(NAPSI)—The next time you start up your lawn mower, string trimmer or other equipment powered by a gas engine, think about adding a fuel preservative to protect your investment from the harmful effects of ethanol fuel blends.

According to engine experts, ethanol fuels begin to deteriorate almost the moment they are pumped, and can break down in the fuel tank causing rust, corrosion, buildup and even significant engine damage. This is particularly an issue in engines only used occasionally—like those on lawn mowers, generators and snow throwers, as well as engines powering sporting equipment such as boats, snowmobiles and ATVs.

A potent new fuel preservative developed by Briggs & Stratton, the largest maker of gas engines for outdoor power equipment, provides an easy and inexpensive way to prevent damage caused by ethanol-blended gas while also keeping the fuel fresh for up to three years.

The Advanced Formula Fuel Treatment & Stabilizer protects any gas engine, including 2-cycle engines like those on trimmers, which use a blend of oil and gasoline. This protection may be more important than ever?ethanol-blended fuels now account for nearly 90 percent of all fuel sold in the U.S., according to the Renewable Fuels Association. The longer these blends sit in the fuel tank, the more damage they can do, resulting in starting issues, rough running and even severe engine damage.

“Ethanol-based fuels attract moisture, which eventually separates from the fuel, forming a layer of ethanol-enriched water at the bottom of the tank where it does its damage,” explains Eric Risse, fuel systems engineer at Briggs & Stratton.

A Solution

Briggs & Stratton’s Advanced Formula Fuel Treatment & Stabilizer combines a proprietary “triple antioxidant” formula with other ingredients to fight water separation and protect the entire fuel system. Corrosion inhibitors form a protective barrier on metal parts while detergent ingredients help prevent gum and varnish buildup.

A metal deactivator works to stop the aggressive chemical reactions caused by dissolved metal ions in the fuel. The net result: extreme protection against fuel-related problems.

The company cautions consumers to avoid certain fuels altogether in small gas engines because of their damaging effects. These include fuels containing more than 10 percent ethanol (such as E15 or E85 gasoline) and gasoline containing other alcohol blends.

Learn More

For more information on products for outdoor power equipment, visit www.briggsandstratton.com or call (800) 444-7774.

Small engine repair in Garner NC, Raleigh NC Wake County NC

How to keep your car running for years longer than most

(ARA) – If you’ve been in an auto dealer’s showroom recently, you won’t be surprised to learn that the average price of a new car is approaching $30,000. While there’s no getting around the price you have to pay for a new automobile, there are plenty of things you can do to make sure you won’t have to make the same investment again anytime soon.

By doing the little things to maintain your car on a day-to-day basis, you can do everything in your power to make your car last long past the day you make your final payment on that car loan.

“Time and miles are the two forces fighting to destroy every car,” says Tom Taylor, engineer and vice president of RockAuto.com. “Giving the car an occasional wash and wax is nice but really not as important as regular maintenance. Driving and maintaining your car as if it needs to last for at least 200,000 miles or 20 years is a smart way to preserve the value of an expensive asset.”

Storage
If you have a garage, make it your car’s permanent home. Reserving a garage space for your car instead of household items that could be stored elsewhere will help you avoid the accelerated wear and tear caused by prolonged exposure to the elements.

If you store your car in a partially protected carport or use a car cover, regularly inspect underneath your hood for signs of vermin. “I recently needed to replace a fuel injector connector that a rat gnawed off our 20-year-old family van after it was left unattended in a carport for just a few days,” says Taylor. “Rats and mice like a nice warm engine bay and they chew constantly to wear down their ever-growing teeth.”

Scheduled maintenance
Your car’s maintenance, engine oil, radiator antifreeze and other components might differ significantly from your last car. Following the maintenance schedule laid out in your owner’s manual is important to protect your vehicle. The photos in the RockAuto.com online auto parts catalog can help you become familiar with the maintenance parts for your specific car. Making sure items like filters, struts and brake pads are replaced when needed will help protect other components, saving you money and unnecessary wear.

Drive smart
Occasionally kicking up your heels is fine, but consistently accelerating too fast can put unnecessary strain on your engine and other moving parts. Stopping or cornering too quickly can prematurely wear out your brakes and suspension. If you’re starting your car in the cold, take it easy at first – letting your car idle won’t help protect your car, but driving a little more methodically than usual while your car warms up will.

Drive less
You don’t need to cut out the annual family road trip – highway miles are among the easiest miles you can put on your car. But eliminating unnecessary trips in everyday life can have noticeable results since the starting and stopping associated with short trips can be tough on your car. Take care of all your errands in one trip, walk with your kids to school if it’s close to home or ride the bus to and from work. If you can cut down on driving by 5 miles per day for 10 years, you’ll save 18,000 miles of driving. Taylor estimates that those miles are worth $4,000 in parts, depreciation and gas. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also put less stress on your vehicle, which should extend its lifespan.

When shopping for a new car, you might be able to save hundreds of dollars by comparison shopping and finding the best price. But good maintenance and driving practices can save you thousands if it means you won’t have to buy another car for 20 years.

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Slowing the gas price roller coaster

(ARA) – Gas prices are on a roller coaster ride again. A bargain these days is anything under $4 a gallon, which is especially difficult since it’s summer and everyone’s hitting the road for vacations. Inching closer is fall’s “back-to-school” drive cycle. In short, there is a lot of driving ahead and higher gas prices are now the norm, so it’s time to look at ways to alleviate the pain at the pumps.

A good place to start is eye-level with your feet – your car’s tires. You may look at tires as black, round utilitarian objects, but truth be told, these technical wonders – when properly maintained – are gas saviors that can slice hundreds of dollars off your annual gasoline bill, according to Dan King, Yokohama Tire Corporation’s senior vice president of sales and marketing.

“The first thing is to always make sure your tires are properly inflated,” says King. “Tires that are underinflated by eight pounds per square inch (psi), for example, can reduce vehicle fuel economy by as much as 2 percent and tire tread life can also be reduced by as much as 25 percent.”

King says for the best driving savings and safety results, make checking the tire pressure a monthly routine. “It only takes five minutes,” he says. “If you’re not doing it once a month, chances are you’re driving on under-inflated tires.”

Use the tire inflation numbers usually labeled inside the driver’s door, fuel door, glove box or in the owner’s manual. (The number on the tire’s sidewall is the maximum inflation pressure.) Over-inflation reduces the tire’s contact patch with the road, while under-inflation puts extra weight on its sidewalls and causes an unsafe increase in tire temperature.

Certain types of tires – ones with low rolling resistance (LRR) – can help save fuel, too. “LRR tires are designed to minimize the energy wasted as heat while the tire rolls down the road,” King says. “That results in improved fuel efficiency. Studies show driving on LRR tires alone can save about $100 annually.”

Yokohama’s AVID ENVigor tire is a good example of the expanding LRR tire technology. “It’s an excellent low rolling resistant tire that saves fuel and combines performance, comfort and long treadlife,” King says.

King also offers other fuel-saving tips:

* Keep your tires properly inflated. Once a month, when the tires are cold (at least three to four hours after the vehicle has been driven), check tire pressure with a reliable tire gauge. Be sure that the valve stems have a plastic or metal cap to keep dirt out and seal against leakage.

* Replace your air filter. A clogged air filter blocks the air needed to burn fuel efficiently and wastes gas.

* Keep your car tuned-up according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule to keep all systems in good working order, which can optimize your mileage.

* To prevent skidding and hydroplaning, tires must be replaced when the tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch. An easy test: place a penny into a tread groove. If part of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread, you’re driving with the proper amount of tread. If you can see all of his head, you should buy a new tire.

* Built-in treadwear indicators, or “wear bars,” which look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread will appear on the tire when the tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch. When you see these wear bars, the tire is worn out and should be replaced.

* Visually check your tires for signs of uneven wear. You may have irregular tread wear if there are high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Consult your tire dealer as soon as possible.

* Tires should be rotated at least every 6,000 to 8,000 miles and the alignment should be checked once a year. Misaligned tires can cause the car to scrub, which lowers mileage and causes unnecessary tire wear.

* Slow down. For every five mph you go above 60 mph, you’re using more gas, and, ultimately, paying even more for each gallon of gas.

For additional tire care and safety tips, visit www.yokohamatire.com or www.rma.org.

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You too can break into the scrap metal business on a shoestring and turn someone else’s junk into gold. Start out by becoming a “local junk dealer.” All you actually need to get started is a couple of empty boxes and either a pickup truck or a station wagon with a trailer.

Tools should be on your list as an investment, you will need your basic tools to start-up….. Screwdrivers, hammers, drills, tin cutters and some small power tools

Any metal that you’d find is worth money these days. Check with local machine shops, plumbers, electricians, roofers, and building contractors. And be sure and check in the neighborhood trash containers and service stations.

It’s a good idea to contract with these sources to remove their metal on a regular basis – most of them will just give it to you, it saves them hauling it away. Sort out the metal according to type – copper $2.55 per pound, steel and iron is about $7.00 a hundred pounds, tin $5.00, brass about $1.90 a pound, aluminum about $.90 per pound, etc.

Separated, its worth more. The more you do to separate these metals, the more respect you will earn with your metal processor. Your next step is to search the yellow pages or online city guide for scrap metal processors – they are anxious to purchase all the scrap that you can provide at the going rates. Check your daily newspapers to keep in touch with metal prices, online search engines, Also subscribe to the “AMERICAN METAL MARKET”, “IRON AGE”, AND “FIBER MARKET NEWS”.

Put up signs in Laundromats and bulletin boards all over town. Distribute flyers house-to-house. Place ads in your favorite print newspaper classifieds, online classifieds, Business Directories. Let people know that you are in business of “recycling” scrap metals – most folks will give you what they have free. You can even establish your own “recycling center,” providing separate bins for each metal.

People are super ecology-minded these days and will gladly bring it to you. Newspapers, cardboard and old telephone books bring you a lot of cash too. Contact businesses and pick up their paper on a regular basis. Hundred of fortunes have been build in exactly this way – simple, low-investment beginnings.

Perhaps 9 out of 10 giants of the industry started in exactly this way, and so can you. After you’ve gotten your feet wet, jump into the big time, the “junk automobile” business. This is the best source of scrap metals. It requires a pretty good investment for equipment, such as tow truck, mobile crusher, and a yard to store cars to do the crushing.

To begin, rent the yard, purchase a used tow truck and crusher, and contact your County Clerk for insurance and licensing requirements. Tow in wrecked and abandoned cars, buy old cars for say $45 each and strip them for usable parts – then crush them for scrap. Body shops, garages, and service stations are prime markets for used and reconditioned parts of all types. You still sell the scrap metal to processors or even brokers. Places to sell your scrape metals:

American Metal & Parts Co. 2212 E US 70 Hwy Garner NC 27529, (919)772-6527

TT&E IRON & METAL INC, 1529 W Garner Road. Garner NC 27529,(919)772-9190

Garner NC Online Free Business Directory & Classifieds Ads

Free Appliance and Electronics pick-up for recycling, Stoves, Dryers, Heaters, Freezers, Refrigerators, Computers, Washers, Radios, TVs, Tools, Metal Furniture and other appliances that you are trashing or nedd recycling. We pick-up free and disasemble and properly recycle all parts.
We also have techs check for salvaging or repair, if repaired we give to persons free,or charge for repair cost and parts if needed only. We do not repair these appliances ourselves and not in the repair business, but we will try to salvage and donate appliances if repairs is not costly and is worth the effort and not just a delay to end up in landfills. Call 919-324-8905 OR 919-803-4425
If no answer please leave voice mail and someone will contact you and set-up a time at your convenience.

(NAPSI)-When buying a car, there’s more to consider than the make and model. Price, size, gas mileage–even the way it feels behind the wheel–affect your decision. You should also weigh your options when buying auto insurance. With many brands and features and price ranges out there, it pays to do your homework.

Here are some common questions people ask Progressive when they shop for insurance:

What type of auto insurance can I choose from? There are two types of auto insurance: Liability coverage pays for damage to other vehicles or injuries to other people that you cause. Physical Damage coverage pays for damage to your vehicle. These two coverages are the foundation of your policy.

How much coverage should I buy? The state defines the minimum amount of coverage required, but after that, the amount of coverage you buy is up to you. You choose based on your comfort level, budget and lifestyle.

Some people want as much coverage as possible for all of life’s “what ifs.” Others are satisfied with bare-minimum coverage. If you have a newer vehicle, you may want more coverage to protect your investment. If you can afford higher deductibles (the amount you’ll pay out of pocket in the event of an accident), you can raise them and pay less premium.

How is my rate determined? Rates are based on a combination of pieces of information about you, your driving record and your car. It’s important for you to provide accurate information to your agent or to the insurance company. It helps determine the best options and rates for you.

Can I get a lower rate? Many insurance companies offer discounts that can help lower your rate. For example, Progressive offers discounts for good student drivers, paying your premium electronically and having more than one policy.

Some companies offer rewards for renewing your policies with them. At Progressive, the longer you stay a customer, the more benefits you gain, such as lower deductibles and accident forgiveness. Ask your agent or customer service representative about available discounts and programs.

Where should I shop for insurance? If you prefer to look on your own, begin your search online. If you want to talk to someone about insurance, contact an agent. To find an agent, visit www.progressiveagent.com.

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Wooden Bird Houses

(NAPSA)-Wells Fargo’s online Smarter Credit resource center has information, tips and tools to help you take charge and improve your credit, and its Retirement Center can help you plan and get on track for the future. Go to www.wellsfargo.com to learn more.

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The virtual hostess, Aimee, featured on the interactive video game “Sleepover Party” on Wii, can help you plan your party, choose your party theme, build your guest list, create shopping lists and more. Then, at the party, she’ll help you enjoy a variety of games and activities. For more information, visit www.amazon.com.

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Designers such as those at Lane Bryant are answering the demand for high-quality cotton fashion by expanding their Supima® cotton collection to include fresh new styles and colors for spring and beyond. All styles and colors are available in stores and online at lanebryant.com.

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Being aware of the dangers of texting on the road could keep you from being driven to distraction, say experts at MetLife Auto & Home. For free brochures-”Driving While Distracted: Be a Safer Driver” and “In the Driver’s Seat: About Driving Safely”-call (800) 608-0190. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

* * *

Ultrahydrating Vaseline Clinical Therapy is a prescription-strength body lotion available over the counter. It can be used every day, all over the body, to provide instant relief, long-lasting protection, and sustained recovery from dry skin.

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A leading provider of online technology services called Sup port.com recently announced that it is embarking on a campaign to hire more than 100 work-from-home online technology-solution engineers within the next 100 days. For more information, visit www.support.com.

Free business listing in Wake County NC

(NAPSI)-When buying a car, there’s more to consider than the make and model. Price, size, gas mileage–even the way it feels behind the wheel–affect your decision. You should also weigh your options when buying auto insurance. With many brands and features and price ranges out there, it pays to do your homework.

Here are some common questions people ask Progressive when they shop for insurance:

What type of auto insurance can I choose from? There are two types of auto insurance: Liability coverage pays for damage to other vehicles or injuries to other people that you cause. Physical Damage coverage pays for damage to your vehicle. These two coverages are the foundation of your policy.

How much coverage should I buy? The state defines the minimum amount of coverage required, but after that, the amount of coverage you buy is up to you. You choose based on your comfort level, budget and lifestyle.

Some people want as much coverage as possible for all of life’s “what ifs.” Others are satisfied with bare-minimum coverage. If you have a newer vehicle, you may want more coverage to protect your investment. If you can afford higher deductibles (the amount you’ll pay out of pocket in the event of an accident), you can raise them and pay less premium.

How is my rate determined? Rates are based on a combination of pieces of information about you, your driving record and your car. It’s important for you to provide accurate information to your agent or to the insurance company. It helps determine the best options and rates for you.

Can I get a lower rate? Many insurance companies offer discounts that can help lower your rate. For example, Progressive offers discounts for good student drivers, paying your premium electronically and having more than one policy.

Some companies offer rewards for renewing your policies with them. At Progressive, the longer you stay a customer, the more benefits you gain, such as lower deductibles and accident forgiveness. Ask your agent or customer service representative about available discounts and programs.

Where should I shop for insurance? If you prefer to look on your own, begin your search online. If you want to talk to someone about insurance, contact an agent. To find an agent, visit www.progressiveagent.com.

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Plastics Create Oil With Energy to Spare (380) (NewsUSA) – America’s quest to reduce its fuel consumption and dependence on foreign oil may lead it to look for energy sources in new places — like the bottom of a trash barrel. JBI, Inc. (OTCBB:JBII), a global technology company, has developed a process, called Plastic2Oil (P2O), that converts raw, unwashed, unsorted plastic waste into a fuel similar to biofuel. In April 2010, an independent laboratory, Islechem, validated the P2O process through extensive chemical, analytical and process engineering testing. Islechem tested the process over 40 times using multicolored, mixed plastics. The laboratory determined that the P20 process is repeatable and can be done on a large scale. Approximately 85 to 90 percent of the hydrocarbon composition in the feedstock is converted into a “near diesel” fuel, while about 8 percent is converted to a usable off gas much like natural gas. In addition, only 1 percent of the plastic becomes residue, and that residue does not contain any highly toxic elements and is safe for landfill disposal. Even better, more energy is produced than consumed by the process. Early data suggest that the process creates twice as much energy as it uses. “It takes energy to produce energy. The key is to get more energy from the final product than it takes to make it,” said JBI, Inc. CEO John Bordynuik. “Our process has a high positive energy balance of 2.0, while gasoline from crude has a negative energy balance of 0.81.” The fuel produced by the P20 process has another major advantage over gasoline from crude oil — its production, including labor, costs only about $10 a barrel. Gasoline from crude oil uses more energy than it produces and currently costs between $75 and $85 a barrel — and yet gasoline companies yield high profits. A process like P20 could revolutionize the market by creating high-quality fuel at much lower costs, while also helping to reduce the amount of plastic that becomes pollution or ends up in landfills. JBI, Inc. is currently in talks to create P20 processing facilities in Europe, Florida, New York, California, Colorado, Wisconsin, Georgia and Ohio. The company is also looking for waste disposal or recycling companies, and people with under-utilized facilities to convert into P2O factories. For more information, visit www.plastic2oil.com or www.jbiglobal.com.

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(NewsUSA) – What could be more embarrassing than riding around with scratched or damaged wheels? Except for a bad paint job, nothing can make your car or truck look less appealing or bring down its value more.

Regardless of where you drive, wheel damage is a common problem caused by a variety of culprits: curbside rash, stone nicks, road scuffs, potholes, pitting, corrosion, chemicals and weather. Fortunately, there is an easy answer to the problem, and you don’t have to buy a new wheel or take your vehicle to a restoration shop. You can fix your wheels yourself and save hundreds of dollars and hassles in the process.

A new, easy-to-use Wheel Restoration Kit has been developed by Permatex, an automotive repair products producer. The Wheel Restoration Kit helps you to fix the damaged surface on your wheels, and restores the original silver metallic finish and overall appearance. The kit comes with simple, step-by-step instructions and everything you need for a complete wheel restoration, including a premium, high-performance wheel paint. The finished repair is permanent and resistant to chemicals, brake dust, heat and chipping.

To help you make a professional quality repair, Permatex has also developed three bi-lingual online demonstration videos: “Dents and Grooves,” “Curbside Rashes, Scuffs and Scratches,” and “Corrosion, Rust and Minor Scratches.” Each video takes you through the repair process, step by step. The videos are available for free and can be viewed online at www.permatex.com.

Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or a professional mechanic, you can easily restore your wheels to “like new” condition, without the need of special tools or training. The kit works on all types of metal wheels including aluminum, alloy, steel and mixed metals.

You should be able to get Permatex’s Wheel Restoration Kit at leading auto parts stores for less than $25.00. If not, you can contact Permatex (877-376-2839, www.permatex.com) directly, and they will help you find a retailer near you.

Caution: This repair is not recommended for use on chrome wheels or plastic wheel covers and should not be used for structural wheel damage

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RALEIGH, N.C. – Driver’s license photos in North Carolina will soon be captured in 3-D.

The state Division of Motor Vehicles said Thursday it is planning for the changes for 2012. The new photos will come from a camera with multiple lenses. The black-and-white photograph will be laser engraved to the card to provide a clear image.

North Carolina has worked with the FBI to test whether the state’s facial-recognition software can be used to match photos of fugitives with license photos. DMV spokeswoman Marge Howell says the 3-D images will improve that effort.

Read More News:Mync.com

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