Tips For Optimizing Car Parts Catalog Management

Upload the product data carefully

Challenges like inaccurate product data, multiple formats, and category-wise mapping can really make it tough to manage the online catalog. So, in order to comply with certain guidelines, you should gather every single detail and be consistent across all channels. You could spend some time in going through whitepapers that give an idea of how to deliver a consistent product view.

Be sure about the product tagging

After a keyword research, you should ensure that the tags are linked to the keywords. In fact, this is necessary because it helps customers to find car parts when they are having a look at the search engine results. For enhancing the SEO rank of the E-Commerce website, you must use tag clouds and make sure that the product tags are clickable.

Be creative with product descriptions

As you update the aftermarket parts e-catalog, write product descriptions with a creative bent of mind. As unique descriptions are posted online, you can actually entice customers to check out the car part and make an online purchase. While you emphasize on specific lines and phrases, you shouldn't forget to add HTML header tags.

Create a master file

Creating a master product sheet can always make things easier when you have everything entered in one sheet. Apart from the information, you should also include images, part number, and the price. Implementing such kind of a sheet can streamline tasks pertaining to data management.

Synchronize inventory

If you are trying to manage different E-Commerce channels, then it's important to manage inventory. As the content is optimized from the SEO perspective, you can use tools rather than uploading inventory details on your own. Moving ahead, you need to automate the task or delegate it someone who would just be synchronizing product inventory.

Explore digital marketing techniques

As you manage a digital campaign, the product features should be highlighted properly. This tip can help to optimize the catalog indirectly and aid to drive sales. After all, when you have done a good job in designing ads, you are sure to make the catalog visible within the search engine results.

Finally, integrating the catalog with an ERP solution would work for updating the inventory from the front as well as the back end. As the customer adds parts to the shopping cart, the order would be processed and fulfilled quickly.

Modern Family Cars for the Modern Family

As we progress through life we go through different types of cars. It starts out with a fun sporty car for your younger years until, eventually, you require a family car for your whole family. These are the best family cars for the modern family who still wants to be trendy.

Kia Soul

The Kia Soul is a large car that has sufficient space for a family. Not only is it large but it also isn't difficult to drive because of its practical size. It has been engineered to be regular sized on the outside but spacious on the inside.

Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is the typical SUV that works for any family. Road trips and travels become easy with this fantastic design. The Honda CR-V is compact, easy to drive and manoeuvre yet it has lots of space for your family.

Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback is one of the latest SUV models that Subaru has released recently. The car is a cross between a wagon and an SUV. With extra space in the back your family will be comfortable. The rear seats are designed to support child seats too so that your little infant will experience comfort as well.

Toyota Highlander

Some families prefer to go on adventures in the mountains or camping by the rivers. It is important to have an off-road car that has sufficient space for your children in the back. The Toyota Highlander has been manufactured to have enough trunk space for luggage as well as leg room in the back seats.

Safety is an important factor when traveling with your children. Children might not understand the concept of safety and that's why it is important to have a safe traveling car that does not have faults. You should also make sure that you teach your children that wearing seatbelts are important when traveling to any destination.

Before considering any car you should always test drive it to make sure that you can handle its power. Checking the reputation of the vehicle manufacturer is also necessary when considering it for you and your family's travels and adventures.

A Guide to the Essentials of Your First Off-Road Adventure

Off-roading is a sport that is high in adrenaline and adventure, which makes it incredibly risky too, especially if you have never been on an off-road trip before. However, even the most experienced off-roaders were amateurs at one point, and they had to keep some of the essentials of off-roading in mind to make their experience thrilling as well as safe.

If you want to pursue off-roading, you need to pay mind to those essentials as well, some of which are listed below!

A 4x4 in Top Condition

Your average everyday car would not stand a chance against off-road environments, so you definitely need to invest in a vehicle that is rugged enough to take to the trails of the off-roading world. 4x4s are the most preferred choices for off-roading, and if you already own one, you need to ensure that it is in the best possible condition before your first off-road experience. Have it thoroughly checked by professionals, and get all its problems fixed. You should also invest in specialized off-road equipment such as high-end shock absorbers, off-road tires, and lights.

Invest in Protective Accessories

4x4s are really strong vehicles. But even the strongest of vehicles are prone to damage, especially on unpredictable off-road trails. In order to reduce the damage your 4x4 sustains, you should invest in accessories that protect your vehicle not just from the outside, but from the inside too. Some of the most popular protective accessories include aftermarket bumpers that protect the exterior from impact, and snorkels, which provide protection when you need to navigate through the deep water.

Don't Forget the First-Aid Kit

Off-road trails tend to be located in remote areas, which are many miles away from any medical establishments. So, before you head out on a multi-day off-roading adventure, you need to assess your fitness levels. Irrespective of your health, you should always carry a first-aid kit. Due to the unpredictable nature of off-road trails and the stress involved, a lot of people experience health problems. In such situations, a first-aid kit becomes your best friend. Ready the kit with emergency medical supplies, and keep it in an easily accessible part of the car.

Inspect the Trail First

You might have settled for one of the easier trails for your first off-road experience. However, you still need to know as much as you can about the trail before you set off. The best ways to assess a trail include talking to off-roaders who have been there before, and of course, going to the trail and familiarizing yourself with not just the road, but the weather conditions as well.

Carry a Loud Whistle

You can't expect mobile connectivity on off-road trails to be as good as it is in the city. If you ever run into a problem where you simply need help, you need some means of reaching out to other people. A good old whistle should be enough to do the trick. A whistle often attracts the attention of locals, and it may be the difference between you getting out of a sticky situation, or getting stuck in one.

3 Simple Power Mods for the Daily Driver Evo X

There are three mods every Evo X owner should make. These won't add a ton of power but will make your Evo X more enjoyable without breaking the bank.

• Evolution X Intake System
• Evolution X Exhaust System
• Evolution X Tune

Many Evo X experts would say your first mod should be a "driver mod", meaning you should learn the car before even looking at the aftermarket. While this is fine and completely accurate, it's only just a step in the right direction. You definitely should know how to control the car in stock form, but let's be honest: not all of us have time to go to the track every weekend. This is especially true for a daily driven Evo X. Often times, life can get in the way of play time. But that isn't to say you can't enjoy life a little more with a few simple Evo X bolt-ons to increase power. Before you decide which route to take, plan out your budget for modifications. You don't want to upset your significant other by spending too much on car parts. (We've all been there, done that!)

Below are just a few suggestions we have for new Evo X owners. You can install these in any order, based on your interests. Already have a modded Evo X? What was your first, second, and third modification, and do you have any tips for new Evolution 10 owners?

Evo X Intake

First, crack the hood and learn where everything is. Take pictures if you need to. You don't need to memorize every bolt size, but a good understanding of where everything is in the induction system as well as where clamps and sensors are located will help you in the long run. Once you're familiar with the layout of the engine, look into purchasing an Evo X intake system. There are a ton of options on the market, so be sure to look online for reviews on the best Evo X cold air intake for your driving habits. In your searches, you'll likely stumble across Evo X Drop in filters, Evo X CAI and Evo 10 Short Ram systems, all utilizing different pipe sizes, colors, and prices.

AEM makes a great intake system which includes a heat shield and high-flow filter, and can be installed in an hour or two. This kit is usually priced in the upper $200 range, so it's affordable under most daily driver budgets. Another great Evo X intake kit comes from AMS, and offers a bit more bling for your engine bay. The AMS Evo 10 intake kit comes with all required hardware, a polished mandrel bent intake pipe, and recirculated BOV port. Priced, in the mid $300 range, it's a bit more expensive than the AEM unit but offers a bit more overall power gain.

Evo X Exhaust

The second simple power modification for a daily driven Evo X comes from the exhaust system. This may seem like an obvious one for most car enthusiasts, but there are actually a few important notes to keep in mind when shopping for your Evo 10 exhaust system. First, do you want a complete Evo X turbo back or just a plain catback. Next, do you know the difference between an Evo 10 catback and axle back? Lastly, is it made from 304ss or 409ss? All three questions are important to consider for your daily driver.

A turbo back exhaust utilizes a high-flow cat or Evo X test pipe, which can alter the emissions and sound of the car. So if you want to maintain factory emissions and not wake the neighbours every morning, an Evo 10 turbo back isn't the best choice. Browsing the web, you may also see catbacks and Evo X axle back exhaust systems, which are two very different bolt-ons. An axle back is just as it implies, an exhaust system from the axle back, whereas a catback replaces all components from the catalytic converter to the exhaust tip. Lastly, 304ss will resist rust better than 409ss, so it's important to choose appropriately if you live in a wet climate where road salt is used in the winter. With all that said, choose the Evo X exhaust system that best meets your needs as a daily driver.

One highly regarded Evo X catback exhaust system comes from Extreme Turbo Systems. The ETS unit is dual exit Evo X catback made from mandrel bent 304ss. It has a bit different tone with the dual exit orientation, but flows excellent and adds a decent amount of power! Priced around $900, it's an affordable visual and performance modification, and a great upgrade for those looking for the dual exit exhaust look.

Evo X Tuning

Another great, inexpensive modification that can make any daily driver Evo X more enjoyable is an ECU tune. Aftermarket Evo X tunes can be installed a few different ways. The first method is to visit your local tuner, explain your intentions with the car, and allow them to perform their work. This can be affordable, but often prevent any future modifications, as they would require a new tune. The next method of obtaining an Evo 10 tune is to purchase a tuner module like a Cobb Tuning Accessport. An Evo X accessport comes preloaded with various performance tunes, so you're able to satiate your performance appetite on the fly, at the press of a button. Many retailers sell the Cobb Tuning Evo X Accessport for around $500. I can't stress enough how great the Cobb Evo X Accessport is. You can adjust your tune for performance, economy, and everywhere in between. Definitely the best bang for your buck.

4 Futuristic Car Technologies That Seem Like Science Fiction

In 2015, we have become accustomed to being surrounded by gadgets that would have seemed a fantasy 50 years ago. From inter-connecting smart phones to fully functioning robotics, we are at the precipice of a technological revolution. For many of us drivers, however, we are firmly rooted in the last generation, driving around in cars that haven't changed much in many years, apart from some new bells and whistles. However, automotive technologies are being developed that will radicalise how we drive and experience driving. Here are 5 that are guaranteed to impress any motor heads.

Augmented Reality Dashboards

At one point, GPS technology would have seemed a million miles away from a trusty atlas or road map, but today we are closer to ever to having a full navigation system built into the windscreen. This will be displayed through different types of glasses that will display different information to the driver in real time. This will display not only directional advice, but will display the speedometer, parking sensors, rev counter, fuel gauge and other aspects of the cars computer. Through touch screen controls, drivers will be able to control every facet of their vehicle from the screen, including air conditioning, radio, windows and headlights. Perhaps the most futuristic is the ability to zoom in on parts of the road so drivers can see obstacles up ahead more clearly. If put into place, this could help improve driveability but also keep drivers and there passengers safer.

Solar Roadways

Solar powered LED roadways have the potential to change the world in a way that many other technologies could only dream of. Designed to not only illuminate our roads and display dynamic traffic information, but actually charge electric cars wirelessly whilst they drive. This would revolutionise how we fuel our cars and completely transform the automotive economy. This would make electric cars a true alternative to petrol and diesel powered cars, and lead towards us improving our carbon emissions by an inexplicable amount. Imagine never having to refuel your car manually while driving around on illuminated LED roads! There are even plans to make the panels heated that will melt any snow or ice that has accumulated on the LED panels, which will then be filter to a water treatment centre to use within the water supply. However, there are some questions about how economically feasible these plans are and how the roads will be constructed and maintained. However, the city of Sandport, US, is going to become the first city to have the panels by installing them within a parking lot.

Fully Autonomous Cars

This has been speculated for a long time but, in 2015, they are finally testing fully autonomous cars on public roads. A recent report suggested that by 2035, nearly 75 per cent of vehicles sold will have automatic driving capability. Google have actually been planning to make it a reality within 5 years, so we could have driverless cars sooner than we think. Whilst we have had components such as self parking cars, completely driverless cars would revolutionise how we navigate our roads and motorways. However, there have been some initial problems; for instance, Google's attempt at a driverless car cannot tell the difference between a rock and a piece of litter that has drifted into the road and subsequently attempts to drive round both of them in the same way. Also, there are some moral questions about how much it will actually improve road safety and whether people will actually want to put their life in the hands of a computer program. Nevertheless, envisioning a future where we are essentially driven around by robots definitely seems like something out of science fiction.

External Airbags

Many of us have been involved in some form of accident on the roads, sometimes costing a lot of money in repairs. However, this could be all change if external side airbags are fitted on cars. Side crashes currently account for around 40 percent of all traffic accidents and we could now see a dramatic reduction in the damage these crashes cause. The airbags are designed to deploy in 20 - 30 milliseconds and protect the vehicle from the impact. This is being developed alongside cameras that will detect the moment the airbag needs to be triggered. When completed, this design could bring about a massive transformation in road safety.

Transmission Belts - The Advantages

We get asked quite often how transmission belts compare to chains and gears.

The fact of the matter is, belts are the cheapest utility for power transmission between shafts that may or may not be axially aligned. They run smoothly and with little noise, and cushion motor and bearings against load changes.

Belt drive is simple, inexpensive, and does not require axially aligned shafts. It helps protect the machinery from overload and jam. It damps and isolates noise and vibration. Load fluctuations are shock-absorbed. They need no lubrication and minimal maintenance, thus saving substantial efforts, amounts and time. Belt drives have high efficiency (90-98%, usually 95%), high tolerance for misalignment, and are of relatively low cost if the shafts are far apart.

As you know, transmission belts are looped strips of continuous material used to link rotating shafts, usually looped over pulleys. They are specifically used to transmit power as part of a larger system of pulleys and gears, though with the development of newer technologies and materials new applications have been discovered for this type of equipment.

Transmission belts are essential parts of heavy machinery like presses, spinning machines, industry fans, roller conveyor and textile machines. Belt systems are often compared with chain systems and you should carefully review the pros of this type of system before deciding exactly what you need for your purposes.

The benefits that transmission belts offer:

1) Smooth operation: Transmission belts help the whole system run efficiently and without any hitches. They require minimum maintenance and provide maximum comfort for the operators.

2) No lubrication: In this respect, transmission belts score over chain systems, but there is another huge advantage, since lubrication (usually in the form of oil or petrol) represents a significant drain on your resources.

3) Low noise levels: Transmission belts produce very little sound when operating, which is an important advantage in any work place and adds to the level of comfort.

4) Less wear and tear: With proper maintenance, they can be quite long lasting. The maintenance required is cost-effective and less frequent. Moreover, it involves less abrasion for various other parts like pulleys.

5) Higher speed and efficiency: Not only is this type of system easier to operate, it also provides higher operational speeds and reliable efficiency.

Thus with belt systems, you will save on a lot of money and hassles. You have to make sure that you get top quality strips which are made using high-grade materials (plastics or rubbers). The best quality results from the use of engine-specific blends, and ensuring perfect compatibility.

The design should offer safety and protection from accidents. Further, it should be low stretch material, preferably made of glass fibres, which should be properly tensioned before being installed. The tooth profile is also significant in creating optimum transmission values.

The Hardest Driving Tests in the World

In the UK, there has always been a constant discussion about the difficulty of obtaining your full driving license. Some will declare that anyone can pass and was much harder 'back in my day', while others will shout from the rooftops that it must be the hardest driving examination in the world, and it is a wonder anyone can pass at all. However, while the UK is high on the list in terms of difficulty, there are many more treacherous tests around the world that are designed to push the capabilities of prospective drivers to the limit. Here is a round-up of the most maddeningly hard tests from across the globe that will hurt your brain just thinking about passing them!

Finland

Although you may hear people boasting how they passed in two days with only one lesson (which is most likely completely untrue), the average time in the UK to pass a test is around 8 months. Compare this to Finland, where it takes a minimum of two years of driving to obtain a full licence. During this probationary period, if the licence holder gets one fine, the period can be extended by a maximum of two years. If this doesn't seem harsh enough, before a person can get the preliminary license they are subjected to a litany of tests and lessons. They must take two tests, one in the summer and one in winter, and attend over 19 theory lessons in which they learn about Finland's strict driving regulations. A lengthy and difficult process, Finnish driving tests may be one of the hardest.

South Africa

A lot of the stipulations in the South African driving test seemed to be designed to create the most complicated examination in the world. In fact, in 2007, there were actually riots surrounding the problems associated with obtaining the licensee. This may seem extreme, but some of the minute rules that have to be obeyed make the UK's equivalent test look like a walk in the park. For instance, you can be penalised for the most minuscule of errors. If you engage your handbrake and it makes a clicking sound you lose points, if you glance at your gear stick whilst driving you lose points, if you forget to check your headlights and tail lights are attached properly you lose points and if you forget to check for leaks under your car you, of course, lose points. In fact, if the car rolls back by one inch during the course of the lesson, you instantly fail. Unfortunately, these extremely strict rules have actually served to make South Africa's driving standards worse, as many people simply drive unlicensed rather than be driven insane by trying to pass the practical test.

Japan

Japan's driving test is different to many other countries, as it takes place on a course resembling a fake Japanese town. However, this doesn't make it any easier, as the fiendishly tricky test only has a pass rate of around 30 percent. Drivers must remain under 19 MPH at all times and instantly fail if they run over a kerb, fail to do the correct checks or stop the appropriate distance from traffic lights. Weirdly, drivers won't pass if they don't come closer enough to the curb when performing a left turn, as you aren't supposed to leave room for overtaking cyclists, which is the exact opposite of what most road laws say! You can also be denied a licence if you don't bend lower enough to inspect under the car for cats or children.