It pays to be environment friendly. It is so good to know that automakers have thought about preserving the environment and protecting Mother Nature. There have been in fact attempts to become less harmful to the environment and inhabitants even before Hybrid cars were introduced. The use of the catalytic converter is among the early ways to reduce the emission of harmful exhaust gases produced by the engine. In fact, the United States of America has made it mandatory that each vehicle must be fitted with a street legal catalytic converter. Riders who are ticketed for using unapproved catalytic converter will be punished in accordance to the existing law.
These days, the care for the environment does not dwell only to the use of a street legal catalytic converter. Auto engineers and designers with the help of advance car technology have designed environment-friendly car designs. These are called the Hybrid cars. So let us see the top reasons why a responsible rider like you should consider buying a hybrid car instead of the standard one. I am sharing with you an article written by Paul Wilson, one of my favorite auto article writers.
Here it is:
Care for the environment? Want to save the planet? Then you must think in terms of fuel efficiency, non-polluting, and eco-friendly transport. The answer lies in purchasing and using a hybrid car. They not just make a statement that I care but are compact and fuel efficient.
Here are some insights that may just tempt you to buy a hybrid.
1. Made of lightweight materials hybrids are small in size. The engine is designed to be fuel efficient. When the car halts at a signal, the engine will automatically shut down and restart when the car shifts into gear.
2. These cars have the advantage of being powered by a gasoline engine and an electric motor that takes care of acceleration.
3. The batteries of the electric motor recharge automatically by harnessing the kinetic energy produced during braking.
4. Hybrid car engines produce less emission, give better mileage, idle less, and are fuel efficient.
5. The aerodynamic design reduces drag and the tires are made of a special rubber that reduces friction.
6. The battery has high capacity and is made of nickel-metal-hydride. The battery can run the hybrid when called for.
7. The power-train technology enables using two power sources and enhances fuel efficacy.
8. There are many choices. You can have a hybrid from Honda, Ford, Toyota, GMC, and Chevrolet.
9. If your transportation of choice is a hybrid then the US Government will applaud your choice by giving you significant tax breaks.
10. Using a hybrid means you are active in ensuring the air is clean and that you are a concerned citizen who wishes to save fuel which is precious.
Maximize usage by “pulse and glide.” This means finding the ideal point where electric and gas energy are equally utilized. Generally this ideal lies between 30-40 miles per hour. Stabilization of energy is learnt by practice it really cannot be taught. Another important aspect is that you benefit if you don’t rush around and drive at the prescribed speed limit. If you glide, instead of accelerate then you can make a saving of as much as 10 cents a gallon. Lastly check and maintain tire pressures. This will help lengthen the life of the tires and help you save fuel. Reduced tire pressure studies indicate reduces gas mileage by as much as 10%.
Before you say “yes” to buying a hybrid car, you must do in depth research on hybrids, the pros and cons. Talk to manufacturers and owners. Test drive the different makes and check which one would suit your life-style. Some hybrids are ideal for city driving while others are more efficient on open roads.
Even if the buying price is steep the fuel that you save along with incentives like tax breaks make a hybrid a good and sensible choice.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Dealing With Gas Prices
Want to save on gas? Here are some tips.
• Drive less. Walk, bike, ride the bus or join a car pool. Reduce your commute by moving closer to work or working closer to home. Combine trips and make to-do-lists to avoid having to go back. Call ahead to avoid wasted trips.
• Walk between stops. Once you get into town, some of your stops may be near each other. Park between some or all of them and walk.
• Parking in the first spot you find in the parking lot. If you wander all over the parking lot looking for that really close parking space, you’ll use more gas.
• Use the lowest recommended octane for your car. The lower octane gas is cheaper. Check your owner’s manual to be sure, as not all car engines should use lowest octane gas.
• Determine whether gas with ethanol is right for your vehicle. However, 10% or less ethanol actually helps gasoline burn more completely, resulting in better economy.
• Compare ethanol price. Fuel with ethanol may be more expensive than standard gas, but the minimal price difference is often offset by lower fuel taxes or subsidies.
• Don’t fill until the last quarter tank. If you do this, it can extend your gas because you are hauling a lighter load as the tank nears empty. However, in cold weather, you run an increased risk of condensation in the fuel tank.
• Don’t top off the tank. It is wasted money and bad for the environment since the extra gas evaporates in 10 minutes of driving.
• Change car oil regularly. Properly maintaining your car will keep your car running as efficiently as possible. Use synthetic oil instead of mineral oil. This will cause your engine to run better and give you better mileage.
• Upgrade air filter. More efficient brands of air filters cost a little more but will pay for themselves in most vehicles in fuel savings. Clogged air filters cause engines to work overtime which requires more fuel.
• Use a fuel injector cleaner or complete fuel system treatment occasionally. Not only will you see a boost in gas mileage, but in your car’s overall performance. Fouled injectors vaporize fuel poorly, affecting how completely the fuel is burned.
• Clean out any unnecessary items in your car. If your car is lighter, it will use less fuel to get where you’re going. If you have a bicycle or ski rack, remove it when you’re not using it. It causes drag and lowers mileage.
• Avoid idling. While idling, your car gets exactly 0 miles per gallon while starting the car uses the same amount as idling for 30 seconds. TIP: Park your car and go into the restaurant rather than idling in the drive-through. Idling with the air conditioning on also uses extra fuel.
• Plan your trips in advance. This can prevent wasting fuel and wasting time. Use alternative routes. Often back roads can prevent you from stopping at traffic lights and more importantly sitting in traffic jams. TIP: Try to schedule your trips and errands when traffic is lighter.
• Use a global positioning system (GPS) to help you navigate and find the fastest and shortest distance to your destination.
• Drive at a consistent speed. Avoid quick acceleration and hard braking.
• If approaching a red light, see if you can slow down enough to avoid having to actually stop.
• Take off slowly from a full stop. This is one adjustment that will have dramatic effects on your gas mileage; don’t tear off from a stoplight or stop sign!
• Stay well away from store fronts where you will spend significantly more time idling and waiting for pedestrians and other vehicles.
• Shift into neutral if you are not comfortable with down shifting. NOTE: This strategy will result in more wear and tear on your brakes.
• Park in the shade because gasoline actually evaporates right out of your tank, and it does so faster when you park directly under the sun - winter or summer.
• Drive less. Walk, bike, ride the bus or join a car pool. Reduce your commute by moving closer to work or working closer to home. Combine trips and make to-do-lists to avoid having to go back. Call ahead to avoid wasted trips.
• Walk between stops. Once you get into town, some of your stops may be near each other. Park between some or all of them and walk.
• Parking in the first spot you find in the parking lot. If you wander all over the parking lot looking for that really close parking space, you’ll use more gas.
• Use the lowest recommended octane for your car. The lower octane gas is cheaper. Check your owner’s manual to be sure, as not all car engines should use lowest octane gas.
• Determine whether gas with ethanol is right for your vehicle. However, 10% or less ethanol actually helps gasoline burn more completely, resulting in better economy.
• Compare ethanol price. Fuel with ethanol may be more expensive than standard gas, but the minimal price difference is often offset by lower fuel taxes or subsidies.
• Don’t fill until the last quarter tank. If you do this, it can extend your gas because you are hauling a lighter load as the tank nears empty. However, in cold weather, you run an increased risk of condensation in the fuel tank.
• Don’t top off the tank. It is wasted money and bad for the environment since the extra gas evaporates in 10 minutes of driving.
• Change car oil regularly. Properly maintaining your car will keep your car running as efficiently as possible. Use synthetic oil instead of mineral oil. This will cause your engine to run better and give you better mileage.
• Upgrade air filter. More efficient brands of air filters cost a little more but will pay for themselves in most vehicles in fuel savings. Clogged air filters cause engines to work overtime which requires more fuel.
• Use a fuel injector cleaner or complete fuel system treatment occasionally. Not only will you see a boost in gas mileage, but in your car’s overall performance. Fouled injectors vaporize fuel poorly, affecting how completely the fuel is burned.
• Clean out any unnecessary items in your car. If your car is lighter, it will use less fuel to get where you’re going. If you have a bicycle or ski rack, remove it when you’re not using it. It causes drag and lowers mileage.
• Avoid idling. While idling, your car gets exactly 0 miles per gallon while starting the car uses the same amount as idling for 30 seconds. TIP: Park your car and go into the restaurant rather than idling in the drive-through. Idling with the air conditioning on also uses extra fuel.
• Plan your trips in advance. This can prevent wasting fuel and wasting time. Use alternative routes. Often back roads can prevent you from stopping at traffic lights and more importantly sitting in traffic jams. TIP: Try to schedule your trips and errands when traffic is lighter.
• Use a global positioning system (GPS) to help you navigate and find the fastest and shortest distance to your destination.
• Drive at a consistent speed. Avoid quick acceleration and hard braking.
• If approaching a red light, see if you can slow down enough to avoid having to actually stop.
• Take off slowly from a full stop. This is one adjustment that will have dramatic effects on your gas mileage; don’t tear off from a stoplight or stop sign!
• Stay well away from store fronts where you will spend significantly more time idling and waiting for pedestrians and other vehicles.
• Shift into neutral if you are not comfortable with down shifting. NOTE: This strategy will result in more wear and tear on your brakes.
• Park in the shade because gasoline actually evaporates right out of your tank, and it does so faster when you park directly under the sun - winter or summer.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
What Makes a Good Seat Belt
Choosing the best car seat is a tough one especially if you don’t know what exactly you want your car to have. In my personal experience, I did had a hard time choosing the best one.. know why??? Because I didn’t know the type of seat will best suit my car.
For you to know there are several types of car seats and all of them have different configuration. The first thing you need to consider is what the right seat is for you…. (For me it should be comfortable, soft and have good material) but then to mothers driving along with their children it’s a different case. The first thing that they consider is whether the car seat is suitable for their children.
Here are the basics about the different types of seats and some of their features:
• Rear-facing infant-only seat This type of seat has a handle that allow you to take the seated infant with you, and then snap the seat into either a frame or stroller. There are several models which has a detachable base that stays in the car which allows you to easily snap the car seat in without fooling around with the seatbelt. REMEMBER that it is very important that the seat is positioned correctly to protect the infant. The desired angle for seat suitable for infants is 45 degrees. That is why there are some seats come with angle indicators and built-in angle adjusters. Also look for harness adjusters and head support systems.
• Convertible seat this type of car seat can face rearward or forward. This is suitable for toddlers weighing 20 to 40 pounds there are some models that go up to 65 pounds. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), you should keep your child rear-facing until he is at least one year old and has reached the highest weight or height allowed by the seat’s manufacturer (refer to the manual).
• Combination seat, which can be used with a harness or as a booster. It has the capacity to hold children ranging at least one year old and from 20 to 100 pounds. The weigh that this type of seat can carry varies from different model. Sometimes called toddler/booster seats, these forward-facing seats can change from a five-point harness to a belt-positioning booster seat.
• Booster seats. Will hold a child from 30-100 pounds, depending on the model. REMEMBER: Children should not move from a full harness to a booster seat until they reach the top weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer. High-back boosters are used in cars without a head rest or high seat back. They are also a good idea if your child always fall asleep in the seat, or if the seatbelt still doesn’t fit properly with a backless booster. WARNING: Avoid shield boosters altogether.Built-in (Integrated) Seats. In models like Volvos and Chrysler/Dodge minivans offer built-in booster or child seats as factory options. This definitely makes life easier, though you need to check carefully with the manufacturer to see what weight, age and height limitations exist
Aside from the type of seat, there are other factors to be considered.
Will the seat grow with your child? What are the manufacturer’s limits for a child’s height and weight? Make sure that if you choose a car seat… it should have a higher weight limit.
Will it fit in your current or future car? Here’s a few tips you have to consider before deciding to buy a new seat.
• Is the seat bottom flat enough to allow the car seat to fit snugly?
• Do the belts allow you to secure your child’s seat properly?
• Is there enough clearance for rear-facing seats in the backseat?
• Is there enough legroom for older kids in front-facing seats, or will they always be kicking the back of your seat?
• To be sure a car seat will fit properly in your vehicle, try installing it before you buy it.
• Bear in mind that the third-row seat of any vehicle is extremely difficult for any adult to get to, and is best left to the booster seat crowd if possible.
• Make sure that the seat is easy to use.
After you already have decided what type of seat you want, install it.
For you to know there are several types of car seats and all of them have different configuration. The first thing you need to consider is what the right seat is for you…. (For me it should be comfortable, soft and have good material) but then to mothers driving along with their children it’s a different case. The first thing that they consider is whether the car seat is suitable for their children.
Here are the basics about the different types of seats and some of their features:
• Rear-facing infant-only seat This type of seat has a handle that allow you to take the seated infant with you, and then snap the seat into either a frame or stroller. There are several models which has a detachable base that stays in the car which allows you to easily snap the car seat in without fooling around with the seatbelt. REMEMBER that it is very important that the seat is positioned correctly to protect the infant. The desired angle for seat suitable for infants is 45 degrees. That is why there are some seats come with angle indicators and built-in angle adjusters. Also look for harness adjusters and head support systems.
• Convertible seat this type of car seat can face rearward or forward. This is suitable for toddlers weighing 20 to 40 pounds there are some models that go up to 65 pounds. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), you should keep your child rear-facing until he is at least one year old and has reached the highest weight or height allowed by the seat’s manufacturer (refer to the manual).
• Combination seat, which can be used with a harness or as a booster. It has the capacity to hold children ranging at least one year old and from 20 to 100 pounds. The weigh that this type of seat can carry varies from different model. Sometimes called toddler/booster seats, these forward-facing seats can change from a five-point harness to a belt-positioning booster seat.
• Booster seats. Will hold a child from 30-100 pounds, depending on the model. REMEMBER: Children should not move from a full harness to a booster seat until they reach the top weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer. High-back boosters are used in cars without a head rest or high seat back. They are also a good idea if your child always fall asleep in the seat, or if the seatbelt still doesn’t fit properly with a backless booster. WARNING: Avoid shield boosters altogether.Built-in (Integrated) Seats. In models like Volvos and Chrysler/Dodge minivans offer built-in booster or child seats as factory options. This definitely makes life easier, though you need to check carefully with the manufacturer to see what weight, age and height limitations exist
Aside from the type of seat, there are other factors to be considered.
Will the seat grow with your child? What are the manufacturer’s limits for a child’s height and weight? Make sure that if you choose a car seat… it should have a higher weight limit.
Will it fit in your current or future car? Here’s a few tips you have to consider before deciding to buy a new seat.
• Is the seat bottom flat enough to allow the car seat to fit snugly?
• Do the belts allow you to secure your child’s seat properly?
• Is there enough clearance for rear-facing seats in the backseat?
• Is there enough legroom for older kids in front-facing seats, or will they always be kicking the back of your seat?
• To be sure a car seat will fit properly in your vehicle, try installing it before you buy it.
• Bear in mind that the third-row seat of any vehicle is extremely difficult for any adult to get to, and is best left to the booster seat crowd if possible.
• Make sure that the seat is easy to use.
After you already have decided what type of seat you want, install it.
a lesson for GM
Auto shows are great. You’ll be surely amazed with the showcase of breathtaking cars designed by various automakers. These concept cars reveal what their makers think about for their future models. They give the car buyers something to look forwarded to. There are some vehicle manufacturers however that do not necessarily feed the audience with their future auto designs. Yes, they fail to represent the direction of their company. This can therefore confuse the buying public. One of the concept cars that went through this foul showcase was the Buick Blackhawk of General Motors (GM). It was later revealed that the concept car was killed unceremoniously by the designer Wayne Cherry. It was due to the fact that it didn’t exhibit the genuine direction of the Company.
Later, GM apparently had its worldwide presence but the central government in Detroit didn’t have as much control over its spread-out parts. Those who designed for these studios answered to their local bosses not Detroit. In the end, GM has come up with self-proclaimed renegade designs.
There have been changes made after the experience of Blackhawk in the history of auto shows. Detroit now has the final say. But regions such as Australia, Germany, India, Brazil, South Korea, as well as the studios in California and Michigan are involved. Auto makers are now rotated from design studio to design studio all around the word. It seems that GM has learned its lesson.
Later, GM apparently had its worldwide presence but the central government in Detroit didn’t have as much control over its spread-out parts. Those who designed for these studios answered to their local bosses not Detroit. In the end, GM has come up with self-proclaimed renegade designs.
There have been changes made after the experience of Blackhawk in the history of auto shows. Detroit now has the final say. But regions such as Australia, Germany, India, Brazil, South Korea, as well as the studios in California and Michigan are involved. Auto makers are now rotated from design studio to design studio all around the word. It seems that GM has learned its lesson.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Stamp covered Car
A Trabant 601 was filled with stamp from top to bottom. The Trabant was from East of Germany. It was now a latest car trend. The idea of fixing abandoned cars with excess or surplus of goodies like stickers or stamps or anything else that would patch the entire undesirable thing in the exterior of the car was great in terms of budget. Scharam Farahbakhsh the one who own the vehicle in the image is a dealer of a stamp so he just chooses to use his resources to decorate his car. It is believed that the number of stamp used in the car was approximately or more than 3000 pieces coming from different categories of stamps. If you are wondering what will happen when it rains. Well don’t worry for these will not be wasted because the car has a special coating that will protect it from getting washed.
This only shows how resourceful and creative people are. This idea would probably make a thought for car dealers or autopartswarehouse dealer to produce a low cost car paint alternatives that could save money and lessen the maintenance cost for the exterior of the car. Who knows this will be the beginning of the new concept or looks of the cars / vehicles in the near future. Maybe plain designed or colored cars will not be seen any more in the road and streets, and the trend must be a colorful and abstract like design for our cars. Can’t imagine the what will our car look if this will happen.
This only shows how resourceful and creative people are. This idea would probably make a thought for car dealers or autopartswarehouse dealer to produce a low cost car paint alternatives that could save money and lessen the maintenance cost for the exterior of the car. Who knows this will be the beginning of the new concept or looks of the cars / vehicles in the near future. Maybe plain designed or colored cars will not be seen any more in the road and streets, and the trend must be a colorful and abstract like design for our cars. Can’t imagine the what will our car look if this will happen.
Friday, September 5, 2008
2010 Lexus LF-A
The long anticipated Lexus marvelous car by the autopartswarehouse fanatics, the LF-A, has been witnessed on test roads in Nurburygring and this put forwards for the 2010 replica year will have the capable of keeping up with the similar look of the Ferrari F430 and further. The new LF-A is almost alike the size of the F430 and roughly 2 inches smaller than the Porsche 911, but a 9 inches of additional wheel base, this car is absolutely have more room than the other two joint. The one question that remains with the new 2010 Lexus LF-A is, will it have a V8 or a V10? The answer hasn’t been decided yet but it seems to be leaning towards the V10 which would not be fuel efficient.Thus far the sky-scraping performance Lexus LF-A appears to be tremendously aerodynamic which assists the car execute enhanced than any of it antecedents. There is a huge back wing on the rear of the car that is intended to maintain the carbon-fiber light frame to the highway. There is gossip that a front end aerodynamic package is now on the work and Toyota - Lexus’ root company - has been running with tabs on corners in front and a somewhat extra hostile shape for the face air dam.
It still seems that Toyota is not sure where this car is going to fit in, simply by the way the car appears to the casual observer. The base adaptation of the 2010 Lexus LF-A will undeniably be a partially extravagant super car pricing anywhere around $120,000 to $150,000 in the United States. With the pricing being that high, it takes it out of the Nissan GT-R class where it is supposed to be. If the company planned a supplementary V-spec version which is quicker still, the car will be absolutely in an entire dissimilar reproduction class.
The logically aspirated 5.0 liter V10 engine and back drive is being planned for the base LF-A model. It will be an 8 speed automatic that has the same fast torque converter lockup that is in the Lexus IS-F. Toyota is also planning for a twin-turbo V8 and is chatting about turning the LF-A into the initial green hybrid supercar with one of the LF-A’s liberates.
The car’s growth is pretty much fixed at this period in the competition and without an absolute restore and renovate, the LF-A is in practice to set roll off the production line. The new energy and condensed weight could effortlessly set the car out of the comfort car grouping and into the sports car class, depending on which way Toyota chooses to take it.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Peugeot Stylight a Batman Look Concept Car
Another design was introduced that is under the Peugeot Design Competition and it’s unlikely that all cars that have got through to the ultimate round has its own uniqueness or extraordinary attribute. It has been a hard task in judging the best candidates and the Stylight is the thing that could astound with its simplicity and dominantly basics which help the car vastly without in fact building it too gaudy or impractical. Once again the significance of resonance aerodynamic proposal and a constant body performance are tinted by the charming modest car. Autopartswarehouse for surely support this kind of events.
Ognyan Bozhilov was the one who designed the small car that is 3 seater car for city which is ideal for a not too big family to travel around the city. Included with them is a small 1.6 liter HDI and electric and engine motor, the engine is located on top of the back wheels. This guarantees enhanced weight allocation in the car and also aids in saving bounty of energy. This also provides the Stylight its lead with a magnificent aerodynamic design and its uniqueness of its compact look.
The two small features that show up with the Stylight are the Peugeot symbol on the rim of its wheels that is in glowing neon color and also the unique taillights which are created through the use of LED lights. The LEDs are glowing according to the force put on the brake system, which make certain that the right strength and proceeds as a plain but very efficient security attribute. The Peugeot Stylight idea is truly a small modest delight for the future road and rail network.
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