tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51392991093940935912024-03-18T20:19:42.309-07:00baLooTismecars, bikes, trucksAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.comBlogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-9618467515136456372009-01-14T14:58:00.000-08:002009-01-14T15:00:26.129-08:00Adjusting Your Full Size Pick Up Truck<p>Do you have a full size pick up truck and want to make it safer and worth a little more? With full size pick up trucks this is a very easy thing to do because of the endless options, … although we’re only going to talk about a few of them.</p> <p>If you live in a snow & ice climate, are you one of the many people that throws sand bags in the bed of your truck for extra weight and traction? This is a effective way of doing extra weight, no doubt about it. However, some have argued it looks unsightly in the bed of the truck and they may take away from the hauling capacity of the bed. This is true, you really can’t haul a arm chair or garbage cans if the floor of the bed has sand bags all over it.</p> <p>Consider this option. Install a metal truck box in the bed of your truck under the rear window. These are boxes that rest on the sides of the truck bed and go across the width of the bed under the rear window. They come in different colors such as aluminum, white or black. Most of them are lockable. These boxes, even though you don’t haul tools, have another great purpose. Load them up with sand bags. Once you slam the lid of the box, look at the truck with the tailgate down. You would never know the truck is loaded down with sand bags just by looking at it. You also have plenty of open floor space on the bed of your truck for hauling other things. Plus, you still have the sand bags, but with a far better cosmetic appearance to the truck. This is not only a good idea for the family use pick up truck, …but pick up trucks that plow snow can also benefit from this cosmetic way of carrying sand bags.</p> <p>Does your truck have a factory style one piece rear window? Make a beneficial change here too. Replace it with a tinted window that can open for fresh air. A tinted or screen printed rear window can help keep the hot sun off the heads and shoulders of people riding inside. This makes the truck more comfortable and reduces the chance of sunlight fading out the top of the seats. Installing a tinted window that opens gives a unbelievable cross draft for fresh air.</p> <p>Brush guards and grill guards are more than a decoration. They help protect your vehicle from ‘a more costly collision repair’ than if it didn’t have one at all. Lets say two trucks of the same type get in identical accidents. One truck has a guard, the other doesn’t. They both had the front ends hit.</p> <p>The truck with the guard has a damaged brush guard, some minor damage to lights, hood and grill. The truck without the brush guard has all the same damage as the other truck, … plus radiator, shroud, fan, transmission lines, and maybe the battery. In most cases this truck won’t be driven away and may need a tow truck. When buying one of these guards, make sure you buy a good one.</p> <p>Now that the front of the truck is protected with a functional accessory, the same can be done with the back of the truck simply by installing a full size class three receiver hitch if one isn’t already present. These are some of the toughest trailer hitches made and are very heavy. The hitch will serve its towing purpose as well as provide protection. The protection comes in the way these hitches really beef up the rear frame area of the truck because they can take one heck of a impact in a rear end collision. It’s for this reason the rear frame tines of your truck are less likely to suffer unfixable damage in a rear end collision.</p> <p>Toughen up your automatic transmission. Add a transmission cooler. Start using a product I absolutely swear by. Start running ‘Lucas’ transmission additive in your transmission fluid. Normally I’m not a big fan of fluid additives. This product is a exception to this, … not only do I use it, but I encourage others to use it and ‘feel’ the difference in how tight your vehicle feels when you drive it. This product also extends the life and health of your transmission fluid and drastically reduces transmission aging. A awesome product for fleet vehicles, work trucks and plow trucks. You can also use it in cars. I’ve been running ‘Lucas’ in my last eight vehicles as preventative maintenance. Absolutely good stuff.</p> <p>===============<br /></p><p>Reporter Joseph Toth</p> <p>Washington Micro Bank BBS</p> <p></p><strong></strong>I was raised in Wisconsin as a hard working individual. As a teenager I worked on a farm until I became a adult. I have never worked less than two jobs at a time until I turned 44.<br /><p>I don’t, … (and never have) smoke, drink, drug or gamble. In 2005 I successfully gave up caffeine entirely and haven’t had any since.<br /><br />My hobbies are automobiles, electronics, driving and photography.<br /><br />I have many friends, and I am well known in the tri-village area I live in.<br /><br />My adult careers that stayed with me long term are ‘commercial driver’ and ‘loss prevention agent’.</p><p>===========<br /></p>Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com426tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-75839175136965731342009-01-05T19:05:00.000-08:002009-01-10T00:36:26.637-08:00How to Perform a Service Check<strong>Author: <a title="Robert" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/robert/30112.htm">Robert</a></strong><br /><p>Performing regular maintenance on your car is very important to ensure the longevity and economy of your vehicle. However, most people don't know how or what they need to check in order to make sure the car stays in tip-top shape. Although you could go to a dealer or service shop for regular maintenance, there is no reason to spend the money if you can learn how to check things on your own. Therefore, I've assembled a guide to teach you how to look and what to look for when you perform a car service check.<br /><span id="fullpost"><br />The first thing you need to look at is the exterior of the vehicle, both around and underneath. If you see cracked or peeling tires, then obviously you need to replace them, but it is also important to check for leaks. A good sign of a leak of any type will be a small amount of liquid underneath the car. If you see black, then it is probably oil, if it is green than you most likely have a leak in your cooling system.<br /><br />You also want to check the fluid levels under the hood to make sure they are all at proper levels. Check the engine oil (usually very easy to find), coolant levels, brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission or transaxle fluid, and window washer fluid. All of these are important to top off as required to prevent your car from breaking down. Also, when you check your oil, if you see that it is very dark black, then you probably need to change it. Keeping your motor oil fresh is one of the easiest ways to keep a car's engine in top shape.<br /><br />Once you've checked fluids, you need to look at the hoses, wiring, and sparkplugs. Check to make sure that everything is tight, that the insulation is intact, and that there are no cracks or holes in any of the wires or tubes. A vacuum leak, electrical short or loose sparkplug can all sideline your car, so take the time to look through every part of the engine compartment.<br /><br />Once you've been under the hood, you have finished most of the car service check. Still, as a final check make sure that your lights, front and back, right and left, all work and that your break and emergency lights work as well. Test your horn, wipe off your lights, and make sure your wipers are still good to go. Once you've done all of these things, then you've done 90% more than most vehicle owners will do and as a result your car will run smooth and you'll know when something is wrong.<br /><br />When it comes time to do a large repair, such as something inside the engine or underneath the body, or check something you don't understand, then I agree that you should take it in to get serviced, but there is no reason why you can't do the little things on your own and save a ton of cash in the process.<br /></span></p><p>I Knew It! provides a large database of information -- from <a href="http://www.iknewit.org/how-to-paint-a-car.html">how to paint a car</a> to <a href="http://www.iknewit.org/how-to-sell-your-car.html">how to sell your car</a>. Visit <a href="http://www.articlepool.com/how+to+perform+a+service+check-33147">How To Perform A Service Check</a>.</p>Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-57704620003543922962008-12-21T22:58:00.000-08:002009-01-10T00:36:52.027-08:00The Essential Guide to Adjusting Your Car Headrest<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Why Should I Worry About Adjusting My Headrest?</span><br /><br />Whiplash is a common injury sustained when a car is shunted from behind, often when it is stationary at a junction. The vehicle behind impacts with the car in front. Whilst the trunk of the body is connected to the car as it is pressed against the seat, the head and neck are normally not touching the seat. As the car and body move forward with the impact, the head and neck stay in the same position as they have not yet felt the force of the impact. If the headrest is in the wrong position, whilst the rest of the body and trunk is moving forward the neck now gets thrown over the back of the chair and headrest and "whip-lash" snapped back up and forwards.<br /><br />Now the neck is moving forwards, the seatbelt has done its work and is now bringing the body back into the seat. Unfortunately, this means that there is a second snapping period, when the body has gone right back into the seat and the neck now whips forward into its over extended state, snapping back when it hits the chest..<br /><span id="fullpost"><br />That is twice now that your poor neck has been damaged, so I hope that you are now convinced it is worth taking just a few minutes to adjust your headrest correctly before each and every journey (when moving between vehicles).<br /><br />It is this over extension and over flexion that stretches the neck muscles way beyond their normal comfort zone causing them to sustain often long term and permanent damage. Sleepless nights of discomfort are often guaranteed!<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">So How Should You Correctly Adjust Your Headrest?</span><br /><br />Most car headrests are set too low, and can actually cause increased whiplash pain as the neck will snap back over them in the event of a rear end collision.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">The Rule Of Thumb!</span><br /><br />The rule of thumb is that the top of the headrest should be level with your eyes. If you position your headrest with the top of the eyes you will have a good chance that if you are hit from behind, you will limit the impact of the whiplash injury. Maybe the months of sleepless nights will only be a few days. Pain well saved!<br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br />Nicholas Jervis is a personal injury solicitor (non-practising) and a director of 1stClaims.co.uk, a claims company which connects innocent personal injury and medical negligence victims with expert personal injury and medical negligence solicitors at no cost to the individual. Read more about <a target="_new" href="http://www.1stclaims.co.uk/articles/personal-injury/conditional-fee-agreements.php">Conditional Fee Agreements</a><br /><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-32397972237443859882008-10-19T05:08:00.000-07:002009-01-10T00:37:10.251-08:00How to Clean Your ABS Wheel Sensor<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-HHOd_ss_6fwSIRq7USqwWCmDpF5cQ-2ngD7l0ezWBnn8BRH53IhVhtZNWHhQdTOpYPchCy1wLQU5pgqSoTpgYokO4qCv2ZpLgnGpaK1LKusRr7TjSs5On80cSzThyphenhyphenQrQ2zip-RppcAH/s1600-h/ABS_Wheel_Speed_Sensor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-HHOd_ss_6fwSIRq7USqwWCmDpF5cQ-2ngD7l0ezWBnn8BRH53IhVhtZNWHhQdTOpYPchCy1wLQU5pgqSoTpgYokO4qCv2ZpLgnGpaK1LKusRr7TjSs5On80cSzThyphenhyphenQrQ2zip-RppcAH/s400/ABS_Wheel_Speed_Sensor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258836325814014290" border="0" /></a><br />Does your ABS light come on consistently and you do not know what is wrong! Well, when you check your code, you may see that it says that your front wheel sensor is damaged. However, that is not always the case. A lot of times, your ABS wheel sensor is just fine; they just need to be cleaned. Of course, if you take it to a shop, they are going to tell you that you need a new one. So we are going to go over how you can clean your own ABS wheel sensor in your Toyota and save yourself a lot of money. After you clean it, if you are still having the problem, you will need a new one. However, most people have noted that nine times out of ten, this does indeed fix their problem.<br /><br />First of all, before you get started, you are going to want to make sure you have everything that you need to perform the job. The only things that you are really going to need are a ratchet, jack, wheel lock and, of course, a rag or paper towel to clean it off with. After you have all of this stuff, you can feel free to get started. This should only take you an hour or two to do yourself......<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Getting Started On Your Wheel Sensor</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">First</span>, you have to choose which side you want to get started on. You can choose either the passenger side or the driver side; it does not really matter. However, whichever side you do choose, that is the side that you, of course, need to jack up first. Before you jack up the car, you need to turn the steering wheel to the opposite side that you are working on. For example, if you are working on the driver side, then you are going to want to turn the wheel to the passenger side. Also, when you get it jacked up. You should use a jack stand, not just the jack. You never know how long you will need to have this car jacked up, so you will want the jack stand.<br /><br />After you turn the wheel and get everything all set up, you will notice that you should be able to locate the ABS wheel sensor very easily. It should be located directly mounted to the knuckle. To take this off, you are going to have to remove the two bolts that are holding them in place. In most Toyota cars, they are 10mm bolts. However, some of them can change from time to time. Overall, there will be about four bolts you have to take out. To do this, just follow the ABS sensor around so that you can remove all of the bolts. When you get the sensor off, you will notice that it is all covered in dirt. Take your rag or paper towel, and start whipping it off. As you do, you will notice that the very middle of it has a sliver strip that you could not see before. A lot of times, dirt blocks this and can cause problems, as you found out. After cleaning it, simply reverse the steps you did to reinstall it. Also, be sure to check both of the front ABS sensors. The one on both sides of the car!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Still Having Problems</span><br /><br />Most of the time the procedure discussed above will fix any problem that you are having with your ABS sensor. If you have cleaned both of the front sensors and there are still problems, then you do have a damaged ABS sensor. At this point, you need to get new ones and replace them. If you want, you will be able to install them the same way you cleaned the other ones. However, instead of cleaning the old ones and putting them back on, you can simply put on the new ones. Overall, this is a one day job that can save you a ton of money. Most people do not notice how much money that they can save by doing this themselves until they actually do it!<br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br />Mantius Cazaubon is a successful author and publisher of <a id="link_74" target="_new" href="http://toyautoparts.net/index.html">Toyota Parts Buyers Guide</a>, A resource which includes information on Discount Auto Parts and <a id="link_75" target="_new" href="http://toyautoparts.net/diy-auto-repair.html">DIY Auto Repair</a><a id="link_75" target="_new" href="http://toyautoparts.net/diy-auto-repair.html"></a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-66622833773943220212008-10-19T05:04:00.000-07:002009-01-10T00:37:27.269-08:00Bumper Repair is Easy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEExwOllXxb1C1P5cNDhX_YyokuveafvOwIZ5jrEgZBIm_Y54KxfTV0XqQORJEWlQbZ23FqqGaY3sKorCsSdNr9TphRGbu8LcD72Qbr8JNyLg2fm1ZQ3dGbC22-VSuVV49wkks20mBHcz/s1600-h/bumper+repair+how+to.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEExwOllXxb1C1P5cNDhX_YyokuveafvOwIZ5jrEgZBIm_Y54KxfTV0XqQORJEWlQbZ23FqqGaY3sKorCsSdNr9TphRGbu8LcD72Qbr8JNyLg2fm1ZQ3dGbC22-VSuVV49wkks20mBHcz/s400/bumper+repair+how+to.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258835481933987778" border="0" /></a><br />Why are you putting off auto body repairs on your vehicle? You really don't have to since auto body repairs can be affordable and time efficient. One repair that is easily completed on your vehicle is bumper repair. Bumper repair is an easy repair and will not cost you too much out of your wallet. Many car owners don't realize that bumpers can even be repaired; they think that damaged bumper must be replaced. However, that is not true and bumper repair is easy!<br /><br />If your vehicle bumper is damaged, you really need to get it repaired. First of all, I am sure that it doesn't look to great on your vehicle. It will be hurting the appearance of your vehicle and also decreasing the resale value of your vehicle at the same time. Also your bumpers job is to protect your vehicle from damage and you and your passengers from injury. If your bumper is damaged it is weak and will most likely not be able to do its job as well.<br /><span id="fullpost"><br />The reason many car owners don't know that bumper repair can be completed is because bumper could not always be repaired. Bumpers used to be made of metal which is not easy to repair. However bumpers are now covered with a plastic material in hopes that if there is any minor damage to the bumper it can be easily repaired. This saves car owners a lot of money versus getting bumpers replaced.<br /><br />There are a lot of bumper damages because many people feel it is ok to love tap your vehicle while parking. Most accidents in occur in parking lots or parking garages, which leads to the rear and front bumper being affected the most. This is usually minor damage that can be repaired.<br /><br />So, if you need bumper repair you can get it completed at most auto reconditioning shops. Auto reconditioning shops usually offer a variety of services to get your vehicle looking great. You will want to check around before choosing which auto body shop is best for your vehicle and your wallet. Most repairs can be completed in a short time, which means you will not need to get a rental car, which therefore means you will save more money. Some shops will also offer mobile repair for bumper repair. They will come to you wherever you need them to whether it is work, home, the gym or anywhere else which can really save you some time! Which is a value thing to all of us.<br /><br />You should also know that getting your bumper repaired can help you do your part in taking care of your environment. By getting your bumper repaired you are saving waste from going to the landfills and polluting our environment. It is all part of the go green act!<br /><br />So stop putting of bumper repair for your vehicle. Bumper repair is affordable, fast and will get your vehicle looking good. Find an auto reconditioning shop to complete bumper repair on your vehicle; bumper repair is easy!<a href="http://www.carwashandspa.com/"></a><br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br />If your car is in need of <a id="link_74" target="_new" href="http://www.autoreconditioning.com/">auto reconditioning</a> start looking for a qualified professional to handle your concerns. Look for an auto body professional to take care of your ride from <a id="link_75" target="_new" href="http://www.sandiegobumperrepair.com/">bumper repairs</a> to fixing the major auto body repairs</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-89559150101206763592008-09-17T07:28:00.000-07:002009-01-10T00:37:52.502-08:00Feel Like Royalty, Rent and Drive a Bentley in Las Vegas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lNSjvXLwszEjJHPuCWm5vQAZNUqE9zgzVOiG8yciiblMt2lFa78-QMYAOOgLBerK0AMM8d5a5z8o7feoizxr0FmI358Apase8lXkNF_7Em4sK12F6KQJ6jS4rGZT1AuzKC9q3Ufiovyx/s400/Feel+Like+Royalty,+Rent+and+Drive+a+Bentley+in+Las+Vegas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246998441497483586" border="0" /></a><br />The lure of Las Vegas is universal. Movie actors and actresses, big time business tycoons, and even royalty are drawn to the city's promise of fun and excitement. There, they can opt to spend fortuneson gaming tables, the most beautiful suites, or the most exciting shows. But most of us only go to Vegas with just enough money for a couple of nights of fun and relaxation. We don't spend money equivalent to our mortgage payments on a night at the Strip. So what should we do to make our vacation at the Sin City a memorable and exciting one?.<br /><span id="fullpost"><br />Aside from choosing the right hotel, going to the best shows, or spending money at the casinos, the Las Vegas experience also includes driving around the city and drinking in the sights in the car of your choice. There's no problem in this, being that Vegas is a big city that offers limitless options when it comes to renting a car. You can choose an exotic car, a luxury car, a sports car ,or a classic car to rent for you and your companions. However, if you really want to make your experience memorable, then drive a car that royalty drive and feel like a royalty yourself. Drive a Bentley.<br /><br />Bentley Motors Limited is a company that manufactures luxury vehicles, most of those have become classic cars over the years. Most Bentley cars have figured prominently in media, such as in James Bond novels and even the famous The Avengers television shows.<br /><br />But Bentley's highest honor comes with the fact that it is a Royal Warrant Holder given by the British Royal Family. This means that Bentley exclusively supplies the Royal Family's cars and that Bentley has the right to advertise this information. In fact, as recently as 2002, Bentley was commissioned to build Queen Elizabeth II's state car, or the car she uses for official purposes, which is called the Bentley State Limousine.<br /><br />What better way to cruise Las Vegas but in a car that has the stamp of royalty in it? There are hundreds of rental car companies in Las Vegas that would provide you with a number of options when it comes to Bentley cars, may it be classic, exotic, luxury or sports. The fact that the Bentley company has the approval of one of the most powerful royal families in the world is a testament to the company's excellent craftsmanship when it comes to producing elegant, dependable cars.<br /><br />So when in Las Vegas, make sure to drop by car rental companies. Look at their selection of classic, exotic, luxury, or sports cars. If your taste veers towards the more sophisticated, a car that would give you the feeling of refinement and taste while cruising down Vegas' streets, then the choice is obvious. A Bentley is the car for you.<a href="http://digiads.com.au/"></a><br /><br />Related Post:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/08/21-classic-pontiacs.html">21 Classic Pontiac</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/2008-bmw-650i-pros-and-cons.html">2008 BMW 650i Pros and Cons</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/five-best-rated-cars-of-2007.html">5 Best Rated Car in 2007</a><br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><p>Las Vegas <a id="link_77" target="_new" href="http://www.voyagerclassics.com/">Exotic Car Rentals</a> : From 1928 to 2008 we have the LARGEST selection of Exotic, Classic and Luxury Rental Cars on the Strip! From Auburns to Packards, <a id="link_78" target="_new" href="http://www.voyagerclassics.com/fleet.php">Voyager Classics Car Rentals</a> has the largest selection of classics available for rent anywhere in Las Vegas.</p></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-30236665648278037162008-09-10T22:28:00.000-07:002009-01-10T00:38:14.213-08:00Mahindra Pickup - USA Debut For 2009 Planned<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQdMycgu-txKjbRXyZWM3yvAANcqMv8KV4VGu-cQalAioNLyoJtRLZDlguNjFT1s8V2P93qQJ_fTOgzpmX5Scyaasf9uFGulisw6gGnDhezqD2spdBDnSRczvR-ws93kqic2hKQYSb4TVA/s400/mahindra-pickup-truck.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244631611568615058" border="0" /></a><br />If you haven't heard of Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) yet, the Indian automaker, you aren't alone. Founded in 1945, the company's main market is India but the automaker does export some of its vehicles to western Europe, Russia, South Africa, and Malaysia. However, the company now has its eye on the lucrative US market, with plans to ship its cutting edge Mahindra Scorpio pickup truck to America beginning in 2009.<br /><br />Will the company follow through on its plans and how will consumers react to an Indian made truck? That remains to be seen, but the seeds have already been planted. Please read on for more information about this interesting car company.<br /><span id="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mahindra sees a big hole in the small truck segment</span>, one that the company intends to fill. Sure, the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, and the Chevy Colorado are among the many small trucks available for sale in the US, but Mahindra has something in mind that no other truck offers: at least one version of its Mahindra Appalachian pick up will be a diesel-electric hybrid, an unusual, but potentially highly beneficial truck that the company believes will be warmly received.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sporting a 2.2L diesel</span>, the standard <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/11/mahindra-appalachian-diesel-pickup-arrives-in-us-next-year-dies">Appalachian</a> should deliver 30-35 mpg, which is much higher than the class leading 26 mpg for the base Ranger, but the hybrid model would likely top 40 mpg for a truck expected to cost under $25,000.<br /><br />At present, Mahindra still needs to make sure that that the Appalachian passes stringent US emissions and safety requirements before the truck can go on sale. In addition, a dealer network has to be set up something that could delay the truck's debut unless the company turns to its existing Mahindra Tractor dealerships to sell the truck, a network already in place across the US. In that case, Mahindra would have a ready made pool of dealers available who are already selling Mahindra products to the same customers who the company thinks would purchase the Appalachian: farmers.<br /><br />We don't yet know much about the Appalachian other than to say it could be a real game changer for the pick up truck market. Though diesel fuel is about seventy-five cents higher than regular gasoline, it is about 30% more fuel efficient. Choose a hybrid and that difference will boost fuel economy by at least 50%, something many American farmers would likely embrace.<br /><br />Quality is one concern that could scuttle the Mahindra, but the good money is on Mahindra to get that right before the truck's debut.<br /><br />Related Post:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/05/truck-tool-boxes.html">Trucks Tool Boxes</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/04/in-depth-automotive-review-2008.html">2008 Chevrolet Avalanche</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/ford-f150-pickup.html">Ford F150 Pickup Trucks</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/10/top-five-trucks-for-gas-mileage.html">Top 5 Trucks for Gas Mileage</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/02/2008-chevrolet-colorado-review-review.html">2008 Chevrolet Colorado Review</a><br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br /><b>Matthew C. Keegan</b> is the owner of a successful writing and marketing business based in North Carolina, USA. He manages several websites and is a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport, a retailer of quality <a id="link_74" target="_new" href="http://www.andysautosport.com/body_kits/gmc_sonoma.html">GMC Sonoma body kits</a> and <a id="link_75" target="_new" href="http://www.andysautosport.com/gmc/1998_9999_sonoma/lights/headlights/">GMC Sonoma headlights</a>.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-77623149822640815022008-09-10T22:05:00.000-07:002009-01-10T00:38:42.906-08:005 Steps to Buying a Big Rig<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohT8vObePAsrGb1LDGBcwN3PLFMzx5PsvxnZLAYukBOXZzMQyE82j4PaBS31r03bwqroWhNLTO8bjw2MOaRcdJkKSHhzWmvqzrMcVcYug-mQ9C-fr8JBUe1wvuFj1vzzLXghQq7yFl437/s400/5+Steps+to+Buying+a+Big+Rig.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244629183987749186" border="0" /></a><br />When you decide to buy a truck there are some simple steps you can take to be sure you get the best bang for your buck. If you go into a truck purchase blindly, you are likely to pay too much and get much less than you hoped for.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Shop Around.</span><br /><br />Truck dealers can only advertise in their own region. A truck dealership in Ohio is not allowed to advertise in California. But dealerships are allowed to sell trucks to customers in other regions if the customer contacts them. As you travel, grab some truck papers from different regions of the country and consider contacting dealers that are far from you. If you already know what make of truck you want, call around to dealers around the country.<br /><span id="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Compare Apples to Apples.</span><br /><br />If you are going to be ordering a new truck, ask for a price quote along with the specifications- this will be about 10 pages long. Compare the spec sheets from different dealers line for line. You may find that a salesman who gives you a lower price quote also skimped out on some of the options without mentioning that to you. If you find that a salesman's quote has inferior specs, tell them which ones you want changed and have them resend the specs and quote. ALWAYS read through the specs line by line- don't trust anything verbal. You may have to pay a chunk of change to receive the faxes from all these dealers, but at least you'll know you're comparing prices, not options.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Prioritize</span><br /><br />If you are shopping for a used truck, it's unlikely that you will be able to find two trucks that are exactly alike. You won't be able to compare apples to apples like you would if you were buying a new truck. Make a list of the specifications that are most important to you. What make and model are you looking for? How old and roughly how many miles? What engine do you want? What transmission? What rears? Once you nail down those requirements, you may have to compromise on some of the options. Power windows, gauge packages, color. Most options can be changed if they are not to your liking. The things that matter most are the things that are permanent, but you will want to consider the less important options once you have narrowed it down to a few trucks.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Get a loan from your own bank.</span><br /><br />If you have the dealership set up financing, they are likely to add "points" to your interest rate. There is nothing unethical about this- you are, after all, using their resources to secure financing and they should be compensated for the work their employees do. But you need to decide if you are willing to pay the difference over the life of the loan. The bank may give you a 10% interest rate, but the dealer sets it up for 12% and will pocket the difference with each payment you make. Generally, the dealer will not disclose this information. However, you need to be aware that you may be able to secure a lower interest rate on your own. Consider- a difference of 3% will save you hundreds of dollars each month. It's worth it to do the extra legwork on your own.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Make sure you can afford the truck.</span><br /><br />There are a lot of owner-operator contracts out there. There are many more mediocre owner-operator contracts than there are lucrative ones. Before you take on the risks involved with owning a truck, make sure you have a contract that can pay for it. Will you be pouring every dime you make back into the truck? Calculate the costs of fuel and maintenance and taxes. If you are a company driver, spend a few months putting your records on paper. Look at the bottom line- what will you have left after all your expenses? If you are not yet a driver, you will want to spend a couple of years driving a truck as a company driver before you decide to buy a truck on your own. Don't buy the lie that owner-operators with rates twice as high as company drivers are making twice as much. They may not even be making the same amount once you figure in all the expenses.<br /><br />Related Posts:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/06/truck-performance-101-beginners-guide.html">Beginner's Guide to Truck Performance 101</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/06/top-truck-and-suv-accessories.html">Top Trucks and SUV accessories</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/04/how-to-understand-trucker-talk.html">How to Understand Trucker Talk</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/12/shopping-online-for-truck-parts.html">Shopping Online for Truck Parts</a><br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><p><a id="link_74" href="http://www.coopsareopen.com/" target="_new">CoopsAreOpen.com</a> is the only comprehensive online resource for over 1100 truck weigh stations and scales as well as state DOT weight regulations and policies. Knowledge of the varying policies and the ability to manage or avoid most weigh stations can save truckers thousands of dollars in ticket fines. For further information, contact Suzanne at <a id="link_75" href="mailto:information@coopsareopen.com">information@coopsareopen.com</a> or view <a id="link_76" href="http://www.coopsareopen.com/" target="_new">Truck Weigh Station, Scales and State DOT Information</a> at <a id="link_77" target="_new" href="http://www.coopsareopen.com/">http://www.CoopsAreOpen.com</a></p></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-81885662389910817552008-08-21T18:30:00.000-07:002008-08-21T18:40:33.859-07:00Your Choice in Transmissions Could Save You GasolineAre you in the market for a new car? Are you thinking that a certain tiny four seat subcompact will deliver to you the best fuel economy? Think again - some of today's cars are using advanced technologies which are helping larger, heavier cars achieve better fuel economy numbers than their smaller competitors.<br /><br />Yes, you'll pay more for the larger models, but your pain at the pump will, in some cases, be slightly less than that tiny lightweight you have your eye on. The difference? It is all in the gears - transmission gears, that is. Let's take a look at a pair of models from different manufacturers to find what sets these cars apart besides their size......<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kia Spectra vs. Chevrolet Malibu</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chevrolet Malibu Picture</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLKrLFONkgYm1mrgW6gHiStRB0YGPLFO8rdxcXoFnoynJPPv13LfWTeUsIx5fh9TpxinacnKO0Y9dSV6awkn-VUnQpvj1mAXkukxuvJ07p1r2Vc45SELGIrjBaZAhv-U8fui7GF9VfsBm/s1600-h/chevrolet-malibu.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLKrLFONkgYm1mrgW6gHiStRB0YGPLFO8rdxcXoFnoynJPPv13LfWTeUsIx5fh9TpxinacnKO0Y9dSV6awkn-VUnQpvj1mAXkukxuvJ07p1r2Vc45SELGIrjBaZAhv-U8fui7GF9VfsBm/s400/chevrolet-malibu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237150505155011730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kia Spectra Picture</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGXXG3SZSr0fHOLWc8UTDoDVXkLfOom7GdugOJoR4dWRiGSLOn99_RT83oQebuyJtedbYHCFvk3-lLaRDWKCDjqpisv4WL6thyK07FrheRIWDp1n4sgAIFRUbkRcmc_XVast_rS9IXIvw/s1600-h/2007-Kia-Spectra-07832031990002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGXXG3SZSr0fHOLWc8UTDoDVXkLfOom7GdugOJoR4dWRiGSLOn99_RT83oQebuyJtedbYHCFvk3-lLaRDWKCDjqpisv4WL6thyK07FrheRIWDp1n4sgAIFRUbkRcmc_XVast_rS9IXIvw/s400/2007-Kia-Spectra-07832031990002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237150513368160194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />For the record, the Kia Spectra is made in South Korea by the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group and is imported to the US while the Chevrolet Malibu is built in America. The Spectra is a compact car, the Malibu is classified as a midsize; both have enough seat belts to carry five passengers.<br /><br />Base engine for the Spectra is a 2.0L I4 paired with a five-speed manual transmission while a four-speed automatic transmission is offered optionally. The standard engine for the Malibu is a 2.4L I4 that is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Though the Spectra gets 24 mpg city and the Malibu 22 mpg city, the Malibu has a highway edge of 33-32. Interestingly, the standard manual transmission engine combination results in 30 mpg on the highway for the Spectra.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Extra Gears, Better Fuel Economy</span><br /><br />What makes the difference between the two models? The two extra gears in the Malibu is what does it. Earlier models had a four speed manual which delivered 30 mpg, but with the six-speed now included, Chevrolet drivers can get ten percent better fuel economy than before.<br /><br />Having extra gears means the transmission can operate at lower ratios which means that less fuel is used. For people who do a lot of highway driving, the Malibu wins out in fuel economy, besides being a larger, roomier car for long trips. This doesn't mean that the Spectra isn't a capable car, but it does contradict a certain maxim - smaller cars are always more fuel efficient. Instead, the maxim should be that cars with the newest technologies, particular those with modern transmissions of at least six gears could be the most fuel efficient vehicles available.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Technology You'll Pay For</span><br /><br />Most certainly the Spectra and the Malibu are designed for different drivers so my comparison does not include price or prestige, but it does indicate that car shoppers should look very closely at what they are getting: the bigger car could offer the best combination of ride and fuel economy for you and your family - you just have to ask yourself if you are willing to pay for these enhancements.<br /><br />Related Post:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/06/top-benefits-of-car-repair-in-utah.html">Top benefits of car repair in Utah</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/05/basic-diy-guide-to-car-maintenance.html">Basic DIY guide to car maintenance</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/04/asian-cars-reliability.html">Asian cars reliability</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/car-buying-tips-five-things-you-need-to.html">Car buying tips, 5 things you need to know before buying any car</a><br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Copyright 2008-2012 - <b>Matthew C. Keegan</b> is the owner of a successful writing and marketing business based in North Carolina, USA. He manages several websites and is a contributing writer for <a id="link_77" target="_new" href="http://www.andysautosport.com/">Andy's Auto Sport</a>, a quality retailer of aftermarket automotive parts including automotive <a id="link_78" target="_new" href="http://www.andysautosport.com/body_kits.html">body kits</a>.</blockquote><br /><br /><h1><span style="font-size:78%;">Your Choice in Transmissions Could Save You Gasoline</span></h1><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-28830746928979235812008-08-10T04:59:00.000-07:002008-08-10T05:10:19.425-07:00Beginner's Guide to Car Audio Installation - DIY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0VPncKiDBxA3a2bAw-pmnkVIobxYTpvqJ438xY-Azhx78-g8IsQ2yI64AZZbwk1bl3B8mT5ifcSN1O_PxYsQO5tQBLhMXU5RmaE70SK7YbADSueuOM5-vnQg2Z6PAhzJA3svPz-Apj-Y/s400/dolby+digital+surround+car+stereo+equipment.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232859832467628786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Speaker Positioning</span><br /><br />Speaker installation is very critical for performance. Whether you spent $1000 or $10,000 on a set of speakers, if they are not properly installed, they would not sound as they should. Even though it may seem that the best position for most speakers are in the stock housing's that came with the car e.g. on the door panel near your feet, this is just not so. You would see why such positions are still used however along with alternative solutions such as center channels for 5.1 Dolby, LCD screen, in-dash DVD players. There are many factors that need to be considered in placing the speakers in the correct position.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Distance</span><br /><br />The first thing to consider is distance. If the left speaker is only a couple feet away from your ears, while the right speaker is several feet away from you, then the sound will arrive at different times giving you poor sound. Since the left speaker is closer, it sounds louder. The best solution is to figure out a location where the difference between the distance of the right speaker to your ears and left speaker (also known as path length difference), are minimal. This is where kick panels become the preferred location......<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Multiple Speaker Placement</span><br /><br />If you have a system with two or more speakers per side, you need to try out different locations to obtain the best possible sound in your car. If you have a 2-way system with a tweeter and sub per side. The subs are mounted in the stock location at the bottom of the door. The tweeters are mounted high up on the front corner of the door panel. From the driver's seat, you can see that there are 4 speakers all aimed towards different orientations and all at a different distance to your ears. This interaction of sound waves at different frequencies arriving at your ears at different times seldom sounds good. The best thing to do is to position the woofer and tweeter on each side as close as possible to each other. This is also why kick panels are used so much these days. Professional installers do use some tricks such as inverting the tweeters' polarity when mounted for example on top of the dash while the woofers are low. Achieving good sound with unconventional mounting schemes is very, very hard and is only achieved after plenty of time has been spent trying different configurations.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryvnVq8hsNiVJRY0XLArT3NLMOG9WBUDojiaOZtsSaJmvqFQ6uNLHTAgnp-ixVGqypzFJS5eSVLfwVapLwpcWcgZWJFrSyiaxm9Kw1TS1pVAUxmYMuzByaOl-_WcyCirXnwUbNqKZcOt2/s400/multiple+car+audio+stereo+systems.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232859834185165906" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Aiming</span><br /><br />Our ears can distinguish the direction of sound more easily at higher frequencies. This means that aiming the mids, and most importantly, tweeters towards your ears play a critical role in sound imaging. Midbases are not so critical, but should be also aimed towards the listener's ears if possible. To figure out the best aiming angle involves many hours -even days- of work. To start, try to aim the speakers towards the center of the car. Play around with different angles until you obtain the best sounding position. Subwoofers should be mounted up front for best sound. Since this is not possible in most cars, mounting subs in the back is not such a bad thing, since most people can't distinguish where bass comes from. If you have good midbases going down to 60 Hz or less and subs picking up the signal below 60 Hz, then the bass will seem to come from the front.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Enclosures</span><br /><br />Subwoofers need a properly designed enclosure to give top performance. Midbases and mids also do sound much better if they are installed in enclosures. The best sounding and easier to build enclosure type for midbases and mids is sealed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5l3LjsdvmRXe6mTnT2t-MQWsBVdmsL5NUelvNPjS3SGUJAfM8zB2HmljYx0ddsP35JUPm0GPUNFanq7CEzYkPEPwQVZtD3id2fssON2Ahs9ugPJ_wY-8Km1FtSks6LAoTrZqEyY3Yt94/s400/2008+mitsubishi+lancer+subwoofer+installation+guide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232859832276109266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mounting Speakers</span><br /><br />If you are using speakers that fit into the stock location, make sure there are no spaces or holes. Sometimes building a wood or fiberglass baffle helps reduce holes and gives you much better sound. Always be careful when using power tools around speakers. Holes in speakers usually are not covered by the warranty. For unconventional speaker locations, sometimes metal has to be cut. If you have the resources, plasma cutters and pneumatics tools work great. For most of us that do not have these tools, a pair of metal snips (left and right cut) will do the job.<br /><br />Take your time to plan your system and don't just buy brand and product for the sake of popularity. Sometimes the simplest system is the most effective.<br /><br />Photo: <a href="http://www.the-other-view.com/">1</a>,<br /><br />Related Post:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/megaloud-car-audio-on-steriods.html">Megaloud - car audio on steroids</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/04/10-widely-sold-car-stereo-brands.html">10 widely sold car stereo brands</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/navigation-devices-or-gps-systems.html">Navigation devices and GPS systems</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/06/working-principle-of-digital-designs.html">The working principle of digital designs subwoofer</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/04/main-components-of-car-stereo-equipment.html">Main components of car stereo equipment</a><br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br /><blockquote><p><a id="link_79" target="_new" href="http://forums.trinituner.com/forums/archive/ice-3/">Get more Auto and Car Audio Video help</a>.</p><p>Read More at: <a id="link_80" target="_new" href="http://forums.trinituner.com/forums/archive/">http://forums.trinituner.com/forums/archive/</a></p></blockquote><br /><br /><h1><span style="font-size:78%;">Beginner's Guide to Car Audio Installation - DIY</span></h1><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-54780237750971685222008-08-10T04:40:00.000-07:002008-08-10T04:59:11.319-07:00Basics of Car Audio<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtuE7icBqH7RGSZBmEX7U5s3Udd3I2-aKpRbsCzRBKF_dw0v0M6DX9bRytEwsj2bmt4AylMU0T6i1iqEgVmCtWmBeT63fGIX_AEoBmq3zHphpj9L0o2s8uQjyJsdxcxD7O4qXX6gtZm2b/s400/basics+of+car+audio.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232857291577538290" border="0" /></a><br />From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: <span style="font-weight: bold;">What is car audio?</span> Car audio is how we describe the sound system fitted in an car.<br /><br />A regular car audio system refers to a manufacturer installed system. A custom car installation can involve anything from the upgrade of the radio to a total custom fit-out. Events are held where people compete for the loudest or most innovative systems.<br /><br />The most common pieces of equipment are the radio/tape player/CD player/DVD Player called a Head unit, or a head deck. These components are likely to be upgraded with an after market product. Head unit technology has developed to include CD players with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mp3">MP3</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogg">Ogg</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Media_Audio">WMA</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Audio_Coding">AAC</a>, and USB, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support. Car audio systems can have line-in jacks and other equipment features like tape adaptors, and video touch screen that controlling; navigation, dvd movies, mp3 players, back up cameras, and other accessories......<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"><br />Most modern cars have a CD player/ CD recorder, and and optional CD changer, which holds several CD's. Now the manufactures are offering DVD players and LCD screens. LCD screens are located and integrated into things that slide out and folds up, or the instrument panel and the DVD head unit. The screen might show video output for a navigation system, 3G cell phone or parking cameras.<br /><br />Speakers are located in doors and rear shelves of a cars. High-end stereo systems often have speakers mounted in kick panels, to accommodate larger drivers and better controller placement. Before stereo radio was introduced, the most common speaker location was in the middle of the dashboard. High-end systems will have Component Speakers that have balanced tweeter, mid-range, and woofer settings. They are available in two speaker and three speaker combinations, and include an audio crossover to limit frequency ranges that the speakers must handle. This allows each cone to produce optimal frequency for maximum sound quality and volume. In addition subwoofers are provided for bass and sub bass, the lower the frequency the less the ear picks it up, but the vibration is more pronounced. Sub bass is omni-directional, meaning that the ear can't figure out where the sound is coming from.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Amplifiers</span><br /><br />Amplifiers make power to drive the speakers. The amplifier is a very important component of a speaker system. It makes sure that the total power handling capacity of the speakers is adhered to. Amplifiers commonly come in two,four or six channels. Subwoofer amplifiers are mostly Mono Amplifiers. It is common that multiple channels are marked for the exclusive use in allowing for more than one channel to be used.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Capacitors</span><br /><br />Capacitors are used to store energy for the amplifier. Capacitors are useful because they can reduce voltage loss to other components in a car. Large capacitors sometimes offset headlight and/or interior light dimming because of too little amp draw from the alternator. A capacitor is only good for an audio system trying to get too many amps from the electrical system. A capacitor doesn't provide more power, it just stores it. The alternator must have more than 20% amp power than the entire vehicle and sound system combined for a capacitor to be of benefit. About 0.5 farad of capacitance is needed for every 500 watts of power. A capacitor does not affect sound in any way. It is strictly for power conditioning.<br /><br />Photo: <a href="http://www.dailycaraudio.com/">1</a><br /><br />Related Post:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/06/internet-access-from-your-car.html">Internet access from your car</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/04/main-components-of-car-stereo-equipment.html">Main components of car stereo equipment</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/02/installing-satellite-radio-in-my-car.html">Installing satellite radio in my car</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/megaloud-car-audio-on-steriods.html">Megaloud - car audio on steroids</a><br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Need more information about Car Audio? Visit Kevin Vida's blog at <a id="link_79" target="_new" href="http://caraudiostuff.blogspot.com/">http://caraudiostuff.blogspot.com/</a></blockquote><br /><br /><h1><span style="font-size:78%;">Basics of Car Audio</span></h1><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-83648917349313390032008-08-03T05:21:00.000-07:002008-08-03T05:26:59.732-07:00The Secrets To Protecting Yourself After You Have A Car AccidentNo one plans to have an accident. But, you can be prepared if one should happen.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Before you have an accident, keep an emergency kit in your glove compartment</span>. Drivers should carry a cell phone,as well as a pen and paper for taking notes, a disposable camera to take photos of the vehicles at the scene, and a card with information about medical allergies or conditions that may require special attention if there are serious injuries. A set of cones, warning triangles or emergency flares should be kept in the trunk.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. If you have an accident: Stop</span>. Do not drive away from the scene! You can be charged with "hit and run" even if the accident wasn't your fault if it involves a pedestrian, a moving car, or even a parked car or someone's property......<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Move vehicles to safety</span>. Make every effort to prevent further accidents. You may be liable for damages to approaching vehicles unless they are properly warned. Do not move your car too far. Make sure to turn on hazard lights and set out cones, flares or warning triangles, if possible. If your car can't be driven, have the emergency responders call a tow truck. Get the name, address and telephone number of the towing company and, if you can, find out where it is taking your car.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Move people to safety</span>. Check for injuries. Everyone who can walk should move to safety.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Call for help</span>. As soon as you can get to a telephone, call 911. Explain the situation and give the exact location of the accident, so that help can arrive quickly. Be sure to mention whether you need an ambulance or a fire engine. Don't hang up until the operator tells you it is okay to.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. Cooperate with the authorities</span>. In New York State if you are involved in a vehicle accident causing injury to person or property, you are required to stop and give your name, address, and show your driver's license and insurance identification card to the person who is injured or whose property is damaged, or to a police officer. If such information isn't available at the scene of the accident, it must be given to the nearest police station or judicial officer as soon as possible. Be sure to cooperate with the police officer investigating the case. But,stick to the facts. For instance, if you were driving 30 miles an hour, say so. Do not say, "I wasn't speeding."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. Tell the police the truth</span>. Follow police instructions carefully. Note the officer's name and precinct number, command, or barracks. Ask how you can get a copy of the police accident report.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. But don't admit fault</span>. Do not volunteer any information about who was to blame for the accident. You may think you are in the wrong and then learn that the other driver is as much or more to blame than you are. You should first talk to your insurance agent, your lawyer, or both. Anything you say to the police or the other driver can be used against you later. Do not agree to pay for damages or sign any paper except a traffic ticket until you check with your insurance company or lawyer.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. Document what happened</span>. Make a note of the details of the accident, including date and time, road conditions, weather conditions and speed of all other cars involved. It also is a good idea to draw a diagram of the accident showing the position and direction of the cars justprior to and after the accident: make a written description of each car, including year, make, model and color and the exact location of the collision and how it happened.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. Take photographs</span>. Use your camera to document the damage to all the vehicles. (Use a cell phone's camera if you have nothing else.) Keep in mind that you want your photos to show the overall context of the accident. Take your own photographs even if the police take photographs or you believe that your mechanic or insurance company will take them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Photograph</span>:<br />(a) any broken parts, inside or outside the vehicle such as dashboard, windshield, seat, broken glass or lenses, bumper that fell off, etc.;<br />(b) vehicle license plates;<br />(c) skid marks;<br />(d) street signs; and,<br />(e) injuries to persons involved in the accident.<br /><br />Take the photos from different angles and positions. Take more photographs than you think you'll need. ALWAYS HAVE SOMEONE WATCH FOR TRAFFIC.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">11. Exchange information</span>. Exchange the following information after the accident: name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, driver license number and license plate number for the driver and the owner of each vehicle. If the driver's name is different from the name of the insured, take down the name and address for each individual. If possible, obtain the names of the insurance companies and the policy numbers covering the other autos in the accident. In New York State, it's the law to carry an insurance policy information card in every vehicle. These cards can be your source for such information.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">12. Get witness information</span>. If there are witnesses, try to get their names, addresses and telephone numbers; they may be able to help you if the other drivers dispute your version of what happened. Request that they talk to the police before leaving. If they refuse to identify themselves, jot down the license plate numbers of their automobiles. Do not discuss the accident with the witnesses. Do not give their names to anyone but the police, your attorney or your insurance company.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">13. Report to your insurance company</span>. Remember to call your insurance company or insurance broker immediately after the accident. Don't forget to send written notice to your insurance company as soon as possible. The notice should include the time, place and circumstances of the accident. If you fail to notify your insurance company of the accident in writing within a reasonable time, this could be grounds for the company's denying any obligation to protect your interests in the event a claim is made against you. Also, make sure your report contains the names of all injured persons and drivers and the names of all available witnesses.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">14. Report to Albany</span>. The law requires that the operator of a vehicle involved in an accident in New York State in which a person is killed or injured or one in which damage to the property of any person, in a written report with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles within 10 days. If the operator is unable to make such a report, another participant must make it. Remember to keep copies for your records. This report form, known as an MV-104, may be obtained from the <a href="http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us">Department of Motor Vehicles</a> or its website (over the Internet). Often, your insurance company, insurance broker or attorney can send you the form.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">15. Call an attorney</span>. Consult an attorney who is experienced in accident cases if you or a loved one is hurt. Ask lots of questions.<br /><br />Related Post:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/07/get-paid-to-drive-your-car.html">Get paid to drive your car</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/05/basic-diy-guide-to-car-maintenance.html">Basic DIY guide to car maintenance</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/05/paintless-dent-repair-and-economy.html">Paintless dent repair and the economy</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/12/how-to-change-your-cars-oil.html">How to change your car's oil</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/can-you-beat-speed-cameras.html">Can you beat the speed camera's?</a><br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br /><blockquote>For more information about New York car accidents and personal injury request Gary Rosenberg's FREE book: Warning! Things That Can Destroy Your CarAccident Case (And the Insurance Companies Already Know These Things), at <a href="http://www.greatlegalbooks.com/" class="hft-urls">http://www.GreatLegalBooks.com</a> . For more information and FREE reports, visit my website, <a href="http://www.garyrosenberg-law.com/" class="hft-urls">http://www.GaryRosenberg-Law.com</a>. </blockquote><br /><br /><h1><span style="font-size:78%;">The Secrets To Protecting Yourself After You Have A Car Accident</span></h1><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-33729050531151298932008-08-03T05:09:00.000-07:002008-08-03T05:19:44.542-07:00Edge On Motorcycling- The BMW HP2 Sport<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iukyR38RX5JjJJO0yKJCi2WkqwmZIalOB5wUZ2FhURECT0YVAXyv3h1BKhM37_rOd6Lrh3LPEVN_dGLt6Veq1njB0tKdopmcy4vIQ-O060yn2UEr1feSKjC91qY1AX4qBVlZppfv5VXG/s400/bmw-hp2-sport-side-stand.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230264522728716802" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The <a href="http://www.webbikeworld.com/BMW-motorcycles/hp-2-sport/">BMW HP2 Sport</a> is the latest iteration of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW">Bavarian Motor Company's</a> foray into producing performance driven motorcycles. The quiet, staid, and lets just admit it boring motorcycles that came out of BMW in years past is history.<br /><br />The HP line is BMW's new high performance, cutting edge line up. It's the motorcycle equivalent of their M line of performance cars.<br /><br />The HP2 Sport is the third motorcycle in the HP line following the releases of the <a href="http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/bikes/bike.jsp?b=hp2">HP2 Enduro</a> and the <a href="http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=3839">HP2 Megamoto</a>......<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqYhG0-ARLWB48NuHzlYdONPtfb9NjWTVsPtRQrYblrvkRCYZ4LTZJ0CDk9CDJZ-_igYDI1TwQljRh48YljiQS_gX_6WKkJci_73lU-19IZLM77HD5BTvu9UXEq8cnNl01B2ST88lCiPg/s400/bmw-hp2-sport-dashboard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230264520922410194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The HP-2 Sport is based on the <a href="http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/bikes/bike.jsp?b=r1200s">R1200S</a> but is out and out designed for sports riders who are looking for a machine that has performance as well as endurance.<br /><br />The HP2 Sport keeps some of the concepts that BMW motorcycles have become known for such as the BMW Motorrad Telelever front suspension and the EVO Paralever rear suspension. Other components have been newly developed or highly modified for use in the motorcycle.<br /><br />The HP-2 Sport is powered by a twin Boxer motor that has a capacity of 1170 cc. The engine's cylinder heads were completely redesigned which allows the engine to rev as high as 9500 rpm. The engine has a 101 mm bore and a 73 mm stroke and produces a maximum of 130 hp at 8,750 rpm and 85 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm.<br /><br />The bike has a close ratio six speed gear box, with first and second gear having higher ratios. This puts the gear increments closer to each other and results in less of a rev drop when progressing up through the gears.<br /><br />The bike also has a gear shift assistant which allows the rider to shift gears without using the clutch. It works by sensing when the gear lever is activated. If it senses gear lever activation without the use of the clutch, it electronically reduces power to the engine which puts the engine in a low load state and makes it possible to shift without the clutch. If the rider uses the clutch, the system becomes inactive.<br /><br />The riding position of the HP-2 sport can be described as relaxed. BMW has extensive experience with endurance racing and knows that for racers to be fast over a long period staying power is more important than a full racer's tuck.<br /><br />The dashboard was developed by 2D Systems, which also provides analytic recording systems to<a href="http://www.motogp.com/"> Moto GP</a> racing.<br /><br />The dashboard has two modes and is switched by two controls on the left handlebar. In road mode, typical information such as speed, rpm, time, and distance are displayed. In race mode data such as top speed, circuit times, number of gearshifts and rpm is shown.<br /><br />The HP2 Sport will push BMW further into the world of performance motorcycling.<br /><br />Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.webbikeworld.com/">1</a><br /><br />Related Post:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/05/reviews-on-used-motorcycle-parts.html">Reviews on used motorcycle parts</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/05/understanding-exhaust-and-your.html">Understanding exhaust and your motorcycle</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/04/3-ways-to-build-motorcycle.html">3 ways to build a motorcycle</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/04/types-of-motorcycle-frames.html">Types of motorcycle frames</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/04/how-to-sell-your-motorcycle.html">How to sell your motorcycle</a><br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Come to <a href="http://www.edgeonmotorcycling.com/" class="hft-urls">http://www.EdgeOnMotorcycling.com</a> for a free guide on the fun, adventure and excitement that motorcycling offers. In addition hear interviews with people throughout the industry and get information that will make you a safer, more capable, more confident rider. </blockquote><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGwUVS-Jt166LDUvs52-0xzKu2t99K_z6MDhyEveI1bgh-zCDEYj0soOHkOBZ0bL3HX9VPt_fjfEwNCxm9XLaamWhqEHv2hwpLPjuHbn86HmpieD2F7jod6mGT6iGwNSWgIf9rtXSNe6q/s400/bmw-hp2-sport-front-wheel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230264519028602642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjJEAg5d5TGO1qhUtCQPJBPBMcwPcpG8z1N9STZVlagOnxSk0_BASZVwaRRRVmY0D4oM851L7fiUtvSWev6BYCJEi5Z5DgjhkkiIAuGmoiXQF79jGiWnCSoqVucRbBXqNqzIEXku5dCqq/s400/bmw-hp2-sport-right-front-quarter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230264520132246018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslXRv88zshuCxjOPawKmEtZsrxUuWaZuaObnV2TB6W9C91nuoG8pKPafCiHIuM01c1rPM7KYLmARoceiQUvBIFRpT-JqkzHG0fF_9_Xzy4sN2WSlUMQWQcwdcq4TK0r9zvAh-v10uEStw/s400/bmw-hp2-sport-right-rear.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230264522936908706" border="0" /></a><br /><h1><span style="font-size:78%;">Edge On Motorcycling- The BMW HP2 Sport</span></h1><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-56260204729807776612008-08-01T04:06:00.000-07:002008-08-01T04:34:27.386-07:0021 Classic PontiacsSo, you think you know your cars now, do you? Well, consider this to be a test of your knowledge of Pontiac history. 21 Pontiacs are featured here: some are current models while others are truly classic in every sense of the word, dating back to the early 1960s.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_6000">6000</a> </span>- Full sized [or almost] front wheel drive sedan of the 1980s.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Aztek">Aztec</a> </span>- Ugly is as ugly does. This crossover vehicle ashamed the Pontiac fleet for two years during the early 00s.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Bonneville">Bonneville</a> </span>- Full sized Pontiac sedan excitement retired in 2005 after more than 40 years of service. Part of GM's massive restructuring and retiring of top model names.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Catalina">Catalina</a> </span>- This model hearkens back to the mid 60s when two door hard tops ruled the day. Discontinued during the late 70s during GM's "down sizing" shell game days.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Fiero">Fiero</a> </span>- Mid-engine sport two-seater built for Pontiac during the go-go 80s. GM reached into their parts bin and took out Chevette and other components to create this little roadster......<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Trans_Am">Firebird</a> </span>- It goes without saying that this "pony" car is sorely missed. The good news is that it may be back by the time the 2009 model year rolls around.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Firefly </span>- Twin to the Geo Metro, the Firefly was Pontiac's 3 cylinder captive import of the late eighties to mid nineties.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">G6 </span>- Current compact model in Pontiac's arsenal available in rakish coupe or sporty sedan.<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Grand_Am"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grand Am</span></a> - With its 1973 debut, the Grand Am quickly became the division's mid-range performance car. Retired in 2005 with a host of other Pontiac model names.<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Grand_Prix"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grand Prix</span></a> - Hidden tail lights and a concave rear window marked the Grand Prix's 1963 debut. The car has survived GM's model name shake out and today's car is a mid-sized, front wheel drive sports sedan.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_GTO">GTO</a> </span>- Introduced in 1967, the GTO was a true coupe turned sports car. Eliminated in the 1970s, the GTO is back thanks to GM's Australian division, Holden. Rear wheel drive and a big V8 too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEGEOJJSn74NHbAd_tDNXx9kZbTvEXBSLWJ46oz9HhSdAh87cg6BptYk7rMXCCp8BijOFvNSsOkMyiZ4bu2ikvSySpLMcGk0Qdx99qhleBKNDavONSmR0GkG9DEt-d-KWpIjokabnx1RG/s400/pontiac+GTO+review.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229510187408043522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_LeMans"><span style="font-weight: bold;">LeMans</span></a> - Originally a Tempest model, the LeMans became its own model once the Tempest name was retired in the 1970s. Retired in the mid 1990s after a cheap Korean car was allowed to carry its name. Sheesh!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Montana">Montana</a> </span>- A minivan for Pontiac, if not for the ages.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Parisienne">Parisienne</a> </span>- During the 1980s Pontiac needed a version of the Chevrolet Caprice. This full sized, rear wheel drive sedan filled the bill.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Phoenix">Phoenix</a> </span>- Part of GM's "X cars" of compact import fighting vehicles introduced during 1979 as a 1980 model.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Sunbird">Sunbird</a> </span>- Nothing but a rebadged Chevy Cavalier.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Sunfire">Sunfire</a> </span>- Compact coupe retired in 2005 as part of, you guessed, GM's model restructuring.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunrunner </span>- Nothing but a rebadged Geo/Chevy Tracker.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Tempest">Tempest</a> </span>- From the early sixties until the early seventies, the term "muscle car" befit this hot coupe. Especially nice as a convertible!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1g7UWfgogjXjvfpJ52QA7mG1Tw6JXNXJG2RCl1HtCan8ZaQgDuPv3c63KJhI0obY8dm5nCmlosl8Hs6Xut4JoEEDKhF8QcRgRIp10cL6y9qFWnXzUzftp47_CJcLsJF40Shf5rYGNlKUd/s400/Pontiac+Tempest+review.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229510186365154658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Trans_Sport"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Trans Sport</span></a> - Hideous looking minivan that debuted in the early 1990s. Mercifully replaced years later by the Montana.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.pontiac.com/vibe/index.jsp">Vibe</a> </span>- A currently produced compact five door sport wagon; cousin to the Toyota Matrix.<br /><br />So, there you have it. At least another half dozen models were left out from this time period plus many models that dated back to the division's founding as part of the Oakland Automobile Company in 1926. Pontiac excitement...have you caught it yet?<br /><br />Related Post:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/five-best-rated-cars-of-2007.html">5 best rated car of 2007</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/06/plymouth-gtx-ultimate-muscle-car.html">Plymouth GTX - the ultimate muscle car?</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/02/2008-chevrolet-corvette-review-review.html">2008 chevrolet corvette review</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/02/2007-dodge-avenger-nascar.html">2007 dodge avenger NASCAR</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/renaissance-of-classic-muscle-cars.html">The renaissance of classic muscle car</a><br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Please visit <a id="link_80" target="_new" href="http://www.hyundaiporter.com/support.html">automotive site</a> for cutting edge car information</blockquote><br /><br /><h1><span style="font-size:78%;">21 Classic Pontiacs</span></h1><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-91129998300162626222008-07-17T06:19:00.000-07:002008-07-17T06:26:50.198-07:00Does Your 2007 Harley Davidson Run Hot? - Here's the Cure<span style="font-weight: bold;">How to Cure a hot running 2007 Harley Davidson?</span><br /><br />That question must have been asked 10k times or more since the 2007 model line of Harley Davidsons were introduced. The mystery of the hot running 2007 models grew to almost a cult like issue on the Harley boards and Harley forums around the internet. Owners who didn't realize they had a hot running Harley Davidson suddenly agonized over the "problem" and demanded answers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtruF_gm_iQt3sfoROTv69-c3e3OaDbRDM4rnSHs8ad-abP2NkpHnSjzjV3j675gKc7euUb3UhN0IIs9aaFnrwWdAQBKVGCEjur9EhfzZRJ1lYTwYbX01xqfDxu5uAM16c12RdpEUrcIhE/s400/2007+FXSTB+Nightrain.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223973572742684770" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Being the owner of a 2007 FXSTB Nightrain I was obviously interested in the answer to the question. My bike didn't seem to run all that hot....I wondered aloud if some of these guys realized their motorcycles were air cooled and that they WILL run hot. I also questioned how many were first time riders and simply didn't realize that a hot engine 6 inches from your legs is going to produce heat. I am sure a number of new owners or riders succumbed to the phenomenon of the hot running 2007. They jumped on the bandwagon as so many people often do, but then I am positive of others that actually did experience a hot running Harley Davidson motorcycle......<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"><br />Friends of mine that I am positive know what they are talking about were experiencing the hot running 2007 issue so it wasn't that the issue was non existent, I just think it might have been blown out of proportion. I decided to get to the bottom of the issue and see what I could find out about the problem. After a few days of digging around and talking to people in the know, I think it was clear what was the culprit.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lean and Mean</span><br /><br />After a lot of discussion and research it turns out that the new 96 cu inch Harley Davidson engine had to be tuned extremely lean in order to get it to meet government emissions requirements. The stock factory tune was set very lean by design, and as you know, a lean engine will run much hotter than a well tuned or even rich engine. Different riders reacted differently to the hot running condition as some didn't even notice and others it was enough of a problem that they wanted to trade their motorcycles in for a different year.<br /><br />I also noticed a trend that it seemed to be the bagger crowd complaining the most vocally and the most frequently. I don't know if it is because the bagger crowd tends to be older and more demanding or if the models were more susceptible to the hot running condition. I think probably a little bit of both actually. If you take a look at the front end of some of the bagger models, the fairings restrict air flow across the engine dramatically compared to the more open models. So regardless of this issue, the lean condition seemed to be the culprit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2CjaW1puOcQS1vZEJGK3Pj7NvlP2XQ27O65d7pWLJXhTUuJuvaZvpCNmNKGQQW075ll90BWKailbWGA3xpA2eNWlIjZhhSTdaiS5OQElip3yT4PzzA4wW5RIlOFgqhU0qcSOp8hqeZY9/s400/harley+davidson+2008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223973578014059570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Fix</span><br /><br />The fix is rather simple.<br /><br />Most riders that I was in contact with reported that a Stage 1 upgrade resolved the issue. A decent set of pipes combined with either a Stage 1 download or a fuel control system like a Power Commander or something similar cured the lean condition. They not only reported a much better running motorcycle but a much cooler running motorcycle. The addition of the pipes likely made for a much better looking and sounding motorcycle as well.<br /><br />The Stage 1 kit will bring your motorcycle back down to a more normal heat range, at least normal for an air cooled Harley Davidson. The reflash will make for a richer mixture which will lower the operating temperature and make your Harley Davidson a much more enjoyable machine to ride.<br /><br />Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.american-v.co.uk/">1</a><br /><br />Related Post:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/06/do-you-want-to-start-your-own-custom.html">Do You Want to Start Your Own Custom Harley Shop?</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/customized-harley-davidson.html">Customized Harley Davidson</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/10/buying-used-harley-davidson-motorcycle.html">How To Buying Used Harley Davidson Motorcycles</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/2007-harley-davidson-models.html">2007 Harley Davidson Models</a><br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br /><blockquote>If you want to check out a pretty cool selection of <a id="link_79" target="_NEW" href="http://www.discountmotorcyclepipes.com/">Harley Pipes</a> or read more about <a id="link_80" target="_NEW" href="http://www.discountmotorcyclepipes.com/harley-exhaust-reviews">Harley Exhaust</a> then feel free to check us out. We not only write about Harley Davidson's, but we ride them too.</blockquote><br /><br /><h1><span style="font-size:78%;">Does Your 2007 Harley Davidson Run Hot? - Here's the Cure</span></h1><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com205tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-34333497036407862022008-07-14T10:07:00.000-07:002008-07-14T10:12:31.001-07:00What Should You Look Out For When Getting Teen Auto Insurance?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHnmdpmC-B_7kStkQCvYUuRvUI1Mb1gKmYHdApNQ6yEBa49qG_1aKW_23cTgsHkXoClBFByEmLLLXXt18LYf4VKo8K9g52_ir2kN8QY8609tHXa2Vmt2PtF3t9oQbnM3xDS9HJPO8TAYj/s400/cheap+teen+auto+insurance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222918569554161874" border="0" /></a><br />There are many things you should think about when you are purchasing teen auto insurance. Many things you should think about are paying annually, the type of car your teen is driving, adding a named driver, and more.<br /><br />Finding cheap auto insurance can be difficult. So your teenager finally got their driver’s license and you now need to find them good insurance. There is a Pass Plus exam that is offered right now. The Pass Plus is an intensive driver’s training course that is aimed at teens and new drivers becoming better drivers. When a teenager passes this exam you will automatically receive a 35% discount on your auto insurance. This is a big deal because teenagers are very expensive to put on your insurance......<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"><br />The car your teenager drives will make a big difference to what your premiums are for them also. You can find the lists on the Internet which cars are the most expensive to insure and which cars are the cheapest to insure. If the car is not on the highest stolen list then it will be cheaper to insure for your teen. The theory is that the cheaper the car is then the cheaper the teen auto insurance will be.<br /><br />Although you are looking for cheap auto insurance you also need to realize you must have the appropriate coverage for your child. Statistics show that teenagers have more accidents than adults because they have less experience driving. This is a proven fact. If your child is in an accident you should be sure that your insurance will cover the damages your teen may have done to the other vehicle. You don’t want to have an insurance claim that you cannot afford to pay and your insurance didn’t cover. Be sure of all of the coverage you have opted for your child. Don’t be looking for only the cheapest because this might put you in a bad position.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3QOF2YYBP9Ccpgul_5FHTwGH1nILw4GrfFV-2F1MTQHw5OkkPpH90a8GhZvfZIvssan72XFiLmvlv9Fc4IMnkbd42cfgaiXvzYwWNT1PQrnoiGn3mxMBrjg192YEgWRmcO9dk-WjI75pL/s400/teen+auto+insurance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222918564573018818" border="0" /></a><br /><br />If you have a teenage daughter then you are in a little bit of luck. It is proven that girls and women get in less accidents then teenage boys and men. Because of this statistic, females are cheaper to insure. However, just because of the gender doesn’t mean that the insurance will remain at a low rate.<br /><br />Maintaining a low auto insurance rate for your teenager also means that they are driving without being pulled over for traffic violations. The first ticket is usually a freebie and your teenager will be sent to defensive driving school. That is of course if the violation is something simple like speeding. Your rates will begin to drop every six months as your child drives without any tickets on their license. If your teenager begins to get tickets and pulled over then your insurance rates will begin to increase and you may not be able to afford to insure them.<br /><br />When you are looking for cheap auto insurance for your teenager you need to think about many things. Consider the type of car your teenager will be driving and be sure your teenager is driving responsibly not getting pulled over.<br /><br />Photo Credit: <a href="http://teen-health-insurance.com/">1</a>, <a href="http://www.familycar.com/">2</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Related Insurance Post:</span><br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/03/motorcycle-insurance-coverage-choosing.html">Motorcycle Insurance Coverage - Choosing Insurance For Your Bike</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-get-cheap-auto-insurance-6.html">How To Get Cheap Auto Insurance</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Featured Links:</span><br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Kian Chew is a car insurance expert and owner of Car Insurance Hot Zone. Car Insurance Hot Zone helps those who wish to lower their car insurance cost for life by using a few basic rules and some strategies which few people know. You can instantly view the secrets by visiting <a href="http://www.carinsurancehotzone.com/" class="hft-urls">http://www.CarInsuranceHotZone.com</a> </blockquote><br /><br /><h1><span style="font-size:78%;">What Should You Look Out For When Getting Teen Auto Insurance?</span></h1><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-76635113316492971742008-07-14T09:51:00.001-07:002008-07-14T09:57:20.314-07:00Wood Gas - The Future Biomass-Derived Fuel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQR6Bj2ibBymUB-Mzz1Qm_3023BRQxFeZxReF2J58DJToUV4Bw9x4tarJwWTg6H75fkGBC2lzCU1HQQjSmZYS8HAoIYe2HyEnq-TJYpCT24NxqcUwwSzLAF09F6Kng9Xkl7ZsF7n4mp57/s400/WoodGasBike.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222914798997993010" border="0" /></a><br />Let's assume, that you own a farm. You produce grain and have a lot of straw. You'd like to make your energy on site from the biomass you have available. You might plant your fields with rapeseed or canola and produce biodiesel. But you'd need to get methanol and lye first, since both of them can't be made there! And you can use your biodiesel only in compression ignition (diesel) engines. And what if you have an old genset powered by spark-ignition (gasoline / petrol) engine? I think I might have a solution for you...<br /><br />You'll make use of a technology that's more than 200 years old. It's greatest development took place during World War II in 1940s in Europe. At that time most of petroleum-derived fuels were used by military and there was no fuel left for civilians. So they made their own fuel, the wood gas from wood or charcoal. In some countries 95% of civilian transport (trucks, buses, even fishermen's boats) were fueled with this gas......<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is this wood gas?</span><br /><br />From chemical point of view it's a mixture of combustible carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4), dilluted with some water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2). This gas can be easily used for almost every internal combustion engine. Well... except for the most modern ones, they'd require to have their electronics to be modified.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How wood gas is made?</span><br /><br />When you heat wood it is pyrolysed, i.e. all the tars vaporize. When you add some oxygen, the carbon bound within the wood cells is burnt to carbon dioxide. The vapors burn too. When those burnt gasses pass through a layer of very hot char, they are reduced to carbon monoxide and hydrogen. A small amount of methane is also produced. When the gas is cooled and cleaned of any tars and particles, it can be used in internal combustion engine, boiler or any other device!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What do you need to produce your own wood gas?</span><br /><br />You'd need a device that's called gasifier. It consists of fuel hopper, gasifying chamber and a set of filters. It's very easy to build, the people during WWII made it out of old water heaters and stuff like that.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is wood gas safe?</span><br /><br />Well, if you don't inhale it, you'll be OK. Carbon monoxide is very toxic and poisonous, so caution is required when using wood gas. From the engine point of view, if it's clean, it's safe. The tars might condense inside the engine, for example on valves, which might cause the engine to fail. The particles would probably destroy the contact surfaces on pistons and cylinders. If the gas is too hot the engine will not work (hot gas is diluted and has small energy content per unit volume), but it will not harm it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Any drawbacks?</span><br /><br />One that's worth mentioning. Petrol engines will suffer 1/3 power loss -- the wood gas does have small heating value. Diesel engines will not suffer such power loss, since they work on stratified mixtures and because of that you can introduce more wood gas to recover the power loss. You'd need to leave some small amount of diesel to be injected to the cylinders to ignite the wood gas.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Interested?</span><br /><br />One liter of petrol / gasoline can be replaced with 2.5 - 4 kg (5.5 - 9 lbs) of wood. How cool is that!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo Credit: </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://axilar.net/">1</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Related Post:</span><br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/06/top-7-best-mpg-mopeds.html">Top 7 Best MPG Mopeds</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/06/7-most-logical-reasons-to-get-up-to.html">7 Most Logical Reasons to Get Up to 100MPG</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/06/basics-running-car-on-water.html">The Basics - Running a Car on Water</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/05/basic-diy-guide-to-car-maintenance.html">Basic DIY Guide to Car Maintenance</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/04/6-money-saving-tips-for-truck-drivers.html">6 Money Saving Tips for Truck Drivers</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Featured Links:</span><br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Krzysztof Lis is MSc of mechanical engineering, graduated on october 2007, and lives in Poland. For 5 years he owns a site on biofuels (especially biodiesel and wood gas) and other alternative energy sources. He started translating this site to english <a href="http://alternative-car-fuels.com/" class="hft-urls">http://alternative-car-fuels.com</a>. </blockquote><br /><br /><h1><span style="font-size:78%;">Wood Gas - The Future Biomass-Derived Fuel</span></h1><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-14032264309870533682008-07-11T06:17:00.000-07:002008-07-11T06:22:58.264-07:00Get Paid To Drive Your Car<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlUU5yo-wbTSzfm9uwdwhIOFJGoabQpzE50DWFX1i6uASUoHWnyTJ9fBa4z9ZA6u6M8C9pJAMddl6Vn49AIKGIHY8GDmX-QZxVIpn3RJK9OquRvpNVVS3axezKQlfgz5l4Z31NGfrWa_s/s400/get+paid+to+drive+a+car.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221746292906836946" border="0" /></a><br />You may have heard rumors that it's possible to get paid to drive your car, or in some cases, get a car to use for free. While participation is limited and luck is needed along with living in the right place for a particular campaign, it is possible to get paid to have your car (or a car given to you) turned into a moving advertisement. If you drive 800 miles or more a month along heavily populated routes in your normal driving habits, you may want to check out the companies that offer car wraps.<br /><br />The concept is fairly simple. Advertising space on billboards along busy roads and highways is limited and in some places not allowed at all. It's possible, however, to reach many of those people another way. Companies advertise on the outside of cars to reach those same people. The problem is that purchasing an entire fleet of cars for an advertising campaign can be overly expensive, so a solution was developed......<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"><br />Instead of purchasing their own cars, companies will sometimes "rent" space on individual private citizen's cars. In return for letting a company "wrap" your car with their advertisement, they will pay you a monthly fee. The fees can be as high as $400 a month for a full car wrap and lesser amounts for a partial car wrap or a window wrap.<br /><br />Another option that some of these companies offer in place of car wraps is giving you a free car with advertisements already on it. You usually don't get paid in this deal or get to choose the type of car provided, but you do receive free use of the car for the period of the campaign. Your only costs are gas and insurance meaning that you are getting transportation at a fraction of the cost of owning your own car. There are some rare cases when you can get paid when receiving a free car. Some companies will pay you to drive the free cars along certain, specified routes each day.<br /><br />So what is the catch? The main one is there are far more drivers wanting the positions than advertising campaigns available. If you don't drive a lot of miles or live in a highly populated area (large college campuses seem to be an ideal location) where the advertisement will be seen by a population the advertisers crave, your chances of being chosen are slim. Most companies require you to drive a minimum of 800 miles a month. Not driving enough miles can negate the contract and most companies utilize global positioning systems (GPS) in your car to track the miles and places you go each month.<br /><br />Most programs require you to be 18 years of age, have a clean driving record and your own auto insurance. Traffic violations will in most cases prohibit you from being considered. Contracts vary in length and amount paid depending on the type of advertising in the campaign involved. Most companies don't let you pick the advertiser, but will let you bow out if the advertiser goes against your moral values (cigarettes, alcohol and sex).<br /><br />With the concept there are a growing number of websites that don't actually offer the service of car wrapping, but claim to be a data base for advertisers to find people willing to advertise on their cars. Many offer free sign up, but then encourage you to purchase a "premium package" that is supposed to move your name higher up on the list. The fact is that you are very unlikely to be picked from these services so it isn't worth the time (and definitely not the money) signing up with them.<br /><br />While the chances of being picked are slim, they are better than playing the lottery. If you meet the requirements and live in an area you believe would be desirable to advertisers, it could be worth the 15 to 30 minutes it takes to fill out the online forms. If you are lucky and do get picked, you will significantly reduce your driving expenses with little effort on your part.<br /><br />Photo Credit: <a href="http://trafficz.com/">http://trafficz.com</a><br /><br />Related Post:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/06/buy-cheap-smart-car-and-make-smart.html">Buy a cheap smart car and make smart purchase</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/06/internet-access-from-your-car.html">Internet access from your car</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/04/asian-cars-reliability.html">Asian cars reliability</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/04/government-car-auctions.html">Governments car auctions</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/03/how-to-report-problems-to-your-mechanic.html">How to report problems to your mechanics</a><br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Author: Jeffrey Strain has published hundreds of money saving articles. You can read more about auto wraps at <a id="link_78" target="_new" href="http://www.paidtodriveautowrap.com/">http://www.paidtodriveautowrap.com</a></blockquote><br /><br /><h1><span style="font-size:78%;">Get Paid To Drive Your Car</span></h1><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-76027657478299117382008-07-11T05:59:00.000-07:002008-07-11T06:09:50.363-07:00About Your Vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYp9rRhVcBYEfxtgbY8iX1oEDAk-eGsqOW7XCxQbxw-Q5sJk48k7gRDroveZTjPcW3sDxJnPyw_n1EzWKzGzB2rUaM06zXQdeClOhA6KNmATOZJeLZXfc5ll_KrUDzUxQXNGZnXnWvwIbB/s400/Vehicle+Identification+Number+Locations.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221741478261856082" border="0" /></a><br />As you very well may know, your vehicle is identified by a unique number found on your automobile's dash, windshield, and various other parts. But have you ever given thought as to what these numbers are actually used for? Just what purpose does this number serve? In fact, your car's VIN is used in several very important ways.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is a VIN?</span><br /><br />Every vehicle that is manufactured is given a unique identifying number, referred to as a Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN. This series of 17 alpha-numeric characters is basically your car's automotive fingerprint. It is what distinguishes your particular automobile from all the others, and provides a form of identification that is used throughout the lifetime of your auto, from the factory to the scrap yard......<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"><br />The VIN is used to track everything related to that automobile, including insurance coverage, warranty claims, thefts, recalls, and registrations. Without the VIN, there would be no effective way to track all of this information.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">History of the VIN</span><br /><br />The roots of this coding and tracking system can be traced back to the mid 1950's. It is then that Detroit automobile manufacturers began stamping and casting identification numbers into cars and their independent parts. This practice began in an effort to accurately describe vehicles as they began to be produced on a large scale.<br /><br />In the early 1980's the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration effectively required all automobile manufacturers to provide a 17 digit identification number for every auto produced. This resulted in the modern 17 character VIN in which we are familiar with today, giving every individual vehicle a unique "fingerprint".<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">VIN Meaning</span><br /><br />The VIN on your vehicle is not just a random set of characters, nor are VINs simply sequential. Rather, each individual digit of the VIN has a specific purpose. For example, the first character of the VIN identifies which country the car was manufactured in. If the means of transportation were produced in the United States, the first digit would be a 1 or 4. Japanese cars' VINs begin with a J, Korea with a K, Germany with a G, and so on.<br /><br />The second character of the VIN identifies the manufacturer. As with the manufacturing country, each manufacturer has a specific character symbolizing it. Chevrolet uses a 1, Chrysler-C, Ford-F, General Motors-G, and Pontiac is identified by a 2 or 5, etc.<br /><br />The third digit refers to the vehicle type or manufacturing division, and digits 4-8 are known as the Vehicle Descriptor Section, or VDS. This section describes individual attributes of the auto, such as body style, engine type, model, etc.<br /><br />Each of the 17 VIN characters describes yet another aspect of the automobile it is found on. It is these codes that provide the vehicle identification number, giving your car, truck, motorcycle, or moped its own unique fingerprint.<br /><br />Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.windowsticker.us/">http://www.windowsticker.us</a><br /><br />Related Post:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/05/paintless-dent-repair-and-economy.html">Paintless Dent Repair and the Economy</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/05/basic-diy-guide-to-car-maintenance.html">Basic DIY Guide to Car Maintenance</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/03/protect-yourself-from-car-repairs-scams.html">Protect Yourself from Car Repair Scams</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/12/how-to-change-your-cars-oil.html">How to Change your Car's Oil</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/10/applying-for-truck-permits.html">Applying for Truck Permits</a><br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Author: Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent of Heat Reward. The auto theft prevention program provides help to eliminate auto theft throughout Virginia. For more information on their <a id="link_74" target="_new" href="http://www.heatreward.com/">Auto Theft Prevention</a> please visit their website.</blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-suKqNqtF4ze5OZSncbnmuFAez0k0WCuw1pRa92udG77EuIZjprmVbj5n4Kp2tBvU1seRUVxlZPvRBCWKpnh-q-vkYUS_zdxBZDfe9S0f2Z2zQG3SETvHPNEgMn8NizQTvy-BPXnpi6R/s400/Vehicle+Identification+Number+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221741482118431842" border="0" /></a><br /><h1><span style="font-size:78%;">About Your Vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)</span></h1><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-84329104719510280742008-07-09T05:13:00.000-07:002008-07-09T05:25:20.340-07:00BMW 1 Series Coupe-Convertible Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhlqmvEAj9YFYkQxkHMGV3cQXQ2LAB8NJ9HrucUO1YZa8W4gnkFEr27tKGMs2I9B89_arIdTXTsWQM9tfGR08YeyGahhAZvzkpms00g1fhCrEREHNP2TXNl6qqD91IQW4ehX-4JoXZEMB/s400/2008+bmw+1+series+review+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220988923055408690" border="0" /></a><br />We're on the Road in the 2008 BMW 1 Series<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The GOOD</span>: The stellar driving experience you've come to know and love behind the wheel of a BMW continues in this latest outing - an entry level sports coupe (or convertible) that starts under 30k! Yep, we said BMW and Less than $30,000 to get in to a new one that drives every bit like BMW, solid!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The BAD</span>: You wouldn't expect legroom in the back for adults in this vehicle, and you won't find it. Forget about cargo space as well, but that's not what this vehicle is about. What it is about: style and performance, where you'll find it excelling!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Overall</span>: If you're looking for a vehicle that excels in it's own identity, you'd be hard pressed to find one that's more adept at being itself than this new 'entry level' sports coupe (or convertible) from BMW.<br /><br />We GO on the Road in the 2008 BMW 1 Series......<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKoFjiyH4_c84I9TaMrgK2ow9-NOnD_nY-LrxbyQRNw8EGEb7CFX9P7RvbYokz2gjOWJmaesw61GWfif7LdKWsYbFit4r4-e-wAZEpoGEqeSiWs3vKJT-cLnwZzDf3UgtTelIMZ839d-j/s400/2008+bmw+1+series+review+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220988922718115282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />You got peanut butter in my chocolate, you got chocolate in my peanut butter - two great things, that go great together. The same is true of 'entry level' and 'BMW'. Who would have thought you'd ever see them together, but alas, the words fit solidly as does this stellar performing sports coupe (or convertible) from BMW engineers in Germany.<br /><br />It's back to the future for the 1 Series, which is built on BMW's classic 2002 coupe. BMW's latest entry in the market attracts second glances, and some nods as drivers in other BMW's and other cars drive by and check out the new lines. A nice new pronounced shoulder line in the 1 series! The styling is unique whether you opt for the coupe or convertible, while still holding true (overall) to BMW's classic styling. The shoulder line runs parallel to the road from the hood to the trunk lid and it makes the car look like it could ride up onto a boat dock! Very nice lines!<br /><br />Other highlights (some optional) include: stellar powertrain options, Boston Leather seating engineered to stay cooler, the adaptive tail lamps, the quick opening (and closing) convertible (at speeds of up to 25 mph); a connected driving experience you'd expect; and a deep growl from the powertrain (the devils bees) that are unleased at 1400 rpm all the way up, Driving excitement is very much a part of this new 1-Series from BMW. If you like the convertible, you'll probably like the cool moonlight black soft top, which is interwoven with shiny metallic fibers and gives off a shimmery silver light. For those more reserved, of course the top is also available in taupe or black.<br /><br />Whether you opt for the coupe or convertible; you'll choose from two transmission and powertrain options. The 128i offers BMW's 3.0-liter, 230 horsepower inline six-cylinder engine with 200-lb feet of torque. The 128i features Valvetronic valvetrain management and aluminum / magnesium cylinder block construction-core elements of BMW's EfficientDynamics.<br /><br />The 135i ups the anti with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six cylinder, that produces 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. According to BMW the 135i coupe jumps from 0 - 62mph in 5.3 seconds. Believe! Worth noting for the speed racers among you, top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph - good luck finding a safe strip of land to test that. We should provide a legal disclaimer here: We would not encourage anyone to drive at such a speed (if you're going to anyway, can we catch a ride?).<br /><br />A six speed manual transmission comes standard, while the six-speed automatic with manual shift control is a worthy upgrade. Paddle shifting can be a nice change of pace on your next weekend retreat in the mountains.<br /><br />It's difficult to find a vehicle to compare side by side with this rear-wheel drive coupe (or convertible). The 1 Series may have a limited audience waiting to take advantage of this entry level two door BMW, but those that accept the keys will enjoy stellar sharp handling, an agile responsive sports car that will have you once again - 1/w the road. It's easy to enjoy the driving experience behind the wheel of BMW's 1 series and though we searched for shortcomings, other than limited space (a hurdle when you're building a small car!), we found nothing that made this car less BMW. Though it's ture, you can buy a 1 series for less than 30k (to start), by the time you equip it, you easily find yourself in the mid to high 30s, a range that might have you looking to the 3 series, but keep your eye on the 1, it does not disappoint!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnfKB9G-t_Doc1mf3KHpdZrRcvUFRxKtrO_RVXTzP9PRbh9cVLKLevYqUjTuoT5TSqEgg7oW4Ea6OEKtdOcwdYlAbg0elN1zk8RSsXicnwBwn_kSEXowEQhu2p9eZgaMRIxCAJCkz_Q8t/s400/2008+bmw+1+series+review+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220988929040274930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">SAFETY</span><br /><br />The 2008 BMW 1 Series comes with a full compliment of standard safety features, like: four standard airbags (multi-stage); antilock disc brakes (with brake drying and standby feature); seats that are 'crash optimized' with specially padded headrests and backrests; dynamic traction control and stability control (which can be disabled); the convertible features two pop up rollover bars (which deploy in a fraction of a second from behind the rear headrests); Additional rollover protection is offered by the stability of the A pillar and windshield frame.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Driving Impressions</span><br /><br />We kept expecting to find something that made this 1 series, less of a BMW. Maybe handling, fit and finish, we looked and listened then looked again, for anything which makes this entry level BMW, less of a BMW than it's older siblings. Get in this 1 Series and you'll find it to be every inch BMW, from the razor sharp handling that puts you in touch with the road, to the fit and finish, this Series will no doubt carve out it's place in this new niche segment.<br /><br />Standard equipment on the 128i includes: 17-inch alloys; automatic headlights; sunroof (coupe); rain-sensing wipers; a tilt-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel and 10-speaker stereo with CD player and an aux audio input jack; cruise control; leatherette premium vinyl upholstery, and the 128i convertible adds the power-operated soft top (up or down in 22 seconds, totally automatic) and an upgraded climate control system.<br /><br />Standard equipment on the 135i includes: a more powerful engine, a sport tuned suspension, xenon adaptive headlights; 18-inch wheels.<br /><br />Options for the 1 Series convertible include the Moonlight Black soft top, which has shiny metallic fibers (looks metallic in the sun or moon light); optional leather upholstery features BMW's exclusive sun-reflective pigments which can lower the surface temperature by 20-degrees.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Way You Feel inside</span><br /><br />When you get into a BMW, you immediately notice the build quality. The rule: The vehicle is solid. The 1 series is no exception. Though the 1 Series is a four seater, the rear seats are not good for adults, except on the occasional short ride. That said, we wouldn't look to this vehicle for rear space. Eyes in the Front (cabin) where driver and passenger are greeted with heated seats, his and her climate control; a unique, large storage bag that extends into the passenger compartment (from the trunk) and can accommodate two snow boards or a golf bag without soiling the interior upholstery (pretty cool); front engine, rear wheel drive delivers stellar traction and great control, but of course limits seating. The iDrive system remains a challenge for most to learn and use. There's a great deal to enjoy inside this new 1 series BMW, Coupe or Convertible!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">By The Numbers</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2008 1 Series Coupe - 3.0-liter I6 Manual/Auto - RWD</span><br /><br />128i $28,600<br /><br />135i (turbo) $34,900<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2008 1 Series Convertible - 3.0-liter I6 Manual/Auto - RWD</span><br /><br />128i $33,100<br /><br />135i (turbo) $39,100.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo Credit: </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.thecarconnection.com/">1</a><br /><br />Related Post:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/05/bargain-bmw-parts.html">Bargain BMW Parts</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/2008-bmw-650i-pros-and-cons.html">2008 BMW 650i Pros and Cons</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/evolution-of-bmw-m3.html">The Evolution of BMW M3</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/bmw-versus-mercedes.html">BMW versus Mercedes Benz</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/01/2008-bmw-m3-coupe-officially-revealed.html">2008 BMW M3 Coupe</a><br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Author: Brian LeBow, is the original author of this new car review. More information about LeBow Media, LLC is online at <a id="link_98" target="_new" href="http://www.lebowmedia.com/">http://www.LeBowMedia.com</a> and our automotive review site is online at <a id="link_99" target="_new" href="http://www.goontheroad.com/">http://www.GoontheRoad.com</a></blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhiXmy-icEhaaguRSw-txVa5_QjAXuqSonhhKMgebsGac3wztdVanlDE0VQ8B3mGGR7vfHeTzarSr6jnAk9kswIQrp1yQU9YuZcTFWBIA52keKhwaUpXQz55qpYseVaXlsG9jB74kaw1j7/s400/2008+bmw+1+series+review+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220988925619070802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbc59xPk9lTrEOVrHfbfWc02BcAo1x5qgd1UsYhyphenhyphenTP8R4MDtdeEQKCnrRaeCUDxoObC2TZEeugNmAPRKugVG9rDHDGraXnVL6nkIWj8k8CntHTRrnHc33I7nuVB0tfoBz3yx_Z-S5on-I2/s400/2008+bmw+1+series+review+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220988930618745618" border="0" /></a><br /><h1><span style="font-size:78%;">BMW 1 Series Coupe-Convertible Review</span></h1><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-82861462461896624442008-07-01T09:37:00.000-07:002008-07-01T09:44:52.007-07:00Importance of Electric Car Parts in Hybrid car<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoxwMB5pRPJyzf1ZzDDojOmHS9FPbGtm19EjKBS7dcy3Q1Xvh5MTa6Aqa6a4uPGvlGXyhR37Xu2S-ZXzkukYr0G5dKafOy66OjAlg4xjW8jDh6ywHM9Fr66twNMZS93XPzqrD0P6ywdIc/s400/Importance+of+Electric+Car+Parts+in+Hybrid+car.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218087439887710370" border="0" /></a><br />Electric cars are getting commonplace day by day thanks to the fact that they have become very efficient to run and very cheap to maintain but just like any other vehicle, electric cars also suffer the wear and tear of time and the electric car parts need to be replaced and repaired. This means that people are on regular hunt for electric car parts needed for repair and replacement work. Most of the electric car manufacturers and electric car kit makers also sell high quality electric car parts which are easily available now in markets because of increasing demands and improving supply streams.<br /><br />Electric car parts are generally of two types firstly those which are meant for electric conversion kits and secondly those meant for factory made electric car models. In fact battery is one of the most sought after electric car part. Both types of products are easily available provided you look for them in the right places. Generally the quality is very good but if someone sells you electric car parts like battery at prices too good to be true, it’s the best option to stay clear of these products as they may either be totally substandard or their quality must be subject to suspicion......<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"><br />The electric car parts for factory made electric cars are generally available from the original equipment manufacturers. These products go through a number of hard quality checks and also certified by many quality assurance companies. If brought from an authorized dealer, the genuineness of the electric car part is almost every time guaranteed. These kinds of electric car parts may be made using proprietary technology and may not be available in open market from other manufacturers, thus if the original equipment manufacturer stops making the product, these kinds of electric car parts may be very hard to find.<br /><br />The other kind of electric car parts are those meant for vehicles using an electric car kit. Unlike the electric car parts meant for factory made cars, these kind of electric car parts are generally available from a bunch of makers unless its a specific part of the car kit itself in which case this kind of a part may only be available from the car's electric kit maker. Being available in the open market from a number of manufacturers, these kind of electric car parts are generally easy to find but you must exercise caution and discretion while spending your money because the quality of the product is not something worth taking any risk.<br /><br />It must be kept in mind that with proper market research and consultation of experts any one can buy an electric car part, what needs to be kept under consideration is that the quality of the product should not be compromised for a lower price and the buyer should always make every effort to make an informed decision.<br /><br />Photo: <a href="http://www.inhabitat.com/">http://www.inhabitat.com</a><br /><br />Related Post:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/06/plymouth-gtx-ultimate-muscle-car.html">Plymouth GTX - The ultimate muscle car?</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/electric-vehicle-battery-sizes.html">Electric vehicle battery sizes</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/five-best-rated-cars-of-2007.html">The 5 best rated car of 2007</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/06/buy-cheap-smart-car-and-make-smart.html">Buy a cheap smart car and make a smart purchase</a><br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Author: Author is automobile engineer. Visit <a id="link_79" target="_new" href="http://www.hybridcarinformation.info/hybrid_car_information.php"> hybrid car information </a> to get latest information on <a id="link_80" target="_new" href="http://www.hybridcarinformation.info/gas_and_electric_hybrid_car.php">gas and electric hybrid car</a></blockquote><br /><br /><h1><span style="font-size:78%;">Importance of Electric Car Parts in Hybrid car</span></h1><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-75021850034355107952008-06-29T06:54:00.000-07:002008-06-29T07:13:52.366-07:00Truck Performance 101 - A Beginner's Guide<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEzxCbfoa1AZJgGSb3KagJnh45Qwldodf0x-RZNOd7TAZfSd09HYJedn13TffZ5w12yva5AIXwmoXrH5TRYB36c7GWprXa7wWJGBNHIJS7jctfoG_o1dDAoiysahQ4tjnTjIEcQHD_fFX/s400/Truck+Performance+101+-+A+Beginner%27s+Guide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217305209679791762" border="0" /></a><br />Today, the aftermarket gives truck owners more performance options than ever before. However, all the new truck performance products and gizmos can be a little hard to sort through. What you need for your specific truck's performance will depend on what type of truck you have and what you use it for.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is performance?</span> Basically, it is the word used to describe speed, fuel consumption rate and towing ability. Performance is primarily measured in terms of horsepower (HP) and Torque.<br /><br />Horsepower, or HP, is by definition, the power of an engine in comparison to horses. For example, a truck with 100 horsepower is as fast as 100 horses all rolled into one. Horsepower is often indicative of a truck’s top speed. Horsepower does not necessarily mean that a truck is fast from a standing start (see torque) but instead it is often indicative of the speed attainable by a particular truck. This being said other factors such as weight and grade will impact the final speed achieved. In more scientific terms, HP is the common measurement when rating an engine's power. One horsepower equals 500 ft-lbs. per second, which is basically the power needed to lift 550 pounds one foot off the ground in exactly one second or the power needed to lift 33,000 pounds one foot off the ground in exactly one minute......<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"><br />Torque refers to a truck’s ability to generate pick up. Torque is one of the most important factors at the beginning of any non-rolling start. It is the ability of the truck to send power to the wheels and turn them - moving the entire truck forward. The dictionary defines it as: “<span style="font-weight: bold;">The moment of a force</span>; the measure of a force's tendency to produce torsion and rotation about an axis…”. The most important thing to remember is that torque is what gets the truck rolling and is very important in towing.<br /><br />The basics of performance, of course, center on your engine. Think of your engine as basically a big air pump. It breathes air in through the air intake and breathes it out through the exhaust. The easier your engine can breathe the more performance it will deliver. The stock engine you received from the factory comes with OEM air induction and exhaust. Modifying these two areas is relatively easy and can deliver significant increases in both HP and torque. One other primary factor affecting your performance is the engines computer. The stock OEM computer your truck came with is set to a “safe mode” to protect the truck against virtually any driver error…e.g., redlining. Although these settings are meant to protect the truck, they can impede performance significantly. Tweaking your truck’s computer can significantly increase HP and torque while still providing safety to the engine. We’ll look at each of these three performance enhancements below.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Air Intake</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOITJtoOChOpV0Aca8ovcuzVaiHj7dValO3VmHIN1SsKPe-BgKMIBDNEvJlBblw0diM4rEz8IwsbBBp_LBgNTTVqBtIz6kFOrpwwvHDdZOMugfcKgJsDecxJ0kKI3ZORRoJjTy-k24MDt/s400/trucks+air+intake+performance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217305209667627010" border="0" /></a><br />The air intake primarily consists of your vehicle’s air filter. Stock air filters are made of pleated paper. The problem with pleated paper is it often tends to become clogged which greatly reduces the airflow. Fragments of paper are ingested or sucked into the intake system creating a hole for gritty contaminants to enter the engine. In addition, these filters have to be replaced often to maintain a basic level of performance. Aftermarket filters are made of cotton gauze or engineered foam. These filters, made by companies like K&N, Airaid, Green Filter and True Flow significantly increase the flow of air through the filter. In addition, these filters defend against dirt at twice the rate or more than their paper counterparts and most come with a lifetime warranty…that’s one filter for the life of your vehicle. Installation of these filters is super easy…just replace your existing factory air filter.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The second factor effecting air intake is the temperature of the air coming into the engine</span>. You’ve probably noticed that your truck runs better on cold days. That is because the air is denser and denser air allows more combustion when mixed with fuel and ignited. Stronger combustion means more power to move your piston in the cylinder. Aftermarket companies…many of the same mentioned above…have developed systems called “Cold Air Intakes”, that move the point of air intake from the top of your engine, which is normally very hot, to a point outside the engine. The result is that the air being sucked into your engine is much cooler than it would be using the normal air filter location. Cold air intakes require a little more handyman skills that just replacing a filter. However, they can be installed easily by anyone that has basic tools.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Exhaust Systems</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0f46fa0Z1655wOba3IXo_AU943cOK0GzsXtxAmGIba-n7czoOyELgwJbb_ie53PDpaJ3dfOPnYyYTIokVK7FV4UvQQLvRLYrIA6Re87oMYryRzmWzk9y-OrTx8WyBm0rysyY3fodKN21/s400/magnaflow+performance+trucks+exhaust.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217305209780238306" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Exhaust is the “exhale” to your engines lungs</span>. The more twists and turns in the exhaust, the less your vehicle can breathe easily. Exhaust systems come with three primary elements…the muffler, exhaust pipes and muffler tips. The first two are the main ingredients that effect HP and torque. OEM factory exhausts are well made, but not designed to deliver maximum performance. Aftermarket systems from companies like Magnaflow, Banks and Gibson are engineered specifically for each truck and are designed to get the most out of your vehicle. In addition to more power, these systems also deliver an enviable “roar” that will let others know you have tricked out your truck. I do not recommend installing an exhaust system unless you are a true gear head and are prepared for cutting and welding. Although most muffler shops do not carry these products, they will be glad to install them for you.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Computer Chips and Programmers</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPijMA2tiFT0XHscsluTmbIls-SLroSHlEdWwBqAS_d6qjrUwjoDdILxxa4copQvzkjUEXw6rOo5aANtB2bfYwcQ-5OYqA3EaHRcYg-9RjwsvvZgBlpZMT8vA7emHMLCOZINqgUAYbkoLl/s400/ferrari+trucks+engine+control+unit+ECU.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217306275848439314" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Your truck’s computer is technically referred to by gear heads as the Engine Control Unit (ECU)</span>. The ECU that controls the engine is very complicated. OEM's program them to satisfy emissions requirements, meet EPA fuel economy requirements and protect the engine against abuse. The computer does this by controlling many aspects of the vehicles performance, but primarily controls the ignition, fuel injection and spark time. As mentioned above, the OEM’s set the default value of the ECU to an “ultra-safe” mode to insure adherence to government guidelines and to protect the engine from abusive driving. Aftermarket companies like Hypertech, Edge, Unichip and Superchips manufacturer chips and programmers that will either plug into your ECU or programmers that will alter the factory settings. Chip manufacturers set the products for each specific vehicle to a default performance setting. Programmer manufacturers allow more versatility in that they allow custom modifications to compensate for other performance add-ons like cold air kits and exhaust systems. These systems are relatively easy to install by anyone that has a little mechanical knowledge.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">In conclusion, you can significantly increase your HP and Speed by just making these basic changes to your truck</span>. Some all-in-one kits can deliver up to a 40% increase in overall performance. Finally, contrary to rumor, none of these products will void the warranty of your truck. There is a federal law called the “<span style="font-style: italic;">Magnuson Moss Warranty Act</span>” that prevents automobile manufacturers from voiding warranties from the addition of aftermarket products. These are just a few of the many performance products available from the aftermarket.<br /><br />Photo: <a href="http://motortrend.com/">http://motortrend.com</a>, <a href="http://www.tbyrne.com/">http://www.tbyrne.com</a>, <a href="http://www.paramount-performance.com/">http://www.paramount-performance.com</a><br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br />Related Post:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/04/6-money-saving-tips-for-truck-drivers.html">6 money saving tips for truck drivers</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/04/trick-my-truck-chevrolet-silverado.html">Chevrolet Silverado Performance addons</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/03/pros-and-cons-of-installing-cold-air.html">Pros and cons of installing cold air intake on your truck</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/03/air-horns-new-craze-in-automotive.html">Air horns - the new craze in automotive customization</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/02/truck-service-body-designed-to-cater-to.html">Truck service body</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Author: Mark Lane is a recognized industry expert of aftermarket automotive products. He is a member of SEMA and is a runs a blog site dedicated to truck enthusiasts. For more information about Mr. Lane, and to view other truck accessory and performance related articles, visit his site, <a id="link_99" target="_new" href="http://truckaccesssories.blogspot.com/">TruckAccessories.BlogSpot.com</a></blockquote><br /><br /><h1><span style="font-size:78%;">Truck Performance 101 - A Beginner's Guide</span></h1><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-56659641251558776122008-06-29T06:09:00.000-07:002008-06-29T06:51:11.365-07:00Top Truck and SUV Accessories<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMZGpeEj_RpK2kXIMDlovm3kEJ7a5VaZqVQLYkGSwfe4x1loWMV5FX8bNKrdo3ECEvhc8E_BH4MkN5MWyi-wK15gc8GZzGVQZluuBrPnzeaVgk-k8vjNimTU3ttz1AxRjwFwCix0MerEK/s400/Top+Truck+and+SUV+Accessories.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217298237936441042" border="0" /></a><br />If you own a pickup truck or SUV chances are your vehicle looks quite a bit different than from the day that you bought it home from the dealership. I'm not talking about wear and tear, scratches or dings, or any other thing that may have happened to it over the course of time. Rather, I am suggesting that you have customized it to look the way you want it to look. Let's take a peek at some popular accessories on the market for pickups as well as for SUVs.<br /><br />There are literally hundreds of after market parts and accessories available for trucks and SUVs. The following list is an alphabetical example [well, almost] of add-ons for your consideration:.....<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Air Filter</span> - Reusable air filters are growing in popularity as motorists see both the performance and environmental benefits of using one.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bed Mats</span> - Scratches and stains are a thing of the past with a properly installed bed mat on any pickup truck.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Car Bras</span> - Also known as hood protectors, many truck and SUV owners are opting for this important accessory to keep their vehicles free from flying debris as well as to give their vehicle a custom look.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dog Box</span> - Even poochie needs his place. Especially a great idea for protecting your GMC Yukon from pet hair and dander.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Engine Module</span> - Looking for more power? An engine module will allow your truck or SUV to obtain higher horsepower and acceleration.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fender Flares</span> - Going for a custom look? If so, fender flares are the way to go and they offer additional coverage for the fender area too.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grille Guard</span> - Especially helpful if you have to round up cattle or want to offer extra special protection to your front end.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hitch</span> - Great for towing!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Intake Tube</span> - More air for your engine, means more power.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jumper Cables</span> - You never know...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Knock Sensor </span>- Not really an accessory, but listed because I needed a "K" to complete the example.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Liquid Tank</span> - When you just have to keep it all cool...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mud Flaps</span> - A cool as well as useful accessory to keep your wheels looking great.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nerf Bars</span> - Tubular free form bumpers beat out stock bumpers every time.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Overhead Storage</span> - Hey, you have to store your firearms somewhere, don't you?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Performance Chip</span> - A great way to crank out more horsepower and thrust.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Q </span>- Not much use for this letter, is there?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Running Boards</span> - Sometimes you need something more than a pole vault to enter your 4 x 4.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Seat Covers</span> - Custom fitted seat covers can protect your seats from rips, tears, and stains.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tailgate Door</span> - Remove the door and go with the net. Keeps everything in its place.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Umbrella</span> - You'll need one to get from your truck to your home.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vent Visor</span> - Keeps the water from drenching you while exiting your GMC Suburban.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Winch </span>- You just never know when you'll get stuck...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">X+Y+Z</span> - Okay, close enough. They don't name hurricanes with these letters, so why should accessories be any different?<br /><br />If you were to fully accessorize your truck or SUV with all of these parts you would pay thousands of dollars for the privilege. Your vehicle would also look overdone too! Of course, it would be better for you to be selective and choose those accessories that mean the most to you. Shop an online wholesaler of automobile parts and accessories for the best prices too.<br /><br />Photo: <a href="http://autoaccessories4less.com/">http://autoaccessories4less.com</a><br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br />+ <a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology + Blog</a><br /><br />Related Post:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/06/trailer-buying-guide.html">Trailer buying guide</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/05/truck-tool-boxes.html">Truck tool boxes</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/04/choosing-right-tire-for-your-stock-jeep.html">Choosing the right tire for your stock Jeep Wrangler</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/03/what-are-nerf-bars-and-why-do-you-need.html">What are nerf bar and why do you need them</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/02/truck-service-body-designed-to-cater-to.html">Truck service body</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Author: Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance automotive writer for various print and online publications. Please visit <a id="link_75" target="_new" href="http://thearticlewriter.com/autowriter/toyota-warns-after-market-prius-battery-may-void-warranty">The Auto Writer</a> and <a id="link_76" target="_new" href="http://www.autotrends.org/2009-hummer-h3t">Auto Trends</a> for your sampling of cutting edge automotive news.</blockquote><br /><br /><h1><span style="font-size:78%;">Top Truck and SUV Accessories</span></h1><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-43262725233328299222008-06-27T10:15:00.000-07:002008-06-27T10:56:45.819-07:00Buy a Cheap Smart Car and Make a Smart Purchase<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtHNX4r-KKVZ44hfYHOhlFS203-FQUlAdE9eRmrDQsCjYTJEioE2BHA59O0TylO_H1G8bEWDZjtcWLgAtQGBEV0_Lj2rgim6OKNEj5-O9UAoqqy9zlOScOI1rnTwczlxSWpO5MxPkFGRw/s400/Buy+a+Cheap+Smart+Car+and+Make+a+Smart+Purchase.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216621595661023794" border="0" /></a><br />Smart cars are fast becoming more popular over the last 12 months. Originally considered a novelty, the smart car is on the rise as a modern fuel efficient and cheap motoring alternative.<br /><br />Cheap smart cars are now an excellent way to avoid the high cost of motoring.<br /><br />You may already be familiar with smart cars. A tiny four wheeled vehicle no more than about half the length of a normal car. The smart car has a distinctive shape and look and you may well have seen them in the street.<br /><br />If not you'll recognize a smart car when you do see it. The most distinctive feature of the car, apart from the fact that the smart car is extremely short, is the steep windshield sloping down to the front of the car, with the front bumper, if you could call it that, right in front of the front wheels......<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"><br />The original intention of the smart car was to be of use as a vehicle that avoided the parking headaches of larger cars by reason of the fact that it was so short it could park in parking spots so small that not much other than a motorcycle could park there. Not only that but it was also so small that it could park nose or tail in to the kerb without the other end of the car poking out into the traffic and causing a traffic hazard.<br /><br />It was intended that two smart cars could park in a space which would normally be taken by one regular car, or even 3 smart cars could park in the space occupied by a large vehicle.<br /><br />The smart car was the result of a joint venture between Daimler Benz the car manufacturer and Swatch the Swiss watch manufacturer. The smart cars were manufactured in a purpose built factory in France which as established in 1994 and so have been around for some time. It is said that almost 1 million smart cars have been sold in over 25 countries.<br /><br />In early 2008 smart cars became available in the US, and people started to realize that a cheap smart car was a smart motoring purchase.<br /><br />Smart cars are cheap compared to average vehicles, and have many advantages over many vehicles as well. And of course they also have disadvantages. They take only 2 people, and are extremely small so it isn't practical to spend a day shopping and expect to put your new television in the back of the car.<br /><br />That being said there are some good reasons to buy a cheap smart car, particularly for city dwellers. As said they are cheap to buy and cheap to operate. They have a gasoline motor but because of the small size and weight of the car don't eat as much fuel as just about any other car. They are easy to park and easy to house even in the smallest garage. They have achieved surprisingly good results in safety crash tests.<br /><br />For the canny buyer there are good reasons to buy a cheap smart car. There are small numbers of used smart cars on the market and a second hand smart car is a good way to maximise your savings from a purchase of a smart car. There are a number of places where you can pick up a bargain on a used smart car online if you know where to look.<br /><br />So if the price of gas is becoming an issue for you and you'd like to keep driving but at a much reduced cost then consider a cheap smart car. It's a smart purchase and may well keep you on the road when others can no longer afford gas.<br /><br />Photo Credit: <a href="http://boston.com/">http://boston.com</a><br /><br />Featured Links:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Dummy Health Guide for Malaysian</a><br /><a href="http://www.donjuaner.com/">Dating and Relationship Blog</a><br /><a href="http://www.malayestate.com/">Malaysia Real Estate Blog</a><br /><a href="http://www.geekmalaya.com/">GeekMalaya - Malaysia Computer and Technology Blog</a><br /><br />Related Post:<br /><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/06/2008-honda-mugen-civic-review.html">2008 Honda Mugen Civic review</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/04/new-nissan-cube.html">The new nissan cube</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/02/2010-dodge-challenger-back-to-future.html">2010 Dodge Challenger</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/electric-vehicle-battery-sizes.html">Electric vehicle battery sizes</a><br />+ <a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/five-best-rated-cars-of-2007.html">5 Best rated cars of 2007</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Author: For a website totally dedicated to <a id="link_78" target="_new" href="http://cheapsmartcars.info/">Cheap Smart Cars</a> visit Peter's Website Cheap Smart Cars and find out about <a id="link_79" target="_new" href="http://cheapsmartcars.info/Sitemap">Used Smart Cars</a>.</blockquote><br /><br /><h1><span style="font-size:78%;">Buy a Cheap Smart Car and Make a Smart Purchase</span></h1><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5139299109394093591.post-75553616359291748132008-06-26T07:04:00.000-07:002008-06-26T07:17:41.505-07:00Toyota Highlander Hybrid Extended Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmHM7v2bNhFeoGSc64UKaQ28tdz8956h2F_KbIJUE-RqGyr56EqhrBWRRCYriA-o8-5GK9qL8Uf5uAOwLAIrzXMfr0feqiU8KOI1BkmgoZNKqvkpOevolNXUCV8yHiD63JOqIrJV5eqkm/s400/Toyota+Highlander+Hybrid+Extended+Review+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216193235828858290" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Handling and Performance</span><br /><br />When wanting power, the delivery of the power in a Highlander hybrid is pretty fast, near instantaneous, and the actual performance level of the vehicle is pretty close to being the best of any SUV on the market, regardless of hybrid or conventional engines. The power train in the Highlander is much closer to the Lexus RX 400h's, and the V6 engine has been modified to assist air conditioning and power steering, as well as being dual-cam. Both of the engines, electric and gas-powered together, give a combined horsepower of 167, as well as giving 247 lb-ft torque.<br /><br />As for the gasoline engine itself, it is 3.3-liter V6, which is found in another one of Toyota's luxury vehicles, the RX 330. This particular engine is fantastic, being able to produce a horsepower of up to 268, and when it is given support by the two electric motors, it's only more impressive. As for the electric motor in front with the gasoline engine, the two together are definitely able to handle any driving conditions. The rear electrical motors are only used in the event that the front wheels may begin to lose traction or helping the acceleration achieve full-throttle.......<br /><br /><span id="fullpost"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2O3V4aUyZxtOhBtrcTaHMN2wVnQQUYj95kf_8hprdnS37H6T__Dqa_rpSOSOAi99aAyI88WCXM9tBY4968ZLfqFUZ0_XUZc5oTXaZa79GuCS74vDM9zxGBhCo2M6d-n8CPIwh8BjlwzS6/s400/Toyota+Highlander+Hybrid+Extended+Review+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216193236818253042" border="0" /></a><br />As for the gasoline engine, it has the same feature as many hybrids to simply turn off whenever the Hybrid is decelerating or stopping, so that the electric motor can take over.<br /><br />The hybrid can reach 60 mph in about 8 seconds, and that is certainly considerably faster than a conventional Highlander. Not to forget, though, the Highlander only has to consume around the same amount of gas as a compact sedan.<br /><br />As for the handling, the vehicle is tight and composed. With the 300 lbs of extra weight added by the electric motor in back, the Highlander settles on the ground much better than others. Other than that, the strut suspension, of the MacPherson variety, is along the front stabilizer bars and wit rear, making the vehicle much easier to put on rough roads.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gas Mileage and the Green Factor</span><br /><br />Toyota Motor Corporation has long focused on this move towards being eco-friendly, and so it is no shock that the Toyota Highlander is another in a long line of Econ and EV driving vehicles. The green quality of this vehicle is impossible to ignore, as this is a vehicle that actually limits what exactly the throttle can do in order to secure a more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly car. While that makes it more difficult for the engine to truly reach its full capacity, the EV mode still makes the vehicle more efficient.<br /><br />The US EPA had a rating of 27 mpg in city driving and 25 mpg in highway driving, which is amazing in comparison to other hybrid sedans on the market, much less SUVs. In looking at the ratings, it is quite obvious that because the electric motor operates so often while driving in city conditions, the mileage is much better.<br /><br />Finally, the Highlander is a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle, also known as an SULEV. This particular SUV is fairly straightforward, as the toxins and harmful emissions from this particular vehicle are even less than someone smoking a cigar. It sounds amazing, but it is true, as there is 80% less pollution from the Highlander than from a conventional, average-sized SUV. As a result, this vehicle is the perfect suburban vehicle.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Additional Features</span><br /><br />Already previously mentioned, the Highlander is the only SUV currently on the market that actively offers a third-row seat. As opposed to the RX 400h or Ford's Escape hybrid, even the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, this vehicle is still hands down better than the competition for room.<br /><br />As for safety features, the air-bags are strategically placed, as well as there being a reinforced body and an electronic brake force distribution. The brake systems are anti-lock, as well as there being a star safety system. There are also daytime running lights, helpful in the event that there is fog or other inclement weather. Finally, there is a theft-deterrent system in place that also causes an immobilization of the engine.<br /><br />The warranty from Toyota is not as spectacular as the vehicle itself, mainly because it only covers the first 3 years, or for mileage up to 36,000 mi. The actual warranty for the power train is 60 months, or, of course, 60,000 miles, and that isn't quite as long as some of the other warranties Toyota offers for vehicles.<br /><br />Although, given all of what has been talked about, the Highlander is a pretty amazing vehicle overall. The features and the description of the exterior are definitely in support of the opinion that this vehicle is the best hybrid SUV on the market now. When you're someone who doesn't normally like to buy SUVs, but you have a concern for the environment and may need to get an SUV, this is definitely the car for you.<br /><br />Photo: <a href="http://www.toyota.com/highlander/">http://www.toyota.com/highlander/</a><br /><br />Ads: <a href="http://www.ihealthilicious.com/">Health, Beauty, Fitness blog</a><br /><br />Related Post:<br /><br /><a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/05/are-hybrid-trucks-wave-of-future.html">+ Are hybrid trucks the wave of the future?</a><br /><a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/04/trick-my-truck-chevrolet-silverado.html">+ Chevrolet Silverado Performance Tuning</a><br /><a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2008/02/2006-chevrolet-trailblazer-ss-plus.html">+ 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer SS</a><br /><a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/11/1990-dodge-dakota.html">+ 1990 Dodge Dakota</a><br /><a href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/2007/10/top-five-trucks-for-gas-mileage.html">+ Top 5 Trucks for gas mileage</a><br /><br /><blockquote>Author: You can check out more <a id="link_90" target="_new" href="http://www.hybridcarchat.com/">hybrid car reviews</a> at hybridcarchat.com. Join the <a id="link_91" target="_new" href="http://www.hybridcarchat.com/">hybrid forums</a> and receive a free guide to increasing your gas mileage.</blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://balootisme.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGm-9h5IzD6GEPwmwHjecSs7zEz2WoHd12-yMZfcrJIxOmshplqm5VnmpnvneJwdQDrPEwfREe6WGKzIJGcx_fuYRe2hoULZeSHkIpapjO5bU7KjxeBb6flfvJsuYowcil3eMtS3bBtW9/s400/Toyota+Highlander+Hybrid+Extended+Review+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216193239958469938" border="0" /></a><br /><h1><span style="font-size:78%;">Toyota Highlander Hybrid Extended Review</span></h1><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14893491630383571958noreply@blogger.com1