- The Final Lap -

 - Inline Four.com January 2009 Newsletter

To all of our patrons and supporters,

If you haven't noticed, we have given a name to our newsletter, "The Final Lap".  Typically, newsletters are sent out at the beginning of the month, but I've been busy with my eyes and ears glued to news regarding our nations and states economic status.  With all of the negative information flowing over all forms of communication, I thought that I would start this newsletter off on a positive note and a little inspiration for us all.   I know that in our diverse fields of employment, it can be questionable and sometimes scary during these hard times.  Which is why we must all strive to do our best everyday and to do our part, for whatever it may be as a contribution to help our economy.  We must put our all into our jobs to insure that our best productivity is as good as it can be for the companies that we work for.  Our hard work and efforts will pay off as the companies we work for will produce at the best of its ability during these times.  Our economy also needs us to spend.  If we are going to spend, obviously, it should be smart, not foolish.  Spending your hard earned cash on preventative maintenance can save you thousands.   By spending on preventative maintenance, you will keep your car running cleaner and efficient, thus saving gas and ultimately...money.  Keep your heads up, stay strong, stay motivated and strive to make each and every day productive.  

With that being said, we at Inline Four recognize that during these times, many of us need our vehicles to be more reliable than ever.  The last thing we need is to spend a few thousand dollars on a rebuild because we forgot to add an extra quart of oil during the track event or we need an unexpected set of tires because the tire pressure was off, leading to uneven tire wear.  The list can go on and on.  I'd like to extend a hand and give our readers a few tips to keep our car running reliable, which in turn will save you money in the long run.

We all know that gas prices are on the rise and will be right back up where we hated it most.  The four easiest ways to save gas are: A) Change your oil on time.  B) Check your air filter regularly  C) Inflate your tires and or insure they are set at the correct pressure. D) The most obvious: Drive safely and save your Michael Schumacher moves for the track.  There are no trophies being handed out by local authorities.   On the fuel economy tip, we are working with an Environmental Technology Firm who has created a unique and high-tech fuel additive.  We have been testing this product over the last two months and are very pleased with results.  At the present moment, we are unable to disclose the exact breakdown of this additive, but we can say that on an average, we have experienced an increase of approximately 24.5 extra miles to a full tank of gas.  We have also dyno tested the product and have realized slight increases of horsepower in midrange.  We were surprised by this, because we at Inline Four trust nothing other than 91 octane or Race Fuel for our gas and Motul for our oil.  However, proof is in the pudding as they say, and in the near future, if all goes as planned, we will be able to offer this product.

In regards to your engine running reliably, how do you know if it really is?  For those of you that are located in Southern California or willing to travel to Inline Four, we can help you decipher the next step in reaching optimum performance and reliability.  As much as we know about making cars go fast, we know a lot about making them last.  Which is why we offer and stock a plethora of OEM Honda parts and related components.   When is the last time you checked your air filter to see how dirty it was?  The solution: either a K&N replacement or a performance air filter.   Just changed your oil and ever wondered what could be lingering in your oil?  BLOX Magnetic Drain Plugs do the trick in keeping your oil free of microscopic metallic debris.  Engine still feels a little sluggish after the oil change? Or you know for sure it should feel faster since you upped the compression?  Correct temperature spark plugs with the correct set gap can make a world of difference.  Be sure to also check your spark plug wires for their effectiveness in transferring spark. NGK wires are superb and economically priced over the competition.  Is your valve lash set correctly since you last dropped in those Buddy Club camshafts?  Are you running too lean or too rich?  Are your fuel injectors overworked?  Is your timing belt too tight?  Is your check engine light on and you have no idea what it means?  Your friends buddy who did your swap, did he do it right?  Use the right parts?  These are all questions and scenarios we run into on a daily basis.  We are here to help you achieve what you aspire to by making sure you make the right choices on the right parts the first time.  We are also here to help by saving you money in the long run, by offering complimentary 27 point inspections and FREE tire pressure air checks.  Did you know that proper air pressure can increase fuel mileage by up to 10 percent?  That can add up to hundreds per year!

In conclusion, the focus this year is to spend money in the right place.  In any aspect or whatever you may be looking to spend on, don't forget how important it is to keep your car in excellent running condition.  Too much emphasis is put on JDM this and JDM that, looking good and going fast.  We do acknowledge it, don't get me wrong, but so much for throwing money at your car if you aren't willing to put forth the effort in preventative maintenance.

In next months newsletter we will discuss the importance of engine balancing.