More and more people are turning to hybrid cars these days because of their promise of lesser fuel consumption and environmental friendliness. Hybrid cars, because they run on both fuel and battery-powered engines, eat up less fuel, thereby sparing the consumer the pain of falling prey to price pressures in the world oil market. In addition, it also emits significantly less smog pollutants in the air, compared to traditional fuel-operated cars. Indeed, there are a lot of advantages to owning hybrid cars. This is why even the US government is starting to show support by welcoming more models into the country and by encouraging American auto makers like General Motors and Ford to make more units.
Here are some of the advantages of hybrid cars:
1) Efficiency - 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.
2) Economy - 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.
3) Convenience - Because hybrid cars are part battery powered, they do not create huge holes in the pocket, compared 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.
4) Sustainability - 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 in part to hybrid vehicles.
Some 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 start buying hybrid cars, manufacturers will see the need to produce more and eventually bring its price to very affordable levels.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/why-should-i-consider-a-hybrid-car-340496.html
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Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Contesting a Speeding Ticket
Nothing makes a day go from bad to worse or even from great to bad than getting a speeding ticket. You could be having the best day ever. Get pulled over and get a speeding ticket and your day is ruined. You could be having the worst day of your life. Just when you think it can’t get any worse, you get speeding tickets. Tickets suck. That’s the long and the short of it. Well, what do you do know with that ticket? Were you even speeding? Can you contest the ticket?
Of course, the easiest thing to do is to suck it up and pay the fine. If you follow the directions on the back of the ticket, swallow your pride by writing the check and mailing it in then you are done with it and you never have to think about it again. However, every driver who is issued a ticket has the right to contest that ticket in court if they truly believe it was issued to them wrongly.
The laws are different in every state regarding how speeding tickets are handled. In some states you do have the right to have your ticket reviewed by a judge; this is called "bench trial" and a judge determines your guilt or innocence. In these cases, your decision is dependant upon the judge and what kind of mood he is in. Some judges hate to reduce or dismiss speeding tickets because it is good revenue. In other states, you have the right to a "jury trial" which is when a jury hears the merits behind you receiving the ticket and determines whether or not you have to pay the fine. Few states have developed a traffic division, and you would go directly to that division to contest the speeding ticket.
Most people do not know that you also have the right to inquire about the equipment used in the issuance of your speeding ticket. You can ask when was the last time the radar gun used was reset. Speeding tickets have been dismissed because of the length of time since the guns last reset. It calls into question the accuracy with which the gun determined your own speed.
Regardless of whichever way you choose to contest the ticket, bench trial, jury trial or traffic court, you have the right to appeal your ticket if you believe that you didn’t deserve to receive the ticket or if you believe you should not have to pay it. You would appeal your conviction through the court of appeals. The action you choose to go with is completely up to you.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/contesting-a-speeding-ticket-337443.html
Of course, the easiest thing to do is to suck it up and pay the fine. If you follow the directions on the back of the ticket, swallow your pride by writing the check and mailing it in then you are done with it and you never have to think about it again. However, every driver who is issued a ticket has the right to contest that ticket in court if they truly believe it was issued to them wrongly.
The laws are different in every state regarding how speeding tickets are handled. In some states you do have the right to have your ticket reviewed by a judge; this is called "bench trial" and a judge determines your guilt or innocence. In these cases, your decision is dependant upon the judge and what kind of mood he is in. Some judges hate to reduce or dismiss speeding tickets because it is good revenue. In other states, you have the right to a "jury trial" which is when a jury hears the merits behind you receiving the ticket and determines whether or not you have to pay the fine. Few states have developed a traffic division, and you would go directly to that division to contest the speeding ticket.
Most people do not know that you also have the right to inquire about the equipment used in the issuance of your speeding ticket. You can ask when was the last time the radar gun used was reset. Speeding tickets have been dismissed because of the length of time since the guns last reset. It calls into question the accuracy with which the gun determined your own speed.
Regardless of whichever way you choose to contest the ticket, bench trial, jury trial or traffic court, you have the right to appeal your ticket if you believe that you didn’t deserve to receive the ticket or if you believe you should not have to pay it. You would appeal your conviction through the court of appeals. The action you choose to go with is completely up to you.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/contesting-a-speeding-ticket-337443.html
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Top 6 Best Car Tuning Tips
You decided that you car is outdated. Well, don't worry, because that is why they invented car tuning. No, you don't need to go shopping for a new and very expensive car, you just need to embrace the idea of car tuning. Think about it this way: You, your look and style also need, from time to time, certain improvements, and so does your car. Not sure what to do, what to change and how to improve you car? Here are the best 6 tips you can use when deciding for car tuning:
3 General Tips about What to Consider and Why
1. Start from the idea that the improvements will cost you money. For sure, you don't want to modify your car to the worse. So, say "no" to cheap equipment, to cheap car accessories and to unprofessional techniques. Be prepared to opt for the best of the best. But in order to make sure that you won't harm your budget too much, evaluate the costs before you start the car tuning process. Make sure you include the services, equipment, all the accessories and necessary elements.
2. Think ahead. Make sure that the modifications you are about to bring to your car are not irreversible. Or, in case they are irreversible, make sure you will feel happy with them forever. Basically, car tuning is an actual investment, so you would better give it a lot of thought and consideration. Furthermore, decide on the type of the car tuning you are looking for: engine tuning, interior, exterior modification, body tuning or other forms.
3. Consider the purpose of your car. Who is using the car? What is the car used for? It is a family car? Are you using the car to go to work? Sure, you might want to add some bright yellow flames on the car's exterior, but is this a proper look for a family car or for the car you use to go to work with? Make sure you can still use the same way you did and that the modifications do not affect the actual functionality of the vehicle.
3 Specific Tips: Engine Tuning and Aesthetic Tuning
4. One of the simplest and most efficient methods of enhancing the aspect of a car is by adding car wallpaper. It is easy, fast, and, even more importantly, it is quite affordable. There are wide ranges of colors, styles and patterns that can customize your car the way you desire.
5. If you are looking forward to adding more power, then you should not jump to the conclusion that the fitting exhausts and induction kits are the only available solution. In fact, they are a great solution, but you need much more than that, such as new and optimized brakes, plus the suspension tuning. So, in general, make sure you consider all the additional and necessary elements before you take any decision.
6 If your goal is to reach the optimal engine power, then there are some simple and effective tricks you can apply. First of all you need to make sure that there are no air leaks. How can you do that? You can check with the help of some silicon sealants, which should be applied on the carburetor. Secondly, you should keep the engine's temperature around 150 degrees the first three times when you are running tanks of fuel and then keep the temperature of the engine around 200 degrees. Good luck!
How To Get Your Vehicle Ready For A Trip On The Road
If you're going on a trip and driving your vehicle, keep in mind there are some preliminary things that should be done, especially if you're driving several hundreds of miles. This will help you to escape the problems that arise if you don't get your vehicle checked out beforehand.
Take your vehicle to your mechanic to find out what may need to be done. You should start this at least a month to two months prior to your trip. This is when any major repairs should be taken care of. Having this done a month or two before time gives you a chance to correct any additional issues related to the repair(s).
Make sure your tires are inflated properly and that they have enough pressure. Your tires can blow out while you're driving if they don't have enough pressure in them. Checking the tire treads is important. This is another way your tires can experience a blowout.
The way to check this is to put a penny between the tire's grooves. On the penny, the head of Abraham Lincoln should be pointing downward. If the space above Lincoln's head is visible or you can see the words "In God We Trust", new tires are needed. Your spare tire should be inflated and the tools should be available in the event you'll need to use it.
The vehicle's manual should be in the glove compartment. You will need that in the event the vehicle experiences trouble on the road. If you don't have one, check the manufacturer's website to see if they have one in PDF format. With technology as it is, it wouldn't be surprising if they did. At least you wouldn't have to wait weeks to get a replacement.
Any minor maintenance such as oil changes can be done a week prior to your trip. You should also check your tires again for pressure and tread efficiency. If there are any abnormalities that weren't there before, take it to your mechanic for a look.
You should have a clean air filter in your vehicles. If it's not clean, it will affect your vehicle's mileage and suck up gas. This means you will have to stop for gas more often for your vehicle. You will definitely need to change the filter if it's been in the vehicle over 12,000 miles.
Remove any items from your vehicle that you won't need for the trip. This will give more room to the items that you will need or are planning to take. You should have a clean vehicle before you leave. Take an hour or two to clean and vacuum the inside.
Have a map or if you have a newer vehicle, consider getting a GPS (Global Positioning System). This will help you get to your destination without getting lost. It would be advantageous for you to fill up the tank before you leave. When you get on the road, nine times out of ten, you will pay more for gas outside of your area.
Make sure that you have packed everything you need for your trip. More importantly, make sure you have your toiletries and prescribed medicines. Check through your suitcases and garment bags. It's not good to overload your vehicle with a lot of stuff.
Doing all these things will help you have an enjoyable trip.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Car Modifications - Tuned for Show
Fashion and art, public appearance or even the simple act of meeting new people – it is all about the show. To show how you feel and how you think – to let others see your best, to let them understand you and appreciate you for everything you are. And today in the environment of this ever-changing World your car is more than your safe ride to designated destinations.
Your car is a part of your life style. It is the first impression of you when coming to a new place. And the look of it shows to others who you are and what you like.
Maybe this is exactly the reason why so many people try to give their cars a unique look - just as unique as they are. And tuning the car is maybe the perfect approach for this.
There are many ways for car tuning. Many of them help the car to reach high performance. I will begin with a few of them because no matter how cool the car looks the performance is important.
The boost controllers are a great way to maximize the smooth power delivery of the vehicle. It is the electronic brain of your car allowing for a better and faster control of the boost. The exhaust gases should be taken out more quickly because when this happen more fresh air is forced into the engine increasing the performance of the combustion process. However sometimes too much air could allow for intermittent losses of power to appear and drive your car unstable and unreliable.
To get around this problem an electronic brain is added to the valve that controls the flow through the turbo. This gives a better control of the boost at a wide open throttle and a quicker response regarding every change of the throttle conditions.
To control the boost sometimes mechanical boost controllers are applied but in some cases they will not adjust properly for a given condition and this will add fluctuation to the boost. This is why a fully mapped electronic boost controller is the better choice.
How have you ever seen a drag race? Or maybe you actually participated in one of them. The drag race is maybe the most exiting event that the car sports could offer. It is full of speed and adrenalin – the foundation of what a racer lives for. The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about it is the NOS system.
NoS actually come from the name of one of the companies which manufactures these systems. Some people make the mistake to think that this states for Nitrous Oxide N20. This is not the case but it is close to it because a gas called Dinitrous Monoxide or the a.k.a. Nitrous Oxide N20 comes into play.
This gas was used in wartime to boost the aircraft engines and today it is an easy high power modification for many cars. A non-flammable gas by itself is injected into the intake manifold and it mixes with the air and the fuel there. By taking a part of the combustion process this gas dissociate oxygen which provides more power to the combustion process. The rapid change from liquid to gas of the new mixture component gives a nice cooling side effect too which cools down the whole engine area and it is highly valued for this effect too.
If you think about adding the NoS component to your car you should know that a proper fuel delivery system will be needed too because when the NoS comes into play more oxygen is released and therefore more fuel is required. You should also know that there will be an additional cost for you – the refill of the NoS system containers and the additional fuel that is burned because of this high power system. If that is fine with you and you are ready for the speed you are going to feel this system is just what you are looking for.
Now when NoS system is intact and the proper performance adjustments have been made it is time to put some style on the outside. Car styling is about the personal choice. No one could really tell you what your car should look like because it will express your own personality. However I will provide few suggestions.
The cheapest way will be to put a sticker on your car. Let others know what your vehicle is all about. If you are a drag race enthusiastic and you already own a NOS system it could be pretty cool to use the NOS logo or to put a fire looking sticker making the impression of a car entering the Earth atmosphere.
Always apply stickers on a warm day and take your time to release the air from the bubbles in order for the sticker to stick in tightly. You should also know that bonnet/hood stickers should resist the heat from the engine. Many stickers are translucent so keep that in mind too. If you apply for example a cool green translucent sticker to red car you will most likely end up with a muddy brown colour looking not that cool. Of course a good idea could be to apply many layers of stickers in order to create the right colour and effect.
You may also want to paint your wheels in the colour of the car to provide additional effect. Keep in mind that black look stylish too so don’t over paint because you don’t want to create the impression of a circus prop. Use your imagination – maybe some sprayed art could work for you too. You may even want to contact an artist about it.
Last but not least consider some interior redesign. Car mats are the most popular start for an interior transformation. Keep in mind that the wrong car mat could damage your gearbox and even lead to an accident. Dashboard styling and some plastic painting could help too but always try to balance the colours in a good way. This is where an artist could help or maybe a good seller with a fine taste.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/car-modifications-tuned-for-show-328000.html
Car Parts: Backbone of Any Car
One of the vehicles that are hugely liked world over is cars. Perfect utility machines, they contribute handsomely and eradicate quite a few troubles from one's life. Indeed, there cannot be two thoughts about the fact that cars indeed are a multi-utility phenomenon. Not only does it eradicates one's commuting troubles but also adds handsomely to one's status symbol as well. It is extremely surprising and ironical, therefore, that people don't give as much attention to car parts or car accessory that they should be giving. No wonder then that most of the people start complaining about the bad performance of their cars almost as soon as they purchase them.
A few examples would explain the whole point pretty easily. Take the case of car mats. In spite of the fact that they provide extremely important service to the cars yet they are not taken that seriously by people. Imagine a part of the car that saves it from dust and rain and provides cushion to feet thereby making the journey comfortable is not given its rightful due. Nothing can be as baffling!
Similar is the case with spare parts. Such integral car parts but again not given as much attention as is their right. There are times on several occasions when you cannot get the proper silencer or combustion pipes etc. and have to wait for days for them to arrive to get the short coming fixed. Had a careful attention been given to these essential components then situation would not have deteriorated that much.
These points should communicate the point pretty nicely that a careful observation to car accessories or car parts while purchasing cars would go a long way in helping people combat such critical times. All that you need to do is to pay slight attention to these essential components to give that edge to your car.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/car-parts-backbone-of-any-car-326130.html
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Body Kits That Make your Car Look More Sleek and Fast
Body kits are words that most car enthusiasts have heard of. For those of you who may be in the dark about what these words mean wait just a few moments while the puzzle is solved. To put it briefly the body kits we are referring to are ways in which we can change the look of a car.
You can use expensive body kits or there are companies who have the same kits parts for a lower price. While the kit price is important there are other matters that are just as important. These matters mainly involve the type of changes that you want to implement on to your vehicle. Now you should note that the word vehicle can mean either a car or a truck.
That right! There are body kits available for the truck enthusiast to change forever the way their trucks look too. These many different kits all share the same principle idea. That is to give your vehicle a sleek and aerodynamic look and handling. When you look at your existing car you will notice that there are areas where there is a void. These void areas are mainly in the front, sides and back of your car.
As a result of these voids the wind drags at your car and slows the car down. To prevent this from occurring you will need to apply more force (read higher speeds) to make your vehicle perform well at higher speed limits. With the addition of body kits this extra pressure is no longer needed. The various parts which are placed on your car will help to create that streamlined effect you need.
For the front of your car there are cowl spoilers. This attachment will be placed on the front of your car’s windshield to divert the flow of air. It is mounted of the back of the hood but right in front of the windshield itself. In some body kits you will have a choice of two different front bumper changes that you can install to your car.
Likewise there are interesting attachments for the sides and rear of your vehicle. These attachments are in the form of side skirts. The side skirts are placed over the rocker panels just below the car doors. For the back of the car you can place a full rear lip that is made from polyurethane material.
There is a wide assortment of items which you can purchase to make your car look more sleek and fast. The only boundaries you will find are the type of car you are driving and the final price that you are willing to pay. Once you have these known the sky’s the limit with your car body kits.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/body-kits-that-make-your-car-look-more-sleek-and-fast-303505.html
Tune Up your Car Insurance as Well as your Car
If you’re a motoring enthusiast, a new piece of kit for your much-loved vehicle is difficult to resist – however, unless you’re careful it could invalidate your car insurance claims.
In January this year, Ford’s RS tuning firm announced it had teamed up with Mountune Performance to offer two new exciting pieces of kit for the Fiesta ST.
The Stage 1 kit (priced at £1,435 plus fitting) includes an engine tweak to produce 162bhp, a new air-induction and exhaust. Stage 2 meanwhile (priced at £1,838 plus fitting) includes the same upgrades but takes the power to 182bhp and includes new camshafts and valve springs.
The only downside is that on top of the price for the kit, these optional extras could bump up the price of your car insurance.
Your chances of gaining cheap car insurance if your car has ‘go-faster stripes’ are greatly reduced because insurers look unfavourably on vehicle modifications seeing them as a hallmark of ‘boy racers’ rather than safe and considerate drivers.
The solution is not to keep your insurer out of the loop, either. If you’ve made a modification to your car and not informed your insurer, then, should an accident occur, your claim could be invalidated.
Insurers demand honesty – your premiums are based on risk factors such as where you live, your driving record and the type of car you drive.
Altering your car alters your insurance. However, that doesn’t mean you have to sit on an inflated quote.
By shopping around for cheap car insurance using a car insurance comparison tool you can make significant savings. So if, after modifications, you’re not happy with what your insurer offers, look for a better deal. Search by manufacturer, such as Ford car insurance, and your savings could be enough to afford a new piece of kit!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/tune-up-your-car-insurance-as-well-as-your-car-304082.html
Car insurance / new cars / tuning
Hi ! and welcome on new site about:
- car insurance
- new cars
- tuning a cars
Have fun !
- car insurance
- new cars
- tuning a cars
Have fun !
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Top Advantages to Buying Car Insurance Online
It is very important to research all of the many car insurance companies available to make sure that you get the best rates and best coverage. Car insurance is critical to keeping you and your family protected against injuries and accidents. In fact, now you can buy car insurance online.
There are many independent websites that can assist you in choosing the right coverage at an affordable rate. By using one of these companies, you know that you will get unbiased results because they do not partner with specific companies.
There are quite of few great websites on the web that give the user a friendly visit. They offer features such as compared rates to other insurance companies that can help you make your decision based on the lowest rates. They also will allow you the feature to purchasing them online
Others, you can submit a claim online, and they have a program that can help you quickly repair the damaged vehicle. With this program, you will be driving your car again in no time. By choosing one of their mechanic shops, they can speed up the repair time.
There are so many different companies that you can use to buy car insurance online. By receiving free quotes from several of these companies, you can do some easy comparison shopping to choose the company that is right for you. Comparison shopping is critical to finding a good reliable company.
The most important thing for a driver is to be insured. By insuring yourself, you protect you, your financial health, and those family and friends that are riding with you.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/top-advantages-to-buying-car-insurance-online-321650.html
There are many independent websites that can assist you in choosing the right coverage at an affordable rate. By using one of these companies, you know that you will get unbiased results because they do not partner with specific companies.
There are quite of few great websites on the web that give the user a friendly visit. They offer features such as compared rates to other insurance companies that can help you make your decision based on the lowest rates. They also will allow you the feature to purchasing them online
Others, you can submit a claim online, and they have a program that can help you quickly repair the damaged vehicle. With this program, you will be driving your car again in no time. By choosing one of their mechanic shops, they can speed up the repair time.
There are so many different companies that you can use to buy car insurance online. By receiving free quotes from several of these companies, you can do some easy comparison shopping to choose the company that is right for you. Comparison shopping is critical to finding a good reliable company.
The most important thing for a driver is to be insured. By insuring yourself, you protect you, your financial health, and those family and friends that are riding with you.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/top-advantages-to-buying-car-insurance-online-321650.html
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