Car Professional

The water-driven cars using hydrogen

2008-07-14T13:25:00.001+07:00

by Peter J Drew

Gone are the days when people used to think that running a car over water is an impossible dream. The experts have not only made this impossible dream come true, but have also been able to use water as an alternative gas, which has a lot of the benefits of its own.
The engines of ordinary cars convert thermal energy into mechanical energy gasoline, which becomes the main driving force backups of all cars. The water, however, can be divided into HHO, better known as Brownâ € ™ s gas or hydroxy, including hydrogen and oxygen in the 2:1 ratio and can ignite the engine.
HHO, however, will not lead to the use of petrol completely null and void. Not only reduce gasoline consumption, thus saving a lot of money.

To use water as an alternative to gasoline, you will require a cuilt container for storing water. Not only is this hydrogen generator with a reasonable price, can also be done by anyone simply using the guidelines of a manual conversion of water. Being placed under the hood, the package must be connected with the carâ € ™ s battery, so the battery in turn, can use electricity that is generated from the breakdown of water into oxygen and hydrogen molecular . One can be sure that running a car over water in this way will have no negative effects on your car's value.
Under the execution of a car in the water like this, one can enjoy the benefits of your carâ € ™ s mpg is improving. If the increases by 25 mpg or 50%, however, depends on the standard car. Another advantage of driving a car on water is that this process is greatly the environment, hence, do not contribute to air pollution as gasoline often does.
The use of water also ensures hydropower become more horsepower than gasoline normally cree que hacer. The water also contributes to a better engine maintenance, since it runs smoother and quieter. It also helps in cleaning such as gasoline burns more resourcefully, hence, leaving behind much smaller than the waste of gasoline itself normally does.
Running a car in the water will also help the owner of a car to reduce its financial expenses, since they have to use gasoline to a much lesser extent than before, and therefore are to pay only a small amount of gasoline, sufficiently comfortable for driving his car around.
While this might sound like a dream, this may be possible as long as you agree to become familiar with the mechanisms that influence this process.

Peter Drew is the author and leading experts in running his car into the water and water-powered car maker. See these sites to see now the most advanced cars of hydrogen in water and solutions available on the Internet today.

The conversion of water to fuel - The conversion of water to fuel really possible?

2008-07-11T03:15:00.001+07:00

by Herwin Johari

Have you heard about the conversion of water to feed your car? It would be a dream come true that not true? With oil prices set to increase further through this year and so on, it is high time that the search for an alternative source of fuel to run our cars.
Many around the world are already adopting the idea of using water as a form of fuel to supplement gasoline. And they're reaping the benefits of saving hundreds each month from a drop in gasoline.
So how is it possible to convert water to feed? The water itself is not an energy source. No fuel to provide energy for your car engine to run. But science class that you have taught that water is composed of 2 gas forms, namely hydrogen and oxygen. And hydrogen is a powerful fuel gas.

The conversion of water fuel, a conversion kit is used to extract a gas mixture of hydrogen and oxygen called hydroxy (HHO) which is then used as fuel to supplement their regular gasoline. Quinolin is known to be at least 3 times more potent than gasoline. So you can imagine the reduction in the use of gasoline to produce the same amount of power its engine. It's brilliant things!
The simple water to fuel conversion kit can be easily done at home with a minimum of special tools and materials is not necessary. The most important thing you need is a credible plan, or guide, to show clearly and helps build and install the conversion kit in your car engine.
The installation can be tedious, and can take a few hours or days to correct their own kit water fuel. But hook up his car, and you're on your way to save more money by the end of the year for a family vacation. All spending less gas in the water through conversion to fuel.
Some may call me a modern day Scrooge because I am constantly looking for more ways to save money on their everyday things. And converting your car to run on water fuel is certainly a great way to save hundreds of dollars each month. You can learn more about the conversion of water to fuel my portal to http://waterasfuel.scroogetips.com. Start saving money today by the conversion of water to fuel.

Tips for buying a used car

2008-05-31T23:49:00.000+07:00

by Brenda Williams

Buying a used car can be a solution for affordable enough to buy a new car. Cars used, even in a single model years of age, can be 20-30% cheaper than buying the same car again. Used car buyers can easily find refers to the large number of cars that were leased. These cars are usually in very good condition and have a low number of miles on them. Used Cars also have lower rates of insurance and buy a used car means you can afford a car that has more luxury and performance that you might usually be able to afford.
The reasons that many people think they should avoid used cars have changed. The used cars are generally reliable pass these days than they have been in the past and history of the automobile accidents have participated in can be easily traced by the number of VIN. Most car makers are now selling cars that include guarantees factory. One of the best things you can do at any used car is to get a story from an automobile accident has been involved in the use of VIN numbers to run a Carfax report that will tell the history of the automobile.

In addition, if it is a third party who might be a wise idea to take the vehicle to an independent mechanic for an inspection. In this way we can know what is really the condition in the car. Dealers not let you do that, for the reason that they have checked the car. When you buy a car through classified ads on eBay or call the phone number and say you're interested in the car. You will know right away if it is a private seller or a trader does go through a private seller. Always consider the speedometer and odometer. Look for scratches, chips or other damage indicating that the odometer has been tampered with. It is getting harder to do these days, but it is still possible to reverse the car's odometer.
If you see the price of a car is $ 5999, tries to show the concessionaire with the fate of $ 500 - $ 1000 less and see if they take it. If the dealer really wants to drive this car off the lot more to do, will you accept his offer and walk away with a big price on his new car. You should also generate a report in his car with Experian, yes, and the credit report of people. Also, keep detailed records of the cars and also obtain a copy of its title. It will show the mileage, if the odometer says otherwise, then someone, possibly tampered with it. Always use due diligence when buying a used car, no matter whether private citizen or a car dealer, is always suspect anything suspicious. In this way, can be kept safe to buy a used car and have a good car to drive for many years to come.

Water Instead Of Petrol

2008-05-29T06:10:00.001+07:00

by Paul Aitchison

This article will look at the question: will cars run on water instead of petrol.
Will cars ever run on water instead of petrol seems like a question someone would ask 30 or 40 years ago. Now the time has arrived and the reality of cars running on water is a step closer. We are not quite there but we can use, what is called, a hybrid system.
A water hybrid system means we can use fuel it is a practical solution developed for use in fuelinjected and carbureted motor vehicles. The secret of the waterhybrid system lies within its HyTronic module. It produced relatively low voltage, but uniquely shaped electronic pulses of precise frequency and duration. The overall power consumption of the HyTronic module and the entire waterhybrid system is fairly low; actually low enough to be easily powered by your vehicles excess electrical and heat output, and with enough reserve power left to help run all your vehicles other electrical devices.

This might give a little too much science as to how it works, but all you need to know is that I does work and you do not need to know the science behind it, do you know how electricity works?
If you are really thinking of changing over to the hybrid system then I would do a lot of research and be sure about what you are doing. There is a lot of information out there so do be careful.
So, will cars ever run on water instead of petrol one day? I think we are 10-15 years away from it but for now the hybrid system is the next best thing.

To find out more about using water to run your car and get a free question and answer report please visit http://www.RunCar-OnWater.com.

HHO Fuel Conversion Kit Helps To Run Your Car On Water

2008-05-27T10:44:00.000+07:00

by Syed Shan

As you know that fuel prices increasing in a rapid manner and it will increase more in future also. So many people are looking for ways on how to save money and reduce the fuels cost bills. How to increase gas mileage to overcome this problem.
Are you ready to increase gas mileage and cut down fuel costs bills? Then a good news for you,with the help of a new technology, now you can increase gas mileage and save thousands on fuel or gas costs. I think you saw an advertise about running a car on water on your favorite TV channel.but you did not get full information about it. Don't worry I will give you full detail about this amazing product, which claims that you can run your car on water.

Is it Possible to Run A Car On Water?
Yes you can run your car on water and it is possible and very safe. With the help of new HHO hydrogen you can do so. This technology has been around for some time but no one has really jumped on it an besides who would believe you could convert your car to run on water!.
How Does It work:
Well through the process of electrolysis the fuel cell filled with water and a catalyst such as baking soda is introduced to electrical current. This current is supplied by your car battery and hydro-oxygen or HHO gas will produce as the electrical current passes through usually stainless steel wires or plates. It is amazing how much energy water can store because on average driving the cell only needs to be topped off about once a month or less.
With the help of this new water hybrid,you can save at least 40% of fuel costs. It is up to you if you want to save your valuable money then convert your car to run on water and save money. One more great thing about this system is, you do not need to modify car engine to run on water.

How To Build A HHO Generator Run Your Car On Water-HHO Gas

2008-05-25T06:58:00.000+07:00

by J Jackson

I'm sure you must of heard about running your car on water by now. This system is very powerful and is the future of cars. You can now run your car on water/hho gas and the benefits are very rewarding.
You may want to know how to build your own HHO generator, as this is the standard way to go, since pre-assembled kits are not currently available.
Running your car on water is a great idea, considering how many thousands of dollars you spend each and every year buying gas which just harms our environment. Running your car on HHO provides a low-cost solution and it is very environmentally friendly.
The process works by taking the electricity from your car's battery, and separating it into a gas known as HHO. This burns and supplies energy for your vehicle. It is very safe compared to your traditional gas powered car which is highly flammable, as I am sure you are aware from the results of high-speed car accidents.
What benefits does this system bring?

You can except to save thousands of dollars on fuel, and it is proven that you can increase your gas mileage by up to 80%, this depends on your vehicle. This is huge, overall, you will boost your vehicle performance using hho technology in your vehicle. You will produce cleaner emissions whilst enjoying longer engine life.
So how can you build your own HHO generator and make your car run on HHO/water?
This is not that hard, although it may sound very technical, there are some great solutions to this. There are many guides online that provide you with instructions to do this, making it extremely easy and affordable at the same time even if you are a complete car novice.
Auto shops would charge you about $1000 to make a hho generator, however, guides cost as little as less than $100 and the raw materials needed to put the system together can be found at your local hardware store for under $50.
HHO conversions are also completely reversible, if you are worried about voiding your warranty or not being able to sell your car due to this installment, it can actually be installed/removed within a matter of minutes, so there is no problem there.
A do-it-yourself conversion guide is definitely the way to go if you want to run your car on water/hho. There are many guides on the internet that will teach you how to do this very effectively so you can get set up in no time at all.

Alternative Fuel For Your Vehicle - Ever Heard Of HHO Gas?

2008-05-23T10:21:00.000+07:00

by Jennifer Meinert

With the rising gas prices, you might be looking for solutions on ways to save money driving your car. So, in this article, I am going to be talking about HHO gas and how it can become an alternative fuel for your vehicle.
HHO Fuel - What Is It?
So, you might be asking yourself, what is this HHO form? The HHO that is used in HHO fuel or gas is scientifically known as oxyhydrogen, which means, an HHO gas molecule has 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom per molecule. What is amazing, is that, this gas is produced through electrolysis of water. Since water is easily accessible, it makes generating HHO fuel easy to do.
Conversion Kits - So How Does It Work?
An HHO gas conversion kit, also know as running your car on water, is a specially designed modification that is added to your vehicle that allows your vehicle to run on oxyhydrogen gas. The conversion kit works primarily with distilled water to generate this HHO fuel. This conversion kit makes an electrolytic conversion by using the power from your vehicles engine to create oxyhydrogen, thus, pushing the gas into the car's carburetor.

HHO Gas Conversion Kits - What Vehicles Can I Use It On?
You can use these HHO fuel kits on gas or diesel powered cars, trucks, vans and SUV's. So, that being said, you can run it on pretty much anything. Even your lawn mower!
Running Your Car on Water - What Are The Benefits?
There are lots of benefits to putting one of these HHO conversion kits on your vehicle, including:
1. Pretty much maintenance free!
2. Add water when needed!
3. Double or Triple your gas mileage by running your car on water!
4. Save well over 40% on fuel costs!
5. It doesn't take up a lot of room under the hood of your vehicle!
6. Do your share in helping save the earth!
Conclusion
Are you looking for a way to stop paying high prices at the gas station? Buying an HHO conversion kit manual and putting one of these kits on your car, truck, van or SUV, whether it be gas or diesel, might just be the solution you have been looking for! Don't hesitate, and get one of these kits TODAY to start saving money TOMORROW!

Jennifer Meinert is an author that enjoys writing on various different topics. For more information on how you can run your vehicle on water and reap the benefits, please visit her site at http://alternativefuel4yourvehicle.blogspot.com/

Does Water4Gas Harm Your Car?

2008-05-21T11:31:00.001+07:00

by Peter Johnston

You will probably be shocked when told that you can actually use water, instead of gas, in your car, lorry or whatever you drive. Right now your thinking "that's not possible" and "wont that damage my car?" the quick answer is no, no you wont damage your car nor is it impossible, water4gas has found away around these problems. A revolutionary new site, water4gas, has come up with water-to-energy converters that will transform you car from a gas guzzling eco hazard into a sweet hydro car that can give you up to and above double mileage. Soon you won't even have to go to the station anymore as you can feed with your car with a garden hose.

There are many substitutes to petrol that have been proved and tested to work over the recent years, from bio fuels to vegetable oil and a whole host of other concoctions that would make a scientists head spin. All these attempt look like tiny accomplishments in contrast to the new revolutionary and natural water4gas system.
Now usually you would have to buy a hydro electric car at a stupidly high price that would, on most occasions, cost you more then actually fueling your regular car for 10 years. With water4gas you can actually make your car work on gas and/or water for a very cheap price.
On water4gas you'll find an easy to navigate site with detailed information on how to change your gas guzzler into a hydro beauty.
For a small fee you can find out the secrets to running your car on water whilst you sit back and laugh at all those poor people around you having to go to the gas station to fill up. If you're an eco friendly type of person you'll also be helping the plant by switching to what must be the greenest type of petrol possible.

Saving Gas By Using HHO - How HHO Saves Gas

2008-05-20T08:57:00.000+07:00

by Brandon Mchale

HHO saves gasoline by assisting combustion.
HHO stands for hybrid hydrogen oxygen. This proven technology has been around since the late 1950's and has had different applications. You can find schematics from torches to tractors. All of the applications are the same in the way that they use HHO to assist combustion. HHO is not a stand alone fuel source, it simply increases the efficiency of the combustion cycle. Put it this way " HHO gives you more bang for your buck! "
Stop paying for unused fuel
Current engines gasoline and diesel have unused fuel in the combustion cycle. Matter of fact the catalytic converter (1975) was introduced to act as a catalyst and improve emissions. Part of the emissions the catalytic converter converts is unused fuel. So what's the big deal? Well, if you use HHO not only do you increase the efficiency of the combustion cycle, giving you more bang for your buck, you also do part of the catalytic converters job. So the big deal is, you increase horsepower emit cleaner emissions and gain miles per gallon, because you used the fuel more efficiently.

Remove carbon and increase your engines life
HHO has a side effect of removing carbon. The removal of carbon will decrease heat buildup increase efficiency and lead to less engine wear. Engine heat is a factor that leads to engine wear. Oil is used to assist this and lubricate the moving parts. Remove the carbon and you get less friction, less friction leads to less heat and longer engine life. As soon as you introduce HHO you will notice a smoother cooler running engine. This alone is a great benefit and there are many fuel additive products on the market that do this, but they can't beat the price of HHO.
How is HHO introduced into the combustion cycle?
The gas from an HHO fuel cell is aimed at the air intake. Aim the gas before the air filter and the filter will help diffuse the gas. Keep your HHO saturation at or below 4%. This is not steam or water vapor, this is a combustible gas within itself. This is also a good time to mention that this is not a toy. You should have good schematics if attempting to build your own fuel cell. If your purchasing one you need to know the liter output. If you go over 4% saturation your asking for trouble. This can easily be avoided with a good set of plans. The benefits far outweigh the initial costs of a well built HHO cell. You will add miles per gallon increase horsepower and emit a cleaner exhaust.

Learning How To Run A Car On Water - Quest Or Mission?

2008-05-17T06:39:00.000+07:00

by Suzanne Webb-Brikas

Finding out how to run a car on water has become somewhat of a quest for many, since gas prices are through the roof. Buying a hybrid car is an option, but they can be expensive, and if you're attached to your current car as I am, finding ways that allow you to make your car more fuel efficient look much more appealing.
Surprisingly, converting your car to run on water is easier than it sounds. The water car technology I speak of is not using 100% water, but instead, a combination of water and fuel. There are simple manuals that explain in simple terms what is needed to help the car to use water in combination with fuel to run.
Many people who have converted their cars have reported at least a 50% increase in fuel efficiency. So if your car or truck currently gets 15 miles to the gallon, using water in conjunction with gas can help your car to get 30 mpg in the same driving conditions. If you save $800 per year with just one converted car, imagine how much you could save if you have more than one car...

Converting your car into a "water car" entails gathering materials to create an easy to make, inexpensive device that uses a small amount of electricity from your car's battery to turn the water into a gas called HHO (2 Hydrogen + 1 Oxygen). HHO, also known as "Hydroxy," burns very efficiently and safely, providing an inexpensive energy source for the car.
A water fueled vehicle runs smoother and cleaner than a regular car, reducing emissions, helping the environment as well as saving the car owner money. Converting a car into a water car will not affect the warranty as long as certain precautions are taken to avoid breaking any rules.
In addition to saving on fuel, many water fueled car owners find that they feel an improvement in they way the car performs very quickly, as it removes carbon build up and prevents future damage. Water cars also tend to run quieter due to the positive effect that water has on the engine's combustion cycle.
Whether you want to learn to run a car on water in order to save money at the pumps, or to help save the environment, there will be a positive effect regardless. To get started, learn more about how this works and how you too can do it yourself on your car. After reading the instructions for water car conversion, you will be amazed at how simple the process is to make water car technology work for you. But be prepared. You just might become a role model for those around you...

Using Conversion Kits To Make Your Car Run On Water

2008-05-16T11:22:00.001+07:00

by Cameron Green

The latest addition in the concept of saving money on fuels is the use of water as a fuel in running vehicles. More and more people are today using water fuel technology in their vehicles not only to save on fuel costs, but also to provide a boost to the running efficiency of the vehicle.
Though it may be difficult to believe that it is possible to convert water to fuel, it is a reality. It is possible to fuel automobiles partly on water, so that the consumption of fuel is reduced. This is because of some research researchers have been conducting to find means of enhancing water fuel technology.
Though progress in this field has been great, not much has been revealed to the public for various reasons. However it is known that this project is called Project Deuterium, and is a project that was started over 20 years ago. It is this project that has kept scientists busy trying to extract energy from water.
Fuel dependant countries may be affected with this process
The reason this project has not been revealed or presented to the general public is because of the consequences it brings about to the oil industry. There are quite a few countries in the world where their national economy is greatly dependant on the production and sales of fuel. So if this project is disclosed and implemented in different countries across the world, these countries that depend on oil for their livelihood are sure to get seriously affected with the drop in fuel demands.
Though the technology for converting water to fuel has not been commercialized as yet, you can find many guides on the internet which help you in building your own water car system at home. With the help of the guide, it is possible for anyone, even women to build a system that makes it possible for you to run your vehicle with water, through electrolysis.

The car battery provides electricity for electrolysis
The source of electricity for supplying electrical current for electrolysis to take place will be the car battery. Once the system is installed into the car, it is possible to separate water with the help of electrolysis so that a gas called Oxyhydrogen or Brown gas is extracted from water.
This Brown gas is basically a flammable gas that is burnt so that the car receives energy to run your car or any other vehicle like a truck. However this system doest not run solely on water. You still need some gasoline, in small amounts to convert water into Brown gas for fueling your car.
The reason fuel is required for this process of fuel conversion is because the water used here is not actually the fuel for running the car. It serves more as a booster that helps you improve the performance of your car with limited amount of fuel. This in turn helps you save lots of money for fuel expenditure in your monthly budget.

Wanna run your car on water right NOW? Just pick up a copy of Water Car Pro. Cameron Green has been using the Water Car Pro guide for a long time and is convinced that ANYONE can use this guide to make their car a water burning hybrid. Go there now --> http://www.waterygas.com/water_car_pro.htm

Run Your Car On Water - Is It Possible?

2008-05-13T14:02:00.000+07:00

by Jared Price

Have you heard that you can run your car on water? This technology is becoming more widespread by the day, it is also known is "HHO Gas Based Car System". How it works is that it combines water and gas to power your car.
1. How Does This Technology Work?
Well your car will not run on just water, because that technology does not exist. First it extracts HHO from the water, then it uses something called electrolysis (passes a electric current through it).
The gas is then burned to provide energy for you engine to power it up. Your car battery provides the electricity needed for electrolysis.
2. What Are The Benefits Of A Hybrid?
Here is a list of some of the benefits:
-A tax deduction. By driving a environmentally friendly vehicle you are able to write that off on your taxes.

-You are conserving the environment by not spewing as much pollution in the air.
-You are less dependent on gasoline and you can continue to drive your car at an affordable rate which means more freedom.
Alternative fuel sources are being explored very seriously. In fact even the government rewards environmentally clean cars and upgrades. This technology is great for businesses with a lot of cars or trucks especially with diesel now been more than gas. It really can call some tremendous savings...
3. How Can You Have Your Own Water Power Car?
Most people think they have to go out and buy a $25,000 hybrid to get all these great benefits... but you may be shocked to find that you could do this with your car for under $200. The whole process only takes about a day and can be removed in a few minutes... so at least try out this amazing technology. With the 56 day money-back guarantee you have nothing to lose for trying out this technology.

Are gas prices hurting your bank account? Want to run your car on water and save hundreds a month? Discover out how at my site http://www.RunYourCarOnWaterNow.com/.

Your Car Should Get Better Gas Mileage!

2008-05-08T13:45:00.001+07:00

by Michael D Cooper

I don't think of myself as a conspiracy theorist, but sometimes I feel like I may behave as one. The reason is that if you get me on the topic of the automotive industry and the fuel efficiency of cars I'll rant for hours (usually until I've cleared the room). OK, I'm not quite that bad anymore-I can gauge the boredom factor of my audience, but I'll tell you one thing for sure. As gas prices start to approach $4/gallon, people aren't dismissing me quite so quickly anymore.
So how's my rant go?
Well the first thing I like to bring up is that cars today really don't get very good gas mileage when compared to the mileage that cars have gotten over the years. Sure we look at the hybrids and we are impressed that they can get over 50MPG, but honestly, that's no great feat. The 1984 Honda Civic Coupe got 64MPG on the highway and 48 in the city. There's no hybrid out there today that can match those numbers-not even the current Honda Civic Hybrid!
The modern Civic Hybrid doesn't get the same mileage for one really simple reason. It's heavier. Much of that extra weight is from all of the creature comforts that we have come to appreciate in our cars (and that massive rechargeable battery in the car's belly). Most people would be surprised to know that modern cars typically outweigh the bulky steel beasts from the 60s and 70s. The 1968 Dodge Charger (the Duke's of Hazard's General Lee) is outweighed by a Toyota Camry by several hundred pounds.
I tell you this because it is necessary to refute one of the most common arguments that I hear against our car's getting better gas mileage: "If the manufacturer's could get better mileage out of our cars, they would."
That is total bunk
If you look at the average MPG of production vehicles in the USA, it hovers around exactly what the government requires those averages to be. When the government raises the CAFÉ requirements, the manufacturers make their cars get more miles per gallon. Sure they complain about it the whole way, because we've all gotten used to having passable fuel economy and all of the bells and whistles too. Now they have to work out a way to give us both. And they can.
Keep in mind that that 1984 Honda civic that got 64 MPG on the highway didn't have fuel injection; it had no computer to regulate its systems - it used a carburetor (essentially a device with tubes shaped like hour glasses) to mix the air and the fuel.
Back in the 60's though the cars weighed about the same, engines were much, much larger. It wasn't unusual at all to have 5.0 liter and larger engines, even over 7.0 liter engines in cars. Many of these engines achieved MPG ratings into the high 20s and low 30s on the highway. I have owned several cars from the late 60s and early 70s that achieved average city MPG ratings of 22MPG with 5.0 Liter engines.

One of the reasons that this is possible is something called compression ratio. One of the things an engine does when it burns gas or diesel is it compresses the air-fuel mixture before it is ignited. The more you compress the mixture the, the more power you get from the ignition. In the late 60s many cars had compression ratios over 11 to 1 (some as high as 13 to 1). Modern cars have compression ratios hovering around 9 to 1. That means that modern engines have as much as a 30% decrease in their compression and the power they can get from the burning of their fuel (depending on a few other factors as well).
Why on earth is the compression ratio so much lower?
I'm certain that this is what you are asking. The reason is both simple and complex. It is the octane rating of the fuel the car burns. When you look at the gas at the pump and you see those numbers on the regular, mid-grade, and premium blends of gas you may not know what they mean, but those are the octane ratings. 87 through 93, typically-depending on altitude. The higher the octane rating, the more you can compress the air-fuel mixture. In 1966, premium gas had an octane rating of 107. That is what allowed engines to compress the mixture so much more.
It's very important to note that a higher compression ratio causes the engine to have a more complete burn (the molecules are closer together and ignite faster) and reduces emissions. High compression ratio = lower emissions = more environmentally friendly.
The next obvious question is why is the octane level so much lower now? That has two reasons. The first is that one of the things that was used to boost octane was lead. We all know that lead is bad and that burning it in your engine makes for a rather unpleasant exhaust. The second is that the petroleum companies determined that the sweet spot for them to get the greatest yield out of their refining processes was to make 87 octane fuel.
If you don't think that the oil companies and refineries do not work in very close concert with the auto manufacturers, you need to think again. If you had a product that had one, very large marketplace, would you not work very closely with the companies that create that marketplace to make sure that your products work well together? And would you not be surprised if mutually beneficial arrangements were reached that did not necessarily benefit the consumer?
If the auto manufacturers were really concerned about MPG rating, and if they were really concerned about the environment, they would have continued making higher compression engines and the petroleum companies would have been the ones forced to modify their product. What actually happened was that the auto manufacturers dropped the compression ratios on their engines and the petroleum companies got to get more bang for their buck and we all burn more gas on less efficient engines. It's a win/win for them and a lose/lose for us.
We know leaded gas is out - but is there anything else?
If you load the Wikipedia article on octane ratings for gasoline you will find a section that lists the octane ratings for different fuels. You'll note that E85 and Methanol can have ratings in the 105-107 range. That's huge. That means that if an engine was made to burn those fuels specifically the compression could be increased and the power and mileage would increase and emissions would decrease.
Unfortunately the so-called 'flex-fuel' cars that are made that can run on E85 and (rarely) methanol still use lower compression ratios and don't get a really significant benefit. A lot like the time you tried premium in your car and saw zero improvement over regular.
So what can we do?
If you haven't gotten this impression yet, let me re-enforce it. The auto manufacturers are only going to go as far as they have to to meet the requirements that the government sets. They will go no further. It's up to us, the public, to take control of our own fates and expect life changing and ground-breaking things from big business and the government.
Just a few short years ago the Ansari X-Prize was announced. 10 Million dollars for the first private company to get a ship into space twice within 2 weeks. Many companies entered with varying degrees of success and many naysayers said it couldn't be done-that only projects with massive funding from the government could get people into space.
Scaled Composites, a US company expended (at my last time of reading) roughly $20 million dollars and got a man into space. The current X-Prize is going to be awarded to the first non-government agency to build a car that can get 100MPG and then win a race against other entrants. The cars have to have things like air conditioning and stereo systems. Already private entrants (often part time hobbyists) are producing prototypes that are getting over 90MPG - from vehicles they are building in their garages.
Just like when the automotive revolution began a century ago, it is the everyday Americans and inventive people from around the world that are stepping up and trying new and exciting things to solve problems that big business and the governments are stymied by.
Get in on the exciting changes.
There are a lot of things you can do and try. From altering your car to burn E85/Methanol (and even if you only get moderate MPG improvement - helping the environment), to burning vegetable oil in your diesel (commonly known as biodiesel), to revolutionary water electrolyzers that extract HHO gas from water and burn it in your engine.

Check out alternativefuelupdate.com to learn about many of these exiting ideas, solutions and products that you can take advantage of to join the revolution and (if you'll forgive my slightly conspiracy theorist sounding term) stick it to the man.
Michael Cooper is an automotive enthusiast and he has been working on cars since he was 8. Visit his new site http://alternativefuelsupdate.com to see the products and technologies he recommends to get better gas mileage.

Water Gas Conversion

2008-05-07T10:14:00.001+07:00

by Chen Jingyang

If you are looking around the internet to find ways to cut costs. Chances are you are probably trying to do research about water conversion into fuel as a possible solution to your rising oil prices problem.
As it is the technology surrounding it is not new. Its actually been around for a long time. A decent search on youtube with the words "water for fuel" or "water gas" will actually pull up many videos on how people actually have invented hydrogen engines, or engines that produce hydroxy. The end result is a cleaner and more powerful source of energy which produces 3 times more power than petroleum and a cleaner waste product-water. That said, its seems like a sound solution to the world's global energy crisis and global warming problems. However, why is it the technology so relatively unknown or not well received today.
One conspiracy theory is that the oil companies do not want this technology to grow for fear of losing the economic dominance in the energy market. With such powerful benefits to outfitting your car with a water conversion kit, the introduction of this technology might completely wipe them out of the automotive business or at least reduce a huge part of the pie share. Thus, the technology has been suppressed , but you will be able to find water based inventions on the web. However, no one has yet to be able to go globally with it.

Water is in great abundance and also recyclable, while fossil fuels are being used up at an alarming rate and could run out anytime soon. This being said, its a safe bet to start researching in in renewable form of energy.
There are 3 known forms of hydrogen fueled solutions today. First there is the fuel cell that completely burns up the hydrogen with oxygen from the atmosphere in the Fuel Cells.The end product is oxygen and water vapor. Both which are not green house gases. Hydrogen can burn on its own and the it does so perfectly leaving no other form of residue.The third one is Brown's gas. It is made from water(H2O) and produce through electrolysis. It is a perfect fuel for running these vehicles as it produces more energy than petroleum and the end results in water. Depending on the setup, oxygen may also be produced. It is the perfect solution to the our environmental problems we have today.

http://www.squidoo.com/watergas

Don't Get Scammed When Buying a New Car

2008-05-06T21:38:00.000+07:00

by Roberto Beiro

As it is already challenging purchasing a new car, you really don't want the added pressure that some car dealers can put on you. It is normal to haggle with a dealer to lower their price, but don't get caught out by scams designed to con you out of your hard earned dollars. Below I have listed some of these scams for you watch out for next time you are in the market for a new vehicle.
1. The VIN# Scam involves the dealer trying to charge you for having the VIN# etched on the window, citing that it is required by the finance company. This is total rubbish. Lenders are only concerned with your ability to pay the installments.
2. Watch out for the phrase "subject to loan approval". All car loan proposals will have this phrase in it and there are a few unscrupulous dealerships out there that will try and con more money out of you by quoting this phrase as the reason why. If you have good credit this isn't something for you to worry about. This scam is usually pulled on consumers that may have bad credit, and can mean added finance fees of $1000 or more and an additional $50 a month added to your monthly payment. Getting your car loan from a bank or other financial institution can save you from being caught out.

3. One of the most common scams is the credit score scam. The car dealership will try to give you a higher finance rate by informing you that your credit score is lower than it actually is. Dealerships will try this scam regardless of you credit score. The best way to deal with this greediness is to bring a copy of your credit report with you when you go looking to buy a new car. That way there is no dispute.
4. Next is the forced warranty scam where the auto dealership will insist that in order to qualify for the car loan you will need to purchase a $2000, 2 or 3 year warranty. This is total rubbish and the truth is you don't need the warranty.
5. This is the Dealer prep scam. A dealer will slap an additional $500 charge on the vehicle for work that is not required, because cars are ready to to be driven of the lot when they are received. Try to find a dealership that doesn't charge this ridiculous fee.
6. Another fake fee is the 'dealer mark-up'. This has no purpose other than to increase profits. You can usually see this fee on an orange sticker attached to the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
These are just 6 of the many scams that can surface from time to time when you are attempting to purchase a new car. Although these scams do go on, there are many trustworthy car dealerships with integrity that can and will sale you a car for the right amount of money and without trying to rip you off. The trick is to find that dealership. Good luck!

The Most Overlooked Safety Event - Driving

2008-05-04T22:21:00.000+07:00

by Brent A Bowlin

Driving a vehicle is probably the most overlooked safety event in one's life. Personal vehicles are driven to have employees arrive at work, to take kids to soccer practice, and even to deliver goods to customers. Basic precautions take a few moments to check. Millions of people are killed each year. People ages 15-44 account for over half of all deaths due to road traffic injuries. Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death by injury worldwide. In North America alone, the equivalent of the passengers on ten 747 jets die in traffic incidents each day.
The basics of vehicle operation are to know how to operate the vehicle and use any related equipment or attachments safely. Be familiar with the location and function of all the controls. A good place to start is the owner's manual. Many of the functions of the vehicle are not covered at the point of purchase. Inspect the vehicle daily. Develop a routine method of inspecting vehicle by doing a quick walk around. Start at the front and do a complete walk around; check the tires, windshield wipers, lights, and for any objects that might be laying in the vehicle's path.
Once inside, adjust seat and controls. Fasten seat belt. Pump the foot brake; the brakes should hold the vehicle and while stopping they should stop the vehicle smoothly. If there is a clutch and gearshift, the shifter shifts smoothly without jumping or jerking. The steering wheel moves smoothly with no play. Make sure all dash controls are functioning properly.

For fleet and commercial vehicles, check the hydraulic systems for operation. If installed check the back-up alarm; if not installed, equip the vehicle with one. Check for the emergency equipment and make sure all required equipment is on board. Check the load and make sure it is secure and complying with regulations. Check the wheels and fasteners and make sure there are no defects in rim or loose or even missing fasteners. While driving listen for strange noises and even smell for unusual odors that may be coming from the vehicle. Wear the seat belt; more people have been injured by not wearing the belt than those who do.
Now that the vehicle has checked and is safe, simple procedures can be learned and practiced to ensure safe driving. Wear the seat belt every time and insist all passengers wear theirs as well. The airbag is a safety device that can inflict injury if precautions are not used; be sure there is at least 10 inches between the air bag and the middle of the chest; never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an air bag.
Children 12 and under are safest buckled up in the back seat. Use the appropriate child and infant restraints. For child seats, follow the manufacturers' guidelines on installation; over half the checked seats checked by police are being used incorrectly.
Assuming everyone drives like an idiot will improve defensive driving skills. Keep all vehicle windows and mirrors clear so you can see potential hazards. Adjust your speed to the legal limit, the road conditions and your own driving abilities at the time. Slow down if you're tired, distracted, emotional or ill. Drowsy driving, just as drunk driving, can cause a crash within seconds. Get enough sleep before you take the wheel. Also know what medications may cause drowsiness or dizziness.
Expect the unexpected. Know what is around the vehicle at all times by checking all mirrors every five to eight seconds. Always keep the eyes moving and use every vantage point to gain information about the road ahead such as a hill top. By observing all areas around the vehicle, an escape movement can be used to avoid an incident.
By checking the vehicle each time before it is started and driving defensively, less traffic incidents will occur. The result will be better insurance rates and less injury in one's life.

Brent Bowlin is a health and safety researcher who has helped businesses in implementing safety programs. For help contact him at abbsafetynet@gmail.com and for safety supplies and a safety program manual go to http://www.safetysuppliescanada.com they deliver anywhere.

Browns Gas Car Kit - Convert Your Car To Run On HHO Gas

2008-05-03T13:44:00.000+07:00

by Obediah Marsh

With the price of fuel on the rise day after day, people like you and me are always looking for a better way to save on fuel prices.
Let me fill you in on a little secret, well it is not much of a secret, this system has been around for a couple of decades now, it is called browns gas car kit.
Browns gas car kits, can convert to your car to run on HHO gas. This system has been around for quite a few years now and in my opinion it is better than any other modern day fuel saving devices out there. There is no additives to add to your fuel system, like pills or fluid, there is no gadget to add to your air filter.
The browns gas car kit is a kit that you put together yourself, to convert your car to run on HHO gas. The parts that make up this kit can be purchased at any local hardware store for less then $200. The plans to put the kit together are simple and easy to understand.

When we fill our cars up with fuel only about 20 - 30% of the fuel gets burned. The other 70% - 80% just pollutes the air. But when you convert your car to run on HHO gas with the browns gas car kit, you will burn about 40% - 80% of the fuel you filled up with. This means that you could double your overall mileage, just imagine if you fill up once a week, after the conversion kit is installed you will only have to fill up about every other week.
Are you ready to laugh at rising fuel prices? Are you interested in building you own browns gas car kit? We have created a review site for the best Water Fuel Conversions Guides on the market.

Obediah Marsh
http://www.H2OforFuel.info

Looking To Buy Or Lease A Vehicle?

2008-05-02T13:52:00.001+07:00

by Cheryline Lawson

At some point or another you may want to buy or maybe lease a vehicle. There are a few tips that you need to be aware of that will assist you in buying or leasing any vehicle. There may be pitfalls ahead so these tips will help you with what to look for.
• Decide ahead of time what it is you are exactly looking for. You need a vehicle that not only fits within your budget but that also fits your needs. You can read on to find out about our specialized tips to choose a vehicle that is safe. If you want to compare car models and get other tips on buying cars, visit either InternetAutoGuide.com or Edmunds.com.
• Think about the economy of the vehicle you are buying. It is better for the environment and for your bank account if you can find a vehicle that is well maintained and does more miles to the gallon. • Always check the information the seller gives you. When you are buying from a private buyer, make sure they actually own the car they are selling; this will stop problems later on. If you are buying from a professional vehicle dealer, check with the Better Business Bureau to see if they are legitimate.

• Test drive the car. You should always test drive any vehicle you are thinking of buying before you actually do. Go on a route that lets you try different speeds, turns and straights. This will make sure the car runs efficiently.
• Think before trading in. If you are thinking of trading in a vehicle for another one make sure you get quotes to make sure you are getting the best deal.
• Shop around for finance. If you are getting finance for your car look around as much as you can to make sure you are getting the best deal for you. Don't just go for the lowest payment per month; make sure you make a note of the overall APR and any charges you may incur.
• Always read the small print. Make sure that before you sign any documents you have read the entire document before you sign.
• Never take the car until everything is finalized.
Search around for a great deal on insurance policies before you drive your car anywhere. Sometimes is can be more beneficial to lease a car rather than buy it. This all depends on your circumstances. Leasing has never really been a popular option for anyone and many people and steered well clear of leasing. Some leasing agents have misled the buyers and confused them with jargon that a NASA Scientist wouldn't understand.
This isn't the norm however and leasing can be a great option for everyone. When you buy a car on finance and you want to trade it in before the loan is actually paid, you would have been better of leasing. The trade in amount is not likely to be anywhere close to the amount left on your car finance loan.

Writer and author, Cheryline Lawson in conjunction with Fernando Reyes, who is an Internet Marketing guru and expert in a variety of fields including finance invite you to find out more by visiting the website at => http://crowleybiz.com/car.

Volkswagen AC Condenser

2008-05-01T08:42:00.000+07:00

by Katherine Hooper

The Key to Volkswagen's Efficient Air Conditioning System
A high level of comfort is what the German car brand Volkswagen offers in every model it makes. Pleasant seating and entertainment features, as well as adequate storage space are just some of those equipped in many Volkswagen models to ensure a smooth ride quality. Aside from those, the air conditioning system of Volkswagen that cools the vehicle's interior is indispensable in providing a pleasant and comfortable ride.
The air conditioning system of a Volkswagen works like the cooling system in the engine. Both systems get rid of heat and release it into the outside air. The engine's cooling system has a coolant, which is a liquid mixture of water and anti-freeze, tasked to absorb heat from various engine parts. Similar to the coolant's role, the air conditioning system's refrigerant is a tasteless and odorless gas that changes to liquid and vice versa as it travels throughout the air conditioning system.

Volkswagen's air conditioning system consists of vital components that are connected by hoses and tubes to move heat from inside the vehicle to the atmosphere. The Volkswagen A/C condenser is similar in appearance and function to the radiator of the engine's cooling system. A large device situated right at the back of the grille and radiator, the Volkswagen A/C condenser allows heat to pass from the warm refrigerant to the colder air outside. Its series of tubes covered by thin fins give a big area for heat to be dispelled. The hot and compressed refrigerant coming from the compressor goes to the top of the condenser, where it is cooled off. Then the refrigerant, which is in a gaseous state, condenses and leaves through the bottom of the condenser as a high-pressure liquid.
There are two types of A/C condenser used for air conditioning systems, depending on the design. The A/C condenser with a serpentine design is composed of a long tube with cooling fins between the tubes. On the other hand, the A/C condenser with a parallel flow design is where the refrigerant flows across multiple passages, giving a bigger surface area for the cooler air to contact.

Water Powered Car Instructions And Tips

2008-04-30T21:51:00.001+07:00

by Nicusor Valentin Prefac

Yesterday the gas prices reached 4 $ in some areas and the price will continue to grow because crude oil reserves are running low. If you are interested in water powered car instructions then I will tell you some tips that you need to know if you want to convert your car to run on tap water.
The first thing that you need to know is that you will still use gas but you will reduce the quantity that you use.
Do you know that only 20% of gas is burned into the engine, and the rest is pollution? You should realise that you are wasting 80% of the money spent on gas, and here water powered car comes. From a safe chemical process HHO are extracted from tap water and this gas helps your engine to burn your gas more effectively.As a result you will improve you mileage with at least 60%, so you will use your car more and spend the same amount of money or you will run your car the same miles that you make now and spend less money on gas.

Another tip that you must know is that you will spend also less money on repairing your engine. Because you use less gas and more efficiently your engine will be less used and it will not damage so often as when you use gas.
These are just a few water powered car instructions and tips that you should know if you want to convert your car to run on water.

An Overview of the Peugeot Models

2008-04-29T22:33:00.001+07:00

by Paul Robin

The Peugeot 206 was created in the early 1990's with the replacement of the preceding 205 model. Peugeot changed their model under the idea that super mini cars were no longer profitable, therefore a change was in order. The Peugeot 206 did not immediately follow the 205 as the Peugeot 106, 306 and 309 models to capture different levels of sales from prospective customers. The Peugeot 106 was rivaling the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo with the 306 and 309 models taking the mid and top end sales from the discontinuation of the 205. Because of this, many Peugeot enthusiasts believe the 206 should have been named the 207. The 206, although created early was not released until 1998.
The Peugeot moniker indicates that the 206 immediately followed the 205, but this is not true as other models were released before the 206. The eventual successor, the 207, was finally launched n 2006, but Peugeot recently announced that the 206 will stay in production until the year 2010. The 206 is the best selling Peugeot of all time but the end of the model in the upcoming years will end the '06' generation of Peugeot cars in almost 20 years. The 206 was initially produced in France and England but production switched to Slovakia. The closure of the British plant matched with the closure of the Ryton plant, which Peugeot took over when Peugeot bought Chrysler's European division in 1979.

The Peugeot 306 replaced the 309. The 306 is very similar to the Citroen ZX, which was released to the public two years before the 306 model. Both cars used the same structure and floorplan. The 205 was styled after the Pininfarina styling and has been a better seller. In the 1974 oil crisis, Citroen went bankrupt and Peugeot took over Citroen. This led to the similarities and identical cars produced by both manufacturers.
The 306 Phase 1 came to the market in March of 1993 as a 3 and 5 door hatchback with three different models being offered. The five door was more of a station wagon and was dubbed the "sw" for station wagon. Although not nearly as stylish as the 205, the 306 offered many practical uses in the vehicle. The sw estate model was not a hatchback station wagon, but a sedan with luxurious European styling to accompany the Peugeot racing spirit.
The engines used in the Peugeot cars were offered both in a gasoline and a diesel model. The gasoline engines were four cylinder units, which gained their outstanding reputation from being the power plant in the ever popular Peugeot 205 model. The idea for the Peugeot engines was to have a fair trade off between performance and excellent fuel economy. Three larger capacity engines were available but were restricted to automatic and performance models.
The diesel engines in Peugeot came with an excellent reputation and were largely available in turbo charged models. The original engine displacement for the diesel engines came in a 1.8 liter, but was soon upgraded to a 1.9 liter. The turbocharged Peugeot diesel became an excellent fitting engine to match the 306 as the performance matched similarly sized gasoline cars. The considerable extra weight was overcome by the turbocharged performance.

A Warning To All BMW Owners

2008-04-28T23:10:00.001+07:00

by Chet Waters

Usually I don't get on my "soapbox" to vent after hearing or reading editorials on TV or in the newspapers. But after recently reading an article about luxury cars, it made my blood boil. The "author' of an article I read was so grossly off the mark that I have to set the record straight.
Some people think that the only reason that someone buys a BMW is to impress their neighbors, friends, family and co-workers. To me all of these are great reasons for BMW ownership. The fact is, my feelings are that if you can afford to pay $30,000 to $90,000 or more for a BMW, you deserve the right to "impress" all who know you. You've earned it.
It goes with the territory-right?
You might find this hard to believe, because I did, that some people actually think it's better to buy a less expensive or "ordinary" car. Come on. You know the one's I am talking about. Some think that the only function of a car is to get you from point A to point B. The reasoning is that if you only pay $20,000 for your car you can bank the difference or invest the extra money to make it grow for you long term. This approach might be true. But my question is-------
Why would you want to do that?
There is not one BMW owner that I know who would rather drive an "ordinary" vehicle all of their lives in return for saying that they are not impressed or enjoy the benefits of owning a BMW. When was the last time you heard a BMW owner say, "Gee, I wish I had bought something cheaper"? If you have been on this planet for more than ten minutes you know that you will never hear anything that ridiculous.

And as for the money you would save by not buying a BMW, let's look at the trade-offs. Do you really want to trade a few extra "bucks" and a dull lifestyle for the lifetime thrill and excitement in your BMW. Can any amount of "invested money" make up for the boring years of driving just "the ordinary" car. I don't think so.
Current and future BMW owners beware.
There will always be those that look down on you because you made the decision to be "Special' instead of ordinary. Because you made the decision to work hard and reap the benefits of your labor. Because you made the decision to have a "lifestyle" not just a life. Because you made the decision to make your dreams come true instead of fearing to dream.
To all those who decide to deny themselves the passion of a BMW, let me ask you this. When you're 90 and on your deathbed with your life flashing before your eyes, do you really think that you will want to say " I'm glad I saved a few extra bucks by owning an ordinary car all my life". Or will you die with regret knowing that you could have had the "BMW Experience".
To current and future BMW owners I say, "Be warned that some people will never understand your need for feeling the "BMW Experience". And to those misguided people I say-------
Get over it.

Chet Waters is the BMW Specialist. Learn How To Find Your BMW And At The Price You Can Afford. Go To: http://www.bmwsauctions.com.

Water-Powered Cars - Science, or Fiction?

2008-04-25T14:34:00.000+07:00

by Chris Witkowski

So you can't walk on water, but what if someone told you your car could run on it?
It isn't as far-fetched an idea as it might sound. For years, scientists have been working towards inventing automobile engines running only on water. So just how far along are we on this quest? Almost there. Hybrid cars, which run on water in conjunction with conventional gas technology, are no longer uncommon. The goal for scientists now is to do away with the gasoline component completely-and it seems large automobile manufacturers are in a race to get there.
All over the world, the use of hybrid (water and gas) cars has been a buzz on both TV and the internet. The enthusiasm about hybrid cars is shared by both car enthusiasts and environmental activists-because as far as the benefits of hybrid technology are concerned, there's something for pretty much everyone.

For one thing, hybrid cars take significantly less gasoline. True, hybrid cars haven't really cut a large chunk off the world's tremendous dependence on fossil fuels-at least, not yet. It's quite early in the game. And as for immediate benefits for the car owner, using that much less gasoline definitely means great savings. Also, using water makes the car more efficient and less prone to wear and tear.
Now, you might look at a glass of water and say, "Well, this doesn't look like fuel to me." Here's how it works. In the process called electrolysis, electrical currents are passed through the water. This separates the hydrogen atoms from the oxygen. This forms a flammable gas called HHO, or Brown Gas, which gets injected into your engine.
A great thing about it is that the only waste product of this process is oxygen. That's why hybrid cars have significantly cleaner emissions than those running purely on conventional fuel. This is much safer for the environment; an increasing use of hybrid technology will certainly be a big help in the fight against global warming, not to mention make the air cleaner and safer for the people in the area. And since water is a renewable source, it's a great option to help conserve non-renewable (not to mention expensive) conventional fuels.
Another bit of good news is that the technology is a lot more accessible than one might think. You might not even have to buy a new hybrid car. The internet has guides and other valuable information for those who wish to go the DIY route and convert their cars themselves, which should be easy for any car enthusiast.

http://water4gas.learningguru.info

How to Use Water for Fuel in Your Car

2008-04-24T10:38:00.001+07:00

by John P Cooper

There has been a growing movement for years that promotes using water for fuel in your vehicles to generate hydrogen gas. Without any major rebuilding anyone's vehicle can be modified to run on regular tap water!
Now I had read and heard about expensive hydrogen fuel cell cars but it always seemed these were a thing of the future and the price of the vehicle would make them unaffordable to those of us who really need to save money everyday. The trick it seems is not to reinvent the car but to use the natural occurring water droplets in gasoline to boost your gas mileage from 59% to 70%! Here is how it works.

There are easy and inexpensive devices that use a little electricity out of your car's battery, to separate water into a gas called HHO (2 Hydrogen + 1 Oxygen). HHO, also called Hydroxy or Hydrogen*Oxygen™, burns beautifully and provides tons of energy - while the end product is just water! Mobile Magazine says HHO provides the atomic power of Hydrogen, while maintaining the chemical stability of water. An HHO fuel is about three times as potent and efficient as normal gasoline.
So the end result is turning my vehicle into a water hybrid with gas mileages upwards of 66-80 mpg. With the savings alone the quality of life for our family will increase greatly let alone the reduced emissions to help the environment. And believe it or not there are actually Government programs that will pay you or give you tax credit for doing this!

I hope this explained a little about using water for fuel in your vehicle. If you really are serious about saving on gas costs and saving the planet please read my blog at
http://thebullstopshere.wordpress.com

Seat Belts - Safety, Regulations, and Controversy

2008-04-23T16:00:00.000+07:00

by Joseph Devine

Saving Lives
Seatbelts are one of the most common mechanisms used to protect drivers and passengers in the case of an automobile collision. Fortunately for drivers, statistics show that, despite being relatively 'low-tech,' seatbelts are a very effective layer of protection, saving an estimated 9,500 lives every year. On the flip side, other numbers show that over 60% of people who die in car accidents were not wearing seatbelts.
Some people are more likely to "buckle up" than others. Male drivers between the ages of 16 and 25 are statistically the least likely to wear a seatbelt. Unfortunately, this demographic group is also known for containing the highest-risk drivers in the United States; if anyone needs to learn good seatbelt habits, it is these young men.
Seat Belt Designs
Seatbelts have come in many different designs through history, ranging from the simple lap belt to the modern three-point belt which goes from shoulder to hip and across the waist.
Many considerations factor into a successful seat belt design. Because the goal of a seatbelt is to reduce the force on a vehicle's occupants in the case of a collision, it must distribute its stopping power in a way that will minimize bodily injury. The three-point belt, for example, is designed to spread the impact of a sudden stop over the chest and into the strong shoulder and hip bones of the body.

Government Regulation
Given the strong evidence for the benefits of wearing a seatbelt, most governments in the United States have laws which make wearing a seatbelt mandatory. New York was the first state to require seatbelts, passing legislation in late 1984. Today, all US states, with the exception of New Hampshire, have laws requiring seatbelts in some form.
The penalty for not wearing a seatbelt varies from state to state, ranging from primary to secondary offenses. A few states make an age distinction in their seatbelt laws, though most do not. Fourteen states add indirect consequences for those who do not wear seatbelts; in these states, people who sue for damages following an accident may have their awards reduced if they were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident.
Ongoing Controversy
Not everyone is a fan of mandatory seatbelt legislation. Many people feel that such laws are an infringement on their rights. They argue that failing to wear a seatbelt harms no one except oneself, making it a "victimless crime."
Furthermore, seatbelts are not without their dangers, argue opponents of these usage laws. Life threatening injuries to the chest, abdomen, and neck areas, as well as cardiac arrest have been linked to seatbelts, particularly in high-speed collisions. While injuries may arguably have been worse without a seatbelt, opponents of regulations say that forcing them to wear a potentially dangerous device is nothing short of illegal.
Defective Belts
On the other hand, it is clear that defective seatbelts are a threat to any driver or passenger. A seatbelt which fails to lock correctly or distribute the impact properly can result in very serious injuries, disabilities, and even death. Seat-belt related recalls are not uncommon, as retailers seek to limit their liability.
For more information on seatbelts and other related safety issues, check out the resources provided by the Milwaukee personal injury lawyers of Habush, Habush & Rottier, S.C. at their website http://www.habush.com

Salvage Cars

2008-04-22T14:02:00.001+07:00

by Dennis J James

Salvage cars are very popular nowadays due to many reasons such as; they are cheaper, the whole process does not involve as much time as buying a used car, or cost as much as buying new cars.
Of course, as with any other thing on the market, there are several difficulties, and in this case, there can be found many more downs than ups. Yet, for example, if you have enough money put aside and need to buy a car fast, and you do not worry that much about possible quality problems, then salvage car auctions are the thing for you.
For example, let us assume that you want to buy a car for your son, since he has not got that much experience as a driver it may be safer if in the beginning he would own a cheaper car and learn how to deal with small possible problems that may appear.
Of course, a salvage car can be great if you want to buy a second car for your or your family, because you can get it cheap and fast, because everybody needs at some point a new car for their family.
As mentioned before, the biggest advantage with salvage cars (and obviously, salvage cars auctions is that they are very cheap). Most of the times these cars are very cheap because they need to be sold right away and the buyer is more willing to offer a smaller price than bargain for a huge price.

This way, at auctions, in some cases, the final price might meet the ideal price for the seller, but most of the times, it will be under his price. Therefore, if you are low on money and need a car fast, if you can find a salvage car auction somewhere near you, it would be a great idea to take advantage of the situation.
The second great thing about these salvage car auctions is that because of the buyer's rush to sell the car; it will not take anybody's time. Practically, it is only a matter of days after you were announced the winner of the auction until you will actually have the car in your hands to drive it with all the papers written.
Of course, with salvage cars it is more difficult to tell if they are real quality, meaning that while at an used car dealer you can spot many faults in the car's system by discussing with the dealer, driving the car, carefully examining it on your time. It is harder to do that at an auction because there will be many people there trying to do that, and everybody seems to want to find something out, and get in your way.
Yet, there is a solution to people who are too afraid to a buy from these kind of auctions - they can buy the car for body parts. Repo vehicles can be used as spare parts for your own car, and this way save a lot of money with possible purchases.
You have all the parts you need now. Of course, it is a matter of luck and opportunity, and sometimes you may not find a model just like yours, or something similar. However, if you do, you can consider your car saved!

What is a Fleet?

2008-04-21T10:34:00.001+07:00

by Beth Murphy

When you hear the word fleet, your mind automatically thinks of a large group of ships or transport trucks. But, the truth is, if a company has a vehicle or a group of vehicles they use to conduct their business, then they have a fleet. Furniture stores, moving companies, flower shops, product manufacturers, and places alike have fleets. So, you need to fask yourself: "Do I have a fleet?" Another misconception about fleets, is that they have to be large, but they do not have to be. The dictionary defines a fleet as a group of motor vehicles operating together under the same ownership. These fleet vehicles are all registered in the same name, which is usually that of the business and each vehicle is assigned its own identifier code by the Department of Licensing.
The main function of a fleet is to transport goods from one location to the next. They are essential to the business operations of many companies. If we didn't have fleets, many of the products that we buy today would not be available to us. A lot of our most important necessities would not be available for mass consumption, and we would be entirely dependant on finding things locally which would pose a problem since most goods are not manufactured locally. Because of the many different climates in our country, it is impossible to manufacture everything needed locally. Therefore, we depend on the shipment of these items from other areas so that we can have access to a wide variety of goods.

Management of fleets
Fleets are either managed by an outside company or by a fleet manager employed within the business. Managing a fleet is a lot of work because it involves responsibilities such as mapping out the best routes, keeping track of the vehicles via GPS, monitoring repairs and maintenance, reimbursing drivers, keeping track of receipt stacks and reimbursement checks, and more importantly tracking fuel consumption. This is to make sure that the cost of operating the fleet does not have a negative impact on the profits of the business. If it does, then that means that something needs to be done because the cost to ship the product should not be more than the profits to be made from the sale of the good.
There are companies that specialize in providing fleet management software and fleet cards that can make the job of the fleet manager much easier. This software manages the GPS tracking, helps map out the best routes, keeps track of fuel consumption, and looks for any unauthorized charges on fleet fuel cards. The fleet manager is presented with reports on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis that highlights any suspicious activity, and also makes sure that the costs are coming in on budget.
Proper management of a fleet increases the opportunity for higher productivity. That is something very important to a business because high productivity means profitability, and when a large portion of your business is dependent on successful fleet management it's crucial to be operating at maximum productivity.
In the end, it doesn't matter if you're in charge of a large or a small fleet. Every business operates with the goal of making a profit. Therefore, a small fleet needs to be run just as smoothly and as effectively as a large fleet; and a large fleet needs to get the attention to detail that a small fleet does. Fleet cards help fleet businesses run smoothly and efficiently no matter what the size.

Basics of Subaru WRX Maintenance

2008-04-19T06:58:00.001+07:00

by Colin Hogue

Basic WRX Performance Tricks
Here are a few WRX performance tricks that I have come across that may give you that extra punch next time you pull up next to a Corvette at a stoplight. Please keep in mind that oftentimes increasing horsepower comes down to some common sense.
Oil Changes
Let's start off with an easy one. How about changing your oil? I can still hear my dad saying, "Make sure to change that oil every 3000 miles!" Nowadays, most cars don't require that oil be changed quite that often, but if you drive hard, it never hurts to put some fresh synthetic oil in there to help things run a little smoother. The Subaru WRX manual says to change the oil every 7,500 miles under normal driving conditions or every 3,750 if you drive hard. I suggest the latter.
Fresh, Properly Gapped Spark Plugs
Keeping your spark plugs inspected, cleaned, and gapped properly are also easy ways to keep your WRX running at its best. The proper spacing for a 2002 or 2003 WRX is 0.028"-0.031" (0.7-0.8 mm).

Fresh Air Filter
Some of these things are so basic that I hesitate to mention them, but a lot of the time, the things that we forget to do are the simple things. So, when was the last time you checked your air filter? Imagine trying to breath through a dirty pillow. Sounds difficult, right? That is what your car is doing every day unless you make sure to clean your air filter. Better yet, upgrade your intake system to some type of Ram Air kit to allow your WRX to inhale as much air as possible.
Premium Gasoline
With gas prices at an all-time high, this is one tip that is hard to swallow. Saving those extra pennies at the pump seems a good way to pinch pennies, but don't do it. Save money elsewhere. Pump the premium. Why? The higher the octane, the more power for the engine of your Subaru WRX. There is a reason that race cars run on high octane fuel. MORE POWER!

Run Your Car On Water And Save Thousands!

2008-04-17T10:36:00.001+07:00

by Adam Hefner

The price of gas has risen astronomically, more than doubling in the past five years. Although scientists claim to be working to develop more efficient motors and better fuel alternatives, they are concealing a critical truth from the public. One of the best kept secrets in modern research is that it is possible to run your car on water.
Ethanol, a well-known alternative, saves users $.50 to $.60 per gallon of gasoline, saving users about $7.50 for a 15-gallon tank. In comparison, hybrid cars allow consumers to increase their fuel efficiency by 10 to 15 miles per gallon, which results in a net savings of approximately $15 in cars with the same size tank.
In contrast, when you run your car on water, you can save up to $25 dollars a tank. Does this sound unbelievable? In fact, some users have reported that their car's fuel efficiencies more than doubled when adding this simple water converting device.
You probably are wondering how much you would have to pay to install one of these devices in your car. Actually, these converters are so inexpensive that it seems incredible that science has hidden this gift from the public for so long. They cost less than $200 to build. Additionally, they are so easy to make that an amateur mechanic with only a little experience can do it!

One other amazing benefit of this technology is that you are eligible for a tax rebate for using this device. The cost of both the converter and its installation can be written off on your federal taxes. Let the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) pay for this money-saving innovation!
If these converters are so easy to make, save so much money, and are so efficient, why isn't the scientific community telling us about them? The reason is simple. You can run your car on water and they make almost nothing from this invention.
Is this information shocking? It's hard to believe that such a beneficial device could be kept secret for so long. Unfortunately, scientists want to make money from their research, and this truth simply isn't that profitable to them.
Researchers would rather spend millions of dollars for research, and develop less useful alternatives, than share these secrets with you. Now that you know about the amazing new technology that lets you run your car on water, the choice is yours. Will you take advantage of this secret, or continue to waste thousands of dollars each year?

Some say gas prices are going to $4 a gallon. To find more on how you can run your car on water and how you can save money, check out http://WaterFuel.Superior-Products101.com/

The Differences Between The Sexes and The Cars They Want

2008-04-16T21:18:00.001+07:00

by Victor Martel

There is an interesting ongoing debate regarding the differences between the sexes and their cars.
According to the results of J.D. Power & Associates' Power Information Network's (PIN) most recent survey of the cars with the highest percentage of female ownership is the Volvo S40. The luxury car with the highest male ownership is the high-performance Audi RS4. It does not take a psychologist to conclude that men are more likely to buy cars with their heart and women with their head.
The RS4 has a starting price of over $66,000 and can zoom from 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds. The S40 has a sticker price of around $25,000. Apparently it doesn't matter how fast the S40 can go from 0 to 60. What does matter is that it aced the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's frontal crash test.
Interestingly enough, there wasn't a sports car to be found in the top 10. Instead, there were sensible, entry-level cars and small SUV's that emphasized safety, quality, reliability, and value.
Of course, that is not to say there aren't thousands of women who don't enjoy driving fast or wouldn't choose a Ferrari over a minivan given the choice, but these women would seem to be the exception. To arrive at its conclusions, PIN surveyed hundreds of dealerships around the U.S. through the end of August, 2007. The nationwide sample includes about 24% of U.S. retail automotive sales, including both loans and leases, luxury and non-luxury brands, but excluding fleet sales.
So, What Do Women Want? A Volvo.
Not only did the S40 nail the top spot; the Volvo brand dominated the top 10 with three winners, which, along with the S40, included the V50 wagon at No. 7 and the S60 sedan at No. 9. Volvo was also the No. 1 luxury brand for female ownership overall, at 42.5%, vs. a luxury-brand average of 35.8%.

So how does this popularity translate to sales? Year-to-date through August, women bought or leased more than half (53%) of the Volvo S40 sedans retailed in the PIN sample, which is fairly representative of the total market. However, that doesn't necessarily mean good news for the struggling Swedish automaker, which is a division of Ford Motor because sales as a whole for the model are weak. As of August 2007, North American sales of the S40 were 13,513, which was down about 17% year-to-date. Overall, Volvo's North American sales were off 9.4% to 72,476, according to Automotive News.
Men clearly still buy the majority of cars. For example, the racier and more expensive BMW 3 Series is the perennial sales leader in the entry-luxury sedan segment, and is increasing its domination. Through August 2007, 3 Series sales were up about 25%, to 97,039, according to Automotive News. But it didn't even make it on to PIN's top 10 list of women's favorite luxury cars.
Across the industry, including non-luxury brands, women bought 37.3% of new vehicles in 2007 through August, based on the PIN sample data. Looking beyond luxury cars to include all price categories, the S40 was the fifth-most-popular model for female buyers. The most popular, according to J.D. Power, with 58.3% of all female buyers, was the Volkswagen new Beetle. Including non-luxury brands, Suzuki was the No. 1 brand purchased by women through August 2007, the data said. Reinforcing the PIN data, a separate customer survey by another market research and consulting company, San Diego's Strategic Vision, showed many of the same Volvos at the top of a similar list for the previous model year (the most recent one available), including the S40 at No. 1.
Known Quantities
"We're known for one thing. We 'own' safety," said John Maloney, vice-president for marketing communications at Volvo Cars of North America in Irvine, Calif. "Safety is sort of a foundational value for everyone. But on a relative basis, it is more important to women," says Maloney.
Nevertheless, Volvo is trying to expand beyond its "safe" image. The company's new brand message continues to emphasize safety while still aiming to convince consumers that its cars are also rugged and fun to drive (Business Week, 9/14/07).
Some Like a Lexus
If Volvo is synonymous with safety, Toyota's Lexus Div. is synonymous with quality and reliability. (It has won the J.D. Power dependability survey 13 years in a row. Lexus had fewer Top 10 female-owned models than Volvo, but the Lexus was the No. 2 luxury brand overall, in terms of female ownership, at 41.2%, according to PIN data.
In liking Lexus, women are little different from men, since Lexus has been the No. 1-selling luxury brand in the U.S. since 2000. The biggest reason for the brand's high overall female ownership is the Lexus RX model, a car-based SUV typically purchased for family use. The RX is the single biggest-selling Lexus at 67,686 unit's year to date and ranks sixth on the list of the 10 most popular female-owned luxury vehicles.
Primary Decision Maker
Tom Libby, senior director of industry analysis for PIN, noted that most of the models in the most popular luxury list purchased by women are at the entry level for their respective brands, all of which have MSRPs of under $40,000.
"You're not going to get that many single women buying an $80,000 vehicle. To some extent, the lower the price, the higher percent female," he said. According to Libby, to determine the percentage of ownership, PIN looked at the finance contract to see if a woman was the sole owner or the top signer. The data do not include marital status.
Colleen O'Dea, sales manager for Kundert Volvo of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., said it is not at all uncommon for women shopping alone to come in and buy or lease a Volvo. She believes most of them are married. "It's probably a household decision, but it happens all the time that women are picking the car, picking colors and the equipment. Maybe 10 or more years ago, women would do that, and then the men would come in and negotiate, but today it's just the opposite. The woman is definitely the primary decision-maker," she said. O'Dea said that according to Volvo statistics for the Northern New Jersey sales region, 63% of the S40 buyers for the last 60 days were female.
No Condescending Salesmen Allowed Another sign of the changing times is that women are increasingly knowledgeable about cars. As a result, men and women indicate that they are equally satisfied with the automotive sales experience, at least according to the most recent J.D. Power Sales Satisfaction Index. Both sexes gave the dealership where they bought or leased their new car an identical satisfaction rating of 847 on a 1,000-point scale a record high for the 20-year study.
Of course, there are some dealerships where salesmen treat less well-informed women condescendingly, or suggest that they "come back with their husbands," assuming that the man is the real decision-maker.
"Women want a vehicle and an experience with the dealership that says she is respected for the smart choice she made, that she is an expert at knowing what she wants," said Shedroff of Strategic Vision.

Victor Martel is an expert in buying and selling luxury and exotic cars.
Do you want to learn more about luxury and exotic cars? Visit his website http://www.finestmotorsports.com Also visit his blog at http://www.finestmotorsports.com/blog to understand the car buying and selling experience.

Customize the Interior of Your Vehicle with LED Lighting

2008-04-15T10:30:00.000+07:00

by Matthew Barr

Automotive lighting technology has reached new innovations and frontiers. Now you can just light up any place imaginable as long as you are confident with your design. From the car exterior which aesthetically improves your car's visibility, LED lighting tubes are now used in the car's interior for that cool cozy effect that sets up your mood.
Interior LED lights come in all shapes and sizes, each with the objective to make your car stand out. You can choose from a wide array of rods, tubes, and strips that can fit seamlessly in your car to give your interior an immediate radiant glow; all with the help of the patented lighting technology.
LED lights are known for their economic value due to its durability, low power requirement, and efficient brightness. Because of its versatility, they allow illumination of any interior as its fits anywhere inside your car. LED lights are adapted for their fashionable design that delights the car enthusiasts. With the extended durability, LED light producers can offer more generous warranties which make LED lights a safe buy.
One viable example of interior LED lights is LED rods. These rods can glow in one direction, or radiates in wide angles. The wide angle feature makes your lights glow smoother and brighter. With LED rods, much of the car's interior and padding is illuminated to a radiant glow. This LED tubes can be mounted anywhere, from the side of your trucks, to undercar lighting, and to interior lights. If you can find the right mix, LED lights create an unbelievable effect.

LED tubes can be easily installed right out of the box with convenient connection to the car lighter or permanent wiring. LED tubes can hold as much as 2.1 million colors with room to hold more. With the mass variety of colors available, advanced LED interior tubes can be programmed to strobe, flash, and dish out patterns that pulses through music with built in digital sound activator. Interior LED tubes are used to highlight the bottom of the car interior that produces an inert aura in your car's interior. Coupled with an already tight configuration, these interior LED tubes could be the deal breaker in customizing your car.
Other LED tubes can be placed strategically to highlight your dashboard, seats, amplifiers, speaker boxes, air vents, doors, and a lot more. It is important to have a variety in LED tube lengths. Placing them on the underside panels will create a glow effect in places where you don't think it is possible to decorate.
With a proven LED technology, paired with state of the art product lines, you can never go wrong if you decide to shell out money for these lighting tubes. Not only do these products put you to the echelon of car customization but it will also help reflect your personal taste. It is a definite must have for hardcore drivers who always look to add a little more glitz to their vehicle.

About the Author: Matthew Barr is a successful webmaster of http://www.urban-neon-car-lights.com He provides more information on car interior led lights, neon accessory lighting, led car lights, and car strobe lights on his website.

Counting the Cost of Travel in London

2008-04-14T08:31:00.000+07:00

by Andrew Regan

In 1900, motoring was a luxury hobby in Britain, and there were only 8,000 cars in the whole of Britain at the start of the 20th century; but by the end of the century the car population had soared to 21 million. The number of cars on the roads began to rise during the 1920s as manufacturers started to make small, lightweight and cheaper vehicles for a wider market. Cars at this time were still relatively expensive. The Austin Nippy, was at the top of the Austin 7 sports car range and cost £152 - about £8,500 in today's money.

The boom in car ownership occurred in the 1950s and 60s. Car ownership in London quadrupled between 1950 and 1970 as standards of living rose and car prices fell. By the mid-1960s, there were 1.5 million cars registered in London and the numbers continued to rise until the end of the century when 2.2 million cars were registered at London addresses.

Increasing car ownership meant increasing traffic congestion. By the 1960s, London's traffic problem was considered to affect only the evening and morning rush hours in central London. It was not until the 1980s that congestion came to be a problem across London at more or less all hours of the day. This culminated in 2003 with the introduction of the controversial London congestion charge, a fee for motorists travelling within those parts of London designated as the Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ). The main objectives of this charge were to reduce congestion, and to raise funds for investment in London's transport system.

Nowadays, with the rising cost of oil resulting in higher petrol and diesel prices, the cost of owning a car in London is higher than ever. According to the AA, the average cost of a litre of unleaded petrol was 104.2p at the end of 2007; a litre of diesel would have set you back 109.2p.

But the rising price of fuel is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the cost of motoring. According to Sainsbury's Bank, the average cost of running a car, excluding petrol, is now just over £1,000 a year. And if you have borrowed money to buy your vehicle, as most car owners have, the costs are even higher.

The astronomical expense of motoring has encouraged many people to reconsider whether they need to own a car at all. If you live in a city and only have the occasional need for a set of wheels, it could work out considerably cheaper to ditch your vehicle and instead consider car hire Rental vehicle companies and city car clubs provide a service that allows you to hire cars near your home for anywhere between half an hour and a month at a time, with the end result is that for a fraction of the cost of running your own car, you could enjoy similar access to a set of wheel whenever you need them.

Andrew Regan is an online, freelance author from Scotland. He is a keen rugby player and enjoys travelling.

HHO Water Fuel

2008-04-12T07:51:00.000+07:00

by Timothy Payn

HHO water fuel is a clean and sustainable way to run our cars and power our domestic appliances. Of course there are many other industrial applications for HHO water fuel. Here we focus on hydrogen fuel for the average consumer. We also look at how we can incorporate it into our everyday lives. The bare fact is that any vehicle can be quickly, cheaply and easily converted to run on HHO water fuel.
You don't need to hold any kind of special 'green' agenda to understand that putting water in your tank costs less than filling it with gas. Once you understand just how efficient HHO car conversions are, you can also appreciate the way you can take less from the earth's natural resources. Renewable energy may be a sort of fetish for a few people, but that doesn't preclude the rest of us from taking an interest and even joining in. When it makes sense. In the case of HHO water fuel for cars, it does.
Well, there is an area in which HHO water fuel makes sense for all of us. That is for running our cars, our refrigerators, our stoves and electrical appliances. This is a win-win situation. We can put more money back in our pockets. And, if global warming and diminishing resources prove to be true, we will be doing our bit for the environment at the same time. Now that really does make sense.
A decent HHO water fuel guide is absolutely essential. Making a conversion kit yourself is the best way to go, but the quality of that manual is critical. Only by getting HHO water fuel systems right can you expect to reap the benefits. While the underlying technology isn't particularly complicated, most people will need proper guidance on how to make conversion kits for their cars and white goods.
Explore the available guides thoroughly, select the best, and get going. Don't be a cheap skate. Expertise doesn't come cheap, although I wouldn't expect to fork out over $100 for a genuinely good manual.
So what are the facts and statistics about hydrogen fuel technology which are of interest to us ordinary mortals?

Well, to run a car, you could be looking at cutting your gas costs to zero with one of the proven HHO conversion kits.
Hybrid hydrogen fuel systems can reduce your car's gas bill by half.
There are more than 100,000 vehicles in the U.S. running on home-applied HHO water fuel.
More than 20% of Norwegian homes run their domestic appliances via hydrogen fuel cells and own a vehicle powered, at least in part, by hydrogen water fuel.
Transportation, in toto, within the European Economic Zone, now has 0.6% of vehicles running on HHO gas.
Every single day across the globe more than 1,500 people are converting their cars to run on HHO water fuel themselves.
The majority of individuals doing these conversions now reside in first world economies.
HHO water fuel can be employed to generate power for most things you can think of in your home.
It is absolutely true that the only emission from a hydrogen fueled car is water.
Fuel cells were first used almost 160 years ago and are used extensively today in space exploration programs.
Take your time. Sit down and evaluate the various DIY manuals on HHO water fuel. Just ensure it also covers batteries and generators too if you want hydrogen fuel to supply all your household energy needs.

Timothy Payn's blog: http://mikey890.wordpress.com

In-Depth Automotive Review - 2008 Honda Accord - It's Fantastic & Revolutionary

2008-04-10T08:29:00.000+07:00

by Shaun Patrick Davidson

Just when you think the midsize sedan market could not get any more competitive, Honda has released a fantastic new Honda Accord. Honda's hottest selling car makes large strides to keep it on top of the volume leader boards with head turning style, comfort, and the reliability like nothing else out there. I'm eagerly anticipating the drive, so I take the 4-cyl Accord for a ride and give consumers the 411.
I've driven my fair share of the previous models in rental car form, so that would be an outstanding comparison to base off of. The one most striking difference is how well designed the Accord is, in its segment, it was easily a couple years ahead of its time. I personally thought the cutting edge shapes and panels to be true-blue Honda and was a welcome look in comparison to it's rounder rivals. Fit and finish is what I expected in this car, and there were no surprises. Additionally, the Accord is a little bit bigger car, not exactly a negative, consumers can all use the extra room. Wheels were designed nicely, paint quality outstanding, and feature all of the top of the line safety and security hot spots. A definite winner!
Secondly, the treasure trove of options going into the inside never stops. Great quality in all of the dash panels and seating fabrics, they will most certainly sustain many years of abuse. Buttons and controls were easy to reach, albeit more buttons to get used to than other cars, it was no problem. This just meant there is more to be desired from the new Accord. Safety further enhances with a full assortment of airbags, remote keyless entry for base models, and a factory alarm system. The radio sounded good with no distortion and comes with iPod hookups. The overall interior ambiance was a little monotone, but the quality far exceeded any opinions on color. I felt comfortable in the front buckets and the rear is huge. Passengers can literally do jumping jacks back there, lots and lots of room. Moreover, the ride was quiet and there was very little wind noise. I was impressed further.

Driving dynamics was exactly what I expected with quick witted transmission and fantastic power from the four banger I drove. California freeways were no match for the Honda ingenuity! Again ride was compliant, however, there was a little bit more body roll with the larger size and weight. That's a fair tradeoff for extra comfort and room. Gas mileage is still among the best, I averaged about 27-28 mpg's, very efficient. Price of my test model was just over $22k, worth every penny, and market competitive with the rest. Expect about $800-1,800 between invoice and MSRP when you decide to go one on one with the salesman. A true value, best bang for the buck!
And so we close with some endearing news, if consumers thought the sedan is a marvelous car, the 2-door coupe is absolutely stunning. I'll soon take that bad boy for a spin as well, believe me, I leave no stone unturned. The new 2008 Honda Accord will be a perennial fave with families for generations to come, there's no stopping the success gauntlet! A truly inspiring stepping stone to further sales success.

If you enjoyed this article and are currently in the market for an outstanding midsize, please feel free to visit my other car reviews at: http://kookoox10thereviewspot.blogspot.com/
Shaun Davidson-Automotive and Finance Consultant-2008

He's no Darling to Motorists

2008-04-09T10:41:00.000+07:00

by Matthew Pressman

Alistair Darling has hit motorists hard in his first budget as chancellor and he is justifying his swingeing tax and fuel duty hikes as 'cracking down on pollution'.

Even though the chancellor delayed the 2 pence per litre increase in fuel duty due to be imposed in April until October, it is only temporary respite for motorists who have seen fuel prices soar in recent months. In addition to increasing running costs, many motorists face higher-than-inflation duty charges on their vehicles as Darling aims to penalise the highest polluting drivers.

The existing emission bands have been re-classified and the new highest - band M - will contain vehicles that emit over 255g of carbon dioxide per kilometre driven. From April next year, owners of vehicles in that band - so-called gas guzzlers - will pay £440 per year to tax their cars. To make matters worse for those drivers, from April 2010 purchasers of brand new band M vehicles will pay an increased first year duty of £950, which will then be reduced to £445 in subsequent years.

Of course, the flip side of such draconian tax increases means that if you are happy to pay the new duty, you will be able to pick up a bargain 4 x 4, as used car prices have literally tumbled overnight. Even those who don't have cash to burn may be tempted to say yes to car credit in order to secure a superb deal on a used 4 x 4, whose used car values dropped eight per cent in just 24 hours.

However, many motoring organisations have suggested the chancellor's claims that the increases are being imposed for 'green reasons' don't ring true. Their protests appear to be backed up by simply looking at the Treasury's revenue projections for duty; the chancellor is expecting to rake in £465m in 2009-10, rising to a staggering £735m the following year.

Those figures have prompted many to claim that the chancellor is all stick and no carrot, leading CBI director-general Richard Lambert to fiercely denounce the move. He points out that the so-called 'green measure' is a cynical exercise to raise revenues and that the majority of the UK public would see it as such.

Although the green lobby are applauding the chancellor's move, whether the majority of the public will see it as a necessary tax on the most polluting vehicles remains to be seen; but in the meantime chancellor Darling is certainly looking forward to counting his increased tax revenues.

What You Need To Know About Dents

2008-04-08T13:30:00.001+07:00

by Paul Fountain

If you get dents in your car your initial reaction is to be shocked, the next reaction is to get angry and the third reaction is to calm down and take the necessary steps to fix the issue. But, when it comes to fixing the issue, are you fixing it in the proper manner? In other words, are you still keeping to long established methods of fixing a dent as opposed to taking advantage of the far more cost effective process of paintless dent repair?
When something novel comes along there will be those people who will move at the opportunity to use the innovations that new methods have to offer. Then again, there will be those people who may not like trying something new simply because they are more familiar with an original process they are familiar. (This is why some people still buy videos and will not to upgrade to DVD.) While this gripping on to the old may seem rather gracious, it can also prove to be a waster of time and extremely expensive. One such example of this can be found in the car world in the form of sticking with traditional bodywork as opposed to paintless dent repair.
For those not familiar with paintless dent repair it references a method when a dent is molded into the car's original form without the requirement of repainting the car. Now, this may seem like a radical diversion from the usual process of fixing and repainting a dent. Obviously, that's because it is! It is also a much more cost effective process of repair as it eliminates the extra costs involved with repainting the finish of an automobile. Yes there is the possibility for a number of unplanned expenses associated with the repainting of a car's finish. In some instances, the new finish may not match the old finish and this can lead to a notable devaluing of the car. (Envision paying a ton of cash in repairs and finishing up making the car's trade in value go down!) As many understand, the possible expenses involved with refinishing the paint on a car can be huge so why not consider paintless dent repair and skip this step?

Once again, the issue is commonly an observance to tradition. That is, car repairs become a member of the "this is the way we always did it and this is the way we will continue to do it" methodology. However, if most people prescribed to this thought pattern we would not be driving automobiles...we would be riding around on horses! Sure, paintless dent repair may look like a radical deviation from what was done before but it is a valuable process that is a much more cost effective improvement over the bigger task methods of the past. As a result of this paintless dent repair is a much wiser solution for your minor repair needs. After all, it is a sensible method that is free of a number of the common nuances involved with old fashioned repair work. Clearly, that is a better module to choose.

Paul Fountain is a certified Paintless Dent Technician and a web advisor for http://www.PDQTools.com To learn more about Paintless Dent Repair please visit PDQ Tools.com.

A Step into the Future - Hydrogen Boosted Engines

2008-04-07T13:53:00.001+07:00

by Darren Williger

The Increasing costs of gas in the past years have brought us to think of newer and cheaper ways to fuel our automobiles.
Auto Makers have been digging down deep to find new ways to create a fuel economy that we can afford and is effective. They have come across and ideal way to improve the fuel economy by adding the hydrogen to the fuel/air mix inside the engines of the cars. One of the problems of using hydrogen is that it's not readily available at the local gas station as the idea wasn't much explored until now.
One of the pluses of using the hydrogen Boosted engines is the cost and environmental advantages these types of engines will give you. The Hydrogen boosted engines will put out low amounts of NOx emissions unlike the gas engines. This feature will allow the entire external NOx emissions control to be excluded saving once again on costs. The NOx emissions control is a major problem now for diesel engines. The filter in the diesel that collects the particles from the emissions needs to be changed regularly raising the costs of diesels once again.
The amount of small exhaust emissions in the Hydrogen boosted engines is very low cost and needs little controlling. They require no Nox or Particulate control. The Oxidation catalyst is very low cost and can save a small fortune on the construction of the engine. Further cost lowering elements related to the emission consist of the engine using clean hydrogen during the cold start phase where 90% of the emissions where in the emissions test.

The current costs of the Hydrogen boosting systems can be added right away to existing engine compartments giving the advantages right away. The cost of this system is less than half of the diesel added compartments. The hydrogen boost system creators are sure that this new system will improve the vehicle and save on costs.
Currently the prototypes of the hydrogen boosted engines are being installed in the SUVs that can handle the size of the compartments and its added systems. They are starting tests on its lasting durability and performance. They will be reporting on its performance within the year before further testing is done.
More studies on the Four Cylinder gas engines will be done as gas prices continue to climb and generate more competition for the fuel economy.
The Hydrogen Boosted engines will be a great hope for stretching your gas out per mile and having fewer problems with the engines burning out the gas faster. Hydrogen boosted engines will conserve the gas you have and make it stretch further.
Though the hydrogen boosted engines are not available now you will be able to purchase them faster than you expect. The Manufacturers are looking to offer you the solution you have been waiting for and help you save on your overall gas spending. So if you currently own gas...sit tight a bit longer and don't go diesel it will pay off soon enough.

Darren Williger is an over-caffeinated, low carbohydrate eating, winemaking enthusiast who writes for PlantWebsite.com, EcoSection.com, and WindPurifier.Com

Water Powered Engine - Is A Water Powered Engine Possible?

2008-04-06T22:19:00.001+07:00

by Cody Wheeler

How Can Water Power A Car?
The atomic breakdown of water, as most of us know, is h20. Two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. When an electrical current is introduced to water, the bond is broken down into a gas known as HHO. Since we cannot create or destroy energy, but just alter it, it is still two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, however it exists in a different state, HHO Gas, which is a very stable and efficiently burning gas.
This is the precedent for the water powered engine. Many people think it is possible to build an engine that will use this gas only to completely power a vehicle on water. And is most likely is. However, there are probably only a handful of people in the world that can build this engine, and if they did, they would most likely be either paid off not to reveal it or killed. A sad, but true story.
That being said, fear not. There is an alternative to the completely water powered engine. Using the atomic breakdown of water mentioned above, HHO gas, it is completely possible to successfully alter a current gasoline or diesel engine to use water to boost its engine efficiency.

Building a Water Powered Engine
The way this works is by introducing the aforementioned HHO gas into the combustion process of your vehicle. The resulting mixture is an extremely efficiently burning one, and also extremely "green" as well. You are essentially creating a partially water powered engine. This mixture will yield up to a 75% increase in most cases, sometimes even more. We have seen numbers in the 200% range with tweaking.
The process to create a water powered engine is very simple. It can be done in a few hours with parts from a hardware store. It costs around $75 for the entire conversion, but will end up paying for itself in less than two months in pretty much every case. On top of that, it will also increase your vehicle's life by cutting down on harmful carbon deposits from dirty gasoline.
This technology is 100% proven and legit. If you want to build a water powered engine this is your answer!

A completely Water Powered Engine may never be a reality, but the water fuel conversion is the next best thing and will save anyone who does it a lot of money in the long run, as well as reducing the burden his or her vehicle puts on our precious environment. Come visit us and we'll even give you a free fuel savings guide that will show you some easy ways to save gas without touching your engine.
For more information, please visit WaterFuelConversion.

Auto Restoration - Successful Steps To A Great Looking Car

2008-04-05T11:25:00.000+07:00

by Craig Thornburrow

Auto restoration is a big undertaking, but if done right can save you money and give you more customization. Below is a general overview of the points needed to do the work and your particular job may differ in some ways. Most importantly you should focus on doing these procedures safely while using the proper protective gear for yourself as well as others.
There are seven steps to a basic auto restoration.
Inspection and Evaluation
1) First wash the vehicle to allow for a clear look of all surfaces.
2) Make a list of parts needed that can be seen at this time.
3) Make a list of labor that that can be seen at this time.
4) Make list of tools and materials needed, such as a compressor, air regulator, air hose and hardware, hand tools, and other metal working tools as needed. Sandpaper and fillers will be necessary as well.
Disassembly
1) Expand on part list as you disassemble vehicle.
2) Organize lose parts.
3) Take detailed photos/video of complicated areas before disassembly.
4) Find safe storage for delicate parts
5) Do not dispose of any parts unnecessarily until the vehicle is finished. This is very important.
Clean, Strip and Protect Metal Parts
1) Before stripping be sure to have tools and materials in place for coating, such as: A good rust converter for rust that will not be removed, and a good primer to help protect the metal while body work is being done.
2) Power sand, sand blast, plastic media blast or chemically strip: Rotary sander should be variable speed used below 1000 RPM.

Do the Metal Repairs and Filler Work
1) Get decent tools like a die grinder, stud welder, MIG welder and hand tools.
2) If the job is large, concentrate on one or two areas at a time.
3) This is the time for filler tools and materials. Use decent filler and sandpaper; it isn't worth purchasing cheap products. A dry guide coat is recommended for leveling the fillers.
Finish the Body Work and Start Priming
1) Polyester Putty is usually the final filler.
2) Direct to metal primer then 2K (filler) primer is applied.
3) Undercoating is usually done prior to doing the finish painting. Good "direct-to-metal" paints can protect the underside from deterioration.
The Painting Process
This is one of the most important processes of auto restoration and takes a lot of preparation and time. If you are planning on restoring your car, definitely look into this process further, as well as the other processes.
Compounding
After waiting for the paint to harden somewhat you can sand with ultra fine sandpaper (usually between 600 and 2500 grit) to remove orange peel, dust nibs, runs and other surface imperfections. If paint is fully cured, compounding and polishing takes longer, but is less likely to be damaged.
As mentioned earlier, if you are truly planning to restore your automobile, hopefully this gives you a rough outline of what you need to do, but you should certainly look into it further to give you a full idea of a complete auto restoration.

Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get more free advice on auto restoration and an auto restoration part at http://www.autorestorationtip.com.

Reduce Harmful Emissions With the AdBlue Concept

2008-04-04T17:16:00.001+07:00

by Robin Futcher

From January 1st 2005, vehicles produced in Europe will have needed to meet even tighter emissions standards, namely Euro 4.
In order to meet the new standards, all heavy good vehicles need to reduce the amount of NOx (Nitrous Oxides) they emit.
Euro 5 is nearly upon us and is scheduled for introduction in October 2009. The new limits outlined in Euro 5 are even more stringent than before, in fact almost half of the previous standard.
Vehicle manufacturers are opting for SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) as the preferred technology to meet the demands set out by Euro 5. This involves incorporating the urea into an aqueous solution called AdBlue. The alternative is EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) but this technology has its limits and at present will not be able to meet the demands of Euro 6 due in 2012
There are a number of advantages with SCR technology as around 85% of the nitrous oxide is converted into water vapour and nitrogen. (the air we all breath is approximately 74% nitrogen). In addition to this fuel savings of up to 6% have been boasted by some of the leading vehicle manufacturers. This has encouraged many of the leading manufacturers to concentrate their efforts on developing SCR vehicles in their range. With fuel pump prices now at a record high, support for SCR is growing fast.

Concern has been identified at the outset though as AdBlue is highly susceptible to contamination unless handled correctly, which has led to some dispute surrounding the creation of new ISO standards, who should be involved and how should they be implemented.
At present the AdBlue solution is produced in Europe and shipped to the UK, although there are plans to create production plants in the UK none are available to date.
With this import requirement and considering the sensitive handling aspects of the solution, sceptics fear that this technology may never really settle into the UK market.
However unless an alternative cleaner fuel solution is made available before October next year all modern fleet operators will have to adopt this new technology sooner or later.
The transport industry are encouraging the authorities to develop new standards to help guide consumers through this new technology.

Additional information on the Euro standards can be found at http://www.adblueonline.co.uk Additional resources include information on handling equipment, market prices and AdBlue storage guidelines.

Drive Safely!

2008-04-03T11:18:00.001+07:00

by Steve Shefford

Learning to drive is not just about reaching a stage where you can pass a driving test. It is about becoming a safe, confident driver with good skills and experience.
The test is actually the easy part of learning to drive! It is what comes next: driving alone and coming up against new experiences like motorways that is harder.
Statistics show new drivers are more likely to have an accident within the first two years of passing their test due to a lack of skills and experience.
That is why the overall aim should never be to just pass the test. Your driving instructor should introduce you to as many different situations and conditions as possible. They should be dedicated to building confidence and making you aware of all types of hazards. After passing the test, experience and skills develop over time. However, you can help yourself by taking a Pass Plus course which allows you to safely gain more experience; improve existing skills; acquire new skills, reduce accident risk and even obtain a discount on your car insurance.
Driving on motorways soon after passing a driving test is another risk. Motorway driving is a skill in itself and sadly, many people who drive on these dangerous, high speed roads have not taken any specific training on them. Many drivers who pass their test never drive on motorways because they lack the confidence of driving in a completely different environment, one that they were not able to practice with their driving instructor before they passed their driving test.

Motorway tuition is therefore a good idea, and many driving schools offer specialist instructors who can help you become a much safer and more confident driver after passing the driving test.

Steve Shefford is the director of Learner Land School of Motoring, the Essex driving school with a difference. Learner Land School of Motoring is dedicated to producing safe, confident drivers. For this reason, Learner Land only provides FULLY qualified and experienced driving instructors who show a professional attitude and an honest commitment to their work. For more information visit http://www.lldrivingschool.co.uk

Acceleration as a Major Reason of Failure in the Driving Test

2008-04-02T22:28:00.000+07:00

by Nadav Snir

Acceleration is a big necessity for driving. Without it cars would not move and lose their meaning. There are several ways to accelerate a car, but only a few of them are correct and safe. Others can lead to an accident. During the driving test, improper acceleration can cause any driving student to fail. Some acceleration mistakes happen more often than others, and they all make the students very disappointed.
Too fast acceleration is one of the biggest driving mistakes in general. When the driver hits the gas pedal too fast, the car "jumps" and causes everyone in it to swing back and forth. This is a very bad demonstration of driving skills during the driving test. If the student hits another car because of swift acceleration, test failure is assured.
Slow acceleration can be as dangerous as fast one. Every driver is expected to drive as close to the speed limit as possible without posing a threat to others, and slow acceleration lengthens the time until that speed is reached. Slow acceleration shows driving nervousness and lack of confidence on the road. Showing these traits on the road test will not benefit any test applicant and can possible fail him.
Intersection acceleration is vital for driving and the driving test. After entering an intersection, drivers should leave it as quickly as possible. However, some driving students take their time when they go through intersections and don't mind their surroundings. Even if a fast car is approaching them, they will proceed at their low speed. This is very dangerous and a reason to fail a driving student on the test.

A huge mistake drivers make during their license test is not accelerating on lane changes. Sometimes a tiny speed increase is required to move to another lane. Many student drivers, especially on their driving test, fail to do so and wait forever until they change lanes. This is a serious, repeating issue in many driving tests, and it can mean a new test for the examinee.
Acceleration is a matter of practice. Without enough practice, no driver will be able to pass his driving test, especially not the acceleration part. Every driving student who plans to take the road test should get some good practice with a good guide.
You can find a good guide with an acceleration chapter on the Pass Your Driving Test area of Great-Info-Products.com. The website also includes a free course with more driving test mistakes and tips.

About the author:
Nadav Snir is an experienced driver and the author of the driving test practice guide "Pass Your Driving Test". You can see more information about the driving test at his site: http://Great-Info-Products.com/DriveTest/index.html.

Gas Powered Car Vs Water Powered Car

2008-04-01T09:46:00.001+07:00

by Elizabeth Banks

In today's world, our car is like our second home. We use our car to go to watch a baseball game, to buy groceries, to drive kids to their school, in hot summer there is always air conditioning in it or it's heated in winter, we do not have to wait at a bus stop and so on... Basically without our car we lose the ability to travel comfortably and somewhat fast. A question arises: what will happen when in the very near future, the gas prices rise to a level where one would not be able to afford to own a car?
We have already seen innovations about cars, cars that will run on bioethanol and electricity but they are expensive and are yet to prove themselves on the market, what we need is a solution today and not in 2 years!
A water powered car or a car that runs on water is a simple answer to our headache with gas. There are many differences between a car that runs on water and a fossil powered car.
We begin with the fact that a car that runs on water does not consume as much gas as a regular car, this means that we are saving money on gas. More over, it's engine has a lower temperature, this results in a higher life expectancy of the motor, also the motor's noise level is noticeably lower than the regular car. A car runned on water has lower pollution emissions, this maybe is perhaps the answer for global warming as well.

The best part of all this is that the car's warranty isn't voided because the simple addition which makes the car run on water is reversible.
Finally, anyone can convert their car to run on water. The only thing you need is a guide and affordable material. This is perhaps somewhat of a challenge that one can place for himself or for people around him. At this point in time how many are willing to change there ways is perhaps the main goal for the future generations.

http://www.squidoo.com/runacaronwaterfuel

Can Anyone Really Say, "My Car Runs on Water?"

2008-03-31T11:12:00.000+07:00

by Bill Mann

The concept of water undergoing some miraculous change that allows it to be used as fuel seems like science fiction to most consumers today. Despite the once popular steam engine and the current use of water to fuel turbines and generators in nuclear power facilities and energy corporations, many can't grasp its use as fuel for the common automobile. The idea of a car that runs on water seems absurd. Yet today you can buy kits that use water as fuel (to supplement the gasoline) in standard automobiles, resulting in much higher mileage. Some day soon, you may be able to proudly state, "My car runs on water!"
Why You Need It
With the rising costs of fuel and transportation, the consumer is more strained than ever to pay three or even four dollars per gallon. There are forecasts that even these prices will rise before the end of the year, superseding any prior amount on record.
There are many issues with fuel today outside the rising cost of use. It is a fossil fuel and many theorize we are rapidly depleting the current supply. The tensions that arise within many oil-producing countries create situations ripe for various economic and social conflicts.
Worries over pollution and emissions cast an alarming light on the utter reliance most people have on fossil fuels. These worries, along with the simple facts, make any debate on various methods of fuel a hot-button topic. Why aren't alternative methods discussed more often? Conspiracy theorists state that there would be a great loss in the business world should alternative fuels become mainstream. While we can't state facts when dealing with such premises, we can discuss the truths of our world.
The sad fact is that Americans have a tremendous reliance on gas and the steady supply of it. Most simply don't live in areas where alternative fuels are readily available. Many Americans must endure lengthy commutes to work, traffic jams and rush hour, not to mention routine errands that can't be accomplished on foot. Public transportation is an option, however many areas of America don't offer such services.
How a Car That Runs on Water Can Help

How can water, the same substance that comes from your kitchen faucet, be suitable for fuel? The answer lies in the chemical breakdown of the liquid. What is water when you go down to the molecular structure? Two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. Hydrogen is an incredibly flammable, high-energy substance.
Hydrogen is a highly desirable source of fuel because it delivers lots of energy and burns with virtually no pollutants. But running a car on solely hydrogen would be difficult and potentially dangerous. Using hydrogen as a supplemental fuel is a safe and effective alternative.
Kits available today use electricity to convert common water into hydrogen and oxygen in your car as needed. The hydrogen is immediately mixed with the car's gasoline and burned, delivering better fuel efficiency and cleaner exhaust. It is an ideal solution for today's world, and thousands of people around the world have purchased these kits to convert their own vehicles. Those people can indeed say, "My car runs on water."

Speed Radar Detectors

2008-03-30T16:57:00.000+07:00

by Robert Grazian

If you speed beyond a point the long hands of the law is going to trap you. If you have a radar detector the risk lowers. Most of these devices are user friendly, simple, compact, discreet and easy to install. Speeding is against the law. It is something really dangerous to do. It is a fact that in some point in time every one may need to over speed. People sometimes have really serious problems to face in every day life due to which they really need to over speed. Although all these factors are a fact, still it is important to note that over speeding dangers are not limited to getting a speeding ticket. There are many risks which may even prove themselves to be fatal. To keep a check on the road traffic, the traffic police now have speed detector radars. These radars keep a track of the speed limits and of the people who are trying to drive over limit.
Radar detector also called fuzz bust help you to ascertain whether the speed of your vehicle is being supervised by radar or not. It warns the driver to be within the speed limits. It is illegal to use radars and its seizure could result in hefty fine.
While some detectors are portable others need to be installed. Some come along with subscription fees and have to be connected to the PC to get the latest updates.
Speed radar detectors installed on vehicles with solar reflection will cease to work in the absence of an additional antenna. These coatings are crafted to keep away UV rays and also to reflect radar and satellite signals.

These detectors are a boon to people who drive long distances and unintentionally break the law by crossing the speed limit, because they did not observe the speed creeping up. Warning by radar detectors enables the drive to make a decision and control the speed. It helps the driver to rectify his mistake and avoid being prosecuted for a crime which he did not intend to do.
These devices also give you advance warning of dangerous roads and accident prone zone, a blessing for drivers who are unfamiliar with the road ahead.
In countries were speeding tickets increases your car insurance cost, penalty points on the license affects ones career and where speeding is on par with drunk driving speed radar detectors are ideal.
The advantage of using speed radar detectors is its users have had fewer accidents. Thus it empowers them to approach their destination smoothly and safely. Speed radar detectors are indeed a very positive use of technology. In this way the speed limit can be guarded in a much better and effective way.

Deadly Car Control Mistakes on the Road Test

2008-03-28T16:21:00.000+07:00

by Nadav Snir

One very important part of driving a car is controlling the vehicle. Without that, the roads will look like chaos: cars turning left and right without any reason, sudden brakes and accelerations without proportion, and highly dangerous roads. In the driving test, every driver should demonstrate good ability to control the vehicle. However, some driving students don't know how to control their car, and they make the same mistakes over and over.
Steering control is a very serious issue when it comes to the road test. As weird as it may sound, some students come to the road test with very limited steering skill. They have trouble turning, passing cars and other objects, and in general, the steering wheel is not their best friend. These driving students come to the test unprepared, and as a result they fail the test miserably.
Acceleration is also an issue the examiners face with students drivers. Acceleration should be done smoothly most times and quickly at others. However, some drivers fail to understand this, and their use of the gas pedal makes the entire car swing back and forth. This improper use of the accelerator often sends the examinee to a new test.
Braking is a greater issue than acceleration. Improper braking can lead to an accident, and so is a too-slow braking. Like acceleration, braking should be done smoothly, with a pace that matches current road conditions. During the road test, some students don't brake well and upset the examiner.

A very common mistake on the road test is wrong usage of gears. Some students stick strictly to shifting gears by speed and don't listen to the engine or road. When the driver doesn't seem to know how to use the gears the right way, the test is probably over.
Controlling a car should not be an issue for any person applying for a driver's license. All they need to do is get enough practice, but not just any ordinary practice. To control a car well, driving students should get a guide specializing in the driving test.
You can find some guides just for the road test on the "Pass Your Road Test" area of Great-Info-Products.com. There is also a free course on other driving test mistakes than those mentioned here.

About the author:
Nadav Snir is an experienced driver, driving since the age of 15.5. He passed his first driving test in California at the age of 16. You can see more information about the driving test at his site: http://Great-Info-Products.com/DriveTest/index.html

Repo Car Auctions - Myths and Truths

2008-03-27T09:54:00.000+07:00

by Joseph Huck

How much money can we save by using Repo Car Auctions? Well, it really depends on the type of car that you want. The newer the car, the higher the price will be! But as a rule of thumb, a discount of 50%-90% is highly possible for an average car in Repo Auto Auctions. That is a huge sum of savings, and will help you change your car much more regularly than before!
However, if Repo Car Auctions can save us that much money, why doesn't everybody using it now? That's a fair question, and the answer is: that's because not everyone knows about it! For a long time, Repo Car Auctions were secretive, and only inside dealers knew about time. Even today, it's still not as popular as it should be! That's why knowing about it alone can help you gain advantage over many people out there who have no idea about it!

Nevertheless, there are still some things that you may want to know before going to a Repo Car Auctions. Due to the fact that the cars there are normally seized by the government or banks, don't expect them to be at the highest quality! The cars have been used before, thus research is a must if you want to find a good deal at the auctions. But please don't be discouraged by that. Bringing a knowledgeable friend with you to the Auctions, checking the VIN number carefully, and inspecting the car you like thoroughly are usually enough to get your dream car at a price that everyone else is going to be jealous at!

Automobile Appraisals, Get Online Automobile Appraisals For Free

2008-03-26T11:05:00.000+07:00

by Koen Daniel

Automobile owners all come to the point of making a decision about their current rides at some point. A good way to approach a potential situation where you are looking to "trade in" towards a newer model, is to look at the whole situation from the car dealer's perspective. That being said, the best way to get inside a car dealers mind, is to BE in a car dealers mind. Therefore here are some major considerations, as well as information about getting your automobile appraisal done accurately.

As a car dealer, there is NOT a lot of room to move when it comes to dollar figures. Many people assume there is a lot of money being made on each and every sale, but that is simply not the case. Using careful automobile appraisal techniques, dealers are well able to assess the true value of a car. Simply getting a redbook, blackbook or bluebook value for your automobile will not give you a completely accurate appraisal value in the eyes of the car dealer. Car dealers WILL use the book values as a basis point for their appraisal though, and therefore it is a good idea for you to get an assessed value for your automobile right away. This is especially true for situations where you are about to "trade-in" towards a new ride.

Taking into consideration a few important factors will allow you to better understand true "trade in value". The two major things that will influence the overall value of your ride will be time of month or year and what the dealer has on the lot already for second hand automobiles. Take these 2 considerations by not trying to "trade in" a rear wheel drive car to a dealer in a winter climate in December. Also, do a little investigation before talking to a dealer. Take a trip to the car lot, and see if he already has a fleet of vehicles such as yours. If not, then it could be a good place to consider a trade in estimate.

When you arm yourself with mindset of a dealer, you are already on your way to getting the most out of your automobile towards a trade in. Considering what a car dealer must consider when you are trading in towards a new vehicle on his lot, will get you the extra money out of your used car that you deserve.
Find out now how much your second hand vehicle is by getting a free automobile appraisal done today!

Koen D has a lot of experience helping consumers make informed decisions. For more information on automotive topics, see his site at http://automotive.freddybeach.com

Saving on Gas 101 For Students

2008-03-25T13:30:00.001+07:00

by Tom Tessin

When it comes to the good old world of college, it's hard for us college students to make a lot of money. Sure, there are a few college students out there that are making a few bucks but a lot of us are just sitting around in our dorms studying what seems like 24/7. That's the main reason we're in college, right?
What bothers me is that I can barely work throughout the week and when I get that chance to work, it seems like I'm barely working any hours at all. When it's time for the paycheck, it's blown within minutes on food, gas for the car, and any other miscellaneous things. This is the problem that most college students face.
Being frugal in college is one of the most important things you can do. Not only can it save you a ton of money, it can help you prepare in life when it comes to the real world and a job. Saving money means more money in your pocket obviously and today, I'm going to show you on how you the college student can save on gasoline for your car. How much you might ask? It can be as much as ten percent off per gallon.
Now, I know you're going to read that last statement and think, wow this is too good to be true. Let's hold that thought for a minute and let me explain. When you start to think of credit cards, you start to think of how bad they are. Why is this you might ask? It's because most of society doesn't know how to use them. These are the people who give it a bad name. If you're responsible with your money and you know how to pay your bill off on time in full, you can really take advantage of the rewards that come with a credit card.

Believe it or not when it comes to student credit cards, many of the cards out there do offer some sort of reward. In fact, over ninety percent of the cards out there that are based toward students do. This is where the gas saving techniques comes into play. When you decide to apply for that student based gas card, make sure that you look at how much you're saving per gallon. This is the reason you're applying and you don't want to apply for a card that gives you anything back in return. Generally, three percent or more is a great way to save.
As I mentioned in a few paragraphs ago, make sure that when you do apply for this card that you pay it off in full each month. If you fail to do so, you're not going to be able to take advantage of the rebates because the money you were going to save is going to go to interest alone. So, the next time you hop in your car to go back home for the summer or out to your friend's house, make sure that you keep this concept in mind. It adds up over time while adding more money to your wallet.

Defensive Driving - What Does It Mean?

2008-03-24T13:06:00.002+07:00

by Alex Baumm

Unfortunately, more and more drivers don't want to become defensive drivers nowadays which increases chances of accidents related to driving and cars. This is something not only confined in a single locality, community, state or country as this is rather a global phenomenon.
Driving should be something fun and safe and not scary and dangerous if we only practice simple things relating to defensive driving. These things are not so hard to do as they are merely matters of routine and discipline. Defensive driving is a matter of practice too as with other skills we acquire.
So, what basically is defensive driving?
Defensive driving is driving characterized by prudence, diligence and reasonable cautiousness with the goal of making the road a safe place not only for a defensive driver but for other people, as well.
It will not take an Einstein to realize the significance of defensive and driving and it will not also take a Newton to be a defensive driver. This is because for the most part defensive driving is common sense put into practice.
So here are some tips you can remember so that you become defensive drivers without need of spending money to attend a driving school.
1. Follow traffic rules. This is perhaps the most basic but the most neglected of all. Make sure you observe traffic rules like no overtaking, no over speeding whatsoever because they will not be made as rules as such if there is no wisdom behind them.
2. Be aware of traffic signs and symbols. If there is a sharp curve symbol make sure you follow the idea behind the sign - slow down and do not overtake even if the urge is almost uncontrollable.
3. Be aware of the other driver and maintain proper distance. It is almost absolute that we are not aware of the kind of person the driver of the other auto is.
So, just to be certain that we don't get in trouble we should always maintain enough distance from the auto in front that if the driver suddenly steps on the brake without signaling that intention first, you can have the sufficient opportunity to avoid any accident.

4. Check your car before you use it. Check if the brakes are properly working. Check if the engine is in good condition.
5. Observe proper speed especially in superhighways. These are some things you can bear in mind every time you drive. They are simple things that can make you a defensive driver.
With the increase in number of cars falling in line every day on our major roads, the complexity there is in driving is also aggravated. The need to make ourselves skillful particularly on defensive driving techniques becomes even more evident and necessary.
In order to mitigate the tendency of suffering from vehicular accidents, we should always make certain that we keep in mind these defensive driving tips. Driving indeed need not be that risky and dangerous we only have to practice defensive driving and we can be assured that our experience on the road will be much more fun than ever.

Parallel Parking Mistakes During the Road Test

2008-03-22T23:39:00.000+07:00

by Nadav Snir

Parallel parking is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, skill to master for the driving test. It involves backing up, coordination, understanding the proper use of side mirrors, and precise distance estimation. When these don't join together well, a bad parking comes up, which sometimes lead to a bad test result.
One tiny mistake is not signaling before beginning to park. Before any parallel parking the student should signal to let other drivers know what he is doing. However, some students forget to signal. It is only a minor error, but it can make the difference between a pass and a fail.
Another mistake, much bigger, is wrong distance estimation. Instead of being close to the car the student parks behind, he stands far from it. This often leads the parking into a dead end, since he needs more parking space for that, and if there is also a car behind, the parking is doomed to fail.
Hitting the curb is a major mistake in many areas and an automatic test failure. When backing up, some students don't know when to turn their wheel, so they get too close to the curb. When they do turn the steering wheel it's already too late, and the car hits the curb. When this happens, the test is almost always a failure.
There is a more serious mistake than hitting the curb, and that is hitting a car, or even worse, a pedestrian. This happens when the examinee doesn't look back or just stares forward. It is a definite failing score in the test and a very bad feeling for the student. If the student hits a pedestrian, it can also be dangerous.
Not looking back, even without hitting anything, is another serious error during the driving test. When backing up, the student should look in the rear window and the mirrors. Failing to do so is also a reason for the examiner to fail the student on the spot.

Parallel parking requires many hours of practice. In some places, it is not a required skill for the parking test, but any driver should be able to do, especially if he lives or works in a big city. The practice must be with the proper guidance, or else any student would face hardships when practicing this skill.
You can find a suitable guide for passing the driver's license test on the Pass Your Road Test area of Great-Info-Products.com.

About the author:
Nadav Snir is an experienced driver, driving since the age of 15.5. He passed his first driving test in California at the age of 16. You can see more information about the driving test at his site: http://Great-Info-Products.com/DriveTest/index.html

Chevrolet Car Safety Features

2008-03-21T13:59:00.000+07:00

by Sonali Sharma

Chevrolet Cars have always been well known for their respective safety features. Some of the best in class car features are summarized below:
Chevrolet Captiva - Safety has been given a priority in General Motors' latest premium SUV Chevrolet Captiva. The Captiva's four-channel ABS with brake assist-equipped discs intelligently assists with pedal pressure when it detects an emergency braking situation. The rigid high-strength body shell of the Captiva has been optimised to distribute crash forces over defined load paths to help protect the integrity of the passenger safety cell.
Chevrolet Aveo U-VA- The Aveo U-VA comes with exceptionally high torsional rigidity and crash stability to its unibody design through the use of extra-high-strength steel. The chassis was designed to deliver a more dynamic and precise feel, along with straight line and cornering stability on all road types and conditions with balanced grip. The car also features 2.5-mph impact-proof front and rear bumpers, which are a boon in urban traffic in which minor collisions, are unavoidable. In combination with its torsion-resistant body, this ensures excellent handling and a high level of active safety.

Chevrolet Spark: In Chevrolet Spark, fifty-one percent of the total weight of the body cell consists of high-strength steel, providing great rigidity and stability. Its precisely defined load paths with an energy-absorbing hexagonal profile protect passengers in the event of a head-on or rear-end collision.
Chevrolet Optra Magnum: The Optra Magnum's X-PRO safety system with enhanced ABS ensures that the car stays surefooted even under hard breaking. Its impact proof bumper on the outside and add on dual airbags inside make sure that the passenger is safe in heavy traffic.

Turn Right the Right Way to Pass Your Road Test

2008-03-20T21:50:00.000+07:00

by Nadav Snir

For experienced drivers, they are easy. For driving students taking their driving test, they can be a disaster: right turns. They seem very easy: you signal, look in the mirrors, and turn the wheel. But in reality, right turns are often done very wrong.
Signaling is a way of telling other drivers what you are about to do. When you turn right, you need to signal to other drivers about your intentions. However, some drivers don't do that and trust their luck and the experience of other drivers. Not signaling is dangerous since other drivers may be surprised by your sudden brake before the turn. During the driving test, not signaling is often only a minor error, but repeating that mistake will cost you the test.
Another "test killer" during the road test is the red light turn. Some areas, like the United States, allow you to turn right against a red light. This is a very smart way of traffic flow. However, it requires a complete stop before it. Many driving students fail to make a complete stop before the intersection and "slide" into it. The result is a major error and a new test.
Traffic lights are also a problem when they are green. Some driving students, out of fear and lack of confidence, stop before turning on a green light. They can't estimate the speed needed to turn safely, so they stop and then proceed. This causes a problem of traffic flow and surprises drivers behind the student. It is sometimes a minor error only, but some areas consider it as a critical error.

Improper scanning is a really serious problem with drivers. When they approach the turn they don't look where they turn, and if there is a pedestrian or a parked car in there they are surprised. Surprises on the road can be very dangerous, and surprises on the driving test often lead to an unsurprising result of failing.
A big issue with many drivers is too tight turns. When they turn right they don't keep a sufficient distance from the curb and often hit it. This is almost always a critical error and a wait for a re-test.
Right turns can be done well with practice. It's great to practice with a parent or friend, but you need a good guide to make your right turns good enough for the test.

About the author:
Nadav Snir is an experienced driver, driving since the age of 15.5. He passed his first driving test in California at the age of 16. You can see more information about the driving test at his site: http://Great-Info-Products.com/DriveTest/index.html.
You can find guides for practicing your right turns at the Pass Your Road Test section of Great-Info-Products.com. They are all well worded and each of them has a specific chapter for right turns.

Owning a Hybrid Car

2008-03-19T10:59:00.000+07:00

by Dennis J James

The first warnings were launched about 30 years ago, when the Middle Eastern countries had stopped the oil exports, sending the world into a never before seen energy crisis.
Today's world is not that different, with oil prices climbing up day by day. Besides the peace factor, modern cars burn millions and millions of tons of oil each year, resulting tons of carbon dioxide and other gases that are the main causes of global warming.
Mankind has to find an alternative to traditional fuels and with today's level of engineering, the hybrid cars appear to be the solution, as least for the time being.
With the advent of the hybrid car, car owners and users all over the world are now finding relief that indeed there is hope from spending hundreds of dollars each month at the gas station.
A hybrid car combines a traditional engine (an engine with internal combustion, either gasoline or diesel powered) with an electric engine to move the car.
A hybrid car has the advantage that at slow speeds, such as those on busy motorways, the car uses only the electric motor to move. This results to low emissions and a very high mileage (the electric engine brings in its benefits in those areas where the internal combustion engine was the least beneficial - at slow speeds and around the city). When a certain speed is passed, the internal combustion engine kicks in to help the electric engine move the car.

If you look at a hybrid from a pure technical point of view, a hybrid cannot be classified as an electric vehicle entirely because only about 40% of the energy consumption of the vehicle is from electric sources. This energy is stored in large batteries inside the car.
Until technology finds better solutions to burning oil and gas to move cars, hybrid cars are the only alternatives that can help you save money and contribute to the stop of global warning. However, there are also a series of drawbacks to owning a hybrid car.
First, the hybrid technology used in cars today is very new and its development costs have not yet been recovered by manufacturers. That is why a hybrid car will cost significantly more than the normal version of that car. Studies have shown that on average, a hybrid car costs more than the regular model by around $2,000 to $5,000, sometimes even more. The production facilities are limited and the demand is high, so manufacturers have the pleasure keeping prices up for hybrid cars.
Second, the batteries storing the electricity required by the electric engine are very heavy and large, taking up significant interior space. . There are several states in the United States and some other global governments that are charging additional fees and other charges for acquiring a hybrid car, in the end the user ends up paying more than the car would normally cost.
The voltage required by the electric engine are very high and this adds to the car's complexity and makes it difficult to find specialized repairing shops There is also the possibility for more dangerous car accidents if something goes wrong with the electric parts of the car. Furthermore, the prices of spare parts can be very expensive for a hybrid car. You have to take a lot of things into consideration when deciding to buy a hybrid car, as things are not that simple as they might appear at first sight.

Glitz And Glamour - The New Age Automotive Dealer

2008-03-18T13:42:00.000+07:00

by Dan Mercurio

You are in the market for a new car so you sit down in front of your computer, you bring up your favorite search engine, enter your search criteria, click the most promising link and BOOM... Suddenly you have lights, sound and action. Welcome to the world of the new age automotive dealer.
Years ago, dealers realized that in order to stay competitive that they had to embrace the age of the computer. The trends and ways that people were looking for goods and services were changing and they had to change as well. Taking what used to be paper advertisement and TV screen and transitioning it to paperless and computer screen was a huge task. New websites were popping up all over that now had all the graphic content and advertising that once was part of full page color ads in the local newspaper and it worked for awhile for what has commonly been called the "Baby Boomer" generation. But as time went on and the generational gap has widened, the consumers of today now are looking for a little more excitement and action as part of their everyday life.
Automotive dealers such as such as Kings Mazda have seen this change and have embraced it. Websites have gone from flat and informational to lights, camera, action and informative. Now instead of just being able to read content and click links on a screen, you see action, have people on screen talking about products and services and the whole user experience comes alive.
Consumers today are more sophisticated and are looking for so much more and to address this, a search engine marketing firm can step in and help dealers with this. Dealers now realize that in order to capture the eye of this new age consumer, some dramatic changes may be in order. Looking at what a dealer should do to incorporate the latest in technology, but design it in such a way that allows optimization based on non-graphical content is a huge task. Getting the right mix while keeping the new generation in mind can be difficult. Search engine companies, such as Google and Yahoo, are also starting to see this and as a result are making adjustments to their processes and how they rate and rank website page content.

As consumers get tighter with where and how they spend their money, they look for products that grab their attention, pull them in and make the sale. Being able to see 3D rendering of vehicles, view and hear many of the accessories and build their own 3D version of the vehicle of their dreams in today's world are all possibilities.
So as the world continues to evolve and as the consumer attitude towards what they expect grows with the times, dealers will constantly find themselves changing, growing and looking for that next great answer to "What do consumers want". You won't want to miss the exciting series of fast and dramatic changes on the interactive front.

Safer Road, Fuller Lives

2008-03-17T10:24:00.000+07:00

by Moyo-Angel Bamidele

One of the great ills plaguing our society today is road accident claiming lives and property. Indeed, the menace of road accident is seriously and dangerously threatening the very existence of our own society. Our newspaper in screaming headlines, report almost daily on the incidence of road accident here and there all over the country. Lives are no more safe? Can one day pass without a road accident? There is a general feeling of insecurity on our roads. As a result of re-occurring of road accident, people have given series of suggestions concerning how the case of road accident can be checked. But do we proffer solutions to something its causes have not been identified? My view, therefore, is that the causes of road accident be traced before it can be checked.
First, the deplorable state of the nation's roads is unremarkable. Very narrows roads and roads without road marks or lanes are common in this part of the world. There are several instances where drivers try to avoid potholes only to collide at high speed with oncoming vehicles. There are many cases while driving; the driver will not see oncoming vehicles due to up-hilly topography on our roads. Most of our roads are covered with trees and weed, which obstruct the sight of drivers. Can we have a local, state and federal government that will use tax payers' money to build good and durable roads? Can we have a system where such roads will be maintained regularly? If the government of our day can spend good money to build and maintain our roads this will help life safety.
Likewise, the rate at which the tanker and trailers' drivers disturb and damage the road is alarming. If most of our roads are dualised and there are separate roads for trailers, our roads will be accident free and drivers will travel smoothly. There should also be an alternative to major roads in case of any traffic jam on the road, this will prevent many road users from spending too much time on the road.
In addition, Alcohol is a contributor to road accident. You may have heard it many times: 'drinking and driving do not mix'. Unfortunately, not many people pay heed to this advice. Most accident has occurred under the influences of intoxicating drinks. The matter of alcoholic consumption by drivers is a major threat, which has little or no attention in the past years. The threat posed by the drunk drivers has reached an unprecedented level and Nigeria rather than a witness a decrease in fatalities caused by drivers driving under the influences of alcohol like most countries involved in the fighting against road safety crisis, is having a dramatic increase in road crashes. Such avoidance road crashes should be blamed on poor enforcement, which has been largely attributed to lack of breath-testing facilities, inadequate resources of the FRSC (Federal Road Safety Commission). Scientific evidence and acknowledged research findings prove that consumption of alcoholic by drivers is a contributory factor to increase in roads accident in developing countries. Countries that have experienced drastic reduction in road crashes are due to zero tolerance of alcoholic while driving and anti-drink driving. A bill should be passed compelling all alcohol manufactures to act socially responsible either by providing a counter measure to the negative effects of their products and establishment of an agency that will militarize against Drunk Driving.

Similarly, ignorance and illiteracy also contribute to the increase rate of automobile accident. It is a pity that many road users perish due to lack of knowledge. Most of our drivers are illiterate, they do not understand for instances, traffic light, traffic rules, even the use of vehicle light. Imagine how beautiful life will be if all Nigerian drivers on our roads know the importance of attending the mandatory driving school! Imagine if they could pass the driving test in theory and practical. There is a need for more public enlightenment for all road users on road related regulations. Roads users should have first aid knowledge because this will go a very long way to save the lives of accident victims. To a very appreciable extent, lack of education and non-attendance at a driving school are taking toll on human lives. Also, introducing of defensive driving technique will help prevent collisions, reduce the effect of collision and survival driving to stay alive.
Moreover, under-age and unlicensed drivers are contributing factor to road accident. Anybody who is not full of age (below 18 years) and drivers who are even above 18 years and are not licensed to driver on the road should be prohibited from using our roads. Some drivers' carries expired driving license having the wrong believe that once licensed, forever a driver. Parent should take keener interest in what their children do, to guide against under-age driving, drivers carrying expired driving licenses should not use the road until such licenses is renewed. Law enforcement agents should be up and doing on their jobs. Traffic offenders should be treated as such without fear or favour.
Similarly, the rate at which drivers drive recklessly cannot be over emphasized. Some of them see over-speeding as a display of ego, some even enjoys it. But come to think of it, how can driver control his car in case of an unexpected obstacle on the road while driving at a very high speed? At times, passengers will even try to caution them but often time they prove stubborn. There should be a speed limit to which any driver should drive on the road and anybody who violates the rule should be prosecuted accordingly.
We need to look into the issue of the kind of vehicles used on the road. The age of the vehicle is not the issue here but the road-ability of the vehicle should be of more importance. In an extremely strict manner, vehicles that are not road worthy should be sent to the recyclers ASAP. No vehicles should be on the road without having road lights, driving mirrors and other basic things. If using a car key cannot start a car, it has no business on the road in the first place. It can break down on the road at anytime and causing obstruction and accident subsequently. Similarly, any car that does fit should be thrashed. It should not be a matter of life and death to have car on the road.
Also, night road users should be discouraged. In fact, a law should be made against to forbid night travelling in country like Nigeria because of the poor state of its roads. Accident occurs in a broad daylight let alone driving in the night on poorly illuminated roads. Darkness on our roads made complicated by non-road worthy vehicle lacking driving light should be given attention, one should be able to distinguish a car is coming or a motorcycle.
On this note, Road safety as a subject should be advocated as part of our national school curriculum. Even as FRSC has extended her tentacles to the school in respect of Road Safety Clubs, we should not relent in actually having an entrant into the secondary and primary school curricula. Government should provide the enabling tools for FRSC in order to facilitate easy fulfillment of road safety mandate such as communication gadgets, towing vehicles, cranes, patrol cars and the likes. Besides, government should ensure that the FRSC operatives should be adequately remunerated so as to be well motivated and dispense with, with the urgency desired.
In conclusion, am optimistic that if all the solutions proffered are implemented, road accident will reduce to barest minimum if not totally eradicated. Therefore, our society will realize the goal of 'Safer Roads, Fuller Livers'.

2008-2009 Nissan Skyline GT-R

2008-03-16T13:19:00.000+07:00

by Mark Graziano

The Nissan Skyline has been one of the most impressive cars ever built dating back to its inception in 1969. Back then it was a four door sedan which won thirty six races in less than two years. Fast forward to today, you will find a beautiful work of art which still has all the bloodlines of its predecessors, now accompanied by state of the art electronics and its first debut in the Americas.
The new GT-R is a twin turbo VR 38 motor, which pumps out an impressive 480 horse power. All this power allows the GT-R to accelerate from 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. This is what Nissan claims on its website; however in its first actual test in Japan by Edmunds.com I believe, it accelerated from 0-60 in 3.3 seconds, impressive! All this power gets to the wheels via an all new six speed duel clutch transmission which can shift in two tenths of a second. After this power get through the transmission it is poured into an all wheel drive system with a tri-differential and all wheel drive transfer case.

Now I have been around to a few forums and I have read some comments on YouTube. One of the comments that keeps popping up is that it does not come with a traditional six speed manual configuration. I am guessing this is for two reasons. First, if you have a transmission that is designed for racing and can shift in 0.2 seconds why have a traditional manual? I am sure someone's retort will be, "its more fun." To that I say you are correct. However this does bring me to my second point. For those of you who do want to control your RPM's it does come with column mounted 6 speed sequential paddle shifters. Granted you do not have control over your clutch, but look at the bright side, you can't burn it out or grind gears.
The GT-R comes standard with 20 inch wheels and the performance edition has nitrogen inflated tires to lighten its curb weight. To stop this bad boy the GT-R is equipped with four internally ventilated 15" Brembo disk breaks which bring it from 60-0 in less than 120 feet. The GT-R also is equipped with a real time data display which lets you assess your driving skill in real time, something that is not found any other car in its price class. The GT-R starts at around $69,000 and maxes out just under $72,000.
I must say I am partial to the GT-R and I am very excited that it is coming to the United States for the first time. This car has been designed to run with Porsche's around the track and drag with the Z0-6. I am interested to see what the corvettes numbers look like this year and I await the road test to pit the GT-R against the Z0-6.
P.S. To all of you, who are thinking and commenting about the ZR-1 Corvette, just remember it's probably going to be around 20 to 30 thousand more than the GT-R.

Drive a Zenn and Achieve Zen

2008-03-15T22:42:00.000+07:00

by Paul Fezziwig

The Zenn automobile is an electric car made in Canada with sales of 200 cars in the USA for 2007.
The Zenn gets the equivalent of 245mpg and costs $12750-17600 if you are lucky enough to live where it's approved for purchase.
Currently it cost approximately 80% less to fuel up a Zenn than a traditional car. This leads to less green house gas production and if your power is nuclear even less green house gases are produced. Along with the environmental benefits this car reduces dependency on middle eastern oil.
This car is made in Canada yet ironically only British Columbia has made it legal to sell in Canada. Which is an almost unthinkable reality for Quebec where it is actually produced, as the CEO Ian Clifford laments. I'm sure Mr Clifford is thinking of moving to another country to set up production every time he is forced to fill up his gas powered car in Canada. George Bush's and local state legislature's policies on the environment appear to be putting Canada's and Quebec's to shame.

Currently this car is classified as a NEV, 'Neighborhood Electric Vehicle' so it has speed limitations imposed on it of 25-35mph by law and is meant for slower speed neighborhoods or inner city areas with lots of traffic. There is a kit available online to reprogram the limit if you want a little extra and are willing to chance it. They hope to have a highway capable version out in 2009 and hopefully law makers will get behind them and raise their limits of 25-35mph to something a little more practical for city driving, 40-45mph would be plenty for the city where we often average 20mph or less in traffic. Why they aren't allowed to drive as fast as a scooter boggles my mind, it's infinitely more safe.
With most people using their cars for short trips of less than 40 miles this is looking like a practical alternative, or perhaps used as a second car for each household for shorter commutes. With the price of gas increasing every month I look forward to plugging my car in for a fill up using local coal or nuclear power, saving the environment, saving money and bringing the troops home, and then hopefully achieving some Zen.

Paul Fezziwig writes for and administers 'Green Cars Now' http://www.greencarsnow.com a website devoted to promoting fuel efficient vehicles and driving habits and Car Repair Ratings http://www.carrepairratings.com where consumers rate their auto mechanics.

Hybrid Cars

2008-03-14T20:44:00.000+07:00

by Sridhar Bn

The word hybrid represents economy and efficiency, in the car industry. The term hybrid car is used to describe a car which can use both gasoline and electricity as fuel. This mix of fuel in the hybrid car reduces your dependence on expensive and polluting gasoline.
Several car companies have started the manufacture of hybrid cars. Toyota, Ford, Honda are some of the leading car manufacturers who have come up with some exiting models of hybrid cars.
The gasoline engine provides most of the power for the hybrid car and the electric motor provides additional power. This additional power is used, when it is needed to accelerate. For any reason, the power is reduced the electric motor provides additional power for the hybrid car. This helps in the design of a more compact and efficient engine.
Two types of hybrid cars are available. They are the parallel hybrid car and the series hybrid car. The series hybrid car uses the power of gasoline to recharge the batteries by using a generator. The parallel hybrid car uses the power of gasoline and electricity together, to provide greater speed or economy. The electric motors used in a hybrid car, regenerate energy. The electric motors also control the breaking system, in hybrid cars.

Whenever brakes are applied energy is generated. This is stored in the batteries and used whenever required. No additional charge is required for the batteries of a hybrid car.
Whenever you stop at a signal the motor switches off on its own, thus conserving fuel. Hybrid cars run much smoother than the gasoline run vehicles.
Hybrid cars give 20 to 30 miles more per gallon than their gasoline counterparts. The hybrid cars have a higher price tag. But the economy of running a hybrid car, and the environmental considerations, outweighs the higher price. However, hybrid car sales have not picked up much because of the limited availability of these vehicles.

I am Sridhar. I have a masters degree in science. I used to write articles in my school and college days. I am picking up the habit once again. I am comfortable with any subject except software. I blog at http://bnsridhar.blogspot.com

How To Tune Your BMW On A Budget

2008-03-14T00:49:00.000+07:00

by Rand Stuck

For many people, once they purchase a car, that is only the start of a long and sometimes costly process of tuning to result in improved BMW performance. There are many thousands of various decisions on how you accomplish this. Where does one begin, what can be done by the average backyard mechanic and what requires professional help? And, where can you locate the best parts at the best price? Buying parts is the area of modding that you have the most control over and where you can save the most time and money, if done correctly.
Now, there is more than one opinion on this subject. For BMWs, a lot of design and engineering was done by the manufacturer to achieve a world class car that is arguably a better performer than many of its peers. It's far too easy to wind up going backwards in your objective for performance by choosing flawed parts, installing them incorrectly or not matching up the performance levels of various systems on your car. Also, BMW is making a line of its own aftermarket parts so you can be assured of the quality and engineering in these parts just like the rest of your car. The downside is that these parts are frequently more costly than their competition.

So, how should you source premium parts for your vehicle? I am a huge fan of doing research online. There are some great user groups made up of thousands of BMW owners. With a little work you can frequently find a member with your exact vehicle who has already made the same modifications to their vehicle and can frequently give valuable information on what works, which retailer has the lowest price, install tips and more. A few of of my favorites include Bimmerforums.com, e46fanatics and roadfly.org. Time spent here can save you a lot of cost and frustration so you don't have to repeat the mistakes of others.
Another excellent resource that is frequently overlooked is eBay. The choices can be overwhelming and there are a lot of cheaply made, knock-off parts that you should try to stay away from. However, if you purchase from a quality retailer with great feedback and do your homework on exactly the part you need and at what price, you can significantly maximize your modding budget. You can locate new parts, OEM BMW parts and used BMW parts quickly and easily to make your performance project a the car you have dreamed of.

Water As Vehicle Energy

2008-03-12T16:59:00.000+07:00

by RG Crosby

The use of water as vehicle energy is one of the many alternatives to our dependency on petroleum products that must be investigated. If found to be a viable solution it should become mass marketed and used to its fullest extent. If we do not start creating, re-creating, or evaluating alternatives to the petroleum dependency that we are addicted to, this planet will not survive in its current state for the many generations to come. The time is now to make the changes necessary to assure that our children and our grandchildren do not have to pay for the habits and sins of their forefathers.
Using water as vehicle energy is not a new concept. In fact the automotive use of water for energy has been around for over 90 years, with patented devices that can actually separate water into a gas. This patented device, using a small amount of electricity out of your car or truck battery, can take regular water (H2O) and convert it into Hydroxy (HHO), also called Brown's Gas. This conversion provides a lot of energy, burns very efficiently, and is much more environmentally safe than total use of petroleum products that are polluting the earth today. The end product remains - water!

The first internal combustion engines were introduced over 200 years ago and used hydrogen as a fuel. The idea of gasoline had not even been conceived yet. Many patents had been applied for, obtained, and then forgotten. And yes, you can build a hydrogen-on-demand system yourself, using information from the Internet and the U.S. Patent Library. But let's face it - you'll have to filter mountains of old US patents, read thousands of pages and diagrams, go through months or years of backyard tests, road tests, and heavy expenses on tooling and materials. Or you can purchase one of the newest manuals on how to apply this concept more cheaply and easier than researching for yourself.
Mobile Magazine says: HHO provides the atomic power of hydrogen, while maintaining the chemical stability of water. Another interesting fact is that pound for pound HHO gas is 3 times more potent than gasoline! HHO is a fast growing trend for boosting performance and total miles per gallon (MPG) in converted vehicles.
We must turn the clock back. We must eliminate harmful exhaust emissions that pollute the environment and contribute to global warming. Reducing petroleum demand and our economic dependency on it is an imperative. Water is available nearly everywhere and we need very little of it for the family car or company truck if we converted to the water. An added benefit would be reducing engine operating temperatures which would also help to prevent global warming. The cleaner burning fuel will add water and oxygen into the atmosphere instead of the amount of fossil fuel now polluting it.
As a world that is becoming so much smaller due to ever-expanding technology, we need - as a combined community of humans - to use the information we have and the capability for research to benefit our future generations and save this planet that has taken such good care of us. The time is now, the need is immense, and we must work together if we are to survive. A good place to start could be using water as vehicle energy and proving to others that there are alternatives to the over-consumption and pollution of our natural resources.

Finding alternatives to the plundering of our planet must become the most pressing issue of our society today. We all need to do our part. I'll start at http://powerupnow.blogspot.com
Cleaning your body and becoming more healthy will assist you in your efforts to improve the planet also at http://thenanas2cents.blogspot.com

The 2009 ZR1 Corvette - The King Of The Hill

2008-03-10T23:35:00.000+07:00

by David Atkin

Chevrolet plans to release a new corvette in 2009, well not exactly new, it's and upgraded version of the ZR1 corvette from the 1980's, and when I say up graded I mean up graded, more power, better handling, more comfortable, well yo get the idea, this car is the king of the hill, the best of the best that Chevrolet has to offer.
With it's supercharged LS9 engine it is putting out about 650 horsepower, making it the most powerful car built by Chevrolet for a long long time, and making the corvette set salivate, waiting with anticipation, chomping at the bit ready for something new, and this is just what the doctor ordered for a corvette freak.
With more then enough power to satisfy the most power hungry corvette freak, and the euro styling of the new corvette, it will no doubt be a huge seller, and no doubt be unbeatable by any stock muscle car on the market, yes I said any, and that includes the Viper, being as how the corvette can already hold it's own against the Viper.
Chevrolet has dropped the displacement of the engine down to 6.2 liters, and added another 149 horsepower, obviously this will not be a cheap car, it's not going to be a car for a person that makes $30,000 per year, it will be in the low to mid $100,000 dollar range, making it out of the budget of a normal person.

With all the technology that Chevrolet is throwing at this car, it's no wonder that it will not be cheap, I have to give them "CUDOS" for building such a cool car, it's just like that old days, when Chevrolet was the top dog, they are on their way to being the king again.
To put all that power to the ground, in a manor that won't have you fish tailing all over the road Chevrolet has added Michelin Pilot Sport 285/30ZR19s at the front of this monster, and at the rear the awesome power of this engine is being distributed by way of Michelin Pilot Sport 335/25ZR20s, this car has the stance of a muscle car, but will handle like a sports car making it the only choice for a true American muscle car guy or girl.
The ZO6 corvette had a very stiff suspension, making it difficult to drive quickly on the road, whereas the new corvette ZR1 will use some euro tech known as magneto-rheological dampers, like the Ferrari 599, the fluid in these units is filled with iron particles and the viscosity can be instantly changed by varying an electric current passing through it, ride sensors in the car take measurements every 0.001 seconds, and translate the information to the dampers every 0.002 seconds, adjusting the firmness of the ride to handle the corners much better then a stock mechanical system would.
With a six speed gear box, and Ferrari disc brakes at all four corners, stopping should be no problem either, as you well know, what speeds up must at one time on another slow down, and the brakes and transmission are just as important as the engine is to your safety, the brake rotors are made for a carbon ceramic composite, the Ferrari Enzo used these brakes on the front wheels, the corvette will use them at all four corners.
The Tremec 6060 will handle the power distribution from the engine to the road, and to show off a bit of it's new attitude, the speedometer will move for a 200 mph unit in the ZO6 Corvette, and a new 220 mph unit in the all new ZR1, with all of this awesome technology, it will be a car lovers dream come true, all that power and grace in a Chevrolet corvette, not a Porsche, not any euro car, the corvette, and American built sports car, yes I said American.
· Muscle Car Community
· Automotive Advertisement"
· Muscle Cars For Sale

I've been in the automotive business for about 20 or 25 years, I have worked in all facets of the industry, from parts to restoration, all different makes and models, I just want to keep people interested in the old cars because it's where my heart is.
http://autorevival.com.

How to Make Car Run on Only Water - WaterForGas Review

2008-03-04T23:13:00.000+07:00

by Judd Marshall

Is it really true that cars can run on water? How is it done? I remember back when I first discovered that cars can be powered by water, none of the people I spoke to believed me. I had found out about this water car technology after purchasing a guide from the internet.
Most people are not convinced that cars can get enough energy from water to run. This article will explain how this water fuel technology works, and how you can have own car running on water too.
1. Can A Car Really Run On Water?
Yes it is certainly possible, but you will need to build a system that can allow your car to do this. But it is impossible yet to run your car on water only, but it is doable with a mixture of water and gasoline.
This system can be built easily at home, and will only require a few easy-to-find parts that you probably already have or can find in any hardware store.

2. How Does This Technology Work?
To run your car on water, your car needs to be able to separate water molecules. With a process called electrolysis, water is split and a gas called Brown Gas can be obtained from it. This is the gas that is then combusted to produce energy to run your vehicle.
3. What Are The Benefits Of Using Water Instead Of Gasoline?
The biggest benefit is that we can all stop being slaves to gasoline. When we can run our automobiles on a mixture of water of gasoline, we can go to the gas pump less frequently and save up tremendously on fuel costs.
Brown Gas extracted from water will wear down your vehicle mechanics slower than gasoline does. With gasoline combustion, your engine parts and mechanics can wear down very quickly. HHO gas also burns more cleanly than gasoline, thus it is also more environmentally friendly.
Are you sick of expensive gas prices, and you want to have your own water powered car? Click Here to Download Step-By-Step Guides that teach you how to modify your car at http://www.review-best.com/water-powered-car-guides.htm now!

Police Repossessed Cars for Sale

2008-02-25T16:18:00.000+07:00

by Charlene Nuble

When you are looking for great car buys, don't forget to research about police repossessed cars for sale. Majority of these cars have been seized or impounded from a police raid or drug bust operation.
These repossessed cars are very much ideal if you are on a tight budget. They normally cost less than their actual value. In fact, you can enjoy a total 90 percent off the original price. But then again, before you jump for joy and buy the first repossessed car you lay your eyes on, there are certain things that you need to know.
First of all, you have to make sure that the cars don't have any problems in their engines or in any other car parts. Remember, even if they are very cheap, you don't like to waste your money on something not worth it in the first place. It may be wise to bring an expert with you, like an auto mechanic, if you're not really familiar on the components.

Moreover, it's not only the motor that you need to check. Too many police really don't have much time checking on the cars for sale. So make sure that you have also monitored underneath the carriage and the bumpers and hoods for any dents or rust.
Indeed, it pays to be very vigilant with your police repossessed cars for sale It's not like you don't trust them. It's simply ensuring that you can get the most out of your investment, even if they are already used.

A Used Car Buyers Guide Can Give Essential Advice

2008-01-29T17:26:00.000+07:00

by Louis Rix

A specialist motoring website will offer those who are looking to buy a second hand vehicle, a used car buyers guide. This is by way of giving essential information relating to all aspects of buying a used car from finding the car of your dreams to finding the finance to purchase it.
The search engine is the number one tool when actually finding your used car. This will allow you to make a search with what could be thousands of cars in their database. By putting in your exact criteria you can narrow down the choices to those cars which you are interested in. You are able to search by make, model, area and how much you are willing to pay. Once you have found the car you are interested in you can then turn to the other tools and information a specialist will provide.
As part of a specialist used car buyers guide they will offer those looking to buy a used car the chance to find out all they can about the car they are considering buying. This will be by way of reviews and articles. Car reviews will give you an idea of the car overall, how it handles and any known problems associated with that particular make and model. This is the best possible way to get an insight into the car you are considering and can help you to decide if this would be a good choice for you.

If you want to be absolutely sure that the vehicle you are considering is totally above board then the data check aspect of a used car buyers guide is essential. For a fee this will tell the individual such facts as whether or not the car has been involved in an accident and the insurance company have paid out, if the vehicle was stolen, how many times the car has changed hands and how many miles should be on the clock. This is the only sure and safe way of buying a used car online or otherwise.
If you need a used car loan in order to buy the car then you will be able to find the information right there on a specialist's site. They will give information on all aspects of used car finance and will even be able to find the loan for you on your behalf. A specialist is able to search with the whole of the marketplace to make sure that they find you the cheapest rates of interest and best deal possible for your circumstances which you can then compare.
While a specialist website will offer a used car buyers guide it is down to the individual to amass the information and advice it gives and put it to good use. While the majority of those who sell used cars online are genuine and a bargain can be found, you can also meet those who are less ethical. Always be on guard when it comes to actually looking the car over and taking it for a test drive and do not forget the advice you learned.
Louis Rix is a Director of NetCars, one of the UK's leading motoring websites. First established in January 2000, it provides a Used Car and New car search. NetCars also provide finance, loans and insurance.

Some Tips For Getting A Great Deal On A Used Car

2008-01-24T09:57:00.000+07:00

by Terry Bolton

You can get an excellent deal on a used car with a lot of life left in it if you're willing to put some effort into the search process and take a few precautions along the way. One of the main keys to getting an excellent deal on a used car is to buy from a party more interested in getting rid of or replacing the used car than interested in making a profit off it. Most of the time getting an excellent deal on a used car means not buying from a used car dealer, except when the dealer has had a particular car on the lot for a very long time.
Tip #1: Consider Used Cars From Rental Agencies
A lot of people recommend not buying a used car from rental agencies. They believe people who rent cars treat them poorly. But, that may not be good advice. While renters have been known to treat rental cars poorly, it does not happen often. Further, rental agency used cars' engines are usually maintained better than privately owned cars as they are put through constant maintenance during use.

Tip #2: Look Online For Used Cars
The used cars that you see advertised in the newspaper are a small sample of the number of used cars available throughout the U.S. This is mainly due to geographical limitations. Newspapers and other periodicals with classified ads serve a market within limited geography. Search for used cars online at sites such as UsedCars.com and CarsDirect.com. You will likely find a better deal on a great used car since you have many more from which to choose.
Tip #3: Get A Vehicle History Report
If you are buying a used car, you must get a history report on that vehicle. If you fail to get the history, you could be buying a car that has any number of serious issues that could come back to haunt you. When you have found a likely candidate for purchase, get the car's VIN number and visit Experian.com. They get most of their data about used vehicles from dealers and repair shops. This is the only way to find out if a car has been in a major accident, sustained irreparable damage due to flooding, frame damage, leaks, etc.
Tip #4: Consider Buying From A Private Party
Many people buy used cars from car dealers. But, there are many great deals waiting in the driveways of private sellers. Often, you can get a better deal by buying a used car from a private party than a dealer because there is no middleman involved in the transaction. When you find a used car from a private seller, get the VIN number and run a car title search through Experian.com. That way, you will know the history of the car, its true value and any room you may have to negotiate.
Finally, don't be hesitant to pay a mechanic to look over the car for you before you make your purchase decision. The mechanic may not see everything, but he will be able to pick out things you wouldn't pick out. A clean bill of health from a mechanic is not a guarantee, but it is really the best way to certify that you have gotten an excellent deal on a used car.
To learn about how to find cheap used cars as well as used car loans at low rates, in more depth, check out these links.

3 Tips for Finding Classic Car Parts

2008-01-08T16:09:00.000+07:00

by Pam Eisenberg

Many people truly appreciate the beauty and historical value of a classic car, but it usually takes a lot to maintain. One of the major problems involves finding the right classic car parts.
As classic cars are no longer being manufactured, it is obvious very difficult to find their parts. When a car owner does find a part, it may not always be appropriate for their cars or may come at a very expensive price. Even if they do manage to buy the right piece, they have to exert even more effort to look for people who actually know how to install the parts.
Having talked about all the difficulties, this article is about to show you some great tips for locating the right parts for your classic car:
Look for a Special Mechanic
Believe it or not, there are mechanics and repair shops that specialize only in classic cars. If you are serious about maintaining your car, then you should take the time to locate these shops. Some of the more advanced shops are already on the internet so you can easily look them up and compare them with one another before picking one. Sometimes though, classic car repair shops may not be found near your area.

Look for Parts Online
You are able to find classic car parts online, if you are a fairly good mechanic yourself and would simply like to look for the right parts to install. Some merchants may put up parts for sale on public ad pages, auctions, car club websites and personal websites.
Be careful though. It is important that you should have more than average knowledge about what you are looking for exactly. You should also have some experience at online shopping. The online world is notorious for having just as many bad merchants as there are good ones. You could easily get tricked or ripped off.
Join Classic Car Forums and Groups
Before you buy just any classic car parts, make sure you ask for the opinions of some car enthusiasts. You can find many of them in online forums and groups. Some of them may even have their very own informational website or blog. Why not sign-up with these helpful forums and sites? Many of its members can offer you the right tips on just any car topics and may even be able to point you to the right mechanics you should be seeing.
As said, it is not easy to find classic car parts, but I hope you at least have some ideas about where to start after reading this article. Remember to always be meticulous and careful, you might just waste your money and effort on a wrong part.

You Should Buy Japanese Performance Car Parts In Japan

2007-11-29T10:03:00.000+07:00

by Michael Sands

I'm sure you would have released by now how expensive performance car parts are, but what if you could get your hands on top of the line car parts without having to sell your limbs to afford them. Most of the time its not the actual product that costs a fortune, it’s the mark-up that retailers add on to all of the prices. Japanese Car part retailers can do this because there is a lot of demand for performance car parts.

So how do you get performance car parts for cheaper? Easy, you go straight to the source. Cut out the retailer and get your car parts straight from Japan. Buying Japanese performance car parts straight from japan can save up to 60% on popular items.

Getting the exact item you are looking for is also easier if you buy It in japan. Below are just some of them top end performance car parts you can get direct from Japan:

# Computers
# Bucket seats
# Cams
# Cam gears
# Pistons
# Connecting rods
# Boost controllers
# Coilovers
# And much more

Some of the brand names you can get from Japan are:

# Apexi Power FC
# Blitz boost controllers
# Tomei cams
# HKS turbos
# Recaro seats
# Greddy turbo timers
# Nardi steering wheels

The list goes on and on. The point is, if you want to save on performance car parts you should NOT buy the parts from your local distributor. You should buy them from Japan.

To learn more about how to buy performance car parts in Japan look at http://www.importjapcarparts.com

You will get direct instructions to buy performance car parts in japan and have them imported right to your front door.

Buy performance car parts in Japan with http://www.importjapcarparts.com.

Your Second Hand Car Search Can Be Made Easier With A Specialist Website

2007-11-29T10:02:00.002+07:00

by Louis Rix

Your quest for a second hand car can be made a whole lot easier if you go to a specialist website to do your second hand car search. Finding the second hand car of your dreams will take you a lot less time if you choose to search from a specialist website than it would if you went around car lots and dealerships.

The biggest advantage to shopping online with the view to buying a second hand car is that you can cut down the searching you have to do drastically. All specialist sites will have a search feature and this is the same as using any of the popular search engines with you web browser, the only difference is that this specialises just in used cars.

You are able to make a search online for the exact type and model of car that you wish to buy, even search by colour and any other special requirements. You can choose the radius of your search if you only want to travel a short distance locally and whether you want to buy from private buyers or dealers.

While this is the quickest way of narrowing down your search for your used car of course there are some drawbacks, one of the main ones being that you cannot actually see the car in front of you. However, you do have the option of looking at images of the cars which does at least give you something to go on. Along with the photographs information is given and you have the option of contacting the seller for viewing or more information.

Your second hand car search can be made a whole lot easier, all from the comfort of your own home without having to leave your chair thanks to specialist websites in second hand car searches.

Your Guide To Buying A Used Car

2007-11-29T10:02:00.001+07:00

by Chris Rowlands

Buying a car for many can be an arduous process, if you’ve ever spent your weekend visiting garage after garage in the hope of finding you dream car you can probably appreciate what I mean. Of course there are other ways to find your next car and if you intend on buying brand new then you will probably find the whole experience a lot more enjoyable and considerably easier. For this guide we will centre on buying a second hand car as this is the more difficult of the two choices.

First of all you will need to decide what make and model of car you are interested in. You may find it best to choose a couple of different options so as to make your search easier. Once you have decided on the car/s you’ll be looking for you can choose your search method. Traditional methods include the previously mentioned scouring of local and sometimes national car garages in the hope of finding your perfect drive. Of course you then have options such as the classified ads in your local newspaper and certain magazines listing private car sales.

Once you’ve scoured the pages of these publications and after hopefully finding a few contenders, you can plan to go and see the vehicles in question to see if they meet your approval. Of course nowadays you have the much easier solution of using an online car classifieds site. Some of you may have heard of certain scams sellers have fallen foul of on older versions of these sites.

Here it is best to use your common sense; if you are approached by a buyer asking to send you a bankers draft on behalf of their client in another country, for the full asking price, then it really is too good to be true.

With the latest breed of private car sale listing site you should find it an easy process to either sell or buy a car with much of the hassle taken out of the equation for you.

Once you have found your perfect match and have made the journey to view it you should ask to see the owner’s documents and service history. This will tell you what condition the car you are buying is in and confirm that the mileage is accurate. If you can find a friend who is car maintenance savvy you will be able to make sure the car is in good condition.

You should check the bodywork for signs of rust, the wear of the brakes and the condition of the tyres as an initial check. Always take the car for a test drive as this will give you an idea of the condition and help you to make the all important decision of whether you actually find the car enjoyable to drive. Don’t forget to listen for any unusual engine or body noise whilst driving as this could indicate a serious problem. If you decide you are interested in purchasing the car you should then carry out a more thorough check of the engine and bodywork to ensure the vehicle has not been in an accident and repaired.

Regardless of whether you are purchasing through a dealer or buying privately, I would still recommend checking every aspect of the car thoroughly before committing to buy. I strongly recommend purchasing a vehicle HPI (Hire purchase information) check as this will tell you if any finance is outstanding against the vehicle and if it has been damaged or stolen in the past.

Bearing this information in mind you should have no problem finding the car of your dreams and ensuring you get a good deal.

Use of an online car classifieds site can greatly reduce the time and effort you spend in looking for your next car.

Private car sale listing sites can make it easy to sell or purchase a car.

Wizards Car Polish, Is It Better Than Wax? Product Reviews

2007-11-29T10:01:00.000+07:00

by Ben Nunzio

Many folks truly do not understand the differences between car polish, and car wax. Within the context of this article, I will try and explain in simple terms, why I believe that you should POLISH your car, boat, or motorcycle, instead of waxing it. I will further try and point out some very valid reasons as to WHY I feel you are also much better off POLISHING your car, boat, motorcycle with a product like Wizards Shine Master, which is a professional quality car, boat, motorcycle polish, as opposed to waxing it. This particular product, is actually one of today's best kept secrets. The debate has raged on for many years, amongst professionals as well as amateurs, whether you should polish your car, boat, motorcycle, or only apply wax to it. On any given day, you can visit one of thousands of car and or motorcycle enthusiasts web forums, and find a heated discussion with regards to this very subject. Well to be quite honest with you, some of the stances in these discussions I find rather amusing and misleading to say the very least. Let's take a further look. When using a wax on your car's paint, most people either apply it too light or too heavy, which can cause excessive streaking, and caking up of the wax. Many people also just keep applying wax to their car instead of taking the old wax off first. This also has a tendency to cause a buildup of wax, which can leave your ride's paint looking terrible. My main beef with wax is that is usually starts to yellow out after a while. This can lead to your car, motorcycle, or boat having an ugly yellowish tint to its paint. Not good in my opinion. Many waxes also harden which does not allow the paint to breathe properly, again, not a good thing. The above are just a few of the reasons why I prefer Wizards detailing polishes, instead of any wax on the market. Many auto-body shops use this very product as a final detailing preparation, before releasing the recently repaired vehicle to the owner. Shine master actually seals the paint, but it also allows it to breathe properly. It is easy to apply and remove, and it leaves an unremarkable shine to your paint. It also protects and shines better than wax, without washing away. Many show car owners also use this polish for the reason that it works, and it works very well.
"Mak it Shine, with Wizards!"

Why Should I Purchase My Auto Insurance Online?

2007-11-29T10:00:00.001+07:00

by Tim Gorman

If you're interested in slashing your auto insurance bill in half then there's no reason why you shouldn't consider purchasing auto insurance online. Buying your auto insurance online is extremely easy and very convenient. The process is fast and only requires filling out a simple form. The best part is you can receive multiple quotes from several different auto insurance providers from the privacy of your own home. You can even search for a new money saving car insurance policy in your pajamas if desire to do so.

Many experts agree that most consumers overpay on their insurance policies due to a lack of shopping around. This includes vehicular insurance. Additionally they overwhelmingly endorse purchasing auto insurance online due to the ability to start your insurance application, save it, and finish later if you get pressed for time. If you're concerned about the cost associated with receiving multiple insurance quotes don't be. By applying online you can get multiple free car insurance quotes from one application. You're also never under any obligation to accept any insurance quote provided - even if it saves you money.

As far as the drawbacks to purchasing auto insurance online there aren't many. Obviously you'll have to have access to a computer with an Internet connection and around 30 minutes of free time depending on the number of free insurance quotes you wish to receive. Keep in mind before accepting any quote that you could qualify for a bigger discount from your current auto insurance provider if you carry multiple insurance policies with them. For instance a combination of car, home and life insurance may cost less as a group when compared to purchasing individually.

It's only natural to have concerns with the privacy of the information the insurance company requires you to fill out on their quick quote provider form. However rest assured that any information you provide is kept secure with encryption technology and will not be released to anyone else to include other insurance providers unless you agree to allow it. You can also feel comfortable in knowing that your credit score won't be affected by applying for free auto insurance quotes online.

After you've found a quote that you like purchasing auto insurance online allows you to either accept the quote right then and there or you can opt to receive the rate provided in the mail. Either way you're guaranteed to save money. A word of caution, make sure the information you provide on the insurance application is correct. Even the smallest errors can adversely affect the money saving rate that is provided.

Probably the most difficult choice will be which online auto insurance provider to choose from in order to receive your free quotes. Look for a company that has excellent customer service reviews and offers a simple application process that provides multiple money saving quotes. Finally don't forget to check and make sure that they can actually provide an insurance quote for the state you currently reside in.

Why America Should Buy Renault Cars

2007-11-29T09:59:00.000+07:00

by Graeme Claridge

Renault cars are among the safest in the world, if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident then you would be well served to be in a Renault. Renault cars were the very first car manufacturer in the world to offer a car for sale that achieved 5 stars in the Euro N-Cap safty tests, they did it with the Laguna which as well as being safe, also has incredible style, in fact, as far as the present model is concerned, I think it is gorgeous, I did actually nearly buy one but the wife wanted a new kitchen so half of my car budget went on that, I ended up with a year 2000 Honda Accord automatic which is now in the shop for a new transmission.

There are many models available in the Renault range from the small but excellent Modus right up to the Espace, an eight seat living room on wheels with all the latest modern features such as individual passenger climate control and all of the cars in the Renault range are incredibly safe and if you opt for a diesel, the 1.9 dci engine is incredibly frugal so you will get excellent fuel economy.

If America wants a great deal the Americans should buy Renault cars, it's all well and good being patriotic and buying your home built product but lets face it, Europe builds a far better car and Renault build some of the best, if not the safest cars in Europe.

Where to Get Parts for Your Mercedes Benz

2007-11-29T09:58:00.002+07:00

by John Mancini

You have arrived. You own a Mercedes Benz. You know quality and class; you also know that you have no desire to replace parts in your car with generic parts. However, just because you own a Mercedes, does not mean that you want to spend more than you have to for authentic parts.
Mercedes Benz specific sites also offer other advantages. Most sites will have at least one photo of the item you are looking for as well as reviews from past purchasers. Some of the sites will have directions regarding the installation of parts as well as their removal. Some sites will offer merchandize at a discount or with free shipping in exchange for your business.

If there is a car club in your area, they can also be a great source of knowledge. The people in the clubs are car enthusiasts; they love to help people out when it involves a vehicle. The club members may even be willing to help you, if you want to do part replacements on your own. Happy hunting!

The next place that people turn to when looking for parts is the internet. The internet has so much information floating around that it can be difficult to pinpoint the information you are searching for. The best place to start your search for parts online is to look for Mercedes Benz specific sites these sites often contain forums. Forums are generally populated with like-minded people, each with varying degrees of expertise with Mercedes Benz. One thing that most of these people will have in common is the willingness to help you locate what you are looking for; they may even be able to provide instructions on how to install the part, if you are the hands on type.

The first place that most people think of when its time to replace a part in their vehicle is the dealership where they originally purchased it. While this is an excellent choice, it is also the most expensive. Its expensive for a reason, the parts are genuine and the mechanics are experienced. If you happen to be a hands on type of owner, you may want to install the part yourself; however, if you are not, there is no one better to install a replacement part than the dealer.

What You Need To Know When Buying New Rims

2007-11-29T09:58:00.001+07:00

by Bob Martin

Shopping for new wheels can either be a frustrating experience or it can be rewarding one. If you follow these suggestions, it will be fun, rewarding and you'll save a lot of leg-work and money.

Are you looking to spice up your ride with a set of new rims? When you have a vehicle that you're proud of, its only natural that you want it to look the best it can look.

And there's no better way to jazz up your vehicle than by giving it new rims.

There's a few things that you should know before you go out looking for new rims. And you'll want to keep a couple of things in mind.

Where Do I Go Shopping For New Rims?

You have many options:

* you can go down to your local auto dealer
* you can look in on a specialty auto after market store
* you can stop in at a tire/wheel retailer

You'll be able to find some rims....you may even be lucky enough to have a fairly good selection to choose from.

But if you're looking for a really great selection of unique rims to choose from, then you need to look online. Shopping online offers you a whole new world of choices.

When you shop online, you aren't limited to just what the retailers in your area have to offer you. Now you can shop for rims in every store, in every town, in every state, in every country. As long as they have a website.

Why Is A Wide Selection Important?

It's important to have a wide range of choices when you're buying new wheels because you want your vehicle to look unique and you want rims that fit your particular vehicle.

Online you'll see a huge selection of styles and brands in chrome and alloy.

However, if you're one of those people looking for something really special, you'll find colored wheels, rims with colored lug nuts, rims with lights in them and even wheels with "diamonds" on them.

What Do I Need To Know When I Buy Online?

Look for a site that offers reviews. Many online merchants will provide customer feedback so that you can see how people feel about their decision to order from the site.

Shipping cost can be a concern for some people shopping online. However, some online stores offer free shipping direct to your door. We know of one that will ship to your installer if you prefer.

But be careful. Some online merchants require that you buy tires from them as well in order to get free shipping.

As with anything that you buy online, be sure to only shop on a website that is secure. You'll have to give your credit card info, or us an online payment system such as PayPal, so make sure that the site provides a secure shopping cart before giving your personal information.

What Else Do I Need To Know?

Obviously, you'll need to know what size you need. This information will be in your vehicle user manual. If you don't have the manual just go to a tire store or car dealer and ask for their help. You'll find them more than accommodating.

Why Should I Buy New Rims?

Some people buy new rims to jazz up the appearance and make their vehicle look sexy. Others buy after market wheels to improve the performance of their vehicle. When you get a mix of appearance and performance in your rims you can actually improve gas mileage as well as the handling of your vehicle.

Alloy wheels may actually reduce wear and tear on your brakes. Alloy rims reduce the heat that results during braking.

And lastly, unique and sexy wheels will definitely add value when it comes time to sell.

So, remember, buying new wheels can be fun and you can save a lot of money by shopping online.

What To Look For When Buying Cars Online

2007-11-29T09:57:00.002+07:00

by Dr. Drew Henry

Ten years ago, you would be laughed at if you were to tell someone that people would buy cars without first inspecting them in person. Well, today thousands of people are buying cars on the internet through sites like eBay, without ever physically coming in contact with their cars before the purchase!
Let's face it: The internet is a hassle free place to shop for cars. There are many advantages to shopping cars online. When buying a car online, you don't have to listen to a dealer talk about the specs of a car. You just have to read all about it in a website. You don't have to go to a showroom, you just to have to point and click your mouse and you could browse through different make and models of cars. And if you want to take a second look at a car it's very easy.

Furthermore, transactions can be done without you having to go out of your room. After ordering the car you want and paying the price, all you have to do is to wit for your brand new vehicle to be delivered to the nearest dealer. Some dealers would even deliver the car right at your doorstep.

Depending on the sites you are visiting, the method in which they sell cars to you will differ. Some websites will only get you in touch with a real car seller. This means you have to transact the traditional way. Then there are websites that would take car of everything. Some websites would even deliver the car at your doorstep. Of course this would mean a bigger amount of service fee.

However, before you decide to buy a car online, you must first know exactly what kind of car you want. How? By determining the types of car you're looking for and the price you are willing to pay for that car.

Below are some helpful tips for buying cars online:

1. Make sure it's safe. Make sure that the website you go to is secure and reliable. Most sites would let you browse by car type, by price range or both.

2. Research carefully. The most important thing to do is to research. Don't get too excited. Check on the different packages available.

3. Read Third Party Reviews. Read reviews about the different make, model and year of cars. A good website must also have reviews and ratings for the cars they are selling. But you should also cross check by visiting independent car sites or sites that do not sell cars or are connected to car companies to get a more objective review.

4. Ask yourself what features are important to you. Do you give much ore importance to fuel efficiency than speed or vice versa? Are you more concerned about safety features than a good sound system? After you've done all these, it's time to determine your budget. Just how much are you willing to spend for a vehicle?

5. Check on the history of the particular car line. You can easily do this by consulting consumer magazines and websites. You could also check out the website of the car's manufacturer.

6. See if you can meet the seller offline. If you don't want to make all transactions online then you could ask the dealer to meet you in person once you found him on the Internet. Upon meeting the dealer, negotiate with him as you would a normal car dealer and then sign the papers.

7. Do a detailed background check of the website or person you are about to buy from. It is advisable to buy only from websites which has detailed information about the vehicles they are selling. Ask if they have conducted inspections of each car in their lot through independent mechanics. If they have, then you'll know that that website is a good place to shop for cars.

By following the above tips and always being aware that you are dealing with a legitimate, trustworthy seller, buying cars on the internet can in fact be a fun and rewarding experience. Now, who says you have to visit your local car dealer to buy a car?

What Actually Happens During An OBDII Emissions Inspection

2007-11-29T09:57:00.001+07:00

by Henry Cipolla

I have seen many people talk about OBD-II emissions tests on various web forums. Often with a puzzled: “I failed readiness!” or “Do I have to do an OBD-II test on my 1994 vehicle?” Since OBD-II has replaced or will replace sniffer tests for 96 and newer vehicles in most states, I thought I’d dump some introductory information about OBD-II emissions tests for people. I don’t get into the details about OBD-II, the various protocols, or how to tune an OBD-II vehicle here. Only what to expect in the emissions process.

First, some really quick background: California required emissions control systems (Catalytic converters) on cars sold in California starting the 1966 model year. This was adopted across the US in 1968, and eventually became the Clean Air Act of 1970 which required emissions standards that were hard for manufacturers to meet. Ultimately, car makers found that switching to electronically controlled engine management allowed them to meet these demands. These electronics became more sophisticated and more standardized as time went on, and now we have a standard protocol (OBD-II) that all these computers adhere to.

Today: Many States, California, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, Washington, New Hampshire, and on and on have mandatory emissions inspections in some or all counties. Typically this is used as part of the car registration and renewal process. Up until 2000, this just meant popping the car on a dyno, sticking a sniffer in the tailpipe and measuring what percentage of the air coming out of the vehicle is clean. However, in 2000 the EPA started pushing an “OBD-II emissions test” and many states adopted it, or are in the process of adopting it.

An OBD-II test consists of the emissions computer plugging into the OBD-ii port on the car (usually under the dash or hidden behind the cigarette lighter) and asking the car’s computer whether the emissions equipment on the vehicle is working within the required efficiency limits. This is advantageous over the sniffer because its much faster, more consistent (in theory) and harder for those of us that like fast cars to just jury rig a huge catalytic converter the morning before inspection in order to pass with flying colors in our fire-spitting vicious mobiles

The way OBD-II tests actually work, is pretty simple. The car’s ECU waits for a set of conditions that are representative of normal driving and then checks the values of a few sensors to make sure that under that condition the equipment is working exactly as it should. Typically it examines systems such as the catalytic converter, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), and the evaporative emissions. It stores these results internally and the computer just queries for these results at inspection time. The inspection machine also checks the computer to see if any error codes are set, and if the check engine light (also know as a Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)) is set. If the tester determines that the emissions equipment is in order, there are no internal errors which the car didn’t see fit to tell you about and the check engine light is not on, the car is given a pass without needing any further emissions related tests.

For the car to definitively say that the vehicle is in working order it needs to examine its systems for a set number of “driving cycles”. Driving cycles are defined differently for different car companies. For some a driving cycle is the time between when the key is first turned on, until it is turned off. For others, it is any 10 minute period of non-idle driving, etc. This is where the concept of readiness is introduced. When the vehicle’s ECU is reset for any reason (replacement, low battery, faulty sensors, etc) it resets the ‘readiness monitors’ inside the ECU. These are a number of flags that determine whether or not the car is prepared to validate the condition of the emissions systems. The vehicle then must be driven for a preset number of drive cycles to give the ECU all the information it needs to get out of the unready state and actually test the emissions systems.

If a car is inspected while it is not ready, the car will return ‘not ready’ to the inspection computer. On cars sold between 1996 and 2000 an emissions test is considered a fail if any 2 of the emissions systems return not ready. On later vehicles, you are only allowed one not ready. The typical remedy for failing readiness is to drive the car around for up to 500 miles and trying the test again. After that, if you still fail, a dealer or somebody with factory diagnosis equipment is required to force the vehicle to run the emissions tests regardless of readiness.

Modified Cars: OBD-II represents a problem for cars with modified emissions systems. In the past, you could just keep the factory exhaust in a corner of your garage and slap it on for inspection, but now the electric tattle-tails will still catch you. You can use a datalogger, such as the car-code logger: http://www.obd-2.com/ to check whether your car has passed readiness and thinks it is in an emissions happy state. This is of course for use with off-road only vehicles only.

A common problem for modified cars is secondary o2 sensors. Part of the OBD-II tests involves determining the efficiency of catalytic converter (or pre-cat catalytic converters) by checking the value of the oxygen sensors which are located after the cat. If your off-road vehicle does not have this equipment the vehicle will likely fail. A common solution for this problem is to install an oxygen sensor simulator which gives the car’s ECU a false signal that mimics what it is expecting to see so it thinks everything is in order. A quick internet search for “o2 simulator” will return further information on this topic.

Finally, remember that you will need to drive the car a lot of miles to get readiness to pass. In some extreme cases over 1000 miles is required. So if you are planning on taking the car down for a few months in order to do a long project, and your time for inspection is coming up you are better off getting the vehicle inspected before taking it off the road and resetting the ECU.

Want a GPS ? Read the GPS reviews !

2007-11-29T09:56:00.000+07:00

by David C Skul

If you are interested in acquiring a GPS device, a car GPS, op a PDA GPS, or maybe if you only want to see what the latest devices have to offer, the best thing to do is to search the Internet for GPS reviews, and you'll find an extremely large number of offers that can help you select the device that will best suit your needs.

The easiest and most tempting thing is to type the GPS reviews keyword in a search engine and visit the first sites of GPS reviews that the search engine returns, but my advice is to carefully read and select the information from the many sites and materials that you'll find. This way, you can make sure that you'll get the best GPS for you at the lowest price.

If you don't know too much about GPS devices (Global Positioning System devices - small gadgets that can find your location anywhere on the planet), but want to purchase one, first you should know that there are many kinds of these devices, designed for many purposes (for example there are GPS devices designed for general and for special purposes), so find a GPS reviews site that contains the kind of device that you are looking for. There also are devices designed to work independently or toghether with a laptop, and the GPS reviews sites must cover both these categories. It would be best if together with the GPS reviews the sites also contain comparisons between devices, which can help you decide better on whay to buy

The prices of the GPS units You can find in the GPS reviews sites is ranging between one hundred and a few hundred dollars, but usually the cheapest devices are very simple, with no maps or buit-in memory inside. With something around four-five hundred dollars you can buy some of the most performant devices available.

So, the only thing left for you is make decision based on many the GPS reviews available, hoping that you'll find exactly what you need at the best price!

Volvo V40: Holding Up to Volvo Values

2007-11-29T09:55:00.002+07:00

by Kevin Anderson

This brand name and automobile manufacturer's name means "I roll" in Latin, and yes, it refers to Volvo. Volvo has been in the automotive industry for over seventy five years already and each and every design of Volvo vehicles has been guided by the company's concern for the well-being of people, as well as their safety. And through the years, this commitment to safety and well-being has grown and developed into Volvo's three core values which are safety, quality, and environmental care. With these Volvo core values intact and certainly made clear, Volvo approaches product development, design, and vehicle production with these core values in mind. This assures and guarantees owners of Volvo vehicles that the vehicle would be worth their while as well as they could be considered to be money worth spent.
One of the vehicles bearing the Volvo name, as well as the three Volvo core values, is the Volvo V40 which has been considered and measured to be the one of the safest wagons in its own class. This is all due to the included safety features for this vehicle that comprises of the Whiplash Protection Seating System (which is also known as WHIPS), the Side Impact Protection System (also dubbed as SIPS), and the Inflatable Curtains. These safety features have all become standard and not given as an option. Also, the other features that have been included for the Volvo V40 are ABS brakes, traction control, and dual-stage airbags.

The Volvo V40 holds two engine options which are the 1.8 liter and the 2.0 liter DOHC engine which has four cylinder motors. The Volvo V40 has a fuel consumption of around 9.3 liter per 100 kilometers during city driving and an averaged 6.0 liters per 100 kilometers for driving in the highway.

The last year for the Volvo V40 series was 2004. This had two trim levels which included the S40 sedan and the V40 wagon. Each of these is an entry-level model. The interior for the Volvo V40 sports a long roof and it definitely does not look like or feel like a traditional wagon. Also, space is something that the Volvo V40 has given quite grandly for the interior of this vehicle has great space. The cabin can take up a maximum passenger capacity of five people. Reviews have it that the interior of the Volvo V40 is both secure and comfortable. All of the trim levels made available feature the much coveted air conditioning, an automatic climate control, heated power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, a remote keyless entry system, and an AM/FM/CD player.

Listening to the market and responding to consumers' demands is what Volvo has been doing for years. Similarly, Volvo Parts and Car Parts goes into every detail so as to ensure that its Volvo auto parts are at its best when it reaches the customers.

Vehicle Braking Tests - Misinformation Everywhere

2007-11-29T09:55:00.001+07:00

by Christopher Wood

60-0 in 136 feet! Meaningless!

While browsing through a few old car magazines this morning, I was reminded of an old gripe I have with nearly every automotive publication out there. The effectiveness of brake upgrades (and brakes in general) is almost always misrepresented in testing -- everyone seems to quote 60-0 and 100-0 stopping distances or times, despite the fact that brake upgrades are virtually incapable of improving those statistics.

Fact: The tires are the limiting factor in single-stop deceleration performance

Almost any vehicle is equipped from the factory with brakes powerful enough to stop the car at the threshold of wheel lockup from 60 or even 100 mph. What this means is that a car with factory brakes will perform as well in single-stop tests as the same car with a $6000 brake upgrade. So what determines braking performance? The single most important factor in single-stop braking performance is the tires -- magazine braking tests are mostly measuring the tires and the surface they're rolling on.

So why do people spend thousands of dollars on high-performance brakes?

The function of performance brakes is actually heat management, and it takes pretty aggressive driving to expose the weaknesses of factory equipment in most cars -- much more aggressive than a single stop from sane speeds will reveal. Well-engineered brake upgrades are necessary to dissipate the heat generated in repeated stops. Large, wide rotors have an advantage in thermal mass and heat transfer from airflow through the central radial vent. Pad compound upgrades to otherwise stock brakes are effective at allowing the car to stop repeatedly in aggressive driving for two very good reasons:

1. A single aggressive stop from very high speeds is less likely to run the pad surface up to a temperature where its coefficient of friction drops.

2. Operating at higher temperatures dramatically increases the efficiency of radiant and convective heat transfer; the rate at which energy is dissipated skyrockets.

Why do some cars have a reputation for great stopping, even with modest tires?

Static and dynamic weight distribution are a very large factor (secondary to tires) in stopping performance. Because a tire's coefficient of friction decreases as it is loaded, it is most efficient to avoid excessive weight transfer. Porsche "Hand of God" brakes have little to do with the actual stopping parts themselves and more to do with having a very low, rearward-biased center of mass. When I hear a writer gush about an MR2 with stock brakes out-stopping a field of cars with expensive upgrades, leading the reader to believe that brakes are better left untouched, I can only wonder why they insist on wasting time and magazine space on "brake testing".

Next time you're reading your automotive publication of choice, especially one featuring upgraded vehicles, and the writer runs on about stopping distances and "big binders" (or whatever their cute phrase of the month is) you'll know to roll your eyes dismissively and ignore statistics for statistics' sake.

Used Car Reviews - Some Guidelines

2007-11-29T09:54:00.002+07:00

by Jay Bauder

Used Car Review

Buying a used car is not difficult. Here are some guidelines for you when considering purchasing a used car:

1. Window-shop around first before doing the final selection. Allot one day to visit a dealership to look around and test-drive the cars. Do not buy the first time you see a car. Once you get home, you can browse the Internet for the information regarding the car of your choice and how much it cost. Be sure to check the option prices, ratings for safety and other things that the dealer has not informed you.
2. Ask yourself how much you are willing to spend for that car before visiting a dealership. Consult first with your credit union personnel or personal banker before visiting the dealership. Tendency is the dealership might convince you buy a more expensive car.

3. Check the car before deciding on it. Be sure to have a checklist on the important things that you have to look at in used cars. Check the engine, the car body, and verify if there are transmission problems. Never buy a used car if you have not test driven it for yourself.

4. Avoid drinking coffee before you visit or when you are at the dealership. Coffee will make you too uneasy and impatient to look into details. It is recommended that you drink plenty of water instead to make you go to the restroom. This will break the tension and remove you from a situation that that the salesperson is already intimidating you.

5. Always follow your plan. Make sure that you have already decided what a fair deal for you is before you go to the dealership. If you do not have a target price, the sales representative will only declare a higher price. It is recommended that you already have an expected price of the car before going to the dealership.

6. Never make a deal if you are confused or disappointed with the car. Always think clearly since you are spending a large amount of money. There is nothing wrong with walking out if you feel that the price they gave you is not a fair deal.

7. Enjoy and have fun. Do not be stressed just for buying a car. As long as you are informed, patient and firm, then there is nothing to worry about. You will do fine and enjoy when buying your used car.

Used Car Auction - How To Buy Cars In Used Car Auctions

2007-11-29T09:54:00.001+07:00

by Ricky Lim

You are looking for a used car, SUV or truck but you can’t decide what to buy by just calling and talking to sales agent you find on online car sites or classified ads. You discovered that used cars coming directly from the dealers are quite expensive, just like you are buying new vehicle models. If your purpose is to look for a well functioned used car within affordable price, try your luck at any used car auction. At first, you can attend the auction to gather enough knowledge, and later you can join some of the biddings if you want.

There are various kinds of used car auctions. They can conduct auction houses depending on the place you are living with. This process demands for dealer’s license for you to join them in the car auction. Aside, it is also possible to have a general public auction for used cars. Mostly, auctions like these are held by large entities or companies open to the public.

Basic thing to consider is to look for used car auctions to attend and bid. Local newspapers positively have auction listings, a week before the auction schedule. Commonly, Sunday is the day where auction advertisements are printed. In fact, all of these can be seen under auction section or classified ads. There were instances that they can be found at the legal notices section of the newspaper.

Financial and bank institutions also conduct used car auctions, most especially for repossessed types. They can always be seen parked with signs at their respective areas or they are mentioned at every newsletter you received. However, if your bank does not advertise any auction at all, feel free to call them and ask their schedule so you can prepare.

If you are through with different auction schedules you wanted to attend, gather enough information as much as you can before attending them. When it’s your first time to attend the auction, planning not to bid first will really help you. Just observe and memorize the flow of the entire auction procedure.

Now, if you are already planning to bid on the next auction, try to research some important points not to fail your expectations. In short, know what kind of vehicles are being offered, year, model and of course their current condition. Using these ideas, you will be able to understand pricing guidelines on the vehicles you wanted to put your bid. This will also assist you not to purchase more expensive cars.

Along with your research, find out what you will need about auction houses to be used for the bidding, the least requirements of the bid, type of payments they required and how long it will take. Plus premium of all auctioneers, if there is any paper needed if you buy a vehicle on the auction.

There are auctions allowing vehicles to be taken by the highest bidder, while there are some that requires minimum amount to be received. Payments for the used cars being auctioned must be in the form of cash and check. Other legal funds are also accepted.

Knowing what to do and what to know about used car auctions can really help you find the best vehicle for you at a decent price.

Upfront Tips Before Going To A Repo Auto Auction

2007-11-29T09:53:00.000+07:00

by Anthony Lee

If you have been thinking of buying a car from a repo auto auction, then you need to start here because unlike buying from a new car dealer, there are certain important things you need to know about the vehicles up for sale and about the repo car auction itself. Things such as what to expect and what to do before you bid are two main points you need to be well aware of. For bidding at repo auto auction can be both simple and complicated, it is time to know first what you should to.

First, expect that all cars at repo auto auction may require some minor repairs here and there. They have already covered some thousands of miles so they may have minor mechanical problems that need immediate attention.

Speaking of market value, cars at repo auto auction is actually cheap. And if you are lucky enough, you can drive home a used car that is 90% of its actual market value. Who would not be willing to pay some extra bills for repairs at this price? Anyway, bidding at repo auto auction is not very difficult to master. All you need to do is to follow this set of tips.

Whether you are buying a car online or on site, you need to inspect the cars first. You should go to bidding location early and see all the cars on the lot. It is best if you take down notes and make some preliminary choices. If you have an idea of what are the cars up for auctions, make an online research about the current market value of these vehicles. This way, you can set your budget within the amount that you will not end up as spending more than what you should.

It is also wise if you bring to the auction a friend who knows about cars. An expert mechanic will give you much help as well since most auction sites do not allow test driving the car. Remember that you are bidding for the vehicle "as is" so there is no way you can detect if it has some problems on the road and thus, someone who can help you decide if it is worth bidding is pretty much a big factor.

If you are bidding at repo auto auctions online, be aware that you cannot request for a test drive before you bid but the CarFaxVIN is always available for you to check the history of the car. While there is a danger that the information given here is not accurate, you can settle with the fact that you are bidding for a car that is well under its current market value.

Whether or not you are bidding online or on site, always keep in mind to stay on your budget. Do not bid if you are uncertain about the car. Do not bid if you think the price is too much. And do not bid as if you are too desperate to own anything with wheels.

To search for repo auto auctions, visit http://www.repocarforsale.net.

Two Week Free Trial Not a Good Introductory Offer for Audio Books Right Now

2007-11-29T09:52:00.001+07:00

by Jeff Fischer

I have discussed the similarities of audio book renters to Netflix numerous times in my reviews. Similarities include "unlimited rentals", an online prioritizing queue to speed up expediting of customer shipments, no due dates and free shipping. All these features helped make Netflix a successful business in a short period of time. This business strategy and my belief that the Regular CD format and MP3-format are a long way away from disappearing amidst the ever increasing amount of data downloadable to iPods, cell phones, car stereos, etc. works well for audio books too.

Larger and thoroughly catagorized audio book sections at book stores are being created to encompass the increasing demand as people continue to find the CD format more accessible and convenient than before, largely due to most new cars automatically equipped with CD players. The high price of new audio books has helped make the audio book renters' monthly subscriptions a Godsend to many commuters. People trying to update their business acumen, escape from the pressures of work into a master storyteller's drama or lighten the day's load with something humorous or inspirational.

The similarity between the door-to-door DVD renters and audio book renters that needs some adjustment is the introductory offer. For Netflix a two week free trial gives the customer just enough time to decide if they'd rather run down the street to video store or wait at home for the DVDs to come in the mail. As suspicious as a two week free trial on a monthly subscription plan may seem it works for Netflix because people don't need an introduction to renting DVDs. The same is not true for audio books because most people have not yet seen the access to the vast wealth of literature an audio book subscription presents.

For many commutors driving two or more hours a day listening to audio books is increasingly becoming a necessity and a way of life. But still most people can't yet wrap their mind around how driving to work can be enjoyable. Instead of a monetary inticement, focus on how listening to books can give people an opportunity to enjoy literature they wouldn't otherwise have time to read.

First sell the product, then the subscription. Show the prospective subscriber that listening to books can broaden their imagination. Show how this unique medium allows the listener to experience the author's story with their own imagination while guided by a narrator's gift to unlock the emotional and sensational elements of a book's characters.

People first need to know that with the help of audio books they can realize the adage "The book was better than the movie".

Travel Comfort -Discover How To Get Some Decent Sleep While Traveling. Even Those Cramped Coach Seats!

2007-11-29T09:51:00.002+07:00

by Pilot Paul

Is travel comfort an oxymoron? Is it actually possible to be comfortable and even rest or sleep while enroute? Can it be done in coach?

This article is designed to help you learn proven tactics to travel comfortably to rest and sleep on your journey.

As an Airline Captain, I'm extremely interested in my passengers' comfort. I'm also very skilled at sleeping on airplanes.

What? A Pilot who is good at sleeping while flying?

On the long-haul international flights that I fly, we bring an extra pilot. This is so we can rotate out and take rest breaks. We have a crew rest seat in the passenger cabin. I'm very adept at resting in passenger seats.

While on our rest breaks, we take our rest very seriously. That's because our job is to be at our peak while at the controls. Our 2-3 hour rest break is critical because that is all the rest we get during those over-night flights. You depend on us to be as fresh and alert as possible for the approach and landing. Anything else would be negligent on our part.

That said, there are some travel accessories that will help you get this important sleep enroute. Many crewmembers use these things on our very important rest breaks. I don't like to leave home without them.

If you are comfortable while traveling, you'll be much more likely to sleep. Even if you can't sleep, which is unlikely if you utilize these techniques and recommended travel accessories, you will certainly be more rested.

You can use these strategies and tools to help you travel comfortably and sleep in challenging conditions elsewhere.

If you have a routine you normally go through before going to bed at night, try to do this on the plane too. For example, if you brush your teeth, wash your face, and then read for a few minutes before retiring at home, then do it on the plane too. Studies have proven that this is also helpful for settling in to sleep when you arrive at your destination.

Travel Accessories That Will Help You Rest While Traveling

Travel Pillows I use two. One to support my lower back and one for my head. Without these, I usually can't sleep on a plane. They're great for car trips too. I'm a big fan of the ones that wrap around your neck to stabilize your head. They really help you get as comfortable as possible. Without one, your head might flop around, which may wake you up.

Without one of these, I've tried leaning against the window. I never seem to get comfortable, and if I am able to sleep, I usually wake up with a very stiff neck or back.

Having your own travel pillow is more sanitary than using the airline pillows. Those are moved around everywhere and the covers are not necessarily changed before every flight.

For a review and recommendations of the of travel pillows go to http://www.pilot-pauls-travel-accessories.com/travel-neck-pillow.html

For ultimate travel comfort, you can use a full body travel pillow. This is an inflatable, full-length seat liner. I bring mine on every long-haul flight. To learn more about this full body travel pillow, go to http://www.pilot-pauls-travel-accessories.com/1st-class-sleeper.html

Sleep Masks. An important low cost and effective travel accessory for avoiding jet lag symptoms is a sleep mask or eye shade.

These are great for sleeping on the plane. Many people have difficulty sleeping enroute because the light level changes frequently.

Passengers turn on lights, the movie scene brightens which brightens the cabin, people open their window shades, or the galley curtain opens flooding the area with bright light. Wearing some good eyeshades will make you oblivious and immune to all that.

For reviews and recommendations of sleep masks, go to http://www.pilot-pauls-travel-accessories.com/sleep-mask.html

Noise Canceling Headphones. To sleep on the plane, you need to have it quiet. Since you can't control the noise level around you, you have to bring the quiet along with you.

How can you do that? Two ways- earplugs or noise canceling headphones.

Ear plugs are terrific for some uses. I always wear them in noisy areas, like on the ramp when I check the jet before flight. While they are small, light, and inexpensive, the drawback is that I find them difficult to sleep with. Something stuck in my ear disturbs my sleep. Every time my head moves and the ear plug is bumped, it's annoying.

For successful sleep during my important rest breaks, I always use noise canceling headphones.

I really love these headphones and think that they are one of the best inventions in years.

Many airlines provide these headphones for their first class passengers. But they have to give them back at the end of the flight.

If you bought yourself a pair, you'd get one of the best first class benefits at less cost than a first class upgraded ticket. Then they're yours to keep and use whenever you're in a noisy place and want to slip on some peace and quiet.

Warning! Once you've tried these there's no turning back. You'll be hooked on them and will want to use them regularly.

For more information, reviews and recommendations of good noise cancelling headphones, click on http://www.pilot-pauls-travel-accessories.com/noise-cancelling-headphones.html

Travel Footrest. The first and business class seats have these, but even in coach you can benefit from using a footrest.

Using a footrest helps in two different ways: o If you're tall, it takes strain off your lower back. o If you're not so tall (or a child), and if your feet don't touch the floor, this helps prevent cramps behind your thighs.

There is an excellent folding foot rest available that works very well. To learn more about this, click on http://www.pilot-pauls-travel-accessories.com/travel-foot-rest.html

Other Tips And Strategies For Sleeping While Traveling

Wear Comfortable clothing. Comfortable clothes, warm socks and a sweater will enable you to sleep better.

Loosen or Remove Your Shoes. I often untie my laces to get some extra circulation to my feet. Avoid/Manage Caffeine. In addition to being a stimulant, caffeine also dehydrates you.

Avoid Alcohol. Consuming alcohol before or during the flight will make it more difficult to sleep well. It will also dehydrate you.

It is best to avoid alcohol from 12 hours before the flight until you're at your destination.

These proven techniques should you sleep while traveling. Try some of these tips and travel accessories on your next trip.

To Purchase A Full Size Sedan

2007-11-29T09:51:00.001+07:00

by Joe Ratzkin

In the United States, this vehicle is known as the sedan. However, if you travel to those areas where British English is spoken, you would come to know that it is not known as the sedan there but as a saloon. The sedan is known as one of the most common body styles of an automobile. The most basic parts of a sedan comprise of a hood that covers the engine in the front, the passenger car itself, and a separate trunk for luggage which is typically found at the rear of the vehicle.

If you are opting to purchase a sedan for yourself, the first thing to do would be to find out just how much are you willing to spend on this type of car. The price for full size sedans range from around $16,000 to $30,000. Also, it is very much recommended that you also try to think just what features do you want your vehicle to hold. You can decide which one is the most important among safety, performance, value, handling, comfort, reliability, dealer service, appearance, interior room and space, amount of cargo, and gas mileage.

Take out a pen and a piece of paper and start listing down the makes and models of vehicles that you would want to consider. You can do some research on these sedans you have listed. To assist you, there are automobile magazines that provide reviews and vehicle specifications. Also, you can just log in to the Internet and there are plenty of pieces of information on vehicles. If you are concerned about safety, you can check out crash test data from various organizations who do them like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) which holds and publishes vehicle ratings at their website at www.hwysafety.org.

You may also want to consider the resale value of your vehicle. You see, the value of full size sedans dwindle down for each year. So you may want to put that into perspective. Also try talking to insurance companies about your choices for your full size vehicle. Remember that any piece of information regarding costs and other vehicle specification would help you out a lot in deciding which full size sedan could fit your lifestyle, your needs, your wants, as well as your budget.

In addition, Car Parts Rush makes sure it has a superior stock of Jeep parts and other vehicle parts to assist vehicle owners in preserving the quality, agility, and performance of their vehicles. The parts are made from high quality materials and are offered at low discount prices.

Top 9 Used Car Salesmen Tricks, and How to Avoid Them

2007-11-29T09:50:00.001+07:00

by Donald Lee

One of the biggest moments in many people's lives is driving off in their brand-spanking-new automobile. It's an exhilarating feeling. It's also a big moment because in that very instant, that brand-spanking-new car loses a big chunk of its value--the difference between the retail price you paid and the car's wholesale value. That's typically thousands gone in an instant.

That's why some car buyers choose to shop around for a used car. You save yourself that steep initial drop-off in value. More importantly, you get a car that runs just as well, is just as dependable, and looks and feels as good as that new car--that is, if you play your cards right.

For if there is one pitfall of buying a used car, it's the risk of buying a lemon, a junker--call it what you want, you get the point: the wrong car. Used car dealers, after all, have nearly as bad a reputation, if not worse, than lawyers do. This holds true for individual people selling their cars through newspapers, Web auctions and classified sites, or with the old-fashioned signs in their car windows. The saying, "Buyer Beware," no where has more meaning than with cars.

The opposite to that, of course, is that there are some real steals out there in used cars. We're talking about quality vehicles that will perform beyond your expectations at a low price. Here's how to find these perfect used vehicles, and avoid the top 10 scams that used car dealers everywhere try to pull on you.

1. Get a second opinion for the hype. Used car dealers will bombard you with every adjective under the book to sell you on a car--sporty, thrifty, fast, and etc. Don't take their word for it. Instead, find someone you know, whether a neighbor, a colleague, a family member, or a friend, who owns the same make and model of the vehicle, and ask them for their opinion.

2. Do a background check. One of the most unethical, but legal, things someone can do to you is sell you a used car that's been in a flood (and sort of repaired), or one that's had 10 previous owners (none of whom repaired it). To be sure you don't fall victim to this, track down a history report, including a clearance check on the vehicle title. You can even get some of this information from the seller, simply by asking why they are selling it. You'd be surprised what beans people may spill.

3. Examine for past damage. Used car dealers may also try to peddle a vehicle that was wrecked in a major accident. It's amazing what autobody experts can do to repair a car's exterior. So don't go by the outer appearances of a vehicle. Before you buy it, make sure that it does not have serious damage to its frame, which it would have if it was involved in a crash.

4. Call up your trusted mechanic. Used car dealers, especially the big lots, will say they put their used cars through a "100 point inspection," or something like that. Once again, a second opinion is in order. Get this one from your own mechanic. He'll be able to tell how good a shape the car actually is in. Also be sure to ask him or her how often the car had been serviced. A good mechanic can even gauge that.

5. Research for recalls. Needless to say, a used car dealer may sell you a car that's actually under recall in his mad rush to get the car off his lot. So be sure to call the car manufacturer, or visit their Web site, to see if the vehicle has any active recalls.

6. Avoid the leftover lemon. Along with recalled vehicles, dealers may even perpetrate something much worse on you--sell you a lemon. (By definition, a lemon is a car that's still under warranty, which has such major problems that, warranty or not, it still cannot be fixed in a reasonable way.) The best way to avoid this is to research in Consumer Reports or the various automobile magazines, which all have yearly reviews of every make and model on the market. They'll tell you whether a kind of car is known for being a lemon and prone to breakdowns.

7. See through the old paint and bait. Along with performing their "100 point inspection," car dealers may shine and wax a used car--even repaint it--to hide dents, dings, and rust spots. A keen eye, though, can see right through this.

8. Take the test drive. Once you've done all your research, homework, extra credit, and everything else called for in the first seven steps, then comes the fun--the test drive. Drive the car for as long as its owner or dealer will allow you. Then you'll get a better feel for how the vehicle handles, accelerates, brakes, and otherwise suits your tastes (or doesn't).

9. Be wary of the pushy seller. At any stage of the game--from the moment you first talk to the seller to the test drive--be careful if the seller gets pushy. Any dealer or seller who is in a rush to move a vehicle should set off bells and whistles. Why the rush? Are they hiding something? In some cases the seller may just be excited to sell you the car--and actually happy for you--but in many other cases, they may be up to something. Better be safe than sorry.

Follow these 9 simple steps to avoid the scams and pitfalls of used car deals, and you could get the car of your dreams--for far less than you'd pay if it was brand-new. Plus, you get that same high when you drive your new used car home, without losing thousands of dollars.

Top 7 Reasons To Sell Your Car Online FREE

2007-11-29T09:49:00.000+07:00

by Sampson Cooper

In this article, Mr Sampson Cooper of the used car sales website UKAutoSearch.com reviews the problems car sellers face when advertising their cars in traditional print media, and highlights the real advantages that sellers experience when advertising their cars free of charge on the Internet.

So, you want to sell your car?

> Maybe you are buying a new car
> Perhaps you are getting a company car
> Has your family outgrown your present car?

Whatever the reason for your wanting to sell your car, car sellers agree that selling a car can be a very stressful experience. The commonest concerns sellers have are:

1. "Will I get a good price for my car?"
(i.e. will a buyer haggle hard and pressurise me into letting the car go for a low price?)

and

2. "How long will it take to find a buyer for my car?"
(i.e. if I hold out for the price I want, will I be left without a buyer?)

The traditional option is to take out an advert in the weekly Autotrader magazine. For about £35, you get a 2-week advert which allows you to include one small photo of your car, and about 200 characters of free text.

If you submit your advert before the Monday deadline, it will appear in that week's edition which comes out either on Thursday or Friday morning. There are a number of regional editions, and you can choose which regional edition you want your advert to appear in.

Problems with advertising in Autotrader

Advertising in the print media sounds like a reasonable idea until you experience first-hand the crippling limitations of this proposition. Remember, the concept of advertising cars in print media has been around since the 1970's, and is certainly showing it's age:

1. Because you get only a limited number of words, you have to cram as much information about your car into the smallest number of words.

> This has given rise to a whole specialist lingo, with terms like "r/c/l" (remote central locking) coming into existence for no reason other than to save space in an Autotrader advert!

2. You get only one photo, so you have to try to convey an impression about your car in one image.

> Imagine you were going to buy something worth thousands of pounds - would you be impressed and satisfied with just one photo?

3. Because you know that your advert will run for only 2 weeks, you may be indirectly pressurised into accepting a lower price for your car than what you expected.

> Suppose someone turns up to see your car on the last day of the 2 week period and offers you £500 less than your asking price... would you accept it for a quick sell or would you hold out for the price you think your car deserves, and be prepared to re-advertise for another 2 weeks?

Faced with the uncertainties and stress of traditional print-based car advertising, car sellers in the USA, UK and Europe have been turning to the Internet to find a more relaxed and productive way of selling their cars.

Top 7 reasons to advertise your car online

Advertising your car on the Internet has some unique advantages compared with traditional print advertising.

Our customers have consistently identified the following 7 features of online advertising which they say have made the difference between getting the price they want for their cars, and having to compromise for a lower price:

1. It is usually significantly cheaper to advertise your car on a website.

> Disk space and bandwidth are cheaper than paper, ink and magazine distribution, and tremendous savings are made by not having to print and distribute a magazine. These savings can be passed on directly to the seller.

> Car adverts at UKAutoSearch.com are FREE until sold, compared to the £35+ cost of a 2-week Autotrader advert.

> UKAutoSearch.com is entirely supported by corporate advertising, and does not charge sellers for the service.

2. Online adverts can include a lot more information about your car than adverts in magazines.

> Car adverts at UKAutoSearch.com can have 10,000 characters (2000 words) of free text description, compared to approximately 200 characters in an Autotrader advert.

3. Online sellers can include multiple photos of their cars.

> Every FREE UKAutoSearch.com advert can have 10 photos of your car. For just £12.99, our sister site UKCarSeller.com allows 25 photos in each advert. Photos can be upto 1Mb in size.

4. Sellers can update / modify adverts at any time, even when the adverts are "live".

5. Anyone in the world with an Internet connection can view your advert.

> This means that people further afield who may still be interested in your car will be able to view its specifications online, without your having to spend more money on adverts in magazines serving neighbouring regions. The end result is that more buyers compete for your car.

> Car adverts at UKAutoSearch.com are also advertised on Google and other search engines, increasing the number of people who can see your car online.

6. Your car advert will be online and active immediately - the turnaround time between submitting your advert and it being active is typically a lot shorter than in print media.

7. Some websites such as UKAutoSearch.com and UKCarSeller.com will actively advertise your car until it is sold. So you do not have to accept the first offer you get.

Sell your car online FREE, today

To advertise your car for sale today, simply register at UKAutoSearch.com. Remember, it costs nothing at all to advertise online, so you have nothing to lose!

Tips for Finding the Best Insurance for Your Vehicle

2007-11-29T09:47:00.002+07:00

by Steven Anderson

Finding the vehicle of your dreams is just one part of the equation because after you buy it you will be required to insure it. So, when considering a vehicle you also need to consider insurance providers in order to end up with the best car insurance at the best price. There are literally thousands of insurance providers you can choose from and the last thing you want to do is simply choose to use your local insurance agent when you can do a little bit of research and find the best provider and save yourself hundreds of dollars on your monthly premium over the year. Consider the following insurance tips before you make a final decision and you will more than likely save yourself a lot of money and receive better service.

Compare There are so many insurance providers there is no way you can compare them all. However, you can narrow down the list by asking friends and family members who they use, you can also compare policies on the Internet, and check out the companies running ads on television.

All you have to do is come up with the top 5 insurance companies from these locations and then sit down and compare them. The important information are their rates and the services they provide for the quoted rates. You want to compare similar policies to one another, not a liability only policy from one company with a full liability and collision policy from another. You need to compare similar policies in order to have a good comparison for the rates and what type of service you will receive. Be sure to also ask a lot of questions when you call for quotes because if you don't know the answers to your questions you could be taking a lot for granted when it comes to your insurance policy. Only when all of your questions have been answered by all of the insurance companies will you be able to compare them adequately. More than likely you will see premium differences of hundreds of dollars for similar policies with similar services. This is not unusual in the insurance field, so as long as you have done your research and the policies and services are more or less equal you should buy the cheaper policy, enjoy the service and coverage, and save your hard earned money!

Your State's Insurance Laws Every state has its own insurance laws and in order to find the best insurance for your vehicle it would be prudent for you to research what your state requires in the way of insurance for your vehicle. Some states are stricter than others, so don't just take for granted the type of insurance you will need. At the very least you will be required to carry liability coverage to protect others and their vehicles if you are responsible for an accident. However, many states do not require that you carry insurance for yourself, your passengers, and your vehicle. This is not a big deal if you are in an accident that is the fault of another driver because they will be required to pay for your damages, unless they are uninsured. And yes, this does happen. It is illegal to drive an uninsured vehicle in the United States , but it happens on a regular basis and these individuals are in accidents and there is no insurance to pay the victims. So, before you decide to forgo collision insurance you might want to consider this fact. If you don't have collision insurance to protect your vehicle and passengers and are in an accident with an uninsured individual and can't collect the damages, how will you pay to have your car repaired as well as medical bills? These considerations should be kept in mind when making the decision on what types of insurance you need.

Look Online You already know to compare insurance providers, however you should know that many online providers offer rates that just can't be beat simply because they reduce many of their costs by eliminating brick and mortar establishments by interfacing with consumers through their website. You will probably notice as you are comparing prices that many web only insurance providers have rates that are unbelievably low, however you are worried about fraud or not receiving the services you are paying for and frankly don't trust the Internet. Don't worry, there are a lot of other people in your shoes as well. Many Internet insurance providers are on the up and up, however there are a few out there that are not. As a result, when looking for an insurance provider online you want to search for one that has lots of good reviews and recommendations from past and present customers. This is not hard to find if you search one of the big search engines. Also, you want to look for certain features on the website like membership in professional organizations, secure transactions, and be sure to ask plenty of questions and talk to the customer service department to make sure they meet your needs. You want the online insurance company to be available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week because you never know when you might need them. So, test out their response at an odd hour just to make sure they are there and waiting to assist you. Then, when you are convinced the online insurance company is legitimate and offers great rates then you can purchase your policy while being assured the company will be there for you when you need them and you will save hundreds of dollars as well.

There are lots of tips to help you find the best insurance provider for your vehicle and these are but a few. However, keep these in mind when you are shopping for insurance and you will certainly find the best plan at the best rate for you. Many people say they don't have time to shop for insurance, and if you are one of them then consider if you would do a couple hours of research to save $300-$500 on your insurance? You probably would, so that means you should do the research and save yourself the money that you would waste by not doing the research. When you consider it in those terms it is certainly a worthwhile investment of your time.

Think: Your affiliate program fortune is in your pockets

2007-11-29T09:47:00.001+07:00

by Jonathan Kraft

Think: Your affiliate program fortune is in your pockets by Jonathan Kraft

Your affiliate program fortune is already sitting in your pockets! You just don't know it yet. Please allow me to explain.

You have a 9-5, which, with the commute and headaches, has turned into more like an 7:30-6:30. You maybe have kids, a spouse, a dog, a car to repair, and a leaky faucet. You have yard-work, housework, homework, and work-work.

However, you understand that people are making money online. You think that you could create a small fortune through affiliate programs, if only you could make it fit in your schedule. You understand some of the basic concepts of setting up a web site. You have an idea for a site focusing on something you know a lot about. You're pretty familiar with making sure your META tags match page content, and you've learned about getting traffic to your site. You know that you can get traffic, because you have a unique perspective or approach to the topic of your site. You might also at some point think about selling some of your own products alongside the affiliate links you have (or would like to) set up.

So, where will you find the time to run a site, find affiliate programs, give your visitors great content to read, and begin to create your Internet fortune?

The answer is in your thinking. Your thinking has to help you realize that the fortune is not yet in your wallet. The fortune is, however, already in your pockets. I'll say that again. The fortune is ALREADY sitting in your pockets.

How can your fortune be in your pockets? Your fortune is in the pockets of TIME you have. You have ten minutes here, and twenty minutes there. You have time while the pot is on the stove boiling water, and you have time while you're waiting for your kids at their soccer practice.

You have pockets of time, and if you ever want to have more than just pockets of time, you must learn to use the pockets you do have more effectively, starting today.

(This has as much to do with planning your life as it does building a successful and income-producing web site. You can take this skill and apply it all over the place for anything you want to accomplish.)

So how can you use your pockets effectively?

1. Decide Make a decision that you are going to work on this project for at least 15 minutes each day, no matter what (you can take two days/week off). You can work more than that, but you must work at least 15 minutes every day on your site. Decide that you are going to make this site become reality within 6 months. (Be realistic with yourself. If you're only working 15 minutes/day, 6 months is a realistic goal.)

2. Take action in the right direction Begin with the end in mind. You have heard this before, but maybe you've never applied it. I'm saying to you now that you should read this article, and then apply the principle. Begin with the end in mind. Take 15 minutes/day for the next 5 days. Get your plan on paper. Figure out what you want your site to look like. Look at the general layout. Keep it simple, so that you can design it, or explain to someone else how to design it. Lay out so that anyone can easily navigate to any page of the site from any other part of the site. Put it on paper first. Have friends (and even strangers if you like) review your site plan. Ask for their honest feedback. Don't be offended if they tell you that you might try changing some things. Take what works and leave out what doesn't. Decide on a color scheme. Color is very important in marketing products.

Here is the hazard of not beginning with the end in mind: You will spend hours of time working on completely unrelated projects, surfing the Internet, and reviewing affiliate programs which will not fit into the layout of your site. (Not having a layout for your site would be like climbing a ladder that you couldn't see the top of, but you thought would lead somewhere good, only to realize once you reached the top that your ladder wasn't even leaning against the right wall.) Start with the big picture of what you want your site to look like, and work from that plan.

3. 15 per day Working on it 15 minutes/day, it probably will take 6 months to put together a quality site, so break down the larger project into 15 minute pieces. Work the plan and the design backwards. A good-sized site with lots of content could be about 100 pages. Let's say you're building a site about, oh, I don't know… let's say baseball bats. (It's an example for purposes of this article.)

Your site might be broken up into 4 sections like:

History of Baseball bats

Types of baseball bats

The baseball bats of famous players

Reviews and places to buy baseball bats online

Each of these sections might have 22-25 pages each. So here's how you break it down:

Month 1: Every day, you're going to create the content for 1 page in the History section

Month 2: Every day, you're going to create the content for 1 page in the Types section

…and so on.

At this point, all you have done is taken 15 minutes/day to write a short article about some aspect of the larger section. Anyone can find or make 15 minutes of time every day, if this is truly something that they want to do.

At the end of four months, writing 1 page/day, you will have written between 80-100 pages worth of content for your site.

Now you might be thinking that you don't have 100 pages worth of content to write. That's fine. Take the first two months, develop a 35-50 page site, and then spend 15 minutes/day researching, finding affiliate programs, and getting relevant links into your site. Just use your pockets of time effectively.

4. Bring it all together You're now in month 5, and you're realizing how valuable your pockets really are, because you've created a great site about baseball bats (or whatever you want to create a site about), and you've done it in the pockets of time you had. Now it's time to take 15 minutes/day, and make sure everything is working right, that your pages are aesthetically pleasing, and that people can get around easily on your site. You will also be using these 15 minutes/day to find affiliate programs for your chosen topic, add the links to your site, make sure everything is running well, and then get your site up online.

5. Continue the process In month 6, getting traffic to your site will be where you spend your 15 minutes every day. (How to get links and what kinds of sites you trade links with will be reserved for another time, but continue the pocket principle.)

Use the pockets of time you have, and rather than watching someone else on TV build their dream, start building your own dream through online business. You can do it if you realize that you do have small pockets of time, and then use the time in your pockets. If you're willing to do the work to make it happen, and are disciplined enough to build pages and write content no matter what, you will be successful. In short, you have got to start making your pockets more valuable.

Thank-you for spending the fortune of your last 10 minute pocket reading my article. I hope it helps you be more effective at Internet affiliate marketing, and that you can apply these ideas and the process elsewhere in your life.

Things You Should Know In Buying A Car Online

2007-11-29T09:46:00.000+07:00

by John G. Nuble

Buying a car online is not really so much a mystery anymore. With most, if not all, commodities being sold in the World Wide Web, clothes, food, insurance, music, film, computers, cars are not exactly new residents in the virtual business zone. But while buying a car online may offer people endless convenience, fast service and deals not found in car dealerships in your area, there are still buyers who are skeptical that the online process actually works.

But it does work. In fact, for people who have been purchasing a host of other merchandises on the Internet for years, buying a car online is not really so different from let's say ordering a new computer. Both deals with parts that you know next to nothing of, both can cost a lot and both can be confusing for the mechanically-challenged.

Still, in this age of information, there is no such thing as "anything" challenged. With the right attitude and the right set of information, you can also have a hassle-free virtual car shopping spree. All you need to do is look for reputable websites that would provide you with everything you need to know and the rest is history.

The advantage of buying a car online from buying a car offline is not really that far off. Except for the savings in time and if you are good, in money, it also needs the same amount of research and serious planning. Here are some of the things that you should know about when buying a car online

Websites

In buying a car online, one should ask for sites with good reputations. Ask for recommendations from your friends or search for reviews in the Internet. There are a lot available. That way, you will know what each site offer, guiding you as you are buying a car. Some of the most popular sites are Cars.com, InvoiceDealers.com, CarsDirect.com, AutoWeb, Edmunds.com, Car.com, AutoByTel and AutoUSA

Frequently Asked Questions

Sites offer various resources in buying a car not just online but also offline. With an aim to provide the buyers information on the process of buying cars online, the sites also offer articles with tips and tricks on buying a car. Another great resource is their frequently asked questions. Click on the section. Chances are, the question you are asking about buying a car is there.

Services

Sites offer web forms and other features that may help you with your decision. Sites like InvoiceDealers.com for example provides multiple price quotes from various dealers. Others have features you can use to compare the specs of one car model to the other. This is especially handy if you have not yet made your decision on which car to buy. Another great thing with websites, it can show how many are available and what color the car is available in. Clearly, it eliminates all the walking around scouting for a better deal.

Links

Websites often serve as a portal to another portal. Sites like AutobyByTel, for instance, can link you to their large network of car dealers all over the US. This is actually one of the original sites that have helped people when they were buying a car over the Internet. Some sites also provide links to various service and information in buying a car.

Things You Should Know Before Buying A Car Online

2007-11-29T09:45:00.002+07:00

by Jim Johnson

All too often people decide that they need another car and so off they go to the nearest collection of car dealers and go walking through the car lots trying to find a vehicle that appeals to them. Buying a car this way allows each dealer to gain a measure of control over their decision making and cause them to spend too much for the car they buy, which may not even be the best vehicle for their needs anyway.

So before getting caught in this auto buying rat race, realize that there is a better ways to buy a car now, and much of it is due to the handy assistance of the internet. But before we get to that, there is something that you will need to do before you even begin the shopping process. You will need to get a clear picture of what your particular vehicle needs are.

In other words ask yourself a few questions like:

How do you plan to use this vehicle? Who will be driving it most of the time and what needs do they have to be able to drive comfortably? What kind of terrain will you be driving it on, highway, city stop and go, etc.? Will four wheel drive be needed in your area? What features do you consider to be a must, such as cruise control, ABS brakes, air bags and safety equipment, etc.? How much do you have to spend so that the purchase does not put a financial burden on your budget? How much do you have to be able to use as a down payment?

It is vital to the success of the whole purchase that you have the answers to these kind of questions clearly in mind well before you even look at the first vehicle. The more clearly defined your needs are in advance, the easier and faster you can arrive at the car that will fit you best, and you also stay in control of the whole process.

The next step before actually starting your vehicle search is to get as much information as possible about vehicles that match the criteria that you have laid out as necessary for your next purchase. Read online independent reviews on those cars, understand what options are available on each model, and how much you should reasonably expect to pay for for each one. The more information you have the better. And sites such as Yahoo Auto and Edmunds.com have a wealth of information that you can access freely and quickly to help you become better informed.

Once you have these advance steps completed you now know more than most of the car buyers out there as you start your shopping experience. This will help you save money and pick the vehicle that fits your needs best.

Things To Think About Before Buying A Roof Mounted Cycle Carrier

2007-11-29T09:45:00.001+07:00

by Tony Cowley

Don't get taken for a ride this summer - buy a good cycle rack and you'll be able to enjoy two-wheeled fun anywhere in the country. We see which are top of the pops

Thousands of people will be transporting two wheels on four this summer, as they load up their bikes for holidays and weekend breaks. But which are the best, and safest, cycle racks for the job?

We've tested roof and boot carriers here, and both have their pros and cons. Which you need will be governed by the number of bikes, people and kit you want to carry, as well as your budget.

The roof-mounted, single cycle versions are cheaper and easier to fit, plus take up little storage space. However, you'll need one per bike, which can bump up the cost. Also, you have to lift the cycles to head height and, if your roofbars already have luggage on them, space becomes an issue. You will also have to pay for some lateral supports.

Hatch or boot-mounted carriers hold two or three bikes and are easier to strap cycles to. Although simpler to load, packing the rest of the car is tricky as most mean the hatch or boot can't open while they're in place. Rear vision is also affected and some racks will block the number plate and lights, so you will have to buy a trailer board.

Be aware that bikes will get dirty when transported in poor weather, and some racks can be a pain to fit with a tangle of fasteners. Cycles are targets for theft, so for short stops always secure them to the carrier or car with the rack's built-in lock or a steel cable. For long stays, remove the bikes. Finally, check the system fits your motor as even 'universal' carriers have exceptions.

There's no point in taking your bikes out if you spend more time fitting the rack than cycling, so ease of use was key for us - both installing the device and the machines.

We tested 2 roof mounted cycle carriers, the Thule 591 and the Atera Giro.

We also looked for simple assembly (where needed), security and protection for the car's paint. Storage was also a factor, and while price was considered, it played a relatively small role in the overall rating as we felt user-friendliness and safety were more important.

It was a close-run thing in the roof-mounted section, and we'd be happy with any of the top racks. But the new ratchet system on Thule's 591 gave it the edge over the Atera Giro and Barracuda.

The ProRide clearly had the Barracuda and Atera Giro in its sights, with its impressive one-piece, aluminium design and competitive price. With no assembly, we simply slid the wheel locators into place and threaded through the straps. The arm had a superb rat-chet action, and the carrier comes with two locks, the Thule 591 would have to be our first choice roof mounted cycle carrier.

Things to look for when buying car stereo speakers

2007-11-29T09:44:00.000+07:00

by Roger Charles

There are so may car stereo speakers on the market. How do you know what to choose? Let's take a look at some of the things you should look for when buying a car speaker.

1. How is the speaker's power measured?

Pay close attention to the amount of power the speaker can handle. This is particularly important when dealing with woofers, since they require more power to play loudly. Look out for models where the manufacturers exaggerate power. Ensure that power is measures in RMS. Be very wary of terms like "music power" and "peak power". These terms mean nothing when it comes to measuring power.

2. How sensitive is the speaker?

The more sensitive a speaker is, the less power required to play it. If a speaker is insensitive it will require a lot more power to play at the same volume. If you're using an amplifier you don't have much to worry about. But sensitivity becomes a bigger issue when you're using your head unit to power your speakers. Head units have less power so they require speakers that are more sensitive.

3. Are you buying the right size speakers?

The size of your speaker is very important. They should be able to fit in the proper locations. Ensure that your midrange speakers can fit in the door or dash spaces or else you may have to do some cutting. Do you have enough room in your trunk for your woofer to fit? Ensure that tweeters can be mounted in a location where they fire almost directly at you.

4. What type of enclosure is best for your subwoofers?

Woofers generate a back wave behind them. They should never be mounted in free air space. If this is done the sound they produced at the front will be cancelled out by the backwave. As a result they will produce no bass. Hence the need for enclosures. You can choose between many types of enclosures.

One popular choice is the ported box. The woofer is mounted in the box with a hole in it and a port tube attached to the hole.

There's another technique where two chambers are used. The woofer is mounted in one chamber inside the box and fires into another chamber that is ported to the outside.

Another method uses the speaker's trunk as an enclosure.

The sealed enclosure is the most popular. The back wave is surpressed inside the box and the speaker fires inside the car.

All of these methods have their advantages and disadvantages. You need to choose one that is best for your situation. Be sure to inform yourself about enclosures before making a selection.

Ordering your car stereo speakers online is quick and easy. Before buying them check out some online reviews. Find out what customers like yourself think of the speaker you want to buy. You can order your speakers online today.

Things to look for when buying a car stereo head unit

2007-11-29T09:43:00.002+07:00

by Roger Charles

There are so many car stereo head units on the market. How do you know what to choose? Let's take a look at some of the things you should look for when buying a head unit.

1. How user friendly is the head unit?

Your head unit must be user friendly. This is the part of your car stereo you will interact with the most so you must feel comfortable using it. Before buying one be sure to play around with it and see how easy and quick it is to change tracks on a CD, switch radio stations, and so on. Are the buttons too small? You need to be able to enjoy using your head unit.

2. How is the unit's power measured?

Pay close attention to power. Look out for models where the manufacturers exaggerate the unit's power. This malpractice is common among most manufacturers. Ensure that power is measures in RMS. Be very wary of terms like "music power" and "peak power". These terms mean nothing when it comes to measuring power.

3. Choosing between a cassette player and a CD player.

It's all about your personal preference. Do you use more cassettes than CDs? In that case you should probably go with a cassette player. Many of them give you the option of hooking up a CD changer. Your CD changer can be operated from your head unit.

The only problem with some CD changers is the fact that you may have to get to your trunk or under your seat to change CDs. With in-dash CD players everything is in reach and can be operated easily.

More and more people are using CDs these days. CDs have several advantages including better sound quality. Many of them can be hooked up to a CD changer as well.

4. Does the head unit include pre-amp outputs?

If you're serious about sound you wouldn't buy a head unit that doesn't come with pre-amp outputs. With these outputs, you can run an amplifier directly without any need for conversion. This output is the cleanest. Higher volt outputs are better as long as your amplifier or crossover can handle the voltage. For less noise choose 4 volts over 1-2 volts.

5. Is there a theft prevention scheme?

If theft protection is important to you buy a head unit that includes a theft prevention scheme. You can choose between a partially detachable and fully detachable face. Detaching the face of your head unit renders it useless. So this is obviously a great deterrent for thieves.

Kenwood has some models where the face flips around so the thief can't see the head unit.

Some head units like Eclipse's ESN system, require a reference CD when you first apply power to them. If it is stolen it is useless. You must have the reference CD for it to work. The only problem with this is that if the thief has no clue about this feature, your head unit would be stolen anyway. Your only hope would be if he foolishly takes it to Eclipse for repair. Eclipse would be able to verify that it was stolen.

Ordering your car stereo head unit online is quick and easy. Before buying your head unit be sure to check out some online reviews. Find out what customers like yourself think of the unit you want to buy. You can order one online today.

Things To Consider When Buying A Car

2007-11-29T09:43:00.001+07:00

by Andrew Smith

Buying a new car is a major purchase with major amounts of money leaving your pocket. Ask an honest car salesman and he will tell you that he is trying to get his potential customers to buy something they don't really need. Ask a dishonest salesman and he won't tell you why. That about sums it up plus it opens the door for all kinds of scam artists to try to use tricks to get you to buy a new car. Arm yourself with all the information you can when buying a new car. Here are some tips:

· There are some classic scams that car salespeople use to get you to sign the dotted line on a sales contract. Get on the internet and see what these scams are. Car salespeople are probably the most persuasive type of salesmen/women (most tend to be men) that you will come across. It is very tempting to give into their hype.

· Don't be afraid to say "No."

· If there is ONE thing you don't like about a car - don't buy it. That one thing will bug you down the road as you make those expensive car payments and the honeymoon has worn off. Often, people find the need to purchase another car than keep mending the current one, because of their poor decision making when purchasing the existing one.

· Don't give the salesperson a feel for what you like and don't like. Don't get too personal with the salesperson. Scam and con artists are skilled at getting into you head and detecting something you have an emotional or preference stake in. Keep focused on buying a car and try to avoid the small talk with the salesperson.

· How much is that car really going to cost you in terms of maintenance, insurance, and fuel? There are web sites where you can get this information. Another bit of knowledge to arm yourself with is knowing how much that car loan is going to cost you in terms of interest.

· Check your credit report and correct any errors that may be there. It will help to get your loan approved faster.

· Read reviews on various cars and educate yourself before going to the car lot. The internet has a wealth of information resources for buying new cars.

· Today, there are many places where you can purchase a car. There are classifieds in your local newspapers, local car dealerships, car magazines, the internet, with a huge array of sites, also offers many great deals. Ebay is also an increasingly popular destination to find cars and not necessarily just to from it. Ebay can also be used for researching the car you are looking to buy. You can use it to gain an idea of how much cars in general go for based on your specifications and conditions. There are many, many new listings every hour that you can browse through to help find your new car.

The Secret Behind All Great Masterpieces: Lessons Learned!

2007-11-29T09:42:00.000+07:00

by Harald Anderson

The Secret Behind All Masterpieces! : Lessons Learned

The ten-year period which followed the stock market crash of October 1929 is referred to as the Great Depression. This time frame is considered to be the worst and most difficult of Modern American History by business historians. Unemployment was as high as 27% among White Americans and reached 60% in the African American community. In Mississippi, on a single day in 1932, one quarter of the entire state was auctioned off. Scarcity and limitations were everywhere to be seen. The Gross National Product of the country, that unit of measurement which represents everything that is produced nationwide fell by as much as 43%. The prices of wheat and corn and cotton fell so low, the crops were left to rot in the fields. Many businesses and families were wiped out.

We all try to forget unpleasant moments in our lives. However, the central premise of any meaningful philosophy is to look back upon the hardest times of our lives and locate the wisdom and insight necessary from which success and joy can occur. It has been my experience that usually within the anxiety there are seeds of wisdom for us to learn from if we will only learn to look and understand the experience. When you examine your business, life or relationships it is the tough times that will teach you the most.

During the rough times of the Great Depression the music business also almost collapsed. American record companies, which had sold in excess of 200 million records in the mid 1920's, had seen unit sales drop by 97% by the mid 1930's. To put it mildly, things were tough! Even the giant Victor phonograph company stopped making phonograph players altogether. However, there was a tiny silver lining in all of this hardship. A certain type of music was gripping regions of the country and offering hope. There was no political message attached to the tunes. No lyrics. It was an earthy, rhythmic, emotional and dynamic music. Its purpose was to make people dance. Huge parties would emerge that would often last for days. Even today music historians marvel how a distinctive and repetitive bass line and energetic rhythm could change the focus of an entire community.

To classify this music as infectious would be an understatement! At its inception this music would be played solo by only one piano player. Since times were tough sometimes two piano players would share the same instrument. Later, there would be as many as six musicians on three pianos all contributing to the infectious power. The result was a celebration of creative energy that everyone could recognize. It was magical. In spite of the economic hardships, people could find genuine joy even if only for a short moment.

The celebrations grew. House parties would turn into block parties. The refrains and melodies would often be played non-stop for what seemed like hours at a time. Top Musicians of the day could locate work easily once they mastered this art form. Hope was born against the horrendous economic landscape.

Then in 1938, legendary Jazz Promoter John Hammond saw a huge business opportunity. He organized and promoted a concert in New York City featuring the three masters of this art form. When Albert Ammons, Pete Johnson and Meade "Lux" Lewis performed in Carnegie Hall, it launched a national craze. Businesses and clubs had to hop on the bandwagon and get with the program. Newspapers began to assign special editors to cover the 'music beat' and report about this incredible energy as its popularity spread into the clubs. Soon all of the "happening" places were featuring top musicians playing these infectious energetic tunes. Club owners seeking to get good reviews and "cash in" would do whatever necessary to bribe the music editors so they could acquire good press. Bribes of free food, free drinks, free women were commonplace. Musicians and club owners understood that one bad review from the critics would kill the good times! Or so they thought…

The name of this musical art form was Boogie-Woogie. The slang term that the musicians gave to the critics was the Boogie Man!

Yes the Boogie Man was the monster who could criticize and sit in judgment. In spite of his inability to create or understand music they somehow were qualified to evaluate it. The Boogie Man, like an executioner could determine the fate of musicians and club owners with his words. The Boogie Man was fear incarnate. He could kill the party as quickly as the review could be published. The Boogie Man was bad news! Funny thing is most people do not believe in the Boogie Man. At least that is what they tell you to your face! However within this story is the understanding of how success and joy is born and how it dies. Did you "get it?"

In the words of Earl Nightingale, "Don't Compete. Create!" Regardless of what is going on in your life you can always play the music and do the dance! Sometimes the most therapeutic thing we can ever create is to purposely put our focus on joy and creation. We are happiest in life when we create and can easily take responsibility for our creations. However we squelch this inherent ability when we consider the evaluation of the creation as being more important than the act of creation itself. Quite frankly joy is perverted and distorted when creation is done primarily for approval. The misery is amplified even further when we make others responsible for the quality of our lives. This is the big lie of the Boogie Man.

Ralph Waldo Emerson stated…."Do not die with your music still in you." Very appropriate advice. We all have a mission in life. A purpose which unfolds before our eyes when we manage to overcome our fear of the Boogie Man and just PLAY. Our beliefs determine our reality. Be careful how you interpret the world. It is EXACTLY like that.

It is horrifying to think about how the Boogie Man turns the possibility of a dream into a nightmare. Or how the Boogie Man distorts our own ideas of success and happiness by making us believe that he can stop the music in our lives! All illusions that unfortunately every great artist has embraced at some point in their careers. You are the Music. You are the Dance. Be careful what you agree with!

Stop and think about what life would be like without the telephone, the car, airplanes, electricity, the internet or any other incredible creation that man has created to resolve the problems related to survival. I can assure that these blessed inventions would never have seen the light of day if their creators were concerned about the boogie man. The boogie man is not only a concern over the judgment of others. The boogie man is much more insidious, he represents everything in our life that we cannot take responsibility for. Our blame list so to speak. The boogie man is that part of us that makes us believe that the problem is somewhere over there.

The late Jack Paar once said, "My life seems like one long obstacle course, with me as the chief obstacle." Sounds to me like he knew how to do battle with the boogie man.

The secret to all masterpieces is that they fuel the imagination with the great possibilities of the human spirit. They transport us from the world of limitations that we regularly experience and remind us of our potential. Whenever we experience a masterpiece it reminds us that the shackles we feel in our daily lives are optional. The funny thing about greatness is that it will always invite you along for the journey. Masterpieces teach us to recognize the joy of creation for the sake of creation. They spur us on to pursue excellence as our birthright. All masterpieces are embodiments of meaning that would have never occurred had they been concerned with the opinions of critics. If you feel something is holding you back look in the mirror and you will discover your boogie man. All great masterpieces are the reminders of what life can be like when we learn to get out of our own way. Create for the sake of creating. Respond to the joy of the moment and dance for the sake of dancing. Play for the sake of playing. Laugh for the sake of laughing. Everything else is a chorus of excuses and limitations.

Once asked to describe the key to creativity, Thomas Alva Edison said said, "Never quit working on your subject until you get what you're after." Well, aren't we ourselves a work in progress? If you plan on creating a masterpiece of your life its time to take the stage, do the dance in spite of the critics. That is the masterpiece lesson of Boogie-Woogie. Create!

Sometimes it takes death to teach us about life. Occasionally we must go through misery to understand joy. And sometimes it takes the slang born in the Great Depression to understand that we will always get whatever we put out attention on. You can Boogie Woogie or you can waltz with the Boogie Man. The choice is always yours!

The happiest you will ever be in life is when you take responsibility for your creations and create! It is what it is. Take the stage, do the dance and know that the only thing that can squash the music is YOU! The Boogie Man has no power over those who create for the simple joy they receive from the act of creation. That's the bees knees, the eels hips and the elephants eyebrows. Got it? Therein lies the Secret of All the Great Masterpieces daddy-o! Your life is your Music. Do the dance!

"Stix you start bangin those tubs! Chops you lay down the line…it's time to get this party happening! One…Two…Three…Four!"

Be Careful What You Agree With!

The RV Lifestyle - 5 Tips to Get You on Your Way

2007-11-29T09:41:00.002+07:00

by Chris Galloway

Imagine being able to enjoy the scenery at a different beach each day from the comfort of your own lounge room. Well you can if you vacation in an RV.

The reason sales of recreational vehicles have been on the up lately, is that more and more people are discovering the unique blend of freedom and comfort that a vacation in an RV can provide.

Forget the hassles of flying or the impersonal nature and cost of hotels, you have the convenience of taking your own home with you wherever you go.

Another attraction, of course, is that it provides you with the freedom to go more or less where you want. So you can head off on a beach vacation whenever you want to.

The right RV (not too big) makes it possible for you to roam around your favourite beach destinations on on a very affordable budget, on a schedule that suits you. No more waiting in endless lines at airport security, restrictions on luggage, squashed into uncomfortable airline seats. Instead you have the luxury of setting your own schedule.

There are over 15,000 RV parks and campgrounds around the country, including many near beautiful beaches, so you have a great chance of finding one wherever you want to go. Just pull up and plug in.

Most modern RVs are comfortable enough to call home and include living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms. You now also find many RVs with rooms that slide out. These provide even more living space when the vehicle is parked, but they don't protrude when you are driving. This means more space and easier driving.

If you are a first time RV'er, here are some important tips for you to follow, so you get the best bang for your travel dollar. These are our favorite tips for a low cost and hassle free RV trips and ownership.

1. Search the web first. You will find plenty of useful, free information. In fact there is a great selection of web sites and newsgroups that are dedicated to recreational vehicles. These can provide valuable tips for those newcomers on how to best enjoy the RV lifestyle and how to keep costs under control.

2. Rent before you buy. The different brands and models offer quite different experiences. The purchase of a recreational vehicle is a big decision, and it will have a major impact on how you vacation. Biggest is not always best if you want to go to more out of the way beaches and places. Also, the average RV now costs as much as the average house did a couple of decades ago, so it is important to know that an RV is the right choice for your tastes before taking the plunge. There is a good number of places where you can rent RVs - from a few hours to a whole vacation. These rental agencies provide you with a low cost alternative to RV ownership, or a way to "try before you buy".

3. Attend an RV show and visit a two or three RV dealers to become familiar with the different brands and models. An RV show is a great way to see and compare a wide range of models quickly. Tip: If you have done your research and you are ready to buy, it is often possible to get yourself a very good deal at a show, as the sellers are in the mood to sell and ready to bargain.

4. How often will you use your RV? An RV is a great choice for many people, particularly families traveling together, but do the math to be sure that buying an RV is right for you. Whilst RV travel can be significantly less costly than travel by car or plane, because fees for campgrounds are considerably lower than hotel room rates, if you hardly ever use your RV you won't be saving anything.

5. Invest in a quality guide to RV campgrounds. Research in advance those which are near beaches and which look appealing to you. By knowing where the good campgrounds are and having good directions for getting there, you will save yourself time and hassle, as well as gas money.

Remember, do your research and if you do decide the RV lifestyle is for you, be sure to research the buyer's guides, read the reviews on the internet and "try before you buy". This way you will get an RV that meets your needs and gives you the most RV for your money.

The Latest in Headlight Cleaning and Restoration

2007-11-29T09:41:00.001+07:00

by David Maillie

Cloudy, yellow headlights - we see them everywhere. All cars manufactured in the past 15 years have plastic headlights and they all start to corrode and cloud up due to exposure to the sun and environment. Cloudy, yellow headlights don't just occur in old cars, they also occur on cars as recent as 2-3 years old. This corrosion and wear of the plastic headlight lenses is not only unsightly, but it is unsafe.

As stated by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, "An average of 9 out of every 10 cars on the road today has dirty or yellowed headlights that greatly reduce vision and need to be replaced or professionally cleaned." So what is one to do with these worn, yellow and cloudy headlight lenses? Up until recently, the only option was replacement and at an average of $250 - $400 per lens (not including installation and calibration (aiming)). For most people that was just too expensive to pay for their headlights.

There are aftermarket (non OEM) headlights available, but the savings is little and there are mixed reviews. It is a fact that quality, fit and durability of aftermarket headlight lenses is terrible (per Consumer Reports). Many of these aftermarket lenses were improperly sealed, didn't wear well and had moisture leaks which greatly reduce night time visibility and safety. Some wouldn't even fit without making modifications to the car. Being that the cost of most aftermarket lenses is very close to the cost of original equipment from the dealer (OEM) they were given a poor value and overall poor rating by Consumer Reports.

The recent advent of patented headlight cleaning and restoration kits has now brought an economical and affordable solution. Worn, yellow and cloudy headlights can now be restored to like new condition. Harsh UV damage from the sun and other environmental damage can now be reversed with these headlight cleaning and restoration kits. This is a repair that has not only been proven to be highly effective, but one that does not need to be done by a mechanic or body shop technician. These headlight cleaning kits can be used by the average consumer. This patented headlight cleaning and restoration kit is available for under $20 and is therefore much more cost effective than replacement and aftermarket lenses.

Being that clear plastic headlights are now standard on every automobile manufactured today and harsh conditions that cause them to prematurely wear are not going away, it is obvious that these headlight cleaning and restoration kits are sure to be helpful and save consumers money and increase night time driving safety at the same time. Car dealerships have been using the same headlight cleaning and restoration kits on their used car lots for the past 10 years and now you can too. Make your headlights shine and save big money at the same time.

The Job of a Japanese Used Car Exporter

2007-11-29T09:40:00.000+07:00

by Michael Sands

If you want to buy a car in Japan you will need to use a Japanese used car exporter. An exporter will organise everything needed up until your car is on a vessel to your place of delivery. So how do you find a Japanese used car exporter and how do you get them to find the car you want?

There are many Japanese used car exporters that you can use to get your car out of Japan. The best way to find a reputable exporter is through word of mouth. You can ask on automotive forums if anybody has had any experience with a certain car exporter. You can also search for car exporters on the Internet, maybe somebody has already asked about a Japanese used car exporter and you can just read what others have had to say their.

Japanese used car exporters are also referred to as buying agents. A lot of exporters also find and buy the car you are after, this comes at a small cost but makes buying a car in Japan a pleasure. After your Japanese used car exporter has found the car for you they will organise to have it shipped out. Once the car is on the vessel it is up to you to import the car correctly.

Without knowing how to import the car before you purchase it could be a huge mistake. You could pay an importer to do this for you, or you can do it yourself. I recommend importing the car yourself as this can save you a stack of money, it’s also not that hard.

To import a car from Japan you will need to get the guide from Import a Jap Car. This will get your car into the country without any hassles. Without a quality guide to importing a car like this one you could end up paying much more then you should. In some cases the car would need to be re-exported out of the country, when this happens you have lost a lot of money! Don’t make the mistake of not knowing how to import a car from Japan.

Remember if you want to buy a car in Japan you need to know how to import the car FIRST! Get our guide at http://www.importajapcar.com.