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Archive for July, 2008
Thu, July 31, 2008 2:09 pm By James Coolridge  Printer friendly version
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 By buying a used car, you can save a lot of money, but remember it can be a bit of a gamble as there are no guarantees about the cars mileage, maintenance or history. So when buying a used car you need to be very alert and careful that you don’t buy a lemon by mistake.
Here are a few points to take into consideration
•Don’t look for cheapest car, the “best deal” doesn’t mean the cheapest one, try to look for a car in good condition for practical price.
•Check if the car has a current Warrant of Fitness (WoF). A car for sale must have a WoF that is less than one month old.
•You will most probably have to spend money on repairs in order to bring the car without a warrant up to WoF standard, so ask the seller if there are papers recording the vehicle’s service or repair history.
•Check out the car yourself very carefully, ask a knowledgeable person who knows about cars to help you.
•Be particularly attentive when doing the paperwork, make sure that the person who signs the Bill of Sale is the actual owner of the car.
•Look carefully for signs of rust on any of the weight-bearing parts, as well as on the steering mechanism mountings. When you get into the car, look under the carpets, the boot liner and in the spare tyre area.
•Check the treads of all the cars tires, including the spare, treads must be at least 1.5mm deep across 3/4 of the tread pattern, around the entire circumference of the tire.
•Also look for uneven tire wear, which may indicate problems with the cars steering, suspension or alignment.
•Open and shut all the doors, the bonnet and the boot, making sure they are aligned properly and move smoothly, also check that the windows open and shut easily, and make sure they will stay open halfway.
Tags: maintenance, Used Cars, cars mileage, Warrant of Fitness, tire treads,
Wed, July 30, 2008 12:11 pm By James Coolridge
 Well yes, the hybrids are in these days. GM has finally casted the much awaited spell by bringing together the Dodge Durango and the Chrysler Aspen that pairs two electric motors with a traditional four-speed automatic for roughly 25-percent gains in overall fuel economy. Read on to know more!
The Power!
We see that GM utes get a high-efficiency Atkinson-cycle version of the 6.0-liter small-block V-8, whereas on the other hand the Chrysler utes simply get the standard Hemi. Though it does boasts of being an updated-for-2009 Hemi, with variable cam timing, improved airflow and cylinder deactivation. However, the hybrids have a different intake than other ’09s and make 345 horsepower versus 356 for the Hemi-equipped ’09 Durango. Total output combined with the electric motors is 385 horsepower, although with the added weight and taller final-drive ratio, Chrysler predicts the hybrids will be slower than comparable non hybrid Hemi models launched earlier.
Greater fuel efficiency!
This unique Durango/ Chrysler hybrid arrangement allows the transmission to function either as a continuously variable unit (CVT) in two distinct ratio spreads—from infinity to 1.70 for taking off from a stop and from 1.70 to 0.50 for high-speed efficiency—or as a traditional automatic through one of the four fixed ratios. The power train electronics continuously sort out in real time which mode to operate in to maximize economy.
As with other so-called full hybrids, the Chryslers shut down the gas engine at low speeds and can drive on electric power only, in this case at speeds up to 25 mph, and use their electric motors to recapture energy under braking. A further efficiency boost is that the additional power provided by the battery allows the Hemi to stay in four-cylinder mode more often, even at highway speeds.
However, the only ad spell is that of the buck this machine represents. $45,000! Yes it may seem huge to us but with the kind of capacities it has brought with it, for those of us who are freaks, this will certainly gear up to be a good catch this summer.
Tags: Review on Durango, cars in 2009
Tue, July 29, 2008 12:11 pm By James Coolridge
 Even though your SUVs’ might have given you your best fun-rides, the new Porsche has gotten a step further of providing the concept with the GTS version of its Cayenne sport-ute. This model is ideally being called as a fraternal twin to the V-8 powered Cayenne S and has come up as one the most expensive and best performing among its family so far.
Talking about its visual appeal, it looks like the turbo model with a nose that has similarly humongous air intakes. Adding more to it is a blacked-out door and window trim and inside with supportive seats covered with a handsome combination of leather and a suede-like material called Alcantara. This makes its appeal so strong that a glimpse at it and you’ll realize that you have already fallen in love with it.
This GTS is also one of the quickest among the non-turbo engines. Its green model, which became quite popular whne launched was a manual-transmission model and ran up to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. Indeed, nothing could beat its strength then. However, a Cayeonne S with the automatic did the deed in 6.0 seconds. The problem actually lies in the manual tranny’s short gearing, which means two shifts are required to pass 60 mph.
This model displays a great improvement in its Grip. The GTS is stuck with a sports-car-like 0.90 g of lateral bite versus 0.82 for the unfortified model. Its adjustable air suspension is highly flexible, rendering both a terrific, supple, well-controlled ride in the comfort setting and a fair amount of precision in the sport setting, that a car of its like ideally needs.
Though you would like its suspension, some of you may think that the manual transmission doesn’t really gel well with the Cayenne. The shift throws are long, and it’s a lifeless stick that feels even more out of place because the parking brake isn’t on the center console but rather is a foot-operated pedal.
Hence we see that this model is certainly you wouldn’t want to miss. It does offer a vast set of capabilities neatly packaged with great precision and finesse.
Tags: Porsche, Summer 2008 cars, summer cars
Mon, July 28, 2008 12:21 pm By James Coolridge
 Only if you thought that possessing a car was as easy as just riding it all the time and just parking it in your garage at the end of the day. Just like any of us, ever your car needs a timely checkup to ensure that your smooth everyday rides are not disturbed by its untimely breakage. Here are some basic tips telling you about how to efficiently manage your car.
Tyre Rotation!
After your meter sees 5000 miles or 8000km, rotate your tyres. Some of the factors you need to keep in mind before doing the same are centre spigot size, PCD notation, Pitch Circle diameter and number of bolts or studs.
Dust off the brakes frequently!
The brakes tend to pick up all kinds of nasty dirt from the roads and if you leave it for too long a time, the combination of road grime, moisture and heat from the brake will solidify it to your wheels. In order to do this, you need a damp sponge or cold water as the dust normally sticks to the wheels because of static energy.
What’s your tread depth?
You car tyres, if slick and black must be doing you good during motor racing, but they won’t prove to be the same on the road. Now a days most of the tyres come with inbuilt tread wear bars so after examining it, if you find your tread to be too low, do not delay in changing your tyres. Yes, four new tyres might seem an expensive investment but it is any time better than any accident waiting for you.
Tyre Pressure!
This goes without saying that you must get your tyre pressures checked regularly, at least once a week. It is a simple thing and can greatly affect your fuel economy, handling and comfort.
Check your belts
The front of your engine contains a series of rubber drive belts that loop around various pulleys, driving everything from the alternator to the a/c compressor. This rubber, however perishes, more so in extreme conditions like those found in an operating engine bay. It therefore is imperative to get your timing belt and accessory drive belt checked every 25,000 miles, preferably replacing it every 50,000 miles or so.
Oil Level
Having too high or low level of oil can cause trouble to your engine. So checking by putting a dipstick in it after parking the car on leveled ground is a must. Then pull it out, wipe it and push it all the way back in until the top of it is seated properly in the dip tube once again. So now you’ll know the exact level of oil. If it is too low, then add a little. If high, extract it out so that the reading remains between the high and the low marks.
Electrical
If you intend to do any work on your car, disconnect the battery first. I order to do you need to loosen the connector for the negative/ground terminal first, and wiggle the terminal cap off. Then use a wire-tie or similar to tie the cable back out of the way. If you need to take the battery out, you can now take off the positive connector as well.
So these are a few of the many essentials you need to practice is you intend to give your car a healthy life. In times to come, we will talk more about other intricacies of efficient handling of the car, informing you about all the mechanical dos and do nots.
Tags: Car Maintenance, car check
Sun, July 27, 2008 1:20 pm By James Coolridge
 In our last article we spoke about fuel efficiency system attained through Fuel Zone. This indeed is a great catch for people who operate on large fleet of vehicles such as 50 or more with a minimum of one private fueling facility. But you install such a system, your needs grow and so does your demand to upgrade such system without investing much money, of course.
An answer to this is an automated fuel management solution with the future in mind! Yes, we are talking about yet another technology that will help you to invest many times lesser than your first time expenditure, thereby delivering core benefits and upgrading fuel system with better features as your needs grow.
Besides, reducing our fuel consumption by 25% and providing a 24-hour secured access this system further helps you to deliver all the advantages of the Fleet Zone platform, giving you the best value in fuel management. This indeed calls for a wireless installation which is very economical and provides protective electrical isolation from outdoor equipment. Furthermore, it records all the data needed for fuel inventory reconciliation. It also all makes of dispensers including commercial types and any identification technology you may be already using (RFID, iButton, etc.)
Another system that has made its mark is the Fuel Zone transit which allows the automatic authorization of products and fuel as vehicles stop in the service area. As the name suggests, this system is mainly applicable for large transit vehicles, particularly buses. This is how it works: Bus number and error-free vehicular data is captured transparently while the bus is being serviced. Dispensers turn off as soon as the bus leaves the service area and all consumption and vehicular data is recorded in a central database.
Hence with all this and more, managing our vehicles, however small or big they may be, has become easy beyond our imagination. All you need to do now is just turn up at your service station and get it installed and drive your way to peace!
Tags: fuel economy, Fuel system up gradation, bus fuel, fuel saving
Sat, July 26, 2008 1:17 pm By James Coolridge
 Maintaining fuel economy is something none of us can afford to ignore. Whether we operate a fleet or just one vehicle, it is of prime eminence for us to keep a check on how much fuel are we dispensing in a single day. However, under conditions when our vehicles are driven not by us, human intervention (in our absence) can easily deprive us of the actual fuel record. Well, the markets have for you some of the best Fuel Management systems that will help you:
• Capture the captures critical fuel and vehicular data automatically
• Monitor fleet performance
• Schedule preventive maintenance
• Account for every drop of fuel dispensed
The good news is it calls for a wireless installation with no cards or keypads requirement and zero human intervention. It only calls for a small investment, tracking consumption upto 200 electronic keys, on 2 hoses, with no data entry. These systems come with virtually unlimited capacity but can also e upgraded from time to time if necessary.
So your fuel benefits are not very far from you now. You can save considerable bucks by employing this system. One of the most popular fuel management systems available in the markets are Fuel Zone, Fuel Zone lite and Fuel Zone Transit.
So who exactly are Fuel Zone users?
People using Fuel Zone are organizations operating large fleets of at least 50 or more vehicles and at least one private fueling facility to their credit. Hence wanting to cut costs seems to be their most obvious need. Thus, this is fulfilled by leveraging Fuel Zone to reduce fuel consumption up to 25%, meet environmental regulations, monitor and improve fleet performance and schedule preventive maintenance by specifically ensuring that there is no human intervention in the same.
How can Fuel Zone be beneficial for you??
• Reduce fuel consumption by almost 25%
• It provides 24/7 unattended yet secure access to fuel
• Manually guarantees that fuel is dispensed to authorized vehicles only
• Eliminate spillage by cutting off the flow of fuel whenever nozzle is removed from authorized vehicle
• Satisfy environmental agencies regulations by automatically recording and reconciling fuel consumption to inventories
• Greatly cuts down vehicle idling
• Speeds up fueling
• Enhance safety by immediate notification of storage tanks leaks
• Automatically captures complete vehicular information such as mileage and engine hours along with idling, fault codes and more
• There is no need of a special dispenser nozzle, hose or other fittings
• Easy plug-and-play Vehicle Data Unit installation
Thus we see that we can now be rest assured about judicious handling of our fuel. Moreover, operating Fuel Zone is so easy that it all you need to do is simple fuel uo and drive away. The system will automatically perform the validations while reading the vehicle data.
Tags: fuel economy, fuel efficiency, Fuel management
Fri, July 25, 2008 1:02 pm By James Coolridge
 Saving money is not a simple thing. Thanks to the new economic conditions. No doubt, the first thing that comes to mind while thinking about the economy is the tremendous hike of the fuel price. Oil companies have reported record breaking quarters. And in the end the burn is brunt by average common man. With all developed countries witnessing heavy hike in fuel charges, things are no more as simple as that.
Have you ever thought of a strategy to fight back this disastrous scenario? What will it take for gas prices to steady to a reasonable price again? Buy less gas! It is as simple as that. Latest reports show that most of Americans have already resorted to driving less, sacrificing family vacations, carpooling to work, and using public transportation. So how can you buy less gas even after you have resorted to the extreme?
There do exist ways to cut down money on gas, drive as much as you want, and reduce carbon emissions. Converting the car to run on water and gasoline hybrid will help in cutting down the fuel charges to a big extend. This is possible through the miracle of electrolysis. This methodology dramatically improve you gas mileage, without all the confusion of hydrogen fuel cell technology. To make things cooler, this can be done with any car or truck, gas or diesel!
Everyone among us knows that hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. But also we know that hydrogen fuel is very unstable, and sometimes dangerous to transport. But there is another option other than hydrogen fuel that is virtually a scientific breakthrough. It’s baptised HHO. And a man by the name of Ozzie Freedom has developed a device that could use the electricity out of your car or truck battery, which will separate water into “HHO”. This HHO GAS which is 3 times more potent than gasoline increases mileage and cuts the fuel price.
Tell me, you know any more much better price cutting gimmick. I swear, I don’t. So if you too not, then switch over to these new ways to save fuel charges.
Tags: Car, Fuel, gasoline, Hydrogen, electricity, gas, fuel price, HHO, truck battery
Thu, July 24, 2008 12:00 pm By James Coolridge
 Versatility! Personalized interiors! A portable navigation unit! A seven inch digital screen and hard drive for digital music! Would you dream any less for the car of your dreams?? Yes, for all of those who bask in the glory of cars, every second of every day, the year 2008 has brought for you some wheels that will further put your imagination on fire. Some of the latest sensations this year are as follows:
A-BAT - Concept Vehicle from Toyota
A-BAT is the new sizzler on board which offers its customers the versatility of hauling a standard 4×8 sheet of plywood one day and then taking a family on a camping trip the next moment. You’ll find it featuring a four-foot bed with more flexibility than the standard pick up truck. The exterior are rugged and is in deep contrast by the four-passenger modern interior. Furthermore, the door trim, shoulder, armrest and instrument panel pads and seat cushions are made of a strong, lightweight and comfortable material that can be selected for personalization according to one’s preference. In addition, the colors are coordinated to enhance the sleek interior environment. As if all this isn’t enough, the insides of the A-BAT have a retractable, portable navigation unit with a seven-inch diagonal screen and Wi-Fi Internet connectivity. Some more advanced features include a port for portable device assistant synchronization and a hard drive for digital music. You also have some solar panels on the dash which recapture energy from the sun so as to help in the charging of the navigation unit, portable power pack and backlit information displays.
So you see, the A-BAT may prove to be just more than what might have ever imagined. The car buffs will not take much time to fall in love with it as this power-packed automobile may spell your style with absolute ease!
1957 Ford Thunderbird on Route 66
“Don’t mess with success” was the the thunder everyone stuck to at Ford in 1957 when Thunderbird was introduced for the first time. The emergence of this motor acted as the answer to the popular Chevrolet Corvette, and from its debut in 1955 the Thunderbird was a runaway hit as soon as it was set on board, not to mention the overwhelming response of people all over. Thunderbird’s all-steel body with roll-up windows and a hefty V-8 engine was more refined than the Corvette and it still continues to rein in the hearts of all care lovers..
Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
This car has been termed as the man’s first love. Indeed! Male drivers want cars that are powerful, performance oriented, and exclusive and this motor has only more than what you ever dreamt of. Men who cars which are flashiest, loudest and most expensive, this canary colored is the answer to their temptation. However, the 2007 Gallardo is a 2-door, 2-passenger luxury sports car, or convertible sports car, available in two trims, the Coupe and the SPYDER!
It does seem as if your fantasy’s been served before you in steel and metal for real. A look at these engines and you’ll know that you wouldn’t want to compromise or anything lesser than these models. With the world at your fingertips, you are just a click away from seeing these stunning beauties.
Tags: Cars, Latest cars, Car reviews, expensive cars
Wed, July 23, 2008 1:24 pm By James Coolridge
 Looking for a used car? But finding it hard to locate a decent one with an ideal price? Don’t worry. You are not alone There are many here on the lookout of used car. A used car is intended to bring down the costs of buying a brand new one. We sometimes see ourselves spell bound to the cheesy sales pitch of a salesman trying to sell us all the reasons why a used car cost that much. Just say good bye to such guys.
Now it is time to have excellent options. You don’t even have to leave the comforts of your home to search an ideally priced used car. It could even serve you for long time. Just go online to check the variety of used car search engines out there. It is as easy as that. Never would have you thought it to be so simple to find the value of a used car. If you still is confused on what you are looking for, then chances are higher that you are lost in the words of a used car salesman. No more need to entrust someone to tell you the value of the car you intend to buy. Just find the value of a used car of any model, by logging into used car search engines. What was your experience with used car search engines?
Here you can literally browse through hundreds of automobiles at used car search engines. Carmax.com is another place to admire. Thanks to the comfort and ease with which the site drives you to the used car of your choice. Set the search preferences to get results only on your model and/or year of manufacture. Also try to restrict your search to your local areas only. Remember, it is too simple to locate a car of your choice, that too with great prices while you are in a used car search engine.
Tags: Cars, engine, Used Cars, websites
Tue, July 22, 2008 1:24 pm By James Coolridge
 The impact of the oil price hike was so severe around the globe that it really shocked the automobile sector. The owners of cars and other vehicles were left in middle of the way stranded. The hike in the market prices of oil reaching high levels made people think of new ideas to cut down expenses. Start from fuel, the steps to cut dons the prices. It really is a good idea to start cutting the costs you spend for gas. There do exist a number of ways to do this but what we discuss here is your car’s aerodynamics. Aerodynamic cars do achieve better mileage and efficiency. This optimizes your car to be aerodynamic means saving gas money in the long run.
Studies reveal that for highway driving conditions about 15%-20% of the total energy required to push you car along the highway is used up by the driveline. If you are unaware of the concept of driveline is then it’s time you know that it is the drive shaft. It transmits rotational power from the transmission to the differential. Moving forward, it is found that about 25%-30% of the same energy used to move your car down a highway is wasted by tire rolling resistance. About 60% of that same energy is wasted by air drag. This means that the friction produced by your car as it hits air slows it down. This causes your car to use up more fuel in order to maintain a speed. But aerodynamic cars don’t cause a problem with air drag along its hull resulting the saving of car fuel. Optimize your car to aerodynamic to save fuel and expand mileage.
Optimizing the aerodynamic of your car is not rocket science. But yes, there are some aspects of this science that are applied to the way rockets are designed. The U.S military, air force, and navy are on inventions and designing of tanks, planes, and ships to become more aerodynamic, as they too recognize the potential efficiency that aerodynamics can achieve. It is therefore just natural that the automobile industry will also soon catch up with its own aerodynamic cars.
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