Monday, March 31, 2008

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

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."

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Sunday, March 30, 2008

Speed Radar Detectors

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.

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Friday, March 28, 2008

Deadly Car Control Mistakes on the Road Test

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

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Thursday, March 27, 2008

Repo Car Auctions - Myths and Truths

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!

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Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Automobile Appraisals, Get Online Automobile Appraisals For Free

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

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Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Saving on Gas 101 For Students

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.

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Monday, March 24, 2008

Defensive Driving - What Does It Mean?

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.

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Saturday, March 22, 2008

Parallel Parking Mistakes During the Road Test

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

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Friday, March 21, 2008

Chevrolet Car Safety Features

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.

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Thursday, March 20, 2008

Turn Right the Right Way to Pass Your Road Test

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.

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Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Owning a Hybrid Car

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.

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Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Glitz And Glamour - The New Age Automotive Dealer

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.

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Monday, March 17, 2008

Safer Road, Fuller Lives

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'.

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Sunday, March 16, 2008

2008-2009 Nissan Skyline GT-R

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.

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Saturday, March 15, 2008

Drive a Zenn and Achieve Zen

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.

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Friday, March 14, 2008

Hybrid Cars

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

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How To Tune Your BMW On A Budget

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.

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Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Water As Vehicle Energy

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

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Monday, March 10, 2008

The 2009 ZR1 Corvette - The King Of The Hill

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.

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Tuesday, March 04, 2008

How to Make Car Run on Only Water - WaterForGas Review

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!

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