Classic Car Restoration

Car restoration is one activity that will leave you with the utmost sense of accomplishment. It is an activity that demands dedication, time and money. Fords and Chevy's are the two models that are the easiest to start with as there are always parts available as the need arises.

Before any car restoration you will need to arrange your shop for the the task. Gather the supplies needed such as a camera, a few cardboard boxes, a sharpie and some tags for labels. It is important to keep track of the parts that are taken off sooner rather than later. When it is time to start taking the car apart you need to know what needs to be replaced and what needs to be repaired. This organization method will ensure you are not wasting parts at any time during the car restoration process.

Take inventory of the parts as you pull them off by separating them into two individual cartons labeled replace and repair. Take pictures of them as you do this so you know what the car will look like, before and after. This process will also help you in estimating how much money you will need and how long it will take you to finish the project.

Once you have your parts removed you can start the cleaning process. The cleaning process of the car restoration entails the car be reduced to bare metal. This can be done through several methods although you will need to find one that you feel the most comfortable with. The easiest method by far is to have the car dipped in acid. This removes dust, rust, and other foreign materials.

You will be able to view the damage the car has been through once it is stripped. You very well might find rust holes, damaged floorboards, and dents. But do not despair! Even if the car didn't look very bad when you purchased it you need to that this car has had a had a event-filled life. You want to extend it's life right? So get busy and take that Sharpie to mark all the things that either need replacing or repairing.

It is time to mend all those dents, holes, and other areas to get set for sanding. You will use several grades of sandpaper throughout the sanding procedure starting with 36 to 80. Once you have finished this step you are now ready to apply the glazing. Begin with 220 wet grit sandpaper and proceed to 800 wet grit sandpaper. This will leave your car with a hazy mirror image and also offer a preventative measure against scratches.

Your car restoration is complete! You are now ready to show off your beautiful car to the neighborhood with well earned pride.

For All The Essential and Complete Information On Car Restoration go to: Car Restoration

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_J_Farrell

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Posted by mbuhlah, Friday, April 4, 2008 4:04 AM | 0 comments |

Save on Fuel Costs - 4 Amazing Tips To Save on Fuel Costs

I was driving home today and saw a small white truck with it's tailgate down to the left of me. Immediately I thought, oh, this guy is trying to save on fuel costs, that's cool. Can't blame him for that right now can you? It's arguable if that really helps or not, but I knew what he was going for. Then a funny thing happened. As I was in the right lane about to exit going 55 with my cruise control on, this guy mashes his accelerator and passes me just so he can slam on his brakes at the bottom of the ramp and wait at a stoplight for 10 seconds.

I then calmly coasted up behind him and actually rolled through the light next to him as it turned green while I watched him accelerate as fast as he could and brake at the next light again while I coasted up and rolled through as it turned green. This went on for about 4 lights (timed city lights that I know well) before he turned on a side street. I got a kick out of it because he still... had his tailgate down... "saving gas" the whole time.

Why did I tell you this story? Well because it raises a few great points about how to save on fuel costs, and also a few great points on what not to do. Thank our friend in the white truck for that one.

Save on Fuel Costs - Point One
If you can go 55, do it. I know it sounds boring and you think you have to succumb to your pedal creep (when your foot gets heavy and gradually increases your speed over time without you noticing), but trust me, you'd get used to it also if you are getting 34 MPG in a car that is EPA rated at 28. Cruise on 55 on the interstate, and use your accel and decel buttons as much as possible (remember to remain safe). You can even use your cruise in town as long as it's safe. Most cars allow you to use it around 35-40.

This will save you quite a bit of unnecessary throttle and brake action (two things that KILL your gas mileage). The truck didn't do a very good job of that now did he?

Save on Fuel Costs - Point number two.
My friend in the white truck was on his accelerator until he absolutely HAD TO let off and brake to come to a stop at the traffic light. This begs the question to me, why use gas if you know you are going to stop? Are you in some hurry to stop and sit at a traffic light? Makes no sense to me.

Instead, coast up to traffic lights when they are red, or you know they are going to turn red. This will save you on the gas you are using when you come to the light, and will also save you the gas you are using when you are getting 0 MPG sitting at the light.

Save on Fuel Costs - Point Three
My buddy sure did love to sit at stop lights. He sat at 4 of them while I coasted up to them and rolled right on through without stopping. Closely related to coasting up to red lights, you can also coast up to lights that have been red for a while and may turn green before you get to them. If they do, you can ease on your accelerator because you are already moving. If not, it's easy to stop in time b/c you are coasting and probably already slowing down quite a bit. Always allow yourself enough room to stop and always look both ways while you are doing this.

Save on Fuel Costs - Point Four
Water Fuel Conversion technology is another one of these great ways to save on fuel costs. Neither me or my friend in the truck had this installed at this particular point, but this is a great way to save fuel. It may seem surprising, but this technology can actually double your current gas mileage. We've seen it in plenty of cases and are learning more and more about this technology as it becomes internet viral.

Follow these steps and you can increase your MPG quite a bit. Don't be a faker like the guy in the white truck.

We at WaterFuelConversion.net are on a mission to spread the word of fuel conservation techniques. Many people know them, but few use them. We need to conserve now more than ever, and we want to help you do that!

We are currently distributing a guide that outlines the techniques listed above, as well as many other fuel saving techniques that you most likely do not know about. Visit our site and you can download it for free.
We all need to contribute. Come join us and save on fuel costs today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cody_Wheeler

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Posted by mbuhlah, 4:03 AM | 0 comments |

Brain Training to Improve Driving Skills Using Video Games, For Teenagers and Older Adults

Last month, at an MIT Northern California event, we discussed what specific applications might take computer-based brain training to a new level, and highlighted the potential to test and improve Driving Skills.

Assessing and improving driving skills would be a top candidate, given both the well-defined nature of the need and the appearance of programs with growing evidence (both scientific and real-world) behind.

Along these lines, the New York Times just published an article, titled "Are You a Good Driver? Here's How to Find Out". A few quotes:

- "COULD a video game make you a better driver? More important, could computer software prevent teenagers from making fatal mistakes or even weed out older drivers whose debilities make them crash-prone?"

- "There are already programs like AAA's Roadwise Review (about $15), which is intended to help older people evaluate their driving."

- "There are other programs that will test mental agility and then use subsequent computer training sessions to improve a driver's skills. One such program is an online application called DriveFit ($89), which was developed by CogniFit, an Israeli company specializing in cognitive training software. DriveFit uses visual and memory tests to measure 12 driving-related cognitive abilities."

A question we often get when talking with insurance companies, "So, can we really train drivers to act smarter behind the wheel"? Well, it depends of what "smarter" means (we are not aware of brain training programs to make drivers avoid alcohol, or sleep-inducing medicaments, before driving), but there is growing evidence that specific cognitive skills that are important for driving can, indeed, be trained, resulting in better driving outcomes.

A key research reference: the published studies by Dr. Karlene Ball and Dr. Jerri Edwards. We had the fortune to interview Dr. Edwards recently, and this is what she had to say when I asked her to explain the results of their 2003 Human Factors paper (Roenker, D., Cissell, G., Ball, K., Wadley, V., & Edwards, J. (2003). Speed of processing and driving simulator training result in improved driving performance. Human Factors, 45: 218-233):

- "Our goal was to train what is called the "useful field of view." The useful field of view is a measure of processing speed and visual attention that is critical for driving performance, and one of the areas that declines with age. It has previously been shown that this skill can be improved with training, so we wanted to see what effect it would have on the driving performance of older adults, and whether the training would be more or less effective than a traditional driving simulation course.

- For the study, we divided forty-eight adults over fifty-five years old into two intervention groups of twenty-four people each. Each group received twenty hours of training. One group was exposed to a traditional driving simulator, where they learned specific driving behaviours. The other one went through the cognitive training program.

- Both groups' driving performance improved right after their respective programs, but most benefits of the driving simulator disappeared by month eighteen.

- The speed-of-processing intervention helped participants not only improve "useful field of view," the skill that was directly trained, but it also transferred into real-life driving, and the results were sustained after 18 months. And, by the way, the evaluation was as real as one can imagine: a 14-mile open road evaluation.

- Faster speed-of-processing seemed to enable adults to react better to unexpected events that require a fast response and to reduce by 40% the number of dangerous manoeuvres on real roads (defined as those that required the training instructor to intervene during the evaluation)."

Note: the program used in that study, called Visual Awareness, was recently acquired by Posit Science Corporation.

In short, more likely than not, I'd reply YES to the question used to open the New York Times article. A well-designed video game CAN make one a better driver.

Of course, this is an emerging field, and much more research needs to be done before applications become mainstream, but the field certainly deserves more attention, research dollars, and engagement by insurance companies to design and conduct real-world trials.

Allstate: what about spending just a fraction of your scary ad campaign ad campaign budget in exploring additional potential solutions?

Copyright (c) 2008 SharpBrains

Alvaro Fernandez is the CEO and Co-Founder of SharpBrains.com, which covers the brain fitness field, including programs such as DriveFit by CogniFit and Posit Science's Brain Fitness Program SharpBrains has been recognized by Scientific American Mind, Newsweek, Forbes. Alvaro teaches The Science of Brain Health at UC-Berkeley Lifelong Learning Institute. You can learn more at http://www.sharpbrains.com/

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Posted by mbuhlah, 4:02 AM | 0 comments |

Alternative Fuels For Your Car

So many different types of alternative fuels are being developed, that it's a very exciting time, somewhat like it must have been when the many varieties of crude cameras were being developed in the 19th century.

The primary goal is to produce fewer emissions, which not only are harmful to the air we breathe, but are also screwing up the planet in general. Another major goal is to reduce our dependence on oil, which is rapidly being depleted, partially resulting in unfathomable price hikes. Plus, the less we are dependent on foreign sources of oil, the better, for painfully obvious reasons.

In addition to hybrid cars, which use a combination of a gasoline engine with an electric motor powered by a battery, there are also flex-fuel vehicles, bi-fuel vehicles and converted vehicles which all allow you to use some form of alternative fuel, either alone or in combination with gasoline or diesel. Even plug-in electric hybrids are being developed which can use gasoline mixed with other fuels as a back-up source to electricity.

Types of alternative fuels used in cars include electricity, biodiesel, natural gas (methane), ethanol, methanol (wood alcohol), propane, hydrogen gas, and p-series fuels.

Biodiesel can be combined with petroleum diesel. Biodiesel is made from animal fats or vegetable oil, so we can produce it right here in the United States. It burns cleaner than pure diesel.

Electricity can come from fuel cells or a battery, and can be combined with gasoline for the most common hybrid car. There are all-electric cars, plug-in hybrids (which can acquire electricity from an outlet in your garage), or fuel cell cars.

Ethanol, otherwise known as E85, is usually combined with regular gasoline in various percentages. This is alcohol based and made from biomass or grains, such as wheat or corn. Since we can easily produce that, it frees us from foreign dependence on oil. It also burns cleaner. Flex-fuel vehicles that use 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline are already out there on the roads in several models.

Methanol was being combined with gasoline, but may be used in fuel-cell cars in the future. It comes from coal.

Natural gas, or methane, can power certain cars, which can run on either natural gas or gasoline, depending on what is available. It can be gotten from landfills, natural gas fields, or as a byproduct of oil drilling or coal mining. It must be compressed or liquefied to use in an automobile. It is possible to have bi-fuel vehicles, which run on regular gasoline or natural gas.

P-Series fuels are clear and can be used alone or combined with gasoline.

Hydrogen as fuel for cars is still in development. Hydrogen comes from water, which is still plentiful on this earth. It can be harnessed from petroleum refining in the form of natural gas, or it can come from running electricity through water. It must be converted to liquid or highly compressed to store it in the car, so it looks like it will be used mainly to power fuel cells in electric vehicles. It can also be mixed with natural gas for certain engines.

We usually think of propane as a fuel for camping lanterns and stoves, but it can also be used to power a car. It is a byproduct of natural gas and crude oil refining.

The more that these alternative fuels are used, the more that standard gasoline vehicles will stand out for their foul, smelly exhaust, until it will become positively embarrassing, (not to mention prohibitively expensive), to continue driving around harming the environment with one. Let's hope that time comes soon.

Laura Eggers Underhill writes for http://www.totally-hybrid-cars.com, a site for learning about the various hybrid cars available.

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Posted by mbuhlah, 4:01 AM | 0 comments |

Cheaper Way To Do Hydrogen Car Conversion

If you are thinking of implementing hydrogen car conversion, a cheaper alternative will be to convert your vehicle to a hybrid car/truck. It means making your car to run on both hydrogen and gasoline at the same time. The idea behind hybrid car is that you will be able to achieve better mileage with the same amount of petrol/diesel.

So how do you start with the hydrogen car conversion? There is a system you can use that makes use of water, an ever abundant resource, as the fuel for producing Hydrogen power. This system converts water into a gas known as HHO or Brown gas. The system has the ability to increase mileage of vehicles by 30% to 100% depending on models. Thousands of people who implemented the system testified to great savings in terms of fuel expenditure and great reduction in smog coming out of their vehicles.

You see, HHO burns cleanly and releases water and oxygen. Thus, no carbon dioxide is emitted by the gas which greatly reduces the carbon emission of the vehicle leading to positive contribution to the global warming situation we are facing today.

Tangible benefits drivers can expect from the system include:

1. Removal of carbon deposits as well as prevention of future build ups.

2. Prolonged lifespan of engine parts such as pistons, valves, bearing, etc.

3. Smoother engine operation and a boost in power as HHO produces more energy than regular gasoline.

4. Reduction of harmful chemicals released into the atmosphere. If more and more people start to do this, it will make a huge difference to the quality of air in that region. Of course, more trees does help too.

5. If you are the entrepreneur type, you can even start a business helping people with hydrogen car conversion with your expertise.

Find out how hydrogen car conversion can be achieved with low cost equipments here

Author's review website on clickbank products: http://www.clickbankproductreview.com

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Posted by mbuhlah, 4:00 AM | 0 comments |

Biodiesel - Fuel for the 21st Century

In this new age where fuel is the most precious commodity available, it is time that mankind turned to a more efficient, safer, cleaner, renewable fuel for use in our massively transportation dependent society. The answer to a century of wars over oil and the horrendous aftermath thereof are simply, in one word - biodiesel. Biodiesel has been around for over a century, but only recently has the world awakened to a need for fuels at any cost that will not destroy our already fragile ecosystem, and you will soon know why the whole world should be excited.

Biodiesel was first synthesized back in 1893 before the first diesel engine was even developed. Biodiesel is essentially oil of any type-be it animal fat or vegetable oil that has been reacted with an alcohol in a process called transesterification. The chemical name of the results of this reaction is mono-alkyl ester or biodiesel, and glycerol-common glycerin. Biodiesel can be used as an alternative to petrodiesel in more applications than you may think.

Biodiesel has some very interesting properties. While not as energy dense as common petroleum diesel, it is a much cleaner fuel with lower sulfur, and it burns cleaner leaving the atmosphere less harmed. Biodiesel even cleans engines which have been run on petroleum diesel from the inside, dissolving deposits of gunk and particulates that originated in typical petroleum fuel. Biodiesel's main lure is the fact that in theory we could supply the world's energy needs from one safe clean alternative fuel that is 100% renewable.

As for applications, biodiesel can be utilized in most locomotives that you are already aware of, with little or no changes to the engine. This means that if you have a vehicle that runs presently on diesel-be it a sport utility vehicle, station wagon, car, or tractor trailer truck-it can run on biodiesel with only one step. That step is filling the tank! This is the primary reason why biodiesel could revolutionize the fuel industry. With biodiesel, there is no need to upgrade our present fleets of trucks, cars, trains, vans, and boats that run on diesel into prohibitively expensive solar powered vehicles; we can simply pull them into a gas station that offers biodiesel and fuel up. It is true that any engine built for diesel can run on biodiesel, the only issue that could come up is with engines that were built before 1992. Many of these engines have rubber parts that would slowly be dissolved by biodiesel. But the modifications required can be done in a few minutes by any mechanic.

Also, other than transportation most diesel generators as well as heaters can be run on biodiesel without modifications. This means that we can generate electricity using this exciting new renewable fuel. There was even a test flight in early 2008 of a jumbo jet run only on biodiesel. The potential of biodiesel to revolutionize our energy industry is enormous, not to mention the economic opportunities for farming nations that depend on the agricultural industry to survive. Many of these nations have begun to plant many acres of oil rich crops that are then sold to make biodiesel all over the world. The real opportunity for biodiesel to save our energy dependent society lies in algae. Algae has proven to be capable of a higher yield per acre of biodiesel convertible oil than any other plant. With time and effective engineering of an efficient algae farming method, we will be able to utilize the solar energy more efficiently than ever, and we will easily be able to answer the worlds energy needs with biodiesel.

You know a bit more than you did about biodiesel. Biodiesel may not be the holy grail of energy sources, but it comes pretty close in these times of oil wars and a rapidly depleted ozone layer. Perhaps you should look into biodiesel as your personal alternative fuel today. The more informed we are as a society, the brighter the future may be for our children. Biodiesel is not the fuel of tomorrow, I dare to say it is the fuel of today. Cleaner, renewable, convenient, and available; biodiesel may be a turning point in the world's energy resources.

Find used cars, fast cars, and hybrid cars at VehicleRide.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fei_Lim

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Posted by mbuhlah, 3:59 AM | 0 comments |

Snow Tire Chains - Getting Ready For Winter

If you live in an area where the road is covered by snow most of the year, you may be required to have snow tire chains on your vehicle. What are they? They are special tire equipment that increases one's traction ability as they are driving.

In many states they are illegal, since they can cause harm to the roads. Yet, in other states they are necessary for a safe commute. For this reason you need to acquire as much knowledge as you can about them, so you can be fully aware of what is involved in installing and using them.

What Type Of Vehicle Do You Have?

So, what's the first thing you should know about snow tires chains? Basically, you should be aware that their specific placement will depend on the type of vehicle you have. These are available for: front wheel drives, rear wheel drives and four wheel drives. If you have a front wheel drive, the snow tire chains must be placed on the two front tires. For rear wheel drives, snow tire chains must be placed on the tires in the back-end of the vehicle. Finally, four wheel drives require two pairs of snow tire chains on all of the wheels, both front and rear.

Checkpoints

What does a person do if their vehicle lacks the proper front wheel, rear wheel or four wheel drive tires? If they live in a state that requires snow tire chains, they can get them professionally fitted at special checkpoints. In fact, as they are getting their cars checked, they may legally have to take advantage of such a service. But since it's usually at the checkpoint station, it shouldn't be too inconvenient. However, it should be noted that drivers are charged a fee for the service.

Installing Them Yourself

For everyone else installing snow tire chains shouldn't be too difficult. Instructions on how to install the chains should be provided from the store selling them. If they can't be found there, drivers can always look up suggestions on the Internet on the easiest way to install them. Usually, the process involves manipulating lever locks while draping the chain over the tire. Some sites offering free installation instructions will provide pictures to further assist in the process.

Of course, if you find that you're still having difficulty installing them, you can try and get a mechanic to do it or see if your state's checkpoint station can qualify you for their installation service.

Speed Limit

Once you have installed snow tire chains, expect your driving experience to be different. Yes, you will notice you have incredible traction but on the downside you will also be limited when it comes to speed. Indeed, don't expect to go 60 miles per hour when you have them. You will instead be going at around 30 miles per hour, (which for many areas is the actual speed limit for vehicles with snow tire chains).

Additionally, you will still need to be cautious in areas where there are rocks, roots or other hidden obstacles. If you hit these hard enough, you could damage your snow tire chains. This is even more reason why you will need to drive slowly, especially when traveling in areas where the road is underdeveloped.

Ernest Jarquio is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Just-Tires-n-Rims.com. He provides more resources on topics such as discount tire centers, Wal-Mart tires and Tire Barn that you can research on his website even while lounging in your living room.

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Posted by mbuhlah, 3:58 AM | 0 comments |

Tractor Tires for Sale - Finding the Best

One of the best ways to find the best kind of tractor tires for sale is to visit your nearest tire company. Trained tire professionals are available at these establishments to help you locate the tire or tires that will suit your needs. They may even be able to find used tires that will be exactly the kind and type you are looking for.

Different Tire Types

In order to help these people help you, be prepared to tell them what you are planning to use your tractor for. Since tractor tires can vary so much in price, it may help to save you some hard-earned money if it is known exactly what your tractor will be doing on your farm. You may want deep lug tires, regular agricultural tires, or diamond tread tires. All of these are suited for different uses.

Your rear tires do most of the tractor's work, and therefore it is extremely important that you get the right kind. The larger the rear tires, the less of a chance you have of getting stuck in the mud the first time you proudly take your tractor out for a spin.

Or, perhaps you have a more modern tractor whose tires are all the same size. Whatever sort of tractor tires you are looking for, the main thing is to find a tire suited to your tractor at a price you can afford.

Should You Buy Used Tires?

Some retail tire establishments also offer used tires. Look over carefully any used tire offered to you. Pay close attention to the tread, and check the sidewalls of the tires for any sort of damage like a cut or a bubbled area. As you know, truck tires are expensive, and buying used may well save you some money.

You also have the option of buying tractor tires online from various vendors. This is not necessarily more expensive than buying them at a local tire establishment and may in fact be much cheaper. How does this work?

Buying Online

You order the size and kind of tire that you need via the web, and usually can pay for them with your credit card. Most of the time, if the tire or tires you are looking for are not in stock, the vendor will be able to find them for you through a network of other stores that sell tires. Normally, you do not have to pay sales tax on the tires that you buy online, and this in itself is a huge savings.

Once your tires are chosen and paid for, they can either be picked up personally by you if you should happen to live close enough, or they can be shipped to a local installer in your area. The installer will then contact you when your tires have arrived, and you can take your tractor to their place of business to have them installed.

Finding tractor tires for sale need not be a burden if you take the time to establish exactly the type and size of tire you are looking for, and decide how much you want to spend.

Ernest Jarquio is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Just-Tires-n-Rims.com. He provides more resources on topics such as online tire sales, discount tire stores and Wal-Mart tires that you can research on his website even while lounging in your living room.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ernest_Jarquio

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Posted by mbuhlah, 3:57 AM | 0 comments |

Drive Safely!

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

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Posted by mbuhlah, 3:56 AM | 0 comments |

Car Restoration

Classic car restoration is a huge ordeal, and a big job, but if it's done right it can also be a lot of fun. Involve your family and make a big family fun time out of it, or if you take it to a shop, but remember that classic cars are meant to be one thing, and that is fun. If it's not fun or enjoyable for you, then do yourself a favor and sell it.

Shop Preparation

The first step during classic car restoration is to get your shop ready for the restoration. You will need a camera, a place for the parts, and a labeling system. It is best to take pictures of the parts as you pull them off so you know where they were at and where the new parts should be placed. When taking the parts of the vehicle you will need to place them in an orderly fashion so you can find them again if you need them. Cardboard boxes come in really handy at this point. Labeling the parts is a great method of keeping track of where they go, what they do, and what they are called in case you need to purchase a newer part. Never throw away the parts until the car is completed as you may need them again at some point.

Tear Down

The second step to classic car restoration is to tear down the car in sections. Begin at one end and work your way down the car until you reach the other end. This process will take a lot of time as you will need to take pictures on a continuous basis. The pictures will consist of what the car looked like before the part was removed and after the part was replaced.

Inventory

During this step you will determine what parts can be reused and what parts will need to be replaced. This is the ideal time to determine your budget for your classic car restoration project as well. This is a lot easier than it sounds. Sort your parts into two categories: Replace & Repair. Go through the replace box and mark down every part in it on your notepad under the replace column. Do the same thing for the repair parts and place them on your notepad under the repair column. Now you have an idea of what you need and what you have. This part of the classic car restoration process may seem tedious and boring but it will pay off in the end.

Cleaning Process

Once all the parts are removed you can begin to strip your car down to bare metal. There are several methods to do this which could include sand blasting, glass beading, garnet blasting, and sodium bicarbonate blasting. The best method is known as acid dipping but you will need to check to see if it's available in your area. This form of stripping doesn't leave sand in every crevice of your car like sand blasting. Acid dipping removes a lot of foreign substances, paint and rust.

Evaluation

During the evaluation period, you will evaluate what needs to be done. Most classic cars will need the floorboards, trunk floors, trunk extensions that attach to the trunk floors changed out, and in most cases there will also be rust holes and dents. Take a sharpie marker and mark all the spots that need to be repaired or replaced. This process will determine whether your car is a beauty or whether it is a pile of metal. Take your time to ensure you have found all the problem spots. Once the car is painted you can not go back.

Body Work & Final Prime

Start with the hardest tasks of getting the dents out and filling the rust spots. Once this is complete you can move on to the lighter tasks. Once your classic car is finished to 36 or 40 grit paper, it is time to spread the final body coat until it is just above level. Before it is completely dry you will take 80 grit paper along those spots. Once this is complete you can glaze the car. After glazing has dried the first layer of primer can be applied. The priming process will determine how smooth your car looks in the end so it is vital to do it right the first time around.

Prep & Sand

You will need to prep the car for paint and sealer once the dust has been removed off the car. Although it is an extra step, it is better to seal the car at this point. Begin with 220 grit wet sandpaper to smooth the surface of the primer. Apply 320 grit wet paper will help you achieve that dull shine that you want to complete before moving on. Applying 600 grit wet paper will help you achieve that hazy mirror effect. Your prep work is complete after this and you can apply the sealer.

Now that your classic car restoration is complete you can cruise around to show off all your hard work and enjoy your sense of accomplishment.

Everything You Need To Know About Car Restoration Car Restoration

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_J_Farrell

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Posted by mbuhlah, 3:56 AM | 0 comments |

Water is the Future of Car Fuel

You can save a massive chunk of money usually spent on your gasoline. Water fueled cars are already being used by thousands of people worldwide with little to no initial effort. How exactly do they work, and should we take advantage before it's too late?

Deviating from regular hybrid cars, water for gas hybrid cars do not have electric motors, an outlandish braking system and high voltage cables that transfer 270 volts. Routine maintenance remains the same as they were when running on basic gasoline: change the oil and filters, look at the brakes, examine the coolant level, turning signals, wipers, lights, tires, and defroster etc.

The only dillemma of storage for Hydrogen as an alternative fuel has been a real setback on its usage. Worse still, other agric. based alternative fuel if commercialized will impact negatively on both the environment and the food situation in the world. But with water for gas technology, all you need is a little piece of equipment to convert your car to burn water into HHO making it possible for your car to use minimal gas and more water as fuel. So why the seeming disdain for water-for-gas?

And, as hoped, the costs of such a system is much less than most people can comfortably believe.

Maintenance for a water for gas car, is as effortless as it should be: just check the top up HHO water on occasion. You do not need to go to the garage to check your HHO water level; you should be able to do it yourself.

For the full guide on making your own water gas, visit this site to make the switch and start saving tons of money today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bobby_Natt

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Posted by mbuhlah, 3:55 AM | 0 comments |

The Secret of Water For Gas

Basically the concept behind on-demand gas water heaters is the very same as with a normal gas water heater. The gas is ignited in a controlled environment. You will be able to tell it is working as the blue flames heat the water to the desired temperature. The main differences between the two types of water heater systems are how they burn and when they heat the water.

Apply some water into a special container under the hood of your car and connect it to the battery.The HHO burns alongside the regular gas and gives you car more energy so you increase your mileage by 30-70%.

An atypical gas water heater system contains a tank where the water flows to a set level in the tank. The system will then ignite the pilot so the burners heat up. They will burn until the water is at the set temperature. This type of water heater system is constantly heating the water to maintain the right temperature. Therefore it isn't the most efficient type of system for heating water. This is the main reason so many people are choosing to upgrade to an on demand gas water heater.

An automobile makes HHO (two hydrogen + one oxygen) fuel as it runs, and its end product is water. So without the harmful emissions associated with fossil fuel, it is very friendly to the environment. I found Water For Gas a couple of months ago, though this technology is said to have been around for more than 90 years.

Science aside, it merely takes a decision to harness the power of water for gas and start saving today.

For the full guide on making your own water gas, visit this site to make the switch.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bobby_Natt

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Posted by mbuhlah, 3:54 AM | 0 comments |

What Will You Change if Gas Prices Continue to Rise?

Gas prices are becoming a huge concern, and rightly so. The price of gas has officially hit an all time high and there are no signs of it coming down any time soon. So what can the average consumer do to not get eaten alive every time they go to the pump?

Many analysts have been saying that the price of gas is likely to hit $4 a gallon this year, and with the price of crude oil also reaching record levels, it would seem that it is likely to happen. One hope though is that this year will follow the same trend as last year with prices reaching their peak in May. Only time will tell.

That's the concern: now here are some solutions for the meantime.

Change Your Habits

A lot of us have bad driving habits that are causing us to burn more gas than we need to. Here are a couple of tips for you:

* Try to cut out those extra trips to the store. Do some extra planning and you'll save some gas.
* If you're in a long line (pharmacy drive ups for example), turn your car off rather than burn gas.
* Use a fuel saving additive product to increase your gas mileage
* Carpool if and when possible
* etc.

There are lots of tips that we could add to this list, but those are a couple that everyone could start to use to make a difference in their own lives. Even something as simple as using a fuel additive is something everyone can do.

If prices do continue to rise, chances are that most of us will have to make some lifestyle changes in order to not spend too much extra money on gas. Perhaps it means less weekend getaways or Sunday drives. Maybe we'll have to plan our time and trips better. Maybe it means less food runs while at work. Either way, we will need to think of changes to make.

Hopefully prices don't get out of control this year, but if you're feeling like you're going to have to make lifestyle changes if the price gets too high why not start making those changes now so that you are ready if the hit comes?

If you're looking for a fuel saving additive that can increase your gas mileage, come to FuelAdditiveStore.com. We carry a proven line of fuel additives at a great price! Start saving money now with these great products.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Patterson

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Posted by mbuhlah, 3:53 AM | 0 comments |

Are Solar Powered Cars a Realistic Option?

Solar powered cars may be the wave of the future. Or not.

True solar powered cars are actually electric vehicles powered by solar panels. The panels produce electricity by converting the sun's rays into energy stored in batteries. These batteries then power the vehicle.

The problem is that makers of solar-powered cars haven't figured out how to solve some very big problems...problems that keep true solar cars from being commercially viable.

In order to harness the energy of the sun effectively, solar-powered cars have had to be extremely lightweight plus they have to be designed so as to be as close to aerodynamically perfect as possible...and neither of these limitations makes for a good road vehicle. After all, don't you want a car that can carry at least 5 people and go 70 mph on the highway? And how about air conditioning?

If that's what you want from a vehicle, you don't want a solar-powered car...not yet. In the first place true solar-powered cars can currently carry no more than 2 people. Now, that might be great if what you want is a sports car. But, if you want a sports car, you probably want it to go more than a top speed of 60 miles per hour.

Granted, ongoing work on solar cells will allow them to become much, much smaller and the cars they are used on to become more "user-friendly".

But, in the meantime, just because true solar powered cars might still be the stuff of dreams, solar powered hybrid vehicles could actually turn out to be pretty practical.

Indeed, systems that use solar energy to charge a hybrid vehicle's battery pack (along with a supplemental solar battery system) actually allow for hybrid cars to operate for extended periods in the electric (rather than gas) mode before needing to be charged. The use of such a solar power charging system could increase fuel economy by at least 25%.

By reducing dependence on recharging the hybrid's battery by running it on solar power, rather than gasoline power, the use of solar energy makes hybrid vehicles even more "green" than they already are.

Take Care,
Steve Longoria

Steve Longoria writes on the growing Alternative Fuel Vehicles market, encouraging people to adopt greener fuels and, ultimately, to help people save money. For more info on Fuel Cell Cars then visit ezAlternativeFuelVehicles.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_H._Longoria

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Posted by mbuhlah, 3:52 AM | 0 comments |

In-Depth Automotive Review, 2009 Pontiac Vibe - Test Drive & Pricing

Pontiac's reliable Vibe hatchback returns with a new facelift for 2009 and it doesn't disappoint. From what I enjoyed about the first generation smartly carried over to the newer body style. The Vibe also shared many attributes with its sibling, the Toyota Matrix. And it is with this similar familiarity, that both the Vibe and Matrix have enjoyed brisk sales, great reliability, and swift performance in this SUV alternative. So what exactly did Pontiac and Toyota do to further enhance the hatchback to appeal to the repeat faithfuls, I drive and pick apart the new 09 to find out.

Easily one of the more taller of hatchbacks (put Scion Xa, Mazda 3 hatch, and Suburu's Legacy wagon), it was about the most roomiest and versatile in it's interior appointments as well. But lets start outside first of all, the body was stout, if not a little bit more cutting edge than its bubbly predecessor. Toyota's craftsmanship showed itself in tight fitting body panels, crystal clear lighting, and aerodynamics with a purpose. In addition, it was easy to enter and exit the vehicle as it did not sit too low nor is it like jumping into a Hummer. Doors closed with a solid thump, and there was little in the way of road noise or rattles as I took it down I-80. I made sure I flogged the bumps and bruises on the road just to make sure, and it was more than pleasurable. Acceleration is very good and placed the perfect mix of passing power, and yet knew where to limit it's power in the sake of good gas mileage. Pontiac certainly did it's homework in Japanese ingenuity, it's an all around good driver.

Second, the interior went a little bit more angular, and less ho-hum with nicer instrument gauges. Fit and finish carried over from the exterior with pleasing to the touch materials and low gloss facing to inhibit sun glare. This in turn, aimed to make future wear and tear less of an issue because build quality is way above average. My test model was a base automatic with a/c, power package, c/d player with MP3 input jack, and comfortable seating with a little bit wider seat bottom than the last generation. I especially loved the folding rear seats with the cleanable plastic covers which made this more of the utility car and a great alternative to the broad SUV. I'm glad they carried this feature over without hesitation. As a result, interior appointments held up its end of the bargain with sturdy features and durability.

Problems were few, but consumers would know that I would bring up the cheesy wheel caps. Especially a car hovering around the $17k mark, I would of expected better, even if it was just a base alloy wheel. The transmission did the job to advance the car quickly, the lag between gears were a little bit longer however, making the engine hum to higher octaves. Also, expect about $800-1000 between invoice and MSRP, a little room but will hopefully make a difference in your shopping choices.

In closing, the 2009 Pontiac Vibe returned with more cutting edge handsomeness and a couple extras to better it's market share as one of the more appealing choices. The great thing is that Pontiac/Toyota used that age old philosophy "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude and will sell lots of these little cars in a gasoline turbulent market.

If you enjoyed this article and would like more information on other reviews on some of the newest cars, please feel free to visit: http://kookoox10thereviewspot.blogspot.com

Gasoline prices are an ever price changing commodity, for tips and advice on how to conserve and save money, please visit my blog at: http://kookoox10-rulestosaveatthepump.blogspot.com

Shaun Davidson-Automotive and Finance Consultant-2008.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shaun_Patrick_Davidson

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Posted by mbuhlah, 3:52 AM | 0 comments |

HHO Gas - How Can I Run My Car On HHO Gas?

If you've stumbled upon this article, you're probably already somewhat familiar with HHO technology. This article will aim to explain how this technology works to increase fuel economy and how it will benefit you and your vehicle.

First off, we must understand what HHO Gas is and how it is created. This gas is simply a manipulation of a water molecule. When water is exposed to an electrical current, the molecules are separated into their respective parts, hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen, as we all know, is a very good source of energy. How do we get HHO gas from this? Well HHO, as the name suggest, is 2 parts hydrogen and 1 part oxygen. The bond is broken down by the electrical charge we will introduce, thus leaving us with this powerful and efficient burning gas to use in our vehicle.

Now that we have our HHO Gas, how do we use it? Well, all things equal, this gas is three times more potent than gasoline alone, however it does need some help to power a vehicle. What we are going to be doing is introducing this gas into our vehicle's combustion chamber. What this does is assist the combustion process by creating a much more efficient blend of gasoline / air / and HHO Gas. This can, in some cases, double the fuel economy of a vehicle.

HHO Gas, since it is derived from a very clean and simple molecule, (water) is a very clean burning form of power. This allows our vehicles to produce much lower emissions and also will serve to gradually clean out any carbon deposits that may already be inside the engine.

This all may sound a little complicated, but we assure you it's not. The conversion process itself is very simple. It only takes a couple of hours and can be reversed in a matter of minutes. If you are worried about your warranty, it will have no effect. Any process that is reversible will not void your warranty.

This is a 100% proven and legitimate form of technology and has been hiding out in crafty garages across the nation. Now we all have a chance to save gas, save money, prolong the life of our vehicles, and most of all, save the environment, one HHO Gas car at a time!

WaterFuelConversion.net is a leading provider of quality HHO Gas conversion guides. We have a mission to spread the word about this technology to aid in the process of saving our planet, our economy, and your money!

Visit WaterFuelConversion.net today and we will even GIVE you our exclusive free fuel savings guide, no questions asked. This guide that can save you $500 a year or more on fuel costs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cody_Wheeler

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Posted by mbuhlah, 3:51 AM | 0 comments |

Repossessed Car Government Auction

You can own the car of your dreams without hurting your budget through a repossessed car government auction. If you look for a trusted source online, you will able to find the right automobile at a fraction of the original price you would expect to pay in the real market. You will be able to save more by investing in quality cars that the government offers.

Repossessed cars include every vehicle seized from unscrupulous and criminal individuals, surplus, unclaimed property as well as loan collateral. The government and other financial agencies try to get rid of the growing number of vehicles they have in order to recover losses in part or full. To stay competitive in the market, they will auction off cars of different types at very low prices. You will be able to save anywhere from 10% to 50%.

A repossessed car government auction features vehicles of various kinds like luxury models, sports cars, SUVs, trucks and many more. The condition varies as well but rest assured that it will be very easy to spot well-maintained ones aging only a few years old. Some of the cars put up for sale are virtually brand new since the previous owners may not have had the chance to use them before government seizure.

You will find a trusted source online which showcases repossessed car government auction. The Web site will include all details you need to ensure quality and a price that fits your budget. Make sure you compare online sites as well to make the most out of your selection.

Charlene J. Nuble is a healthcare professional who loves writing about women's issues, parenting and other internet related stuffs. Click on the link to learn more about Repossessed Car Government Auction...

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlene_Nuble

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Posted by mbuhlah, 3:50 AM | 0 comments |

Accidental Airbag Deployment

Airbags are one of the most important inventions when it comes to car safety in case of an accident. These inflatable bags are meant to prevent the driver's and the passenger's bodies from hitting the dashboard and the steering when an accident occurs.

Nevertheless, even if airbags have saved many lives over the years, the system is not perfect and there have been numerous cases in which accidental airbag deployment has caused more harm than good and injured severely the passengers.

Modern cars are more and more complex and have tens or even hundreds or onboard computers. However, with the increase of the number of electronic devices inside a car, the chances that something might go wrong increase greatly.

The main causes for accidental airbag deployment are human error or problems within the system, but in both cases the results can be quite severe. There are several ways to deactivate the airbags. You need to disconnect the battery for 10 to 20 minutes so the airbag's back-up battery is depleted too.

Airbag manufacturers include a back-up battery with their systems so the airbag would deploy even if the car's battery is damaged in a crash. The situation is more complicated with hybrid cars, that store great amounts of electricity on board and deactivating the airbags in a hybrid car should only be done in specialized shops.

When airbags are developed, they are meant to deploy after the on board computer calculates a series of forces, such as the inertial and gravitational force as well as decelerating speeds.

If any of the pre-established conditions are not met, the airbags will not deploy. Installing after market equipment on your car can interfere with the airbag's proper deployment method. Al the cars' buyer's guides will tell you to leave free the zone in front of the airbag, but there are people that install other objects in this area, such as mobile phone chargers and supports, i-pod docking stations or other such objects that will be in the airbag's way in case of an accident.

In more rare cases, the owner has performed a series of electrical modifications to the car's system that have interfered with the airbag's deployment mechanism. These are the main reasons that are cataloged as human involvement to accidental airbag deployment. There can also be manufacturer defects that can prevent the airbags from deploying correctly. Any serious repair shops can tell you after a computerized test if the airbag system is working correctly.

Finally, an airbag can deploy accidentally due to environmental conditions, such as operating the car in very wet or very dusty conditions for a long time. There are a series of tips that should be respected if you want to maintain your car's airbag system. First, if you need to do any kind of electrical operation, never work on the car unless you have disconnected the battery. If you ever need to deactivate the airbags, follow exactly the manufacturer's indications or go to a specialized shop. They will be able to re-connect it again and to assure you the airbag system will work properly in the future. When replacing any parts on the car, always use new and sealed factory parts. These parts have a warranty and you can be sure they are not old, rusted or defective.

Dennis runs Car Dealer Check which has reviews on Missouri Car Dealers including St. Louis Car Dealers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dennis_J_James

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Posted by mbuhlah, 3:49 AM | 0 comments |

Essential Benefits To Having A Car Alarm Installed In Corporate Fleet Vehicles

Every fleet manager aspires to reduce the cost of fleet operation to improve the bottom line. Car alarms and vehicle security is an important part of this mandate. Company personnel depend on having access to reliable transport to be able to meet new clients, deliver products and attend important business events. Cars that end up stolen diminish productivity, can result in a loss of business opportunity and can necessitate costly replacement or retrieval costs. Fitting cars with a vehicle monitoring alarm makes good business and security sense to deter theft and protect company vehicle assets. The following article looks further into some of the advantages to having a car alarm installed.

It's no secret that a car thief prefers to choose an easy target. Cars that do not have any form of vehicle security are much easier targets than cars that have either an alarm or immobilizer installed. Whilst a car alarm won't necessarily prevent a thief from smashing a car window to lift valuable property from the inside of the vehicle, many thieves will do a runner if they are startled by the sudden noise created by an alarm siren going off. Even if the thief does choose to proceed with car theft the crime could be short lived when the noise arouses sufficient attention. Many cars come pre-fitted with factory installed alarms but with the cost of alarms now very affordable, cars that are not sufficiently protected may be entitled to an insurance premium reduction should you decide to install an alarm in the vehicle.

Have you ever been unable to locate your vehicle in bad weather or been presented with the challenge of locating your vehicle in a sprawling car park? Many car alarms allow you to setoff the alarm manually from the push of a button. This is a cheeky way to locate your car. Whilst I am sure that passing pedestrians won't be overly impressed it can be a lifesaver if a blizzard impairs your visibility or you simply can't find the location of your vehicle in the car park.

Do you live in an unsavory neighborhood or have to resort to using street parking late at night? Besides acting as a theft deterrent, car alarms are also a great personal security aid. Many females who feel vulnerable to this type of situation can greatly benefit from knowing they have the option to set off an alarm if there personal security is threatened. There is nothing more disconcerting to a potential offender than being startled in the middle of trying to perpetrate a crime. It could be just what you need to take your personal safety to the next level.

Technology advancements in car alarms now result in several additional security features. With built in vehicle tracking, some alarms now posses GPS capability which permits an almost instantaneous pinpointing of a stolen vehicle. This not only aids quick recovery but can result in the capture of the offender. More advanced alarms now have mobile capability which allows the end user to exercise certain controls over the vehicles capability. This can include immobilizing a moving vehicle whilst it is in a stationary position.

A car alarm is a precautionary measure that is often difficult to put a value on. You never know when you could be a victim of crime and whether the act will take place at a crucial point in your career. By having an alarm installed you put your best efforts forward to protect your property. When it comes to disposing of the vehicle, an alarm is a feature that will also allow you to realize greater vehicle resale value.

Andrew Winthorp owns and operates http://www.autoalarmsystemonline.com - Automotive Alarm System. Learn more about vehicle monitoring alarms and their benefits.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Winthorp

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Posted by mbuhlah, 3:48 AM | 0 comments |

Auto Auction Bargains

When we want to purchase a vehicle we usually go browsing the local vehicle sale lots and spend days and hours looking for a bargain and don't ever consider that there is an easier and more affordable way such as purchasing through an auction. Why is it a good idea to buy vehicles from public, or police seized auctions? There are a number of reasons

§ The prices of these vehicles can be greatly reduced according to the actual retail value.

§ These cars need to be sold quickly for the need of cash, usually spurned from the fact that there are more cars than buyers and limited amounts of space to store vehicles also storing vehicles is expensive, especially in the case of police seized or government vehicle auctions.

§ A person can make a lot of money just from buying these vehicles and selling them for a profit.

§ These auctions are started at very low bids to ensure immediate sales.

Every make and model is available and every sale is a motivated sale making the internet a very easy and convenient method where one can find quality vehicles at prices that are really low, however its sometimes hard to find some good auction sites as the good ones are imitated and copied hundreds of times over, making it extremely long to sift through to find the few gems that are out there in internet land but with perseverance one can find really great sites that have easy site navigation and can set you on the path to obtaining a great bargain. There are thousands of vehicles out there and plenty of bargains to be found.

Anyone that is excited about saving cash and driving their dream vehicle and are interested in finding these great auction sites can check out my blog http://automan-kwikfix.blogspot.com/

Clayton is a car fanatic and writes articles on anything to do with them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clayton_E_Cockerill

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Posted by mbuhlah, 3:48 AM | 0 comments |

Acceleration as a Major Reason of Failure in the Driving Test

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.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nadav_Snir

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Posted by mbuhlah, Thursday, April 3, 2008 6:42 AM | 0 comments |

How Good Quality High Performance All Season Tires Can Save Your Life

High performance all season tires do much more than just make your vehicle look better and perform better. They also are an incredible safety item and if they are kept in proper shape and inflated properly they can really save your life. As someone who has been around the automotive business for a lot of my life I have to say that a quality set of all season radial tires are essential for any automobile owner. Just as a house must have a good foundation, your car is no different. The car and your very life as well are dependent upon your tires and wheels. This is the reason that you keep your tires in good shape.

Some people think that maintaining all season tires is just the act of replacing them when the treads begin to show but there is a lot more to it than that. For starters you need to be sure that you always keep your tires inflated properly and rotate the tires as the manufacturer suggests so that the tread wear remains even and you don't have tires that wear out before their time. The other thing is that you need to avoid running your vehicle on rough unfinished or rocky roads and avoid running into curbs. Another thing that causes tires to wear out quickly is taking curves or corners sharply at a high rate of speed. This is one of the reasons that race car drivers have to change tires so frequently. Stopping hard will also place undo stress on your tires so you should avoid jackrabbit starts and quick stops.

If you own your vehicle any time at all you will have to change your tires and for most people this is a job that cannot be done on your own. Even if you are one of those types that think that think you can do it all yourself this is one area if expertise that is best left to the professionals. Even before I got involved in the automotive industry I was into working on my car and doing as much as I could by myself. My brother and I used to work on our cars in the backyard on the weekends. The big thing with installing tires is that they need to be properly aligned and balanced which cannot be done without specialized equipment that is found at a tire dealer. You can drive a car without balancing the tires but it is not really safe to do so and it will drastically reduce the life of your tires. The best bet is to swallow your pride and realize that there are some things that you cannot do on your own and let the tire shop handle it for you.

Gregg Hall is an author living with his 18 year old son in Jensen Beach, Florida. Find more about tires as well as custom wheels at http://www.nsearch.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall

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Posted by mbuhlah, 6:41 AM | 0 comments |

Why You Need To Always Have A Tire Pressure Gauge In Your Vehicle

If you want to get the most life out of your tires it is crucial that you keep a tire pressure gauge in your vehicle to be sure that your tires are inflated to the optimum levels. It is not only important for making sure that the tires last as long as possible but also for the best performance as well as safety. A large percentage of drivers neglect this and they pay for it dearly. The relatively few people who do have the gauges don't use them as regularly as they should.

A pressure gauge is an easy tool to use and it only takes a couple of minutes to check all of your tires. As mentioned above if the tool is used properly it can save you tons of money over the life of your vehicle. One does not have to possess any special skills or training to be able to use this tool and complete the process in a matter of minutes. This simple maintenance routine takes very little time to employ and requires very little effort.

Most people just don't realize how proper tire pressure affects everything from tire wear to gas mileage. I found out just how big a difference it made when I was in some financial difficulties and was having a hard time coming up with the money to fill my gas tank. Not only was it costing me a fortune in gas but it was being used very quickly as well.

One day while I was complaining about how much gas I was burning through in a car that was supposed to be highly fuel efficient a buddy of mine told me that the problem may be my tire pressure and he suggested that I get a pressure gauge and start using it on a regular basis. I was a little hard headed about it at first until he told me how improper tire inflation could hurt fuel economy. I thought I knew a lot about cars and didn't really even consider how much the tire pressure affected my gas mileage.

Due to the fact that I knew and trusted my friend I didn't hesitate going out and buying a pressure gauge but I was a little concerned at first about how easy it would be to use. I figured that like any other tool, if I didn't know how to use it then it wouldn't really do me a lot of good. The idea of learning to use a new device wasn't really at the top pf my list of fun things to do but I did it anyway and I found that the tool was super easy to use and took very little time or effort. Now that I know how much money it saves me I always make sure that I have one in my vehicle.

Gregg Hall is an author living with his 18 year old son in Jensen Beach, Florida. Find more about tires as well as custom wheels at http://www.nsearch.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall

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Posted by mbuhlah, 6:40 AM | 0 comments |

Expert Cleaning Guidelines For Custom Wheels

From stone wheels of primitive times to the sparkling alloy or chrome wheels of the 21st century, wheels have come a long way in deciding the appearance of a vehicle. Gone are the days when riding a vehicle was considered a mere necessity. With latest technological offerings, the emphasis on style and luxury now matters the most. One can customize his vehicle's wheels by choosing steel wheels, chrome wheels, alloy wheels, spoke wheels, antique chrome wheels or the even powder-coated ones. Investing in custom wheels costs around $1500 to $1600. When such cost is involved, its proper care and handling also becomes essential.

Handling of your custom wheels chiefly relates to its cleaning techniques. Wheels should be cleaned on a regular basis as they catch up maximum dust and dirt in comparison to other parts of the vehicle. The brake pads attract maximum dust to the wheels; the rest comprises of dirt, tar, oil, and roadway gunk. Weekly cleaning of your custom wheels not only sparkles up your vehicle's appearance but also protects it from further damage.

The cleaning process should be initiated only after reading through the manufacturer's guidelines. The kind of metal used in the wheel should be taken note of. Chrome wheels need more cleaning than the steel ones. Nevertheless, all wheels do require quality detergent and cleaners to get rid off every stain. Water should be used in plenty to prevent any trace of oxidation. Once the cleaning is over, get your wheels a protective polish that complements the metal in your custom wheel. Use of harsh or abrasive materials should be avoided as they can damage the wheel finishing.

Another point to be kept in mind is the temperature of your custom wheels. The cleaning should be done once the wheels have cooled down. It's always better to clean the wheels in the shade as hot and sunny exposure can cause cleaners to induce adverse effect on your vehicle.

Cleaning your custom wheels should begin in a step-wise manner. Begin cleaning the rim wheel with a brush to reach the spokes and the far-ending places. The tires should be cleaned next and polished with a protective coating, which helps prevent cracking and drying out of the rubber. Once the tires are polished, the entire process can be wrapped up by polishing the custom wheel.

Easy and convenient, custom wheels can be cleaned without any fuss by keeping in mind some of the necessary guidelines. So get set to clean your vehicle like an expert- with these cleaning tips, a dazzling vehicle and envious glances are guaranteed!

Wain Roy is an internet marketing professional expert in various industries like real estate, web design, finance, medical tourism, pharmacy drug and custom wheel

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wain_Roy

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Posted by mbuhlah, 6:39 AM | 0 comments |

Suspension Bushes - Give Your Car Extended Life

Your car does really hard work while you are driving it easily by sitting on it comfortably. Both your legs are exerting pressure on its clutch, accelerator and breaks and from outside black coal tar roads exert pressure on it. Your car is facing really a tough life but have you ever thought in spite of such massive pressure how your car is providing you great speed with smoothness. It is due to suspension bushes installed in your car.

These suspension bushes are small mechanical components mostly made of rubber and are fitted to your car at all points where the car chassis is joined to a moving suspension component. These components act like a vibration and noise absorbing barrier between the road and your car and they ensure that you may enjoy a painless driving all the time. Auto experts advise to use best quality suspension bushes so that your old car can give you the feel of a new car.

It really feels bad when after 6 months or 1 year driving, your car starts producing strange cracking noise from the engine. The fault may not be in the engine but the suspension system may be faulty and the noise would be produced due to the after effects of using bad quality suspension bushes. There are many benefits of using good quality suspension bushes. They ensure that your car can have a better road holding and If the tires of your car are in better contact with the road and your suspension movements are being controlled accurately then tire wear will be automatically reduced and the normal speed of your car is maintained for a long time.

Furthermore, suspension bushes keep the steering geometry constant of your car and provide your steering a positive response. By this function you may experience accurate alignment function of your car and eventually a smooth ride feel. Hence, always use best quality suspension bushes and enjoy the long drives without any hassles.

Breonna Isabela is a car fanatic and leaves no stone unturned in accumulating information about objects that can add that extra in the performance of cars. He has done extensive research in cars, Car Parts, Suspension bushes and knows the functioning of this glorious machine inside out. The article given here covers the suspension bushes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Breonna_Isabela

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Posted by mbuhlah, 6:37 AM | 0 comments |

Volkswagen Dealers Are All Smiles

Blimey. Was I embarrassed or was I embarrassed. Nipped into my friendly neighborhood Volkswagen dealer last week, put two and two together and came up with far more than four. The salesmen were all smiles, jovial and ever-so-friendly. Well, with the world in the state that it is, I figured there was only one explanation for this frivolity - drugs. I debated how many real salesmen were trapped in the back office and just how to escape these impostors and inform the police. Suddenly one of them pounced and asked if he could help me and after looking gormlessly at him, I decided that in fact these guys were happy because they were just, well happy.

Me being the idiot that I am, it turns out Volkswagen dealers only deal one form of drug, the very real, the very legal adrenaline. And small wonder Volkswagen dealers' are smiling ear to ear, with their current line-up of vehicles, Volkswagen are strongly positioned to become the market leader across their range - most notably the dopamine deliverer, the Golf GTi.

Ever since the MK I burst onto the scene in 1976, engulfed in a cloud of tyre smoke and snarling engine, the GTi name has always been synonymous with Volkswagen's 'hot hatch', in the same way that 'Stuck in the middle with you' by Steelers Wheel is no longer heard as a catchy pop song, but as the soundtrack to a policeman having un-consenting surgery in Reservoir Dogs - so mighty was its impact things would never be the same again. However as was the case with Elvis, as the king of the road began to gain more and more accolades and success, the waste-line began to expand and its performance became slower and more laboured.

Heritage however counts for a lot and whenever a Golf was bestowed the fabled 'GTi' badge, buyers clamoured to have one on their driveways. Besides, an overweight Golf GTi was still streets ahead of its rivals, as was the case with the Mk III and sales continued apace. However when the Mk IV was launched to lukewarm reviews in 1999, it seemed the Golf had eaten its last burger. In fact the Mk IV was only badged 'GTi' in Britain and was called the 'Trendline' (oh dear) elsewhere. Elvis Impersonator anyone?

To make things far worse, there was a new cat in town which simply blew the Golf away - the Honda Civic Type R. The Civic was cheaper than the Golf, faster than the Golf, had bullet-proof reliability and styling that screamed "speed!" The Type R devoured every performance car award going and continued onwards to head-butting the horizon.

However Volkswagen regrouped, put the Golf on a strict diet and training regime, gave it a new wardrobe and launched the Mk V GTi in 2005. To put the Elvis analogies to bed, the Mk V is the comeback special. Developing 200bhp from its 2.0 litre turbocharged engine, the GTi develops twice the torque of its great, great granddad the MK I, despite using no more fuel. A six speed gearbox is offered as is a sequential one to get your gear change time down to milliseconds. Plump for the sequential one however and not only can you achieve 0-60 in 6.9 seconds, but you'll feel like a Formula One driver with the flappy paddles behind the steering wheel. Pull up on the right to change up, up on the left to change down, lo and behold you're Lewis Hamilton. Even the steering wheel itself gets in on the act, with its flat bottom as useable as it is good looking.

Better still is the exterior styling. Whereas the Mk III and IV were a Golf with a different badge and no other discernable features, the latest offering again harks back to the golden years. A gaping black grill greets you at the front, whilst huge exhausts hang proudly out at the rear. Five spoke alloy wheels that converge into five half circles finish the aggressive look. Hot hatches are back in vogue and Volkswagen want to shout about it.

Bit of trivia for you, the word "Golf" doesn't appear anywhere on the car. It's a GTi and nothing else. "Yes, we had a little bit decaffeinated the GTI," were the words of Jörn Hinrichs, Volkswagen's marketing head upon the launch of this masterpiece. Having seen the enthusiasm of Volkswagen dealers now they have such a special car on their forecourts, it appears they've been re-caffeinated too.

Tim Bristol is an experinced journalist currently working to promote http://www.heritagewestbury.co.uk.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Bristol

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Posted by mbuhlah, 6:34 AM | 0 comments |

Turn Your Car Into Hydrogen Powered Cars Hybrid Using Water As Fuel

You can now convert your vehicle be it a car or a truck into one of those hydrogen powered cars hybrid with a revolutionary system. The system makes use of water as a supplementary fuel to gasoline/diesel to power vehicles.

This system turns cars into hydrogen powered cars by converting water into a gas known as HHO (2 parts Hydrogen and 1 part Oxygen). It is commonly referred to as Brown gas. This gas, when combusted, is able release more energy than regular petrol because it uses the power of Hydrogen. The result is the release of water and oxygen which poses no harm to the environment or health of the public.

Although the system will not eliminate the use of gasoline, it greatly increases the efficiency of the engine's use of petrol by running longer with the same amount of fuel. This means the drivers will experience an increase in mileage with the same full tank of gasoline. Also, Brown gas burns cleanly and does not produce carbon deposits, hence giving the engine a smoother operation.

Some people are concerned about the safety issue of driving hydrogen powered cars or trucks. However, what they do not know is that hydrogen is only dangerous when stored in storage tanks for later use. The system we refer to produces hydrogen on demand, no storage tanks involved and thus will not pose a safety hazard.

Another concern drivers may have with using the system is warranty. If that's your worry as well, you will be pleased to know that the system is designed in such a way drivers can install or dismantle the unit within minutes and this will in no way affect engine operation. Hence, warranty will remain intact.

Find out how to convert your car into one of thousands of hydrogen powered cars hybrid on the road and save money on petrol as well as help to combat global warming here.

Author's review website on clickbank products: http://www.clickbankproductreview.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Tho

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Posted by mbuhlah, 6:32 AM | 0 comments |

Limousine Rental Service Advice For Beginners

Private limousine rental services are cost-effective and convenient means for those who wish to spice up their special occasion or event by riding in style and luxury, even for a couple of hours.

For those who wish to consider getting a limo rental, take note that you need to consider a number of important factors to consider before signing up with a prospective limo rental firm. If you do not do your research and make the proper comparison,s then the chances would be high that you'll be taken for a clumsy ride by some no-good rental outfit.

Verifying the exact rental cost is quite important, but it should never be the main deciding factor, In helping you get the best possible limousine service for your occasion, here are some important queries that you shouldn't hesitate to ask your rental provider, and a respectable and honest limo rental firm will be more than glad to give you all the answers.

Questions To Ask Prospective Rental Firms

Here are some of the best questions you could quiz your limo rental service company. The first good thing to ask them is, how long has the limo rental firm been in business and how many cars do they have in their fleet? It's a fact that an established limo rental service is not always better than a new one, but it's somehow crucial that an operator has ample vehicles to serve as back up just in case the one you''re riding in breaks down, or figures in any untoward incident.

The next good thing to ask the limo rental is, what type of limousines do you usually have?, as most vehicles today are available in various styles and colors. You should exactly find out whether the limo rental operator be able to provide the particular style that you''re looking for.

Find Out The Quality of Their Drivers, And About Pick-Ups And Drops

It's vital that your rental firm's chauffeur driving the limousine is a professional, well attired, experienced, licensed and trained individual, as you surely would expect to be treated in style and have someone who will open your doors and carry your luggage. In addition, you surely don''t want someone who will cut lanes and race you down the road, or drive like a madman.

Another concern to verify about, is the policy on pick ups and drops. Find out if whether your operator will arrange for you to be picked up and drive you exactly to your destination, and what about the return journey? Also ask if your prospective rental operator runs services in those areas?, as you want to make it clear whether where you would want to be picked up from, and the time you want to be fetched. You need to ask these concerns first before you pay any money to your rental firm.

Rental Charges And Payment Modes

Always ask your operator what the rental charge for the particular car you''re hiring is. Rental fees vary with the type of the vehicle and the duration you''ll be hiring it for. Most companies charge you for a minimum number of hours, even if you wont be using the car for that long.

About the payment modes, ask the rental firm how you are supposed to pay them for their services. The payment methods may be different for each limo rental, and usually half the total rental fee is either paid by credit or debit card at the time of the booking, and the balance would be later paid in cash to the driver.

One of the most important aspects you need to ask a limo rental outfit, is about their insurance coverage. Some private rental firms evade insuring their vehicles and passengers, as they consider this to be a heavy overhead expense. However, the laws require all private limo rental services to arrange for getting proper private hire insurance, so you should check this out with your limo operator. A professional rental service firm should be more than glad to provide you with proof of their insurance details.

http://browardlimo.com - Limo Rental

Vanessa A. Doctor from Jump2Top - SEO Company

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vanessa_A._Doctor

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Posted by mbuhlah, 6:30 AM | 0 comments |

Water For Gas - Is Water For Gas Worth It?

Is WaterForGas the answer to saving your petrol cost and the environment?

Well if look at it this way - yes.

No more need for the ever increasing price of gas and diesel fuel, and it's pollutant compounds.

You must agree, water has many uses and benefits to the planet - and us.

With such as a simple concept, running the engine on hydrogen using water, WaterForGas can work.

If regenerative medicine, (that is regenerating body parts using stem cells) are showing signs of progress, anything is possible - especially when it comes to the use of water. So why can't we use a car battery to generate the electricity to electrolyze water in order to run the car?

Aside from the saving cost in running a car on water - you just cannot ignore the global warming impact it will have. Although cars play one part of the global warming problem - can you imagine a world full of cars running on water pumping out less threatening pollutants.

Or if you can't - just imagine a busy Los Angeles or Bangkok traffic - you can imagine thousands of cars jam packed at peak hour just pumping and running on water. No more pollutants coming out of the car - just frustrated drivers wanting to get to where ever they need to go.

The threat of global warming will be slowly disappearing.

WaterForGas is the way forward to help the environment and make automobiles more economical.

In other words, WaterForGas is worth it.

For More on WaterForGas, Check out the Review Water4Gas at http://www.squidoo.com/review-water4gas-com and Discover How To Convert Your Car/Truck to BURN WATER as well as Gasoline--Double Your Mileage With WaterForGas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Oh

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Posted by mbuhlah, 6:29 AM | 0 comments |

Urea Price Increase Affects UK Haulage Industry

Changes in raw material cost will massively affect the UK's AdBlue market

Due to increased energy costs, the expenses involved in urea production have soared to almost twice that of last year, this is now being reflected on to end users

For those of you who are not already familiar with the concept, AdBlue is used as a reagent to reduce the harmful emissions from a diesel vehicles engine.

AdBlue is a trade name for AUS32, an automotive urea solution.

In order to use AUS32, the vehicle must be equipped with an SCR (selective catalytic reduction) unit. the fluid is passed through the SCR and into the exhaust. AUS32 is made using Urea mixed with De-ionised water.

Many vehicle manufacturers across Europe have embraced this new technology to ensure that their vehicles meet new European standards, Euro 4 and Euro 5.

an alternative method is exhaust gas recirculation but many feel this other technology may not meet future requirements.

As with many other industries, recent increases in gas and oil prices over the past few months have started to affect the costs involved in producing the automotive solution.

Considering the primary component is Urea and the continuing increases in energy costs have driven up the cost of production in plants across Europe. Several leading manufacturers of the solution have started to make changes already to compensate for the increased cost of production.

With the recent change in the euro exchange rate, British suppliers are even worse off than before.

Now with prices exceeding one pound per litre at the pump, the changes have hit many operators hard. Transport costs continue to rise and are higher than ever.

Admittedly, drivers and fleet owners will still benefit from the savings to be made when running SCR equipped vehicles but even still it is only a matter of time before haulage rates are increased which will no doubt affect most markets.

Inevitably cost savings will need to be made elsewhere, fortunately SCR equipped vehicles will continue to avoid London's recent high emissions tax and other European cities which are expected to follow suit (Birmingham, Paris and Milan) will also offer some comfort to modern fleet owners.

Buying in bulk is not recommended due to the short shelf life of the product.

One thing is for certain, transportation costs will continue to rise until pollution levels reach an acceptable level.

Having been involved as a leading consultant engineer within the refuelling equipment sector for over a decade with over half served of this term in first hand AdBlue product development, the author has massively influenced the UK Market.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Futcher

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Posted by mbuhlah, 6:27 AM | 0 comments |

10 Things You Should Know About Hybrid Cars

With the price of gasoline hiking up to astronomic proportions, a lot of motorists are resorting to different ways to save on fuel. Some of them use alternative diesel. Others resort to using bikes, which can also contribute to the clean air program.

Some who cannot do away with their rides, however, choose to buy hybrid vehicles. Here are 10 Things You Should Know About Hybrid Cars.

1. The history of hybrid cars is closely intertwined with the history of automobile itself. In 1898, Ferdinand Porsche, a young Czechoslovakian, designed the Lohner-Porsche carriage, a series-hybrid vehicle that utilized a one-cylinder gasoline internal combustion engine. This engine can spun a generator which powered four wheel-mounted electric motors. The car was eventually presented at the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris. The said automobile, capable of up to 56 km/h (35 mph) fast destroyed several Austrian speed records. In 1901, it won the Exelberg Rally, with Porsche himself driving the car. Over Mass production during this time was yet to be developed, but for Porsche's future-looking design, 300 units of this model were sold to the public.

2. Hybrid vehicles operate effortlessly by combining an electricity-run motor, a gasoline engine and maximum-powered batteries. The battery gives off energy for the electric motor and recharges when it recaptures the energy that is usually lost when the car is lessening its acceleration or while it is coasting.

3. The motor of a hybrid car was design to have some resistance on the drivetrain, which slows down the wheels. In this way, energy generated by the wheels turns the electric motor, functioning more like a generator, and converting the energy produced into electricity. The energy in turn is stored in the battery, ready for used by the electric motor when needed. Hybrid cars info refers to as regenerative braking.

4. Hybrid cars are electrically operated and are thus able to function well and consistently at any motor speed. This is in contrast to conventional gas-powered engines, which tend to produce less power in low revolutions per minute episodes. Hybrid cars do not need to use transmissions to make their engines run at full capacity even at reduced speeds.

5. Hybrid vehicles generally cost more than regular cars because not too many of them are in the market yet. Much of this high price tag is attributed to the fact that hybrid cars come with a complicated battery pack and make use of an electric motor to operate. Maintenance tools for hybrid cars are also pretty rare, so expect to spend more on checkups and fix-its when the car bogs down. This can be addressed, however, over time, when more people begin to patronize hybrid cars and prompt manufacturers to make more units.

6. One of the advantages of hybrid cars is that the feature called "regenerative braking". Since a hybrid car works using both electric power and fuel power, each can function by itself or conjunction, depending on which is stronger at the time of use. This means that both engines complement each other and do not simply bog one when one of them becomes weaker.

7. Because hybrid cars are part battery powered, they do not create huge holes on the pocket, compares to users of traditional cars who feel the pain of the continuing oil price increases. Most hybrid cars, particularly the ones that are made in Japan, are also more compact and lightweight, making them easier to maneuver on the road. Other models, particularly those by American and European car makers also do not deviate from the stylish designs their regular counterparts adopt, so users don't have to feel they are being left out in the style department.

8. Sure, hybrid cars are fairly new, so their immediate impact on the environment cannot be foreseen in the short term. However, over the course of time, the next generations will definitely be thankful for having a clean, pollution free world, thanks to hybrid vehicles.

9. Most critics say that it is not the time to buy hybrid vehicles because they are expensive. However, when you consider the advantages, you really shouldn't think twice. While you must be discerning in choosing the right model for your needs, this doesn't mean you start hesitating. After all, when more people patronize hybrid cars, manufacturers will see the need to produce more and eventually bring its price at very affordable levels.

10. Some insurance companies are offering incentives to hybrid drivers. Even though it would seem that these companies are offering these discounts because statistics have shown hybrid drivers are less likely to file claims, it is not the case. The companies offering incentives are simply doing so to promote smart environmental decisions by consumers.

My name is David and I am a freak of lists. That's why I build the 10 about site. If you want to learn more "10 things you should know" about different topics just come to 10about.info.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Zysblatt

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Posted by mbuhlah, 6:26 AM | 0 comments |

The Art & Spirit of the Exotic Sports Car

Anyone who has seen the Lamborghini Reventón or the Aston Martin DBS knows that unmistakable feeling. It's the thrill & the allure of the exotic sports car, overhauled & updated for the 21st century. Since their inception, sports cars have continually pushed the boundaries of both engineering & art. These are the cars that exemplify speed, power and beauty.

Alfa Romeo: The Grandfather of Exotic Sports Cars

Alfa Romeo first began producing racecars in Milan, Italy in 1910. Their first endeavor, the HP 24, turned some heads with its superior speed and handling. Chief Designer Giuseppe Merosi worked on all Alfa Romeo models from 1910 to 1923. When Merosi retired, racecar driver Enzo Ferrari persuaded Vittorio Jano to leave Fiat and take over Merosi's work.

In 1925, Alfa Romeo unveiled the P2 Grand Prix Car, Jano's first car with Romeo and widely considered the first "supercar." The P2 was powered by a straight-8 cylinder supercharged engine, and placed first in 14 Grand Pix races between 1924 and 1930. Today, the P2 Grand Prix is considered one of the most rarified of the collectible antique cars, with less than a dozen still intact.

This year marks the return of Alfa Romeo to the United States. Their current sports car, the 8C Competizione, is stunning with its sleek lines, 4.7L 6-cylinder engine & a top speed of 181 mph. This car is destined to send ripples throughout the US market.

Ferrari: High Performance, Luxury Cars

After racing Alfa Romeos in the 1920's & 30's, Enzo Ferrari decided that he wanted to build his own racecars. He prototyped a few models in the 1940's, but it wasn't until after World War II that he found success. Notably, Ferrari's exotic sports cars took first place in the Formula 1 World Championships, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Sportscar Championships throughout the 1950's.

Ferrari's Gran Turismo series remains its most successful lines, with the 2007 599 GTB Fiorano bringing even more luxury and innovation to the table. Patrons of the Ferrari Club of America cite performance as the primary reason for purchasing a Ferrari over other collectible cars.

Lamborghini : Exotic Sports Cars for a New Generation

Ferruccio Lamborghini had a successful business building tractors in Italy before his eyes turned to the exotic sports car. And it wasn't a love for performance that stirred his fire, but a disdain for Enzo Ferrari.

According to Lamborghini's family, Ferruccio purchased a Ferrari 250 GT in the early 1960's and was unhappy with the handling & response of the clutch. He brought it into Ferrari's factory and met with Enzo Ferrari to voice his concerns. Ferrari was immediately upset with Lamborghini's complaints so he mocked Lamborghini and sent him away. Lamborghini went home, dismantled the car and discovered that the clutches installed in Ferraris were from the same manufacturers he used for his tractors. He installed a new clutch and vowed to create a higher-quality, luxury sports car than Ferrari.

While Lamborghini has countless models that produce awe and wonder in car enthusiasts, it's the 1974 Countach that remains their most iconic. Designer Marcello Gandini, then just beginning his career, placed his focus on style over aerodynamics. With its scissor doors, sharp lines and low, wide frame, the Countach raised the bar for Lamborghini. The Diablo, the Murciélago, and even the 2008 Reventón follow in its wake.

Aston Martin: Unforgettable Collectible Cars

Britain's Aston Martin was founded by Lionel Martin & Robert Bamford in 1914. They designed exotic sports cars and drove in competitions, but it wasn't until David Brown became managing director of the company in 1947 that they were able to establish themselves as a maker of high-quality, high-performance sports cars. They introduced the DB line (DB standing for David Brown) in 1950, and many of their models have become synonymous with antique and collectible cars.

Newer DB models include the luxurious DB-7, which was designed by Ian Callum and produced from 1994 to 2001. This model won the Jim Clark Award in 1995, and remains Aston Martin's most successful car to-date.

Where to Find Collectible Cars for Sale

Buying and selling exotic sports cars is a specialized process that requires a credible and secure collector car trader. Some of the best experts are other exotic sports car owners. To find out more about buying and selling antique cars or classic collectible cars the first place to look are exotic sports car clubs such as www.lamborghiniclub.com or www.exoticcarrental.com/FerrariClubs.com

Interested in online car dealers that specialize in buying and selling exotic sports cars? Check out http://www.chooseyouritem.com/exotics/dealerpage.html, ebay classic cars and a new website called http://www.HighEndCrazy.com These sites will get you started on the road to driving the exotic sports car of your dreams.

John Green is an Electrical Engineer who has worked for prestigious companies, such as Kimberly-Clark Corporation and Union Switch and Signal Corporation where he oversaw completion of large commercial projects. John was frustrated with hard to use websites while selling some luxury merchandise online. So he teamed with his brother, Richard, to develop a website for buyers and sellers of luxury merchandise. Visit: http://www.highendcrazy.com or email highendcrazy@bellsouth.net for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_G_Green

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Posted by mbuhlah, 6:24 AM | 0 comments |