Monthly Archives: August 2009

Author : Jon Barlow

Once again England prepares to face the old foe Germany tonight in Berlin for a friendly game of football that promises to be anything but It reminded me that at the ripe old age of 41 I am too young to remember our glorious world cup victory that occurred in July 1966 which was 11 months before I entered this world

I am slightly concerned that unless Fabio Capello can work his magic soon I might not ever see an England world cup victory in my lifetime

It started me thinking about the historic moments I have witnessed albeit on TV These include the Berlin Wall coming down, Nelson Mandela’s release, 9/11 and of course Barack Obama’s historic election victory to mention a few One occasion I do remember vividly was when me and my little school mate Colin spent a sunny day in May 1977 queuing outside the Odeon Cinema in Bristol with what felt like most of the World’s population to see the movie Star Wars

We waited all day and finally got to see the film just as it was getting dark I remember thinking as we sat there excitedly waiting for the curtain to open clutching a bag of butterkist popcorn that life couldn’t possibly get any better

I watched Star Wars on TV the other day and although it doesn’t have all the amazing CGI effects of a modern sci fi movie the plot of good triumphing over evil is a timeless one

I must admit though that I did get a bit confused when the Star Wars sequels started to appear and we learned that the first film was actually the fourth episode on so on I think even the most die hard fans may have started to question whether the later instalments were made for artistic purposes or providing a pension plan for George Lucas

Somehow this brings me around to talking about the latest Volkswagen Golf I think because we were talking about sequels and the 2009 Golf is the continuation of a story that started a long time ago (1974) in a factory far far away (well Germany)

We are now into the sixth evolution of this up market alternative to the likes of the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra, and just like "A New Hope" the newcomer has been given something of a makeover for the digital age

We start with a new ultra efficient engine, six speed gearbox and optional touch screen control in the 2 litre TDI model You’ll also find computer controlled suspension and cruise control that cleverly scans the road ahead for slower traffic and maintains a safe distance accordingly

In stark contrast with the original Golf which only came equipped with a cigarette lighter, the latest model might as well have come from another galaxy

Its styling is not as striking as a lot of new models and from a distance you would be hard pushed to distinguish the old Golf from the new one There is now a crease running along the flank of the car, and a new front grille, though these changes are hardly radical

It’s a slightly different story on the inside however The Golf has a revised interior, which gets more equipment, new look materials and more luxurious seats Most striking is the new instrument cluster, which has aluminium trimmed black dials with white, backlit lettering, while the steering wheel is given extra functionality with new buttons to control the sound system and trip computer

Volkswagen has worked hard to reduce the engine’s fuel consumption and emissions The 138bhp 2 litre TDI returns almost 58mpg while CO2 emissions are cut from 159g/km to 129g/km

Fortunately, performance is not sacrificed in this quest for efficiency The 2 litre TDI is powerful and never feels short of pace, particularly when overtaking This is helped by the automated Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) optional in place of the six speed manual gearbox It provides smooth, instant gear changes via steering wheel mounted paddles, allowing fully automatic shifting

The new Golf has a similar chassis to that of the previous model but feels more solid on the road due to Adaptive Chassis Control which automatically optimises suspension damping and insulates the occupants from harsh road surfaces

You’ll also find extra safety equipment aboard the new Golf, including knee airbags for the driver There is also a new head restraint system designed to reduce whiplash injuries, and further reassurance comes with the latest electronic stability program

Only time will tell if this episode of the Golf will feature in automotive mythology in years to come

The Volkswagen Golf has an enduring presence and has been revised for 2009. Jon Barlow has a look at the latest version http://www.alandayvw.co.uk/

Syndication Source: Article Mind Continue reading →

Author : kenneth kwan

Did you know such as thing as “carbon fiber” existed? Have you any idea what carbon fiber is? Carbon fiber has been rising in popularity within the sports vehicle community Manufacturers are employing it to make anything from carbon fiber hoods, to fenders, and even some interior pieces Many consumers know and enjoy these products while simultaneously having no knowledge of what carbon fiber actually is This article will discuss how carbon fiber was invited, what it can do, and the ways it is utilized

Carbon fiber was first chiefly used by the aerospace and military arenas At the time, carbon fiber was extremely expensive to produce so that is why only these two industries could afford it It was only in recent years the production of carbon fiber hoods became more cost-efficient, which lowers the price while simultaneously augments its popularity That’s why so many people can now afford to get a carbon fiber hood

There are two procedures you can use to make carbon fiber for those oh-so-popular carbon fiber hoods They are called “wet lay-up” and the “impregnated lay-up” processes The “wet” requires less labor and less money People who make their own carbon fiber normally favor this procedure Dry fibers are fitted into molds and then resin is poured over the fibers How much resin one uses depends on what one desires in thickness If the resin isn’t distributed evenly, the carbon fiber outcome won’t be as strength-effective because certain portions have inconsistent resin amounts

Pre-impregnated is much better in that it produces better quality results The fibers are impregnated with resin before they are rolled onto spools and then into a freezer Once frozen the curing process is cut off Afterwards, the spools are put into a vacuum bag compaction before receiving oven treatment where the resin will become solid (solid resin means glass)

Car manufacturers started using carbon fiber during the 1970s In 1977, Ford made a whole car entirely out of carbon fiber materials During the 1990s, GM put out a concept car with carbon fiber hoods whose mileage was about 100 mpg Carbon fiber cars allow for better performance vehicles which is why the industry is definitely paying attention to this material

Since the cost of carbon fiber is currently very cheap, the industry is putting a lot of efforts into experimenting with it to produce new carbon fiber hoods and other carbon fiber products

So the next time you’re thinking about buying carbon fiber hoods or any other carbon fiber item, you’re now educated to discern good quality carbon fiber so you know what your money is paying for

Andy’s Auto Sport has the hottest and most stylish selections of Carbon Fiber Hoods. Click here for all of the latest styles:

http://www.andysautosport.com/carbon_fiber_hoods.html

Syndication Source: Article Mind Continue reading →

Author : Christine OKelly

If the thought of a massive machine doesn’t sound like entertainment, safety is probably a big issue for you when working around car lifts You can do many different things when working around this equipment to keep yourself safe Maintenance is also important Sometimes, adding additional car lift parts to an existing lift will make it safer and easier to work with

Maintenance Tips For Car Lifts

With hydraulic-style lifts, regular maintenance will keep them safe and working properly One of the most common things to check is the system’s fluid level If it is low, top it up with the recommended oil and not the oil you drained from the car last week The cylinders and pistons often collect dirt and debris, so make sure this area stays clean Check to ensure all moving parts are oiled and greased according to the owner manual

The hoses can easily spring a leak By checking them frequently, you will avoid having them leak while the lift is up in the air with a car on it If the unthinkable does happen, stay as far back as you can and lower the vehicle From there, get the right car lift parts, fix it, and check everything over before using it again You also want to have the platform and controls inspected on a regular basis to prevent them from going haywire while you are underneath

Working With The Lift

Another common mistake is loading lifts incorrectly Many people either put too much weight on them or have the weight unevenly distributed This is mostly a matter of making sure the vehicle is centered on the platform and being aware of the size and weight the unit is rated for

When you raise the vehicle, make sure it is locked, the power is off, and that it is not over the recommended height If you forgot to put the emergency brake on in the vehicle, you may want to lower it and put it on so the vehicle can’t roll off Lastly, make sure you know where the controls are and how they work in case of an emergency Watch any pressure gauges and the machine’s movement as it rises and lowers As a general rule, anything that doesn’t look right (uneven movement or high/low fluid pressure) is a sign that something isn’t right and you will need to fix it before using it again

Additional Car Lift Parts

Some of the car lifts out there are designed poorly when it comes to safety This doesn’t mean you are stuck with a scary piece of equipment With single post auto lifts, for example, you can add bolt-on safety legs with multi-positions to increase the level of safety for single post models and make the machine easier to use

Because of the height and weight involved with car lifts, safety rules need to be practiced at all times To reduce accidents, make sure to maintenance the equipment regularly and don’t be afraid to add on additional car lift parts to increase their safety level Many times, these practices will not only make them safe, but easier to use as well

Christine O’Kelly is an author for SVI International, a provider and producer of car lift parts and car lifts for home and commercial use with more than 28 years experience. They also provide lift systems for buses and heavy-duty trucks.

Syndication Source: Article Mind Continue reading →

Author : Gregg Hall

Alloy wheels are a great enhancement to a car’s beauty The alloy wheels make a great impact on the overall look of your car Repairs and surface finishing to the aluminum wheels are needed if it has scrapes, gouges, curb rash or abrasion, dents & cracks, brake dust contamination or clear coat erosion The proper maintenance and cleanliness contributes to the performance and beauty of your car

The alloy wheels are major parts in many cars but several concerns arise regarding maintenance

Some people believe that the maintenance of the alloy wheels is impossible So they think that it is a complete waste of money and time But the truth is that the alloy wheels can be repaired and maintained at the desired level with very little effort

There are many professional wheel repairing companies that can repair your alloy wheels with great care It is now possible to have your wheels care at your own convenience

Alloy wheels are different from steel wheels because they are lighter in weight and can improve the performance of a car to a great extent Before choosing a set of the alloy wheels, you need to know that they are right for your car

Common Alloy Wheels Problems

The most common problems in the alloy wheels include the radial run out, cracks, erosion and lateral run out These damages not only make your wheels look ugly but also deteriorate your car’s performance The radial run out affects the balance of the tire, which results into the up and down movement of the tire with respect to the central axis

The lateral run out affects the balance of the tires across its width The lateral run out can cause significant damage that is mostly irreparable The cracks on the alloy wheels can be repaired but in many extreme cases it is strongly recommended to change the alloy wheels

Recent studies show that a large number of the vehicles have suffered from curb or pothole damage to alloy wheels

The repair for the alloy wheels is often recommended that are non-forged The forged wheels are tougher and more expensive The best time for the alloy wheels repair is during the warmth months If you want to have low damage then you need to use high pressure while using low profile tires

The products available from alloy repair companies can make your allow wheels as good as new

Gregg Hall is an author living on the Treasure Coast of Florida. Now that you know more about alloy wheels be sure that you have quality Goodyear tires for your car by going to http://www.Nsearch.com

Syndication Source: Article Mind Continue reading →

Author : Christine OKelly

Parking in downtown Chicago can be a stressful experience However, to make your next experience with parking a stress-free one, choose to park your car in parking garages

There are literally hundreds of garages for parking in downtown Chicago The one you choose will be dependant upon the purpose of your trip Are you going for a business meeting; catching a theater show; or taking the family to the Adler Planetarium? With a little research you’ll find the right parking garages in Chicago for you

1 Choose One With Multiple Entry Points

Downtown Chicago is littered with one-way street that can be very frustrating when you’re trying to find a parking space Often you’ll have to circle the block to be able to approach the parking garage from the right direction When you are researching the different parking garages, check to see if they have multiple entrances Most popular garages will have two and some can have up to four entrances

2 Select Valet Parking Garages or Self-Service

For a convenient and time saving way of parking in downtown Chicago, choose parking garages that offer a valet service This valet service is particularly popular with business people, but can also be very useful if you’re running late for a theater show, or sporting event When parking with valet service, you simply drive your car up to the attendant’s office and hand over your keys Then you’re on your way to your destination

Valet services do charge a premium If you don’t need the valet service, then self-service parking is a great alternative Most parking garages in Chicago operate on a self-service basis

3 Check The Parking Capacity

The parking capacity of each garage varies greatly There can be smaller operators that charge less for parking but only have a limited number of spots In order to find a parking spot quickly and easily, check the car parking capacity of the garage before your trip downtown Ensuring that there are an adequate number of stalls means that you’ll never have to squeeze into an awkward spot, and risk damaging your car

4 Investigate Payment Options

It may surprise you to know that a lot of parking garages in Chicago only accept cash payment Realizing this when you’re in a rush, or it’s late at night, is highly inconvenient Check with the parking garage in advance whether they take credit card or check payments

Pre-paying is another great parking time-saver If you’re going to a major event downtown, you’ll save time by pre-paying your parking Normally after a certain time in the evening, or if there is a big event, parking garages will offer a flat fee This means that the fee is the same whether you exit one hour before closing time or ten minutes At the end of the show or game, you can simply drive out and avoid the queues

5 Ensure There Are No Height Limitations

The last thing to consider when choosing parking garages in Chicago is whether there are any height limitations If you drive an SUV or other large vehicle, you’ll need to check whether your car will fit through the lowest part of the garage It is advisable to do this before you get to your chosen garage

Following these simple steps will ensure that your experience parking downtown is a pleasant one, every single time

Christine O’Kelly is an author for Chicago Parking Map.com. Their interactive maps provide all the information you need for parking in downtown Chicago with all of the insider knowledge of the parking garages in Chicago in an easy to navigate format.

Syndication Source: Article Mind Continue reading →

Author : Matt Chang

Gas prices continue to rise Although in recent months we have experienced a slight downturn in the price of light sweet crude, it is projected that by wintertime will be back to our high prices and those peaks may be exceeded As of this writing some of the highest priced gasoline is in Hawaii where the average gallon price is $4 50 Everyone is trying to figure out how to save money on gas and here’s a tip that you might want to consider

It’s odd, it wasn’t more than a few months ago where consumers were extremely upset over the fact that gasoline was over $2 50 a gallon but now, if we could pay anything in the three dollar range we be ecstatic! While we continue to pay higher prices than ever before, the oil companies could to rake in record profits

One of the things that you can consider in an effort to save money on gas is get a gas company credit card Getting a credit card from a gasoline company allows you to take advantage of benefits Depending on the card you can get different rebates or rewards

Some of the different kinds of benefits that are provided our cash back, discounts on the gallon price, or points that you can redeem for gifts or cheaper gas

It may be true that gas credit card rebates are helpful to any card holder or a car owner, but take note that different companies differ with their card features and benefits Some rebates are long term and consistent, while others have high rebates on the first few months, and slashes down for the succeeding months

Because of the differences that you can see or receive with a different credit card companies, make sure that you read all of the information in the offer provided, and you compare different gas company cards

Another thing to consider is how convenient it is to use the gas card and how close you are to the gas company If you get a card that’s only good at gas stations that you never drive by, your likelihood of using them goes down significantly

One of the things you need to be sure you are in control of what you use a gas credit card is the fact that you are extended credit Gas company credit cards only makes sense if you can pay off the balance due every month The reason that gas companies offer credit cards is because they hope that you’re going to use it run up a credit balance and then not make the full payment Once you get past your introductory period, interest rates on credit card balances can be anywhere from 10 to 20% If you are the kind of person that runs up a balance and pay the minimum, you can quickly you wrote any savings that you incurred by using the card in the first place

So, one way to save money on gas is to use a gas company credit card Again, the benefits are that you can get rebates, points, and discounts on gasoline you buy for your car But the only way that this makes sense is if you are not going to run and incur an ongoing balance If you feel like you are the kind of person that will allow yourself to have a balance on a credit card, then do yourself a favor and not give in to this temptation

For more tips you can use to save money on gas and for more information and more ways on how to save money on gas, visit our website for ways to save money on gas.

Syndication Source: Article Mind Continue reading →

Author : Kent Stabler

The main use of vehicle tracking systems is to be able to identify quickly and easily the exact location of a vehicle The technology has developed and expanded in recent years which means that the satellite systems that vehicle tracking relies upon can be accessed almost anywhere The devices are used in a variety of ways, including as an addition to vehicle anti theft security and as a monitoring tool, which allows the monitor to track the movements and current whereabouts of any vehicle that is linked in to their system

The anti theft vehicle tracking systems are one of the more complicated versions 24 hours a day as part of the service Essentially if a vehicle fitted with one of of the technology and normally needs to be manned by the supplying company these systems were stolen then it would be possible to track it as a result of the signal that the device sends out via satellite The police in conjunction with the company that supplied the device would be able to see on a computer screen the whereabouts of the vehicle clearly making retrieval of the vehicle more likely before it is damaged or hidden and reused in some way More advanced systems allow you to immobilise vehicles remotely to further enhance security

Some of the more complex systems are based on the same basic principle but have a greater range of sophisticated applications, which can allow a monitor with access to the control centre exact ongoing information on the location and movements of a vehicle including what speed it is doing The control centre from which vehicle movements can be observed is basically a computer screen Monitoring information can be viewed on any computer or laptop anywhere so long as there is Internet access and the user has the necessary web information This clearly has significant implications for how the technology can be used

As well as its value to the police or other security services, the main users of the technology are vehicle dependant businesses for whom it can be very beneficial to be able to keep track of the whereabouts of a number of vehicles simultaneously This allows the business owners or managers an ongoing and instant overview of how their business is running which is otherwise a much more difficult, time consuming and expensive process involving endless time on mobile phones Employers can review overtime hours, taking waiting times into consideration

There are a number of business advantages to the overview that vehicle tracking systems provide, particularly in relation to the efficiency of operations The monitoring of driver habits will provide clarity on which staff are working most efficiently in terms of the routes they take and the stops they make; once this is noted quicker routes can be sought and unnecessary stops eliminated where necessary in order to reduce fuel costs and increase productivity Knowing exactly who is where when also means that accurate information can be given to customers as to the whereabouts of the driver they are expecting, should they need to know

The easy availability of technological monitoring systems is on the increase, and it would seem that there is little doubt that vehicle tracking systems will improve vehicle security and can be an invaluable source of information to vehicle dependent businesses on many levels The levels of sophistication can vary so look at what features you actually need before you buy anything

Kent Stabler – Marketing Manager – Chameleon Direct (http://www.chameleondirect.com) are suppliers of gps vehicle tracking systems, hands free car kits and speed camera detector equipment. With over 1 Million UK customers Chameleon Direct they also provide hands free installation services.

Syndication Source: Article Mind Continue reading →

Author : Gregg Hall

Tires are the back bone of the vehicles They have many functions like handling the mass of the vehicle, giving response to the steering action and also responding to the acceleration and brake pedals This has to be maintained healthier in order to get a great performance out of your car Let us have brief information about the tips to maintain the tire

The inflation of the tire should be maintained according to the size of the tire The large wheel base tire requires large inflation The inflation pressure should be checked regularly When the inflation is high than normal pressure, then there is a chance for the tire to get busted If it is low than normal, then it will become prone to puncture and reduces the life of the tube The tread of the tire is also to be maintained The tread wear out should be discovered as early as possible

When the edges of the tread get damaged then it is the owner’s responsibility to check the alignment of the wheels This is a huge problem in the cars When the alignment is poor then even the new tire will worn out even in 20,000 miles This is because the vehicle intends to move in a particular direction when it is idle other than straighter direction

Tire rotation is a best treatment in maintaining the tires The front tires are prone to easy wear and tear and it should be rotated regularly Bringing the front tire to the back and vice versa will have a good performance in the tiers When the tires are punctured then the punctured material should be taken out from the tire to prevent further puncture and increase life of the tire When the vehicle is in idle condition, it should not be exposed to the over heat conditions This is another cause for tire wear out

When the tire is mounted on the disc after repairing the puncture or after tire rotation, it should be balanced accordingly Irregular balancing will cause tire vibration and wears out easily Sudden brakes should be avoided to maintain the grip and tread of the tire Low acceleration in rough road condition is also a good tire maintenance technique Thus maintaining tires is easy and should be done regularly that will help in increasing the performance of both the tire and the car

The proper maintenance of your tires is not only a safety factor but will also go far in improving your fuel economy

Gregg Hall is an author living on the Treasure Coast of Florida. Now that you know more about tires be sure that you have quality tires for your car by going to http://www.Nsearch.com

Syndication Source: Article Mind Continue reading →