28th
January
2008
It is a factor that is completely ignored by all. That is something I don’t understand. Think about how much gas you waste a day waiting for red lights to turn green. When you are sitting at a red light, your car is running and you are not moving. You are getting zero miles per gallon for the entire time you are sitting still.Let’s look at how much time you might spend idling at red light. I know it will be different for everyone, depending upon where they live and how much traffic their region has and how much travel is on freeways but let’s make some assumptions just to get an idea about how much gas we are wasting.Assume you have a 30 minute commute to work. Let’s also assume that you spend 5 minutes waiting for lights during the 30 minutes. I think that as a rule that number may be low, but we can use it for this example.Of course you would do the same on your way home. Let’s also assume that you work 7 days a week just to make it easy. Normally you would be spending more time waiting for lights on weekends as you did errands and shopping, but we can ignore that just for the sake of simplicity.10 minutes a day for 365 days would be 3650 minutes. That amounts to approximately 61 hours of idling. 61 hours is the equivalent of two and a half days of idling. Can you imagine letting your car idle for two and a half days? If your commute was more in line with spending 10 minutes each way then it would be like letting your car sit and idle for 5 straight days. No wonder the actual fuel economy numbers on the cars we drive are so low.In
New York state alone, there are 11 million drivers. If each wasted 10 minutes per day waiting at lights, that would be the equivalent of close to 28 million days of nothing but idling. The amount of gas wasted idling is mind boggling. The worst part is no one says or does anything about it.
How many times do you find yourself sitting at a red light and there are no cars coming across the intersection. It happens to me a lot. There are some simple solutions and some complicated ones that our governments could do to lessen the wait time at lights and thus reduce the amount of fuel that is wasted day in and day out.The first thing is every light should have car sensors. If there is no traffic coming in the cross direction then the light should not have to turn red. No more waiting for lights when there is no traffic!On the more complicated side, but I’m sure with the computing power available these days very possible, would be more coordination of lights. How many times has a light turned green just in time for the next light to turn red. You end up waiting for light after light.Why can’t a computerized system of lights be set up that enables traffic to flow with the minimum number of stops instead of constant stopping and starting.How much gas could we save just fixing the red light system in this country? I’m sure it would be an enormous amount. Not only would it significantly cut the overall fuel use in this country, it would go a long way towards helping the environment.
posted in General Information |
28th
January
2008
Window tint is one of the design elements that you can use for your vehicle. There are many different types of tint out there and you will certainly find a tint shade that will make your vehicle look more stunning and beautiful.The first type of tint is the standard tint. This kind of tint comes with most stock vehicles. With standard tint, you will have protection from the harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. You have to make sure that you do not end up overexposing yourself to the sun or else you will end up getting skin cancer. You certainly do not want this to happen. Standard tint is also one of the most economical tints out there. There is no flashy design and it will certainly fit in right with your budget. In some cases, car manufacturers actually give away the tint for free. If you do not want to spend too much money on tint and you want the standard features of tint then do not fuss about getting the other tint types anymore. If you want something more then give it a shot.The second type of tint is the one way tint. This kind of tint is special because you will be able to see the outside of your vehicle but the outside people will not be able to see the inside of the vehicle. This special kind of one way tint allows light from the outside to bounce off and reflect like a mirror. The people from the outside will see your windows as some sort of mirror like glass. They will look at your windows as if they were looking into a mirror. This kind of tint is good for those who do not like being seen in their vehicles. If you want to be safe and if you want to avoid being carjacked then this kind of tint will serve as a security blanket.The last type of tint is the designer tint. This kind of tint comes in different shades and colors. If you want metallic red tint then this can be put on your vehicle. If you want light blue tint then this could be put on your vehicle. You can even have one way rainbow tint if you want. There are so many designer tints to choose from. You should not even worry about not being able to find a tint for your vehicle because there are so many tints to choose from in the market.If your vehicle does not have tint right now then you should consider getting tint. You can have tint for health and safety reasons or you may simply want to make your vehicle look more appealing to the public eye. Whatever your reason for putting tint in your car, you should not worry about picking one out because there are so many tint variants and styles to choose from. You can look for tint over the internet or you can simply go to your local car dealer and ask around for the best tint for your vehicle.
posted in General Information |
28th
January
2008
By ZouluMany of us have to now face the rising prices of fuel. Unfortunately we have become dependent to fuel and as a result we have no choice but to pay such high prices.. You’ll be surprised to find out that there are in fact many ways to enhance your auto gas mileage.There are about five different systems that you can use to improve your car gas mileage. These systems are:Hydrogen boost mileage systemMagnetic type fuel systemEnergycel systemPetromoly system.The”hydrogen boost mileage system” is a gas mileage enhancement system that has been developed from a hydrogen gas generator. The system in place allows hydrogen with other electrolyzed gases to accelerate the flam spread during combustion. This brings the fuel to a temperature that accelerates the vaporization of the fuel and therefore prepares it for further combustion. Sources say that this system may improve your gas mileage by up to 30%.Magnetic type fuel saver improves the performance of the vehicles. Do you know why we smell petrol on a car? Well it’s the cause of a successful fuel combustion. That is why we see black fumes from exhaust pipes. It’s great but that means that the money that we spend on fuel gets wasted . Now we have a solution that takes care of that. That solution is magnetic type fuel saver and it eliminates the problem of petrol wastage. It offers better combustion by breaking down the HC molecules. Magnetic type fuel saver will help save about 25% .Energycel is a great product that utilizes magnets. It produces a strong magnetic field on the fuel line of your vehicle. This system improves the gas mileage by helping the flow of gas to the combustion chamber of the engine. According to sources it seems this system will improve gas mileage of a vehicle by up to 50%.The next way to improve auto gas mileage is Petromoly. It’s an engine oil that is used as lubricant to the the vehicle with Molybdenum Disulfide. It avoids premature wear and tear of the engine as well as improve auto gas mileage. It’s claimed that Petromoly will improve the gas mileage of a vehicle by up to 50%.Turbonator is made of stainless steel. It’s a fuel saver product which is free from maintenance work. It’s easy to install and you need little instructions to set it up. You can install it with just a screw and a screwdriver. Depending on the type of the vehicle the turbonator can be installed in the air intake hose or in the air cleaner. It’s dynamic design improves the air intake of the vehicle. This product will improve the car gas mileage by 10 to 22%.I know this is obvious but i must say it. Speeding and frantic breaking will definitely waste fuel. You can reduce your gas mileage by reducing excessive weight in your vehicle. Sensible driving, using cruise control and using overdrive gears will also save fuel and reduce the wear and tear of the engine.
posted in Future Fuels |
28th
January
2008
There are a lot of safety features in your vehicle like your seatbelt and your car’s bumper but one of the technologies that have made vehicles safe to be in is the air bag. The air bag is basically a device that is installed onto the dashboard and steering wheel of your vehicle to prevent the front row passengers from hitting their head upon collision. If you would like to drive a safe car then you have to make sure that your car has these airbag features. Without air bags, you are likely going to hit your head on the dashboard or steering wheel even if you are wearing your seatbelt.One of the car brands that have mastered the art of the air bag is Volvo. Volvo motors are one of the pioneers in vehicle safety. They are the ones who revolutionized car safety with the seatbelt and they are also the ones who have made the air bag a standard in car safety. If you are planning to purchase a very safe car then you should consider purchasing a Volvo. When you look at a Volvo nowadays, you will notice that aside from the front airbags that are installed in the vehicle, there are also other places where they have placed airbags. They have a SIPS or a side impact protection system for collisions that happen from the side. Since there are a lot of collisions that happen from the side, these side airbags can prevent further injury. If you want to be totally safe from collisions from the front and collisions from the side then these safety features from Volvo will certainly come in handy.Even when you are not driving a Volvo, you will still find air bags in almost any other vehicle. Even the most basic vehicles like the
Toyota’s will have great air bag safety features to brag about. You have to make sure that you are safe when you are driving. At speeds above fifty miles per hour, your car can turn into an instant coffin if you do not have the adequate safety features to protect you.Air bags are an important component of any vehicle. Without air bags, you are putting yourself and your other passengers at risk. If you do not want your vehicle to turn into a death mobile then you have to make sure that everyone is wearing their seatbelt. You have to make sure that your tires are properly inflated. You have to make sure that your brakes are working properly. These things are just as important as your air bags. You have to make sure that your air bags are properly working. There are light indicators to check whether your air bags are working properly. If you are in doubt then all you have to do is bring your vehicle to the manufacturer and have it checked. They will be able to determine whether your air bags are working and whether you should have them fixed right away.
posted in Driving Tips |
28th
January
2008
When looking for a used car the internet holds many options for determining the price range of the model you are thinking of buying. A specialist website will make all the tools available to you from the comfort of your own home enabling you to check out used car prices easily.The used car market is huge with around £25 billion being spent yearly on second hand vehicles with used car dealers. When to come to private sales then over 2 million used cars exchange hands every year. It is thought that in the
UK individuals spend around £30 billion on buying used cars each year.
One of the best times for buying a used car is in January according to research. This is due to a surplus of many quality used vehicles and this means you can grab yourself a great bargain. However it is important to realize that the cost of a used car can fluctuate greatly and to some extent this depends on where you choose to buy. Buying privately you can usually haggle a little more over the price to get it reduced however do not be afraid to try this also in the used car dealership, especially if you walk in with cash in your hand.One of the best ways in which you can check out used car prices online is to make use of the search engine that a specialist will provide. The very basic search will allow you to choose the make and model of car you are looking for. You can then narrow this down further to the maximum amount you can afford to spend and determine the starting price. A search engine will allow you to define how far you wish to travel when it comes to looking at the car by either distance or on postcode.If you need a more extensive search then this will be available too. This is where you can define such factors as the mileage on the car and age, it will also allow you to search based on the actual make of car. A specialist will have thousands of cars online for you to search from which are offered by both private sellers and used car dealers. This means that you get access to a wide range of vehicles and can check out used car prices without even having to set a foot out of the door.The best specialist websites will not only allow you to check out used car prices online but will also be able to offer you quotes for loans for the car which are sure to be the cheapest. They will also give you quotes for the cost of insurance for the car you are looking at and offer a data check to makes sure the car is legal. When buying a used car with a specialist for the majority of time things go smoothly, however there are certain factors you have to be aware of. If you are buying privately never meet the person to take possession of the car in such as a car park, always make sure you go to the person’s home. Never just rely on their mobile number, while some might just list this online always make sure you get the landline number when buying and be aware that the “dodgy” car dealer can slip through.
posted in General Information |
28th
January
2008
Advertising is a multi-billionaire business. Ads could be seen anywhere nowadays; in the subway, on the TV, on the public transportation, even on the benches of the pubic parks.Several companies across the world offer Free Cars or Getting paid for driving your own car – if you agree to advertise.So how does it work?Get free Car. Advertising companies offer brand new cars to almost anyone who is willing to drive – however, there are certain conditions;- The Car is Covered with advertising decals (fully or partially)
- The Car is paid by the advertiser
- Car’s maintenance is paid by the advertiser
- Gas is paid by the driver
- Insurance is paid by the driverYou have certainly seen BMW’s Mini Cooper advertising Red Bull. Snickers often chooses Jeep to advertise their chocolate bars. In some cases these advertising companies even offer you to drive a Hummer or a very economic Smart.Get paid for driving your car – the principle is the same as described above. The advertiser covers your car with vinyl decals and you get paid from $200 to $3000 a month for simply driving your car to work or wherever else you drive it.
The decals are relatively easy to take off the car and do not damage your car’s paint.If you decide to get paid for driving, you must NOT take off the decals and you might be required to drive a minimum amount of mileage on a daily base – which is normal because the ads must be seen – this is the point of advertising.Unfortunately this opportunity is not available across the globe. Only residents of the
United States,
Canada,
United Kingdom,
France and
Spain have this kind of service available to them. Certainly advertising companies in other countries will pick up on this practice, but at this moment only the countries listed above offer free cars.If you want to get free car or get paid for driving a car, you must submit an application to one of the advertisers. The companies usually require a one time small fee of under $50, there are two (2) main reasons for charging the fee; 1) The company wants to make sure they are dealing with a serious applicant, 2) The fee is used to pay off the expenses such as phone calls, mailing costs… etc.Remember, if the fee is recurring or over $50 – it might be a scam. Serious company will not ask you to keep on paying them so they could eventually pay you – this simply doesn’t make since. The same business model is used at the modeling agencies – you pay a one time fee and the agency distributes your name to all the other agencies who might be interested.What Can I do to qualify?If you would like to get a free car or get paid for driving, make sure that:- You are at least 18 years old
- You have a valid drivers license
- You do not have DUI (Driving Under Influence) or other criminal records
- You are a citizen or permanent resident of
USA,
Canada,
UK,
France or
Spain.You must take note that sometimes you do not have a choice of a vehicle but most of the time companies allow you to chose the advertising you would like to display.
posted in General Information |
28th
January
2008
If you are in the market for a used car then taking the help of a specialist website can make your used car search a lot quicker. Along with this they will provide helpful hints and tips on what to watch out for when it comes to buying and how to get the best out of the search.One of the biggest assets that are available online is the used car search tool. Usually you are able to search based on the make and model of car and the maximum price you are willing to pay. You can then reduce the cars by putting in other factors such as how many miles the car has on the clock and extras. If you wish to limit the search to your postcode area or within so many miles then you are able to do this too.However there is more to a used car search and you have to bear in mind certain things when making your search. The first is that some sellers are not as ethical as others and can try to pull the wool over your eyes and one way they do is when it comes to price. In order to be able to get a rough idea of how much the particular model goes for that you are considering, then the search engine can help also. When you have made your search you will have to compare not only the car but also the price and find cars that are in the middle. Avoid any car that seems too good to be true because it probably is and of course any that are asking way above for the car unless there are many additional features that come with the car.A specialist website will provide you with articles and facts relating to used cars and searching for them. A good motoring website will host thousands of used cars online; these are often a mixture of private sellers and used car dealers. All of the cars listed will come with photos of the car on offer, the asking price for the car, whether the seller is a private one or a dealership and will also point out the highlights of the car.Cars that you have narrowed down are kept in your “virtual showroom” and you are then able to compare these in more detail once you have finished your search. A specialist will be able to help you to make a used car search much easier but you do have to be aware of some safety aspects when it comes to going to take a look at the car. Never go to meet someone to either look at the car or to hand over cash in any place other than a dealership or their home if you are buying privately. Always get their landline number and not just their mobile, this can be used to check a private buyer is who the say they are. Finally be aware that a specialist website will offer a data check service, this means you are able to find the history of the car.
posted in Useful Tips |
28th
January
2008
Many of us have had the experience of our car breaking down when we’ve been on our way to work or another destination. It is a dreaded thing and is very frightening if you’re in the car alone when it occurs. For those who have never had this experience, there is a good chance that it may happen and if it does, there are things that need to be kept in mind when dealing with a breakdown…particularly on the highway.
Is the car doing anything at all?Sometimes a car can have a hiccup and simply stop running for a few minutes. Once you pull the car over to the shoulder, sit there for a couple of minutes before doing anything else. Don’t panic because it may not be much of anything. Sometimes it may be a minor system issue and the car simply needs to ‘reset’ itself. Many of us have experienced those times in which the car died for no reason and then started right back up.However, if you press the on button to your radio and nothing happens, chances are you have a dead car battery. Try to turn the ignition to see if the car turns over at all. If the engine cranks in addition to a clicking sound, then there are a few things that need checked in regards to the battery:• Pop the hood• Check the battery for corrosion at the connection points and make sure the connection is tight. If there is corrosion, clean it and tightly replace the cable connector. If the car still will not start, then the battery is dead.If you do not have a wireless phone to call someone or call roadside assistance, try to remember if you saw any gas stations close by or any businesses. If there are no places close by for you to use a phone or find someone to jump start your car, place a white piece of paper or white cloth in your window to signify that you are in need of help. The police tend to patrol the highways quite often. If you are in a rural area, then you may need to request assistance from a resident nearby.Sometimes a good Samaritan will offer you assistance. However, it is important to not let them in your car while you’re in it and to not get into their vehicle with them. If they want to take you somewhere, tell them you’d like to stay with your car, but if they would be willing to contact roadside assistance for you, that would be great.Other issues that can cause your car to break down are mechanical failure, which you can’t do anything about, and an empty gas tank. It is surprising how many cars are sitting along the side of the road because they ran out of gas and luckily, an empty gas tank can be diagnosed via the gas gauge. It is important to keep a gas can in the trunk of the car in case you run out of gas and need to walk to a gas station. Also, if someone offers you assistance, do not get into a vehicle with them to go to the gas station. Tell them you would like to stay with your vehicle and request that they call roadside assistance for you. You do not necessarily want to give them your gas can and money for gas because you may never see the gasoline. Just keep these things in mind to diagnose small issues with your vehicle and to keep yourself safe when dealing with a car breakdown.
posted in Auto Repair |
28th
January
2008
Use a special mixtureI did some research online and found that there are some great techniques you can use with common household items. One of the common recipes I’ve come across was using 3 parts of vinegar to 1 part of water and simply place it in a spray bottle. Every night before you go in for the night, make sure that you spray all of the windshields with this mixture.Vinegar will prevent the ice from forming on your windshield. Also remember that you should spray your side passenger windows as well. If you don’t have access to vinegar, you can also use rubbing alcohol as well. All of these items generally run a few dollars at your local grocery store.Provide a barrierIf you don’t like the idea of spraying vinegar and water on your windshield, you can grab an item such as cardboard and spread it across your windshield. The key to this is to make sure that the cardboard is tucked in both the passenger and driver side doors.In the morning when the ice and snow is on top of your car windshield, simply pull the cardboard off and use your defroster to take away any frost that you have on your windshield. The best place to find cardboard is to either go to a local grocery store to grab some empty boxes they’ve used or grab some at a local storage place for a small fee.The two tips are the ones you’ll find all over the place when you do research on the net. The best thing to do when researching is to stay away from scummy items that say that it’ll prevent ice on your windshield. Most of the times, this spray will be somewhat similar to the vinegar and water. The best thing to do to not only save money and your time is to simply create it yourself.If the ways above are ways you are uncomfortable with, there really aren’t that many more ideas out there that can prevent ice itself. Some auto companies have tried to come out with windshields that were heated along with windshield wipers. This concept hasn’t taken off as of late but you can look up patents online to see exactly what it’s all about. If you hate the ice, you can simply move or build a garage if you’re that upset about it or you can simply live with it or take actions with the methods above. Who knows, you may have an idea that can save millions the hassle of scraping off ice on their windshield.
posted in General Information |
28th
January
2008
Everyone would like to have a car when they are young, but it may not be practical or necessary. Here are 3 questions to ask before deciding whether or not your teenager needs to have their own car.
- What will your teenager use the car for? You must decide in advance what your teenager will use a car for once they have access to one. Many teens are involved with daily extracurricular activities, and it may be convenient for the entire family if they are able to drive themselves to these activities.
- Is there reliable alternative transportation available, such as a carpool to get to school, public bus, mass transit, or a train? A car is really still considered to be a luxury item, so it may be best to continue with the current transportation arrangements until the situation and need for a car changes.
- Does your teenager have a job? Your teenager may have a weekend of after school job and having their own car would make it easier for them to work later in the evening or to start earlier in the morning, instead of relying on you to get them there.
Sit down as a family and discuss these 3 questions. There may be some other issues that come up in the conversation that you were not aware of before this time. Being able to talk about this important decision openly and honestly is good for the entire family.
posted in General Information |