FUEL SAVING TIPS

Posts Tagged ‘Cars’

Vehicle Safety Standards Explained

All of the regular sedans, coupes, convertibles and station wagons are called ‘passenger cars’ in the eyes of the safety authorities. As such, they have to meet a host of safety standards.

Here is a sampling of what the safety standards specify:
A car must be able to withstand a 50km/h crash into a fixed barrier without leading to the death of a properly restrained occupant (i.e., one wearing a seat belt).

Interior surfaces must absorb crash energy and protect the occupants if they get flung about. This is why we have padded dashboards, hcadliners and door trim.

The roof structure must be able to bear the vehicle’s weight in the event of a roll over accident.

An impact from the side must not penetrate directly into the car. This led to the installation of steel guard rails inside passenger car doors.

The steering column must be able to absorb crash energy. This usually takes the form of collapsible steering columns and padding in the centre of the steering wheel.

There must be combination lap and
shoulder-belts for both front and rear outboard passengers.

The seats must protect the two principal front seat passengers from whiplash, hence the use of head restraints of high-back bucket seats.

The fuel lank is not allowed to rupture in a rear impact. Since this standard was enacted, most cars have had their fuel tanks moved to the rear axle area, or under the rear seat-far away from the rear bumper.

The front and rear bumpers must be able to sustain an 8 km/h bump without there being any damage to the car’s light or body structure.

The American government passed a law stating that all cars must come with some form of ‘passive restraint’ system - one where the passenger does not have to do anything himself or herself to protect themselves in an accident.

The result has been installation of either air bags or ‘automatic’ scat belts (ones that are permanently buckled and which encircle the front passenger and driver when they get into their seats and close the door).

Although cars today are safer than ever before, vehicle safety standards continue to evolve, as do the testing procedures. We will, over the next decade, see the imposition of even more stringent safety measures to protect the occupants of passenger cars in a variety of situations.

Crash test results for various brand-new car models are published every few months. There is a great deal of publicity surrounding these crash results, leading many car buyers to look at them seriously when making a decision between otherwise equally desirable automobiles.

Register in an online Car Forum to learn how to buy sell car properly.

Posted by Alex Troy on March 9th, 2010 No Comments

Mini Light Bars And What You Do Need To Know

Mini light bars come in extremely handy for installing on a deck within a car or truck. They can also be installed about the dash or visor for illuminating the interior in the auto.Mini light barsare also mounted within the auto for that goal of serving as being a low profile warning gentle when the automobile is required in a stealth operation. There is certainly no will need for colored lenses when LED lights are used as the color is intrinsic to LED and for that reason,mini light barsthat are mounted inside the auto is going to be visible from outside. The car or truck won’t be suspected to be a police car or truck as such.

Even patrol cars or those police vehicles that aren’t needed in stealth operations may also make use of daylight bars inside the car for being applied for a warning mild because mild bars are a lot more advantageous than a larger one in just about every respect. A smaller light bar is capable to generate less heat when it really is mounted within the automobile and hence causes les wind resistance as compared to a bigger daylight bar mounted outside the car or truck. This tends to save loads of energy as much less heat is generated and much less wind resistance outcomes in drag coefficient.

Light-weight pubs for being fitted on trucks are the fire and ice mini light bars which are one foot lengthy tailgate lights. These are made specifically to get fitted on vans and have to have no drilling and could be mounted with just adhesive tapes. These mild pubs may also be plugged in to connector in the trailer that a truck has on its back. Colors accessible inside fire and ice daylight pubs are red and white and it will show reverse lights, brake lights, turn signals and running lights. It commonly fits most SUVs and pickup vehicles and is 12 in size.

Amber gentle bars are utilized variously in slow plows, towing and fire trucks likewise as police vehicles for targeted traffic guidance. They may well also be applied for emergency medical technicians, pilot cars volunteer firefighters and parked construction automobiles and delivery vans depending around the laws of each state. As amber light cafes are ordinarily halogen powered as these are utilized mostly in modes that use them only intermittently simply because LED may perhaps not be expense efficient for use in them. Some in the characteristics of such smaller light-weight cafes are halogen rotators, polycarbonate lens, and a diamond mirror.

Handheld mini light bars that have a steady beam and two or far more flashing pattern are used as personal safety tools by law enforcing agencies at the same time as ordinary citizens. They are battery powered and normally mild weight and waterproof and are also employed as warning lights by fisherman, boatmen, guards at railway crossing or hiking for the reason of showing daylight or signal to distances.

Other than these, a mini light bar is also commonly found as a decorative lighting and in houses as being a mild that may be there to attract.

For more great information check out Mini Light Bars and also Whelen Mini Light Bars

Posted by John Davis on March 9th, 2010 No Comments

How to Beat a Colorado Drunk Driving Charge

Ok, so you’ve been issued a ticket in Colorado for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI). Take a deep breath; its not the end of the world. In fact, there may be a way to beat your case entirely.

First, the police officer needs a valid reason to stop you or otherwise contact you in the first place. If they did not have a reason to contact you, their case won’t get very far. Police are not allowed to stop any car on the road, they must have reasonable suspicion to stop you.

It is also possible to get the chemical test thrown out of court. Then the prosecutor is left with no test results to use against you and a big hole in his evidence. Breathalyzers have a strict set of operation rules, and the operator of the Breathalyzer may invalidate the test by not following the rules. In addition, the Breathalyzer must be properly maintained and operating correctly.

Chemical tests of your blood also must follow the proper procedures for the test to be legally valid. In every case, you will want to retest the blood sample. In some cases, the retest result comes back under the legal limit or varies so much from the original test that the first test is deemed invalid.

Lack of jurisdiction is another way to beat your DUI case. Jurisdiction means the geographic area a police officer is allowed to patrol and conduct police activities. You should always check to verify that the police officer who ticketed you had jurisdiction where you were contacted. If he lacked jurisdiction, you may be able to beat your DUI.

In many instances, there are certain hearings like the DMV or other court hearings, where police officers need to be physically present to provide testimony in your case. In many cases, no officer means no DUI. Yes, it may seem like a strange technicality, but this strategy may be the right one in your case.

Now, how do you exploit these strategies? Hire a good, local DUI attorney. You are looking for someone who knows everything there is to know about these cases. You also want to hire someone who practices exclusively in the geographical area where you got your ticket. A local attorney knows the judges, prosecutors, juries, and, most importantly, the little tricks specific to that city to get you the best result possible.

Do not hire an attorney who is making promises or guarantees, as tempting as it may be. An attorney who has not yet seen the police reports or chemical tests, or even spoken with the prosecuting attorney has no way of knowing what will happen in your case. That person is just trying to get your money by telling you what you want to hear.

Last, but not least, make sure you have an attorney, even if you have to get the public defender. Do not try to represent yourself, or you will have a fool for a client.

Have you been accused of a crime? Many people who have been charged with a crime are left consideringwhat they should do, and what is going to happen to them. You may be concerned about how these charges will affect your life, your career, and your freedom. You need a skilled Colorado Springs lawyer who will fight for you rights and your freedom. Before you hire a Colorado Springs DUI lawyer do your research.

Posted by Brad Laybourne on March 9th, 2010 No Comments

Tips On Finding Rental Car Bargains

Every year, millions of people choose to rent a car whether for business or pleasure. Because there are so many car hire agency offering a wide range of prices and options, it can be a time consuming and frustrating experience trying to get a good deal. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to narrow down your search and end up with a great deal. Below are a number of tips on finding rental car bargains:

1. If you wait until the last few days to rent a car, chances are you will find a good deal. It is important to start a few weeks before your rental date so you have enough time to thoroughly research your options and get a good rate. As well, you want to make sure that your preferred car is available for rent. Also, starting early allows you to comparison shop. The internet is a great source to research car rental companies and comparison shop.

2. Before you search for a rental company, determine how long you will be renting a car. The longer you rent a car, the better rate you will get. Companies will usually offer better rates if you rent for a week or more. There are also certain days of the week where one can get a better rate. For instance, most companies will offer special weekend rates.

3. When researching car rental companies, it is important to find out their minimum mileage for free program before they start charging for each mile driven. Mileage rates can vary and the minimum mileage for free can also vary. If you will be doing a lot of driving, make sure you go with a rental company that offers a high mileage minimum for free. Also, check to see what the mileage rates are as they can vary. If you find a bargain, book the car, and then keep searching in case you find a better deal. Make sure you understand their cancellation policy so that if you do cancel your reservation, you will not end up paying a cancellation fee.

4. Because the internet has many car rental companies competing for your business, look for companies that offer special discounts and incentives. For instance, there are companies that will offer discounts if you make your reservation online. If booking online, make sure you read all of the terms and conditions. If you have any concerns or questions, contact the company by phone for clarification. Also, look for coupon or promotion codes to put into the booking form on the company’s site.

5. Check with your credit card company to see if they have any special deals with rental companies. As well, if you are a member of AAA or AARP, you can often get a discount on your car rental. You can also check with your employer to see if they will let you reserve your car through them and get an employee rate. Your auto insurance provider may also provide discounts on car rental rates.

Before you book your rental, it is important to always read the fine print of the rental contract. There may be a number of hidden fees and taxes causing the price to drastically increase. There may be some services that you do not need. If you carefully research your options, you will likely get a great bargain on your next car rental.

Discount truck and car rental Sydney Australia provides free express pickup service from our many locations for your personal, business or holiday car hire sydney.

Posted by Adriana Noton on March 9th, 2010 No Comments

Tips For Buying A Car

Whether to buy a new car or buy a used car is often times the first decision that needs to be arrived at before you can actively begin perusing purchasing your next vehicle.

Let’s take a look at some tips, pros, and cons when it comes to making this decision.

First of all, having been in the automotive business for many years, I almost always lean toward finding a good used car that fits what I am looking for. For me, I believe that used cars offer the best value for your dollar. In most cases, you’ll find used car departments are much more used to and willing to negotiate the price that they have posted on the car. From a negotiating standpoint, most used cars won’t have all of those superfluous dealer ‘add-ons’ stuck on the window either that will just never do.

In the automotive market, used cars will most certainly come with a lower initial price tag than a comparably equipped new car. And not only will the price be lower, you may also find that so is your cost to insure the used car as well as the tags, and taxes. Depreciation being what it is; means that with a car a couple of years old, the biggest depreciation hit has already occurred. And from a tangible perspective, you may have a better chance of getting those upgrades you’d like to have on the used car that you couldn’t otherwise afford going with the new.

Yet, with all of this, buying a used car isn’t for everyone. Finding a used vehicle that fits one’s entire car buying criteria can be a tough exercise in balancing what you want with the value versus risk inherent when it comes to used cars.

Not so many years ago, reliability was a major concern when purchasing a used car… and rightfully so. Today however, reliability problems are a fraction of what they used to be. Today’s vehicles, when properly maintained will easily go for 100,000 miles and it’s not uncommon for vehicles to be motoring along as they approach 200,000 miles or more. And with all of the information now available online, the risk factor is again reduced even a bit more.

Even though more reliable today, buying a used car for people means buying a car that is probably out of its original bumper to bumper warranty. This alone, is enough to repel many potential car buyers back to the new car side of the dealership.

As you know, if you are looking at buying a used car, you are probably looking at a car that is outside the factory warranty or at least would have very little remaining. With no warranty you’ll be on the hook to pay for any needed repairs out of your own pocket. However, the biggest expense for most all cars today are the things that aren’t covered by any manufacturer’s warranty anyway; items such as brakes, tires, alignment, batteries, etc.

Of course nobody can guarantee that you won’t encounter a lemon. No matter what the make and model, no manufacturer can produce a vehicle that can withstand years of neglect and/or abuse. Always, always, always give the used car a thorough inspection both by yourself and a qualified mechanic; doing this will catch most problems that may be looming on the horizon.

When it comes to financing the purchase of a used car, you find that the going interest rates will typically be higher than new car rates. This is definitely a piece of the puzzle you’ll want to check out. There is no rule of thumb as to what the difference in the interest rate will be between the two because there are just too many determining variables involved such as; the economy, rebates and incentives involved on the new car side, your credit, length of financing, and even the type of used car you’re looking at. Be sure to crunch the numbers for both sides.

With used cars, insurance can save you some money as well because you’ll typically pay less for your insurance on a like model from a few years past. The reason is simple; less cost of replacement for the insurance company and used cars are generally not high on the stolen lists.

And finally, (the latest) safety features could be a concern if you’re looking at used car (particularly if you’re going back a few model years).

All in all, if the touch, feel, and smell of a new car, isn’t a top priority for you, I think you’ll find that a well thought out used car purchase you can get more car and features and still be within your budget.

Find Cars

Posted by Mihai Jepan on March 8th, 2010 No Comments

The 1968 Corvette Starts A 15 Year Run For The C3 Shark Generation

The first model that set off a fifteen year run for the C3 “Shark” generation of the Corvette that stands today is the 1968 Corvette. The C3 generation that ran until 1982, would prove to be the most stubborn of all the Corvette generations. The selling record numbers in the late 1960’s, huge numbers in the 1970’s despite the gas crunch and holding until early in the 1980’s. This prolonged existence started with the 1968 Corvette which brought a new design that would inspire Corvettes that are driven today the C6 generation of 2005 to present.

The 1968 Corvette actually got its start design in early 1964 by designer Larry Shinoda under the watchful direction of Bill Mitchell. By 1965 the Mako Shark II Concept Car was brought to the public eye by way of car shows and the 1968 Corvette would be an almost identical product by way of looks.

After all the auto shows were over the Shinoda/Mitchell design was then sent to Chevrolet styling under David Hollis. The mid-engine design of the Mako Shark II was dropped and design began to take shape using the existing Sting Ray chassis. As the 1968 Corvette began to form there were obvious overtones from the Mako Shark II design and the 1968 Corvette was basically the same car from the beltline down, just with softer contours.

Some of the new innovations to the 1968 Corvette included:

*Total redesign of the body. *Removable T-Top roof panels and back window on the coupe model. *Redesigned interior. *Optional three-speed Hydra-matic transmission to replace the previous two-speed Powerglide.

With the many new features to the 1968 Corvette, the engine remained the same and was a carryover from the previous year. This is not to say that the new Vette was at any lack of power, in fact quite the contrary. Road & Track conducted several speed tests with the 1968 Corvette and found that the small-block 327 V-8 put out 350-bhp and had a reported top speed of 128 miles per hour. Even beefier, the big-block put out a whopping 400-bhp and could go 0 to 60 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds.

The Sting Ray name for the first time was not attached to the Chevrolet muscle machine which was new to the 1968 Corvette. Although, it was advertised using the Sting Ray name. However, one year later the Sting Ray name returns to the Corvette.

The unveiling of the new 1968 Corvette was suppose to be a secret according to General Motors, however, prior to the official unveiling there was one a few weeks earlier. Before the 1968 Corvette was unveiled Mattel released an unauthorized new Hot Wheels line that was the custom Corvette. This surprised General Motors.

Corvette fans loved the new 1968 Corvette, however, the critics gave it a poor review. This did not bother consumers and at the end of the year Chevrolet’s new Corvette had the last laugh with a record sale of 28, 566 cars sold which was an increase from the 5,000 from the last year of the Sting Ray.

For more information and queries about The The 1968 Corvette please contact the Smokinvette Team at www.smokinvette.com

Posted by niche Micro on March 8th, 2010 No Comments

Hybrid Cars and Conventional Cars

Today, the question on everybody’s lips is, what is the difference between a hybrid car and a conventional vehicle? There must be some good reason why people are debating whether hybrid cars are worth the money and checking their wallets and savings account to see if they can afford to buy a hybrid car.

There must be a decent reason why some people wouldn’t dream of spending their hard-earned money on a hybrid car because they feel their conventional car takes them wherever they need to go just fine. Here are some of the reasons why a person may choose a conventional car over a hybrid car.

Hybrid cars are more expensive than conventional cars: because hybrid cars have a complex internal design, they do still have a fairly hefty price tag. On the other hand, conventional cars, which have gotten more efficient in design as the years have gone on, are quite affordable these days. Many people are selling their old conventional cars in favour of newer, more efficient versions.

They are so inefficient in fact, that some people even give their old cars away. However, since a large percentage of the general population has never owned a hybrid, there aren’t many people selling used hybrid cars yet. Therefore, the average person looking to buy a hybrid would probably have to purchase a new one from a car dealer.

Both a hybrid car and a conventional car use similar types of batteries: a hybrid car and a conventional car both use lead acid batteries that hold enough energy to power a small electric motor. These batteries are what you call “gear reduced”. That means that they can turn over this motor at approximately 300 rpms. Torque is generated to turn over the engine and the entire process is what starts the main engine.

But even though a hybrid car uses a lead-acid battery, the battery it uses to drive the car’s electric engine is constructed differently. This kind of battery is known as a ‘deep cycle battery’ and it can be compared to the batteries that are used to power electric fork-lift trucks, milk floats or golf carts.

That’s the main difference between a hybrid car and a conventional car. One person might choose a hybrid car because it makes them feel more secure. For instance, if a person buys a hybrid car, they can feel secure that their car will be less likely to run out of gas. Another person might not choose a conventional car because the cost of gas doesn’t really bother them that much.

However, a conventional car provides security as well, but of a different sort. With a conventional car, a person can be sure that they can always go to a junkyard, when they need to replace old parts on their car. On the other hand, those with a hybrid car will probably have to pay some pretty pricey repair receipts if something goes wrong.

However, the final decision remains all yours. There are certain risks involved with both kinds of cars. But those who like to try out new technology might just consider splurging out on a new hybrid car.

If you are interested in the insides of New Hybrid Vehicles, please visit our website on http://new-hybrid-vehicles.com

Posted by Colin Jones on March 8th, 2010 No Comments

Why Not To Buy A Light Truck?

Today more and more people think of a light truck when they think of their dream car. The positive side to this is that many light trucks are reasonably affordable, making them accessible to just about everyone.

The light truck market is currently a study in irony: these vehicles are popular primarily because they exhibit a ruggedness not found in passenger cars, but as their popularity increases, automotive designers are making them look and feel more and more like regular passenger cars. More and more contemporary MPVs feature fancy dashboards and cushy bucket scats. Also, one can order just about any 4×4 with air conditioning. Some have power windows.

Despite these advances in softening the hard edges of the light truck population, they are, like minivans, considered to be MPVs. This means that they also don’t necessarily meet many of the safety standards found on passenger cars. Since minivans are so obviously used as passenger cars most of the time, they often do have a reasonable complement of goodies for the safety-minded.

It should also be pointed out in discussing this particular group of vehicles that pricing works a little differently with MPVs than with passenger cars. The base prices quoted in ads and at dealerships refer to stripped-down models which are rarely available, and which one would often not like to buy. The options list is much longer than for passenger cars-especially among domestic products. Options are also often bundled in pricey trim packages. It’s easy to add thousands of dollars to the price of one of these vehicles, even when one wants just the basics.

Functionality of small and medium-size pickups is obvious; they can do much of the work of a light-duty large pickup while providing the driver and a passenger with the same amount of seating room-and delivering far better fuel economy. When ordered in their long wheelbase/long cargo bed versions, the smaller pickups can handle the same size load as large pickups with small cargo beds.

Most are available in ‘extended cab’ form, which usually offers two extra fold-down seats behind the driver and front passenger. However, it’s not likely that adults would be comfortable back there on any but the shortest of trips. These jump seats, of sorts, also make for awkward child safety seat attachment in many cases.

In terms of safety features, many of these pickups come up a bit short- one has to pay extra for a rear bumper on many of the cheapest models, and interior padding is also on the skimpy side-although this is becoming less of a problem as these pickup trucks become more ‘refined’, i.e., car-like in their trimmings.

Although the cargo bed is a great idea for people wishing to haul things, it is a bit of an inconvenience in our climate. If one doesn’t buy a cover, or a truck cap for the bed, snow and rain will turn it into a messy pool. Furthermore, without the cap or another accessory that can be locked, whatever one leaves in the bed is left at the mercy of passers-by. Also, look for a double-wall cargo bed. In single wall designs, little dents and scrapes from objects placed in the bed will leave scars on the outside of the bed as well-and these will rust quickly if left unrepaired.

As with the interior trim, ride and handling arc improving a great deal on little pickups, but these are still a far cry from even the most rudimentary passenger cars. Traction on slippery roads is poor unless the vehicle is fully loaded, or if a four-wheel drive model is chosen.

If you are going to buy sell cars, ask members of a Car Club for advice.

Posted by Alex Truck on March 8th, 2010 No Comments

Are You Ready For A Lawn Tractor?

Now that you have moved to the country, you find yourself with new challenges. Not just that, but the job of looking after it’s all yours.

When you currently have three, 4 or perhaps 5 acres, the walk-behind mower that used to do a fine job on your smaller suburban lot just isn’t going to chop it. In searching for a reply to this challenge, an increasing number of country householders have turned to a tool that lawn upkeep managers have used for years : the highly maneuverable, highly productive zero-turn-radius mower. That’s why they’re the single fastest growing gear segment in the outside power appliances industry. Many house owners see the zero-turn as a fast and good way to mow big grasslands. While massive commercial models offer plenty of stability on hillsides, smaller home mowers are loads more subject to drifting downhill when on an incline. Additionally, the purchase of a zero-turn mower is an investment in a pure cutting machine.

If you’d like one machine that offers you the power to blow snow, do blade work, pull a use cart, or perform a spread of other jobs, then a lawn tractor or garden tractor is going to be a miles better option. Thanks to creative design and engineering from John Deere, you do not have to sacrifice the agility and maneuverability of a zero-turn mower for the suppleness and multiple purpose functionality of a lawn tractor. You can find four-wheel steer on a couple of models of Select Series Tractors.

These machines have been designed and built to perform a range of light- and pro quality jobs for shoppers who have bigger properties of at least 7 acres with more landscape features and challenging terrain.

These tractors come in a variety of 17 to twenty-seven hp, both air- and liquid-cooled engines, depending on the model. Other features include a peerless mix of engine features and an exclusive hood design to deliver bigger dragging capacity and longer engine life. Wide-gauge wheels provide improved functionality on coarse ground and a four-point mount is more impervious to abuse and troublesome terrain.

Next, Weldon Duffy covers much more regarding John Deere Tractor For Sale for you to review.

Posted by Martin Russell on March 8th, 2010 No Comments

Auto Transport: Put Money Second, Save the Environment First

It is most unfortunate that reducing the pollutants that industries spew into the environment leads to increased cost of the products and services they provide. Techies tend to get excited about the possibilities of upcoming technologies such as super-crystals or nano-microchips. These things are innovative and bring out the curiosity of the technologically inclined. The other side of this, though, is the trendy consumer who must acquire everything new and shiny because “everybody who is anybody” has one. There are a lot of folks walking around with the latest in wireless cell phones listening to music without earbuds who don’t give a whit about either the technology involved or even the music. They are fashionable.

Car owners tend to follow the same pattern. To many of them, a car is a luxury item, while to others it a symbol of status, an achievement to display. There are approximately 25% of car owners worldwide who own their vehicle not out of necessity, but because “everybody has one.” Some own cars even though it is not sensible or convenient to do so. Yet these same people will do anything, even work multiple jobs so they can show that they own a car, whether used or new, or Kia Rio or Mercedes XL. Why? So they can drive around the corner (instead of walk) to the hottest club.

By derivation, the same is true for related services. Promising industries like the Auto Shipping industry begin by offering real enough benefits. They work to perfect themselves, their services, and, inevitably, their marketing campaigns, and soon become not simply the sensible service to take advantage of, but a status symbol. When the symbol is generalized enough, not only the major names in the field, but even the smallest and least successful companies benefit from indiscriminate consumerism.

There have been steps taken to reduce the ill effects these mammoth carriers have on the environment, but their number is increasing as shipping grows in both potential and popularity. Innovative technologies are being created to improve auto shipping, but there is no current technology that can turn back the damage done to the sea and air by one lone ro-ro ferry performing only one job.

It may seem that environmental problems are not as yet apparent enough in the world for individual consumers to worry about. But the opposite is true. Heedless consumerism distracts from actual events only slightly outside the field of auto shipping by sea and land. Invasive species introduced by large cargo ships are estimated to cost the U.S. dozens of billions of dollars per year. Ballast water spreads bacteria, cholera of various strains, toxic algae, and voracious pests like the the Zebra Mussel. A single load of ballast water from a freight carrier can spread within a matter of years enough pests to destroy fishery, agriculture, tourism and recreational industries.

Successful marketing is just as much responsible for the bright future of the shipping industry as the need for its services. Because business is currently good for the industry, governments are sure to impose technical and performance restrictions, surcharges for roads, vehicle models, and related services.

For more information on auto transport or to get a vehicle shipping quote please visit http://www.jmnhaul.com .

Posted by Tom Kearns on March 7th, 2010 No Comments