, or you can use websites like Fuel Economy.gov to look up the mileage for hybrids you're comparing by year.

Harley Night Train Specs

• The Harley-Davidson Night-Train was discontinued after 2009. DreamPictures/Photodisc/Getty Images

  Part of the Softail group of motorcycle cruisers built by Harley-Davidson, the Night Train was only sold to the European market. Born in 1998, the bike got a fuel injection system in 2002 and a boost to a 1580cc engine in 2006. In 2009, the last version of the bike was produced.

Engine

• The 2009 Night Train has a 1,584cc engine (the figure refers to the volume inside the cylinders that is swept by the pistons). It is a V-twin, meaning it has two cylinders arranged at an angle to each other. It has two valves per cylinder. The engine is a four-stroke, which means the pistons take four strokes to complete an engine cycle. The 2009 Night Train's motor -- called a Twin Cam 96 -- produces 87.9 ft-lbs of torque.

  The Night Train engine has a bore and stroke of 3.75 by 4.38 inches and a compression ratio of 9.2 to one. The bore is the diameter of the engine cylinder opening and the stroke is the total distance the piston travels up and down. Compression ratio is the ratio of the volume between the piston and cylinder head before and after a compression stroke.

Transmission and Suspension

• The Night Train has a chain final drive system to transfer engine power to the rear wheel, and six manual speeds. The front suspension of the bike uses telescopic forks, and the rear suspension uses a steel twin swing arm. The brakes on the Night Train are both 11.5-inch-diameter discs. A disc brake is a metal disc fixed to the wheel. When force is applied by pulling on the brake lever, a caliper pushes brake pads against the disc, causing friction and slowing the wheel.

Dimensions

• The Night Train is a heavy motorcycle, weighing 656 lbs. dry. The low cruiser seat is 25.2 inches high. The Night Train is 94.5 inches long. It has a wheelbase of 66.9 inches and a ground clearance of 5.1 inches. The rake (angle of steering) of the bike is 32.3 degrees and the trail is 5 inches.

  Harley cruisers have wide tires, and the Night Train delivers, with a Dunlop MH90-21 54H front tire mounted on a 21-inch-diameter wheel and a Dunlop 200/55 R17 78V tire mounted on the 17-inch diameter rear wheel.

  The Night Train's tank holds 5 gallons of fuel, The bike has fuel economy of 35 miles per gallon in the city and 54 mpg on the highway.

How to Fix an Idle Air Control Problem in a 2001 Ford Windstar

The idle air control valve on the 2001 Ford Windstar can be found on the top of the upper intake manifold next to the throttle body. It is one of the few idle air control valves that cannot be cleaned but must be replaced when it stops working. The idle air adjusts the idle speed in fuel-injected vehicles, including the Ford Windstar. The power control module (PCM) sends a duty signal to the idle air to tell it how much to open to allow air to bypass the throttle plate so the vehicle can maintain idle speed.

• 1

  Unplug the wiring harness connector on the idle air control valve.

• 2

  Remove the two bolts that hold the idle air control valve onto the intake manifold with the appropriate socket. Pull the idle air control valve off the manifold.

• 3

  Install the new idle air control valve onto the manifold then tighten the bolts firmly. Plug in the wiring harness connector.

Specifications of the Suzuki GSX-R400

• The Suzuki GSX-R400 is a replica racer that was manufactured from 1982 to 1999. The specifications changed slightly over this time period, mostly in terms of body work. The most famous model was the first generation GSX-R400-E produced from 1982 to 1984 as it was the first mass produced lightweight replica racer. The motorcycle is heavily based upon Yoshimura's TT-F3 GS1000R racer.

Dimensions

• The Suzuki GSX-R400-E measures 82.3 inches in length, 28.0 inches in width and 46.7 inches in height, producing a wheelbase of 56.1 inches, a road clearance of 5.3 inches and a seat height of 30.7 inches, when adjusted at its lowest setting. It has a dry weight of 334 lbs. and a wet weight of 416.7 lbs. when including a maximum fuel capacity of 3.96 gallons.

Engine and Transmission

• The Suzuki GSX-R400-E has a water-cooled, 16-valve engine in DOHC configuration with a compression ratio of 1.5:1 and a bore and stroke of 2.1 and 1.8 inches respectively. This produces and engine displacement of 398 cc, a maximum power of 59 ps at 11,000 rpm, a maximum torque of 4 kg-m at 9,000 rpm, and a top speed of 175 km per hour. The engine is powered by two carburettors and is controlled by a six-speed transmission with a wet multi-plate clutch and electric starter. The R400-E has a combined fuel economy of 20.5 km per liter.

Chassis

• The aluminium, angular pipe, double-cradle chassis is fitted with telescopic suspension in the front and full-floater, swing-arm suspension in the rear. The front is fitted with a 110/90-16 54h tire, while the rear is fitted with a 110/90-18 61h tire. Together they produce a trail of 3.78 inches. The front and rear brakes are single disc and drum respectively.

The 1990 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6 Specifications

• The ZX6 was the most powerful 600cc sportsbike of 1990. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  The ZX6 is a class of motorcycles first made by Kawasaki in 1990. These bikes are also known by the designation ZX600, and by the "Ninja" moniker. The bike was a sportsbike, with plenty of exterior plastic bodywork, i.e. fairings, for aerodynamics, although the fairings did expose some of the engine. The ZX6 replaced the 600R in 1990 as Kawasaki's supersports model, and the updated model line is now called the ZZR600.

Engine

• The 1990 ZX6 engine had 598 cubic centimeters of engine displacement, with four inline cylinders and four valves per cylinder. The engine had a double overhead cam design, which meant that both the intake and exhaust valves were directly controlled by a camshaft without the use of pushrods. The bike was four-stroke, with pistons taking four strokes to complete an engine cycle, and was liquid-cooled. The ZX6 engine had a bore and stroke of 2.5 by 1.8 inches and a compression ratio of 11.5:1. The fuel system used four 36-mm Keihin CVKD36 carburetors, and the bike had digital ignition and electric start.

Chassis

• The front suspension of the ZX6 used Showa telescopic forks of 1.6 inches in diameter. The rear suspension used a Showa single shock and was adjustable. The bike's transmission used a chain final drive system to transfer power to the rear wheel. It had six manual gears. The front brakes of the bike were dual discs of 10.6 inches in diameter, and the rear brake was a single disc of 5.1 inches in diameter.

Dimensions

• The 1990 ZX-6 weighed 489 pounds loaded and had a low seat at a height of 30.3 inches. The front tire was 120/60 V16 size and the rear tire was 170/60 V16 size. The bike had a top speed of 147 miles per hour and produced a torque of 47 ft-lbs. at 10,000 rpm. The maximum horsepower of 105 hp was produced at 12,500 rpm, making the ZX6 the most powerful of all the 600--cc production bikes of 1990.

Civic Engine Specs

• Each Civic model comes with a different engine specifications. old engine image by John Sfondilias from Fotolia.com

  The Honda Civic is one of Honda's most popular car models. Offered in five models -- Civic Coupe, Sedan, Si, Hybrid and GX -- the Civic offers a car type for every consumer. Each model varies in engine specification, with the fastest being the Si model to the most economical being the Hybrid model.

Civic Coupe and Sedan Engines

• The Civic Coupe and Sedan are made of an aluminum-alloy engine block. Both the Coupe and Sedan have a four-cylinder inline engine capable of producing 140 horsepower at 6,300 RPM. In addition, the Coupe and Sedan can produce 128 foot-pounds of torque at 4,300 RPM. The engines uses a multi-point fuel injection system and includes a standard 16-value SOHC i-VTEC train valve. Both the Sedan and Coupe came with either five-speed manual transmission or automatic.

Civic Si and Si Coupe

• Both the Civic Si Coupe and Si Sedan are made of an aluminum-alloy block. Both Coupe and Sedan have a four-cylinder engine capable of producing 197 horsepower at 7,800 RPMs, while producing 139 foot-pounds of torque at 6,100 RPM. Both engines include a multi-point fuel injection system and use a 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC train valve. Both the Sedan and Coupe are sold in six-speed manual transmission.

Hybrid

• The Civic Hybrid engine offers a four-cylinder, aluminum-alloy engine block capable of producing 110 horsepower at 6,600 RPM. In addition, the Civic Hybrid model is capable of producing 120 foot-pounds of torque at 1,000 RPM. The Hybrid comes equipped with an eight-valve SOHC i-VTEC valve train. The engine is made of electrical permanent magnet motor producing 158 volts of energy.

GX Engine

• The GX engine is a natural gas-powered car made of a four-cylinder, aluminum-alloy engine block capable of producing 113 horsepower at 6,600 RPM. In addition, the GX model can produce 109 foot-pounds of torque at 4,300 RPM. The GX is built with a 16-valve SOHC i-VTEC valve train and is sold only in a five-speed automatic transmission.

Yamaha XS 400 Maxim Specifications

• Between 1977 and 1984, Yamaha produced a series of classic motorcycles under the name of XS 400. The Yamaha XS 400 L Maxim is a part of that series. It was manufactured and sold in 1983 and 1984. The "400" in the bike's name refers to the displacement of its engine, which measures 399 cubic centimeters.

Engine

• The Yamaha XS 400 L Maxim is equipped with a four-stroke engine. The engine's two cylinders are placed in a parallel position. The engine has a 69-mm bore and a 53.4-mm stroke. This configuration delivers 38 horsepower, or 28.3 kilowatts, at 8,800 revolutions per minute, and a torque of 31.7 newton meters, or 23.3 foot pounds, at 8,000 rpm.

Transmission, Brakes and Tires

• The Yamaha XS 400 L Maxim has a five-speed gearbox. The motorbike also features a chain final drive. The bike comes with a 3.00-18 front tire and a 130/90-16 back tire. The Yamaha XS 400 L Maxim is equipped with single disc front brakes with single-piston calipers.

Fuel Tank and Weight

• The motorbike has a 15-liter, or four-gallon, fuel tank. The bike runs on regular unleaded gasoline. The Yamaha XS 400 L Maxim weighs 169 kilograms, or 372.6 pounds.

How to Transfer a Ford Warranty

When you are ready to sell your vehicle, you may want to provide a warranty on the car as an incentive to attract buyers. Ford warranty coverage is available for new and used vehicles. However, it's important to confirm what type of warranty you may currently have on your vehicle. Once you know this information, you can then transfer your vehicle's warranty over to the new owner. Transferring your car's warranty requires a few simple steps.

• 1

  Locate the sales paperwork and the owner's manual for your car. Determine what warranties are still in effect and see if they are transferable to the buyer. If you cannot locate your paperwork or manual, you can search online at Ford's website for your car brand, the year and the warranties that were included at the time of purchase.

• 2

  Check to see how much coverage is still available on your Ford extended warranty, if any. If you purchased an extended warranty, the remaining coverage that is left for the vehicle is transferable to the new owner.

• 3

  Call the Ford customer service department. The Ford Extended Service Plans service (ESP) phone number is located in the upper right corner of the Ford website (see Resources). Customer service can provide information on the transfer of any portion of a new car warranty or an extended warranty service plan and can transfer the warranty to the new owner. The fees for transferring a warranty vary by state, but are usually less than $100.

2007 Ford F-150 4.6 V8 Engine Performance

Ford's F-150 pickup, introduced in 1975 as a option to the lighter-duty F-100 and the heavy-duty F-250, is one of the longest running nameplates in automotive history. The venerable 4.6-liter V8 engine that was introduced in 2001 to power the Mustang and Ford's heavier cars and light-duty pickups was standard on most of the F-150's 2007 iterations. F-150 4.6-liter performance specifications differed from those of the Crown Victoria sedan and the Mustang sport coupe.

Trim Levels

• The 4.6 L V8 engine came as standard equipment in all four-wheel-drive XL, STX and XLT F-150 models, and is standard on most of the two-wheel-drive variants of the XL, STX and XLT models. The luxury-oriented Lariat line and the off-road-geared FX4 derived their power from the larger 5.4-liter V8.

Engine Output

• The 2007 F-150's 4.6-liter V8 engine was a 16-valve single-overhead-cam design with a 3.55-inch bore and a 3.54-inch stroke. The naturally aspirated engine had a 9.4-to-1 compression ratio and generated 231 horsepower at 4,750 rpm and 293 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Some versions of this engine are tuned to produce 248 horsepower and 294 pound-feet of torque.

Fuel Economy

• Rear-wheel-drive F-150s powered by the 4.6-liter engine yield 15 miles per gallon in the city and 20 mpg on the highway, while four-wheel-drive iterations produced fuel ratings of 15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway.

Ford 4.6 V8 Performance

The Ford Motor Company's 4.6-liter, V8 engine was under the hood of a 1991 Lincoln Town Car, the first application for this motor. Over the years, numerous Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles have been powered by a 4.6-liter V8, which is offered in two-valve, three-valve and four-valve configurations.

4.6-liter, Two-Valve V8

• A two-valve version of the 4.6-liter V8 is the base engine for the 2010 Ford F-150 pickup truck. Paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, this engine is rated at 248 horsepower and 294 pound-feet of torque. Maximum towing capacity is 6,000 pounds.

4.6-liter, Three-Valve V8

• A three-valve version of the 4.6-liter, V8 engine is available as an option in the 2010 Ford F-150 pickup truck and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine is rated at 281 horsepower and 292 pound-feet of torque. Maximum towing capacity is 8,200 pounds.

4.6-liter 4-valve V-8 Engine

• A four-valve, 4.6-liter, V8 engine was last used in the Ford Mustang in 2004 and in the Lincoln Aviator SUV in 2005. In the Lincoln Aviator, this engine was rated at 302 horsepower and 318 pound-feet of torque. In the Mustang, this engine was supercharged and rated at 390 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, according to Bessel Motorsports.

Yamaha Road Star 1600 Specifications

• When introduced, the Road Star had the biggest V-twin factory engine of any motorcycle. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  Yamaha introduced the Road Star in 1999. It was the first Yamaha motorcycle with a belt final drive. When the Road Star debuted, it boasted the biggest V-twin engine on a production model motorcycle -- 1602 cc. Yamaha discontinued the Road Star 1600 after the 2003 model year, increasing the engine size on the Road Star for the 2004 model year to 1670 cc and renaming it the Road Star 1700.

Engine

• The Yamaha Road Star 1600 has an air-cooled, twin-cylinder, OHC engine with four valves per cylinder. A 40 mm Mikuni carburetor delivers the fuel to the engine. The Road Star has digital transistor-controlled ignition and electric starter.

Transmission

• A five-speed transmission (one down and four up) delivers power to the rear wheel via a belt final drive system. As on most motorcycles, the Road Star has a wet multiplate clutch.

Body

• The Yamaha Road Star 1600 is built around a double cradle frame. A 43 mm telescopic front fork and single rear shock provide the suspension. Dual 298 mm discs provide braking up front and in the rear there's a single 320 mm disc. Instrumentation on the Road Star 1600 includes a speedometer, odometer, dual trip meters, fuel gauge, LCD clock and warning lights for fuel level, high beams and neutral.

Dimensions

• The Yamaha Road Star 1600 is 98.4 inches long with a 66.3-inch wheelbase. It's 44.9 inches high and 38.6 inches wide with a ground clearance of 5.7 inches. The dry weigh of the Road Star 1600 is 677 lbs. The fuel tank holds 5.3 gallons.

2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 Specifications

• The Vulcan 2000 has the power and comfort to keep you cruising all day long. VisionsofAmerica/Joe Sohm/Digital Vision/Getty Images

  Kawasaki began producing cruiser style motorcycles under the Vulcan name in 1984 with the Vulcan 750. Kawasaki introduced the Vulcan 2000 in 2004. At that time, the Vulcan's 2053cc engine made the Vulcan 2000 the world's largest production V-Twin motorcycle, reports Motoshop de Mammoet. The Vulcan 2000 has been called the "perfect combination of power, style and superb craftsmanship," according to Top Speed, a motorcycle review website.

Engine Specs

• The Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 gets its power from a 2053cc, OHV, liquid cooled twin-cylinder engine. The Vulcan 2000 also has cooling fins to aid in keeping the engine running at the optimum temperature. Fuel is delivered via an electronic fuel injection system. The ECU (Engine Control Unit) manages both the fuel injection and digital ignition systems to optimize throttle response. The ECU also receives input from the transmission to assist with performance.

Transmission Specs

• The Vulcan 2000 has a five-speed (one down, four up) transmission. Power is delivered to the rear wheel via a belt final drive system.

Body

• The Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 is built around a steel double cradle frame that uses the engine as a stressed member to minimize the weight. The Vulcan 2000 has a distinctive chrome Nacelle headlight cover. The 49mm front fork and a single adjustable rear shock absorber provide the suspension. The front brakes are dual 300mm discs with four-piston calipers. The rear brake is a single 320mm disc with a two-piston caliper. The Vulcan 2000 has driver floorboards with a heel-toe shifter.

Dimensions

• The 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 has a wheelbase of 68.3 inches with a ground clearance of 5.3 inches. The rider sits 26.8 inches off the ground. The dry weight of the Vulcan 2000 is 750 pounds. The fuel tank holds 5.5 gallons. It was available in Ebony or Galaxy Silver when released and had a suggested retail price of $12,999.

How to Get Car Keys Locked Inside a Car Out

Locking your keys in the car is something that has happened to almost everyone. If it happens to you, you should know that you can get back in without keys or the help of a locksmith. There are tips and tricks you can learn if you want to know how to get car keys locked inside a car out. Try these out beforehand to know what will work for your car and what won't.

• 1

  Puncture a tennis ball with a sharp object so that you can squeeze the ball and air will be pushed out from the inside. Bring the opening of the tennis ball to the key entry of the driver's side door. Squeeze the tennis ball quickly while pushing it into the lock. The air pushed out of the hole and into the lock will open an air-actuated locking system if there is enough air pressure delivered via the tennis ball.

• 2

  Insert the thin edge of a soft rubber or inflatable window wedge into the gap between the window and the door's window frame. Slowly pry the window away from the frame with the wedge until you've created a one- or two-inch gap. Slip the hook end of a Slim-Jim door lock tool into the passenger compartment and manipulate the lock with the tool to unlock the door lock.

• 3

  Slide the Slim-Jim door lock tool down into the door using the gap between the bottom of the window and the rubber weather stripping that keeps water from outside out of the door. Push the tool down into the door and manipulate the tip inside the door near the lock cylinder. Hook and pull up on the metal arms inside the door to find the arm that actuates the door lock and unlocks the door.

• 4

  Call OnStar. You have the option to maintain a membership with OnStar for late-model vehicles. Contact the service desk by telephone and tell them the VIN of your vehicle and answer the security questions asked. OnStar will be able to unlock the doors within 15 minutes of calling.

How to Determine a Model by the VIN Number

A standardized 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN) has been affixed to vehicles sold in the United States since 1980. Prior to this standardization, manufacturers created their own identification numbers that varied in length and location on the vehicle. Standardized VINs use a combination of numbers and letters to identify specific information about a vehicle and to differentiate vehicles from each other. A complete VIN provides a number that is unique to that specific vehicle and can be used to establish a vehicle history.

• 1

  Read the first character of the VIN. This number or letter indicates the country where the vehicle was made. The following table lists the country codes:

  1, 4, 5 -- USA

  2 -- Canada

  3, 9 -- Mexico

  6 -- Australia

  J -- Japan

  K -- Korea

  S -- England

  T, W -- Germany

  V -- France

  Y -- Finland, Sweden

  Z -- Italy

• 2

  Locate the second character in the VIN. This indicates the manufacturer. The following table lists the codes and the make of vehicle they identify.

  1 -- Chevrolet

  2 -- Pontiac

  3 -- Oldsmobile

  4 -- Buick

  5 -- Pontiac

  6 -- Cadillac

  7 -- GM Canada

  8 -- Saturn

  A -- Audi or Jaguar

  B -- BMW or Dodge

  C -- Chrysler

  D -- Mercedes Benz

  F -- Ford

  G -- General Motors

  H -- Honda

  L -- Lincoln

  M -- Mercury

  N -- Nissan

  P -- Plymouth

  T -- Toyota

  V -- Volvo

• 3

  Interpret the fourth through the eighth characters. The information these numbers identify varies by manufacturer; for example, Ford uses the fifth through the seventh to identify its models and GMC uses the fifth and sixth characters to identify models. Compare the numbers or letters with a chart for that specific manufacturer to determine the specific model.

1991 Acura Legend

The 1991 Acura Legend is available as both a four-door sedan and two-door coupe. The Legend first retailed for $27,000 to $35,500, and it is valued between $2,200 and $2,800 in 2010.

Power

• The 1991 Acura Legend has a 3.2-liter V-6 engine with 200 horsepower. A five-speed manual overdrive transmission is standard, though you can get a four-speed automatic overdrive transmission instead. Torque is rated at 210 pound-feet at 4,500 rpm.

Fuel

• The Legend has an 18-gallon fuel tank. It gets 18 miles per gallon in city driving. On the highway, it gets 26 mpg.

Safety

• The 1991 Legend has power door locks and anti-lock brakes. Airbags come standard for the driver and front seat passenger.

Features

• Power windows and cruise control--which helps the driver conserve gas--are among the Legend's features. Air conditioning, tilt steering and a tachometer are all standard. The dash features a cassette tape player.

Specifications of the Hyundai Atos

The Hyundai Atos was originally introduced in 1997. It is a small compact car that is designed for city driving. The Atos was not released on the American market, but is very popular overseas and in Mexico.

Engine Specifications

• The Hyundai Atos has front transverse, in-line four-cylinder engine that displaces 66 cubic inches. The control system is an overhead cam shaft that has three valves per cylinder.

Performance Specifications

• The engine is capable of 58 horsepower and has a torque rating of 61.2 foot-pounds. The top speed of the Atos is 90.7 miles per hour. The Atos goes from 0 to 60 in 15.8 seconds, and has a power to weight ratio of 0.0667 PS/kg. It comes with a six-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission.

Dimensions

• The Hyundai Atos, which seats five, is 140.6 inches long, 60.2 inches wide, stands 62.2 inches high and weighs 1,951.1 pounds. The wheelbase is 94.1 inches, and the Atos holds 9.25 gallons of gas.

Signs & Symptoms of a Faulty Neutral Safety Switch

• The neutral safety switch tells your computer that the shifter is in park or neutral. Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images

  All new cars use some sort of neutral safety switch to prevent the car from starting while in gear. The neutral safety switch on most vehicles attaches either to the shift mechanism inside the transmission or to the shifter mechanism itself. Failure can easily immobilize the vehicle or can cause it to start in gear.

Failure to Start

• While specific designs vary, the neutral safety switch usually acts as an interrupter between the starter relay and the starter, or the key and the starter relay. During normal operation, the switch's internal circuit will only close while in neutral or park. In no other position will power make it from the ignition key to the relay or the relay to the starter. If your vehicle's starter does not engage in any way when you turn the key in park or neutral, the neutral safety switch may be at fault.

Check Engine Light and Code

• The neutral safety switch is an important component in preventing injury and death, so it may be part of your vehicle's diagnostic circuit. Your manufacturer may have incorporated a feedback circuit into your starting system or transmission, allowing the computer to diagnose the problem and notify you via a check engine light. If you suspect a faulty neutral safety switch and your check engine light illuminates, have a technician read the codes with a scanner. Many chain auto parts stores will pull and clear your vehicle's codes for free, but you'll have to get it there first.

Starts in Gear

• Modern neutral safety switches are a default-off design, meaning that if the switch fails it will immobilize the vehicle instead of allowing it to start in gear. Still, it's not impossible for contacts to cross over due to moisture in the switch, metallic debris, physical damage, metal shavings from wear or any number of other faults. If this happens, the power side of the switch terminal will short against the housing or power-out terminal to the starter, allowing the vehicle to start in gear. Older neutral safety switches may not incorporate a default-off design, so failure can manifest as a constant-on and starting in gear.

Wiggle the Shifter

• One way to diagnose a bad neutral safety switch is to place the shifter into park or neutral, then try to start the engine while gently wiggling the shifter so that it almost goes out of gear. This will engage a different part of the contact inside your switch, allowing power to go through to the starter relay. If your vehicle only starts while wiggling the shifter, then you need to replace the neutral safety switch.