To explain them in brief, the Shuttle is comfortable, spacious, professional while the Vito Crew is more economical, practical and versatile. These models excel with their new design, economy and customer- oriented practicality. There is a choice of two 4-cylinder CDI diesel engines developing 70 kW (95 hp) and 100 kW (136 hp). The Vito Shuttle is also available in a 120 kW (163 hp) variant.

The car’s are also packed with safety features some usually seen in this segment, including electronic stability programme ADAPTIVE ESP with all functions from anti-lock braking (ABS) and acceleration skid control (ASR) to trailer stabilisation in conjunction with a trailer coupling.

The Mercedes-Benz Vito Shuttle is available in three lengths – “compact”, “long” and “extra-long”. Prices start at EUR 30,180, while the Vito Crew is available in two lengths – “compact” and “long” starting at EUR 21,290.

It’s called the the “Duonic”, and combines automated driving with the advantages of a manual transmission. Like ordinary cars, this system comes with accelerator pedal, a brake pedal and a selector lever. The selector lever allows automatic or manual gearshift.

The M038S6 “Duonic transmission” has six forward gears and a reverse gear. The P-function ensures safe parking by preventing the vehicle from rolling away. “Duonic” features a non-wearing wet clutch, which lowers maintenance costs by eliminating the need to replace worn clutch discs. A creep function has been added to the wet clutch, as is usual for automatic transmission with a torque converter. This enables the vehicle’s speed to be easily controlled when moving slowly – for example when manoeuvring or in stop-and-go traffic – and hill-starts are also made easier.

If you have ever driven through the deepest parts of southern USA then you no doubt have seen at least a few dozen redneck trucks. Often the subject of comedy, redneck trucks are always good for a quick laugh. For those who do not agree, look at how much money the monster truck rallies make every month. For those who may not have had much exposure to the country environment, you may be wondering what exactly redneck trucks are and if you have seen one before. Well, here are a few traits that most have in common.

For starters, standard redneck trucks are usually easily identifiable by their large tires that stick out under the wheel wells much like a lift truck. There is no real rhyme or reason for this as people who own these usually do not have a need for the all terrain abilities the lifted tires give, they just like the look. This is why they are the number one trait that seems to mark all redneck trucks. It may be because rednecks love monster truck rallies and the lifted tires on redneck trucks make them feel like the road is a monster truck rally.

Second, redneck trucks are usually in bad need of either a paint job or a car wash. In addition, it’s unexplainable but true that people who own redneck trucks seem to be unbothered by the actual physical appearance of their vehicles. It is not uncommon to see redneck trucks that are painted two or three different colors and still have flecks of paint missing. Of course, sometimes the flecks of missing paint on redneck trucks actually are caked with mud that has been there for the last ten years. A good sign that you are about to run into a bunch of redneck trucks is if you are in a town with a car wash that looks like it has not been used for years.

Another good sign that you are passing by a redneck truck is what you can see in the truck bed. Redneck trucks are usually filled with tons of trash and furniture that may make them look like your front yard during spring cleanup. For people who own redneck trucks, it appears spring clean up lasts all year, but instead of a garbage truck taking away their old stuff, they just continue to haul it around in the back of their redneck trucks.

By now if you have not run across any redneck trucks you probably hope you will someday. Redneck trucks are entertaining to spot and there are road games you can play while looking for them. Now that you know all the tips for spotting redneck trucks, you should be able to succeed at this game quite well. For those in need of a good redneck truck fix, simply head down I-75 South and you will no doubt see more then you can count within a few hours!

High Resale Value Means Higher Used Prices
Unfortunately, for those with very small budgets, a used Jeep won’t save you 50% to 80% off the original cost of the vehicle.  In a way, Jeeps are like Honda, they retain much of their value over a long period of time.  The reason being is that Jeep is a well made vehicle and many that are well maintained can easily last for decades.  This is why you see many Jeeps from brand new to over 20 years old still on the road or off road today.

As always, when buying a used Jeep, make sure to do your research.  If you have a buddy that is selling his or her Jeep, you may not only save some money- but usually you will get a detailed and honest description of what is wrong with the vehicle.  Buying a used Jeep from a used car lot comes with the same concerns as being a used vehicle- maybe even more since Jeeps are a tad more expensive and can either been used as a strictly street vehicle or used for off roading purposes.

Have a Mechanic Check it Out
As with any vehicle purchase, check it out by a mechanic that you trust.  In this case, a regular mechanic will usually do, however if you can find one that is a 4×4 enthusiast- even better since the mechanic will usually know what to look for.

Here are some tips to consider.

Choose a 4×4 Vehicle that is Right for Your Company
Many owners make the mistake of choosing the 4×4 that is their dream truck or SUV, but might not be right for your company.  Keep in mind that the vehicle must be able to help you conduct business easier- so while you might want flashy, sometimes it’s better to go for reliability and functionality.

Talk to an Accountant Regarding Tax Implications
As a business owner, you can receive tax deductions for using a vehicle.  This can include deducting the cost of operating your vehicle and maintaining it.  While you can easily view the implications on the IRS website, it is always good to talk with an accountant to see where owning a 4×4 for your business fits into your overall portfolio.  It should also be noted that there are benefits, as well as disadvantages on buying or leasing, due to tax laws, so this is another area where you should research.

Insurance, Registration and Licensing
Besides tax implications, your business vehicle is usually much more different than a passenger car or truck.  If you are using your 4×4 for a business, insurance is usually affected, as well as registering your vehicle at your local Division of Motor Vehicles Bureau.  For larger vehicles, your state or municipality may even require a special driver’s license, so do plenty of research before you buy.

First off, there are plenty of car and truck information sites that give you extremely detailed information on pricing for both new and used vehicles.  Almost every new and used vehicle can be pulled up and pricing for different trims, special features, etc can easily be viewed in detail.  You can even find out how much the dealer gets the vehicle for and their profit margin.  Using these tools quickly levels the playing field and makes it easier than ever to get a great deal.

Besides researching vehicles so that you are well equipped when you go to the local truck dealership, there are ways that you can now purchase a truck, get a great price and never have to haggle or even talk to a truck salesman.  These sites pretty much ask you for the specific type of truck and features that you would like.  They then have several dealerships battle it out offering the lowest price- which you then agree to purchase the truck for.  Not only can you save potentially thousands off the sticker price, but you don’t have to do any haggling.  It should be noted that these services are usually fee based, but well worth the cost, since they save you so much money in the end.

Gross Weight for Your Truck
First off, your truck can only haul so much weight in its bed.  So make sure you read the owner’s manual and only haul what is recommended.  Anything over the limit and your truck may have problems braking, with acceleration and even burn out the transmission.  So the first rule of thumb is to haul what is reasonably capable for your vehicle.  Keep in mind the elevations that your vehicle will have to climb.  Even with a regular load, if you are climbing up a hill, you can put undue burden onto your vehicle and damage it.

Secure Your Objects Safely
Today, with better designed straps, it is easier and much safer to secure a wide range of items in your truck bed.  Before setting out on your journey, check your straps and the load.  You don’t want items moving back and forth or too much slack in the strap- if you ever hit a big bump or are in an accident, your load and truck can be damaged.

Balance Your Load
Just like big rig hauling, make sure you balance your load when hauling heavy items.  A heavy load that is balanced incorrectly can cause your suspension problems and affect handling.  In extreme cases, it can even cause you to tip over if going around a very sharp corner.

For many light trucks and SUV’s, braking is extremely important.  Besides your safety and the safety of others, you also have a large load or items being towed that you have to be worried about.  While most vehicle manufacturers are pretty good when offering capable brakes, if you are consistently hauling large loads or towing items, upgrading your brakes to a set of heavy duty ones are a good idea.  First off, you will want to look for brake pads that are quite capable of reducing heat (friction) quickly.  The quicker friction is released, usually the faster and more capable your brakes can stop your vehicle.  With all the weight behind your vehicle, you will have to go beyond the regular set of brake pads and get yourself high performance brake pads made out of top materials that include ceramics and special fibers.

In addition to high performance brake pads, also look into purchasing new rotors that also help to dissipate heat quickly.  Rotors generally should be replaced when a new set of brakes are installed.  In addition, make sure that your brake cables and fluid are topped off and in good working order. Since every vehicle is different, it is always a good idea to talk to a professional to make sure you get the very best braking power for your specific use.

It used to be that finding trails that were outside of your area was difficult to say the least.  Many used to have to research for long periods of time, making friends with people around the country and network with other 4×4’s.  However, today with the internet, it is easier than ever to not only find out about new trails, but to swap maps, photos and tips on conquering them.  If you are looking for great trail guides, you first stop should definitely be the internet.  There are plenty of 4×4 sites that specifically cater to off road trails for 4×4 enthusiasts.  Not only can you learn about new trails being formed or being enhanced, but also watch video, view detailed maps, view trail ratings and get coordinates to try your hand at some distinct challenges.

If you going to a specific trail that is well established, another great resource is to purchase a trail guide- usually sold at some bookstores and on Amazon.com.  These trail guides will be an easy way to learn about a specific trail, as well as carry this information with you when you go off road.   If you love off roading, then it is easier than ever to find great trail guides to enhance your off road fun.

Plenty of Features for Making Your Truck an Office
Many larger pick up trucks and SUV’s realize that owners want more use than just getting from point A to B.  This is why they have included a wide variety of features to enhance office work.  Some of the more basic features include a wider center arm rest that actually turns into a mini-desk.  In fact, these arm rests open up to store documents, folders, etc.

In addition to the mini- desk many premium pick up trucks and SUVs come also equipped to handle all of your electronics including special hook ups for your computer, to charge your phone and other electronic devices.  In fact, if you require to make plenty of office type phone calls, a wide variety of pick up trucks now include in dash communication devices that work with Bluetooth and even Blackberry or other email type products that can deliver emails and voice mail directly to your vehicle and even read it aloud when you are driving.  There are plenty of ways trucks can help you take care of business when off site, making your truck or SUV the new office.