Monthly Archives: April 2009

The Concept Behind Electric Diesel Hybrid Cars

Author : Kerry Ng

It seems that everywhere you turn, more more people are becoming involved in the “Green” movement People are becoming more environmentally conscience and as a result they try to do their part in keeping the environment clean As most people know, the earth’s resources are somewhat limited and have become a global concern It appears that more and more people are economizing because they realize that wasteful purchases can lead to problems with our world, as well as one’s finances

With Electric Diesel Hybrid Cars, these two concerns could be dealt with easily

Two alternative types of power, each working together in unison, power the electric diesel hybrid cars They offer the benefits of both classes of powered vehicles, eliminating the hassle of charge distance issues and reducing the carbon monoxide emission values into the atmosphere, as well as reducing the need for gas

These hybrid cars operate on a simple principle of self-sustaining cars, with a little boost from the regular combustible engine They are configured to work with two “power source” components, which hand in hand, gives their user the option of economizing on their gas consumption, as well as keep as environment cleaner

One big advantage that the electric diesel hybrid cars have over the dedicated electric cars is that they don’t have the charge distance range limitation which most of electric cars are bound to These cars still do have an on board rechargeable battery or fuel cell system, but they don’t have to be recharged on a dedicated level, as these electrical diesel hybrid cars would charge while “rolling on gas mode” The electric generators are connected to work with the vehicle’s standard combustible engine which allows it to respectively charge there on board rechargeable battery while on the road, rolling and cruising to their destinations

If a person decides to set the car on “gas mode”, the vehicle could easily work as a regular gas engine car, as they charge the batteries If they set the car on “electric mode”, then the car becomes a very environmentally friendly vehicle and will run as though it was on the “gas mode” setting

One good example of how electric diesel hybrid cars run is to compare it to an automatic watch As long as there is motion, these watches will power themselves up, recharging their internal rechargeable power source systems Seeing how the average car driver cannot push around their vehicle, the “gas mode” setting on these vehicles stand to boost up the charging process and as a result, the consumption of gas purchases are reduced to a bare minimum, thus helping them economizing gas usage

As the next generation of automobiles, electric diesel hybrid cars are sure to come in as the new de facto way vehicles are going to be powered

Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Hybrid Cars Blog. For more great helpful information about hybrid cars visit The Hybrid Cars Blog

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A Brief History Of A British Classic The Mini

Author : Shaun Parker

One of the most iconic cars will be celebrating its 50th birthday in August 2009 – a British classic that turned into a cult classic – the Mini

Since the Mini was conceived in 1959 it has become a phenomenon Originally designed as an fuel efficient, affordable, space saving small car, in the 1960s the Mini was such a success that some of the biggest celebrities in the world owned at least one Mini, including John Lennon, Mick Jagger, Peter Sellers and Steve McQueen

The Mark I Mini was updated three times in the UK with the Mark II, Clubman and Mark III, and different models were designed during this time including the Mini van, Mini estate and the ever so cute Mini Moke The most sought after model from the Mini fleet, the Cooper S, (brand new and from used Mini dealerships) enjoyed rally driving success in the mid-60′s claiming a number of world titles

The Mini was the model with which other car brands based their small car designs, employing the front wheel drive system designed by Austin for the original Mini, and despite competition from other brands, Mini remained the popular choice of small car

Demand for the Mini was increasing, not only from the production line but from used Mini dealerships as well As different Marks of the Mini were introduced, each model evolved, with the Clubman having a longer nose and differing front end to the original Mini design Between 1959 and 2000 when production of the Mini was brought to a close, the shape of the Mini did not change much at all, in fact the shape of the Mini was registered as a trademark, which is almost unheard of in the car industry

The curtain was drawn on the production of the Mini in 2000 as Rover, now the manufacturer of the Mini following on Austin and Morris, were making huge losses and were forced into a buyout by German car giants, BMW The Mini was to be no more, at least not as we knew it BMW dragged the Mini into the 21st century, completely redesigning the car, yet keeping its redeeming features The MINI (all in caps to distinguish it from the original Mini) divided opinion between fans of the original, yet gained rave reviews from those in the know

Many Mini enthusiasts felt bitter towards BMW for not continuing production of the Mini in favour of the more expensive MINI, whereas others were among the first to buy the new MINI The much larger MINI was criticised by purists for literally not being mini anymore also, yet none of the negative criticisms have affected sales

The MINI has sold more than one million units since 2000 and remains one of the few cars that actually retain its value in the ever depreciating world of car sales Used Mini dealerships are one of the few who have not been badly affected by the credit crunch and have not had to slash prices to keep afloat – a fine example of just how popular the Mini has remained

Original Minis remain sought after and some of the rarer models are valuable collectors’ items Minis remain one of the most popular renovation projects for retired car enthusiasts also, as they hark back to the swinging sixties, trying to recapture their youth Love ‘em or loathe’em the BMW MINI is likely to remain a popular car for years to come, as the Mini remains a car close to the hearts of British industry

Shaun Parker is a car expert with many years of experience in the used car sales industry. Find out more about used Mini dealerships at http://www.coopermini.co.uk

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Drive For Less With Discount Car Rentals

Author : Ray La Foy

Making the most of a family vacation or even a business trip often requires the use of a rental car For many, however, the added expense can really hurt a trip budget or a company’s bottom line Going with the big names can render some good cost savings, but what about cheap rental car options?

In short, the answer is yes, but it is a case of buyer beware, or renter Whether the trip’s for business or pleasure, if a rental car is needed, quality is a must So in the case of getting a car, cheap must equal affordable, but operable Cheap should never equal garbage in the case of a rental

Keeping the need for quality in mind, finding good deals on decent rental cars is more than possible Cheap cars can come from smaller rental car companies, those that lease scratch-and-dent models and even bigger name companies that offer some great deals

The best way to find the best prices in rental cars is to shop around Sounds simple, but it’s true No matter what your destination is, if there is an airport or other mass transit station, there should be rental companies around Most of these will have their own web sites set up or at least good listings in phone books

Check out those web sites and make phone calls Look for companies in the location you’re intending to go Sometimes you can even get free quotes online, which makes comparison shopping quick and pretty darn easy, too Don’t settle for the first price you get quoted if cheap is in order

Don’t forget that smaller companies may offer better rates Check these out in the place you intend to visit Remember though that sometimes these places only have service in the general area This means a car picked up at Point A must be returned to Point A at the end of the rental period An arrangement of this type works very well for a family trip or even a business trip that’s staying fairly localized, but it won’t do much good for the traveler who wants to drive a rental to their destination, enjoy a vacation and then fly back home

Read the fine print on the different web sites you check out This is important to understand what kind of guarantees the companies offer If you’re calling them, specifically ask

Scratch-and-dent rentals can often save some money, too These shops generally are pretty small and localized Be sure the company’s regulations fit in with your trip and do check with the company’s local better business bureau for any major complaints A rental wreck can be a great way to save cash, but if the “wreckage” goes beyond some minor cosmetic issues, the car might be a problem even for a short rental

In general, when looking to rent a car, it’s a good idea to be certain you know what you’re getting into Check around and shop prices, but remember your vacation or your business trip will be riding on the wheels, so a good car is an absolute must

Cheap rental car companies can be found As long as they are reputable, too, you should be in good shape

#1 Resource

Discount rental cars.

http://www.carrentalauto.com

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What Is a Way to Get Rid of Used Tires Cheap

Author : Amy Nutt

Used tires create big problems for landfills Because of the materials they are made out of, which are intended to be very durable, they do not decompose They also take up a lot of space, but 75 percent of the space is ‘void space,’ or useless space Tires tend to pop to the surface because they fill with methane gas, and this causes even more problems for the landfill company Tires in landfills are such a menace that 38 states have passed legislation banning used tires from entering the landfills, and this creates quite a problem for people who need to get rid of them If you have some tires that you need to dispose of, consider these options

Tire Recycling

Tire recycling is a good option for tires that have no life left in them Recycled tires can be turned into other useful products For instance, shredded tires can be used as substrate for playgrounds in lieu of woodchips or gravel, which can cause injury Steel mills can burn tires in order to replace the carbon lost in steel manufacturing Whole tires can be used as barriers or for erosion control Tires can even be stamped and cut to make certain types of clothing, such as rubber sandals

One problem with tire recycling is that it is not always cheap You will sometimes have to pay to recycle tires, and if you are looking for a cheap way to get rid of your unwanted tires, you are going to be disappointed However, before you rule out this option, talk to your local recycling center to see what options in your area are available

Sell Your Used Tires

Believe it or not, you might be able to sell your used tires If they are in usable shape, but simply need a patch, a junkyard might be willing to buy them from you in order to repair and then resell them In fact, you can actually make quite a bit of money selling used tires to the right junkyard if you shop around to find one that will pay a decent price Some people have used this to bring in a secondary income for their families, placing ads in the local papers collecting other people’s used tires for free, and then reselling them to a local junkyard

What do you need to know if you want to pursue this option? Start by visiting area junkyards and telling them about the tires that you have Be sure to be completely honest about the condition, as this will dictate the price See what they will offer, and then try to negotiate a better price In general, used tires should bring in 25 to 50 percent of the actual retail value of a similar used tire If you are not happy with the price, shop around until you find a better one

You can also check with local repair shops that sell used tires These places will likely only take the tires if they are in good shape, but most repair shops know how to repair flat tires and make them usable again Before you begin negotiating a price, visit the shop to find out what they typically sell a similar sized used tire for, and use that number as your negotiating point

Whatever you do with your used tires, do not throw them in the garbage bin This is against the law in many states, and is very hazardous for the environment Take some time to research your options and find a safe, affordable way to dispose of the tires that will not add them to the landfill

Junk yard selling used car parts and also buy vehicles for wrecking and scrap. Find used tires, alternators and motors through the UPIC.

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Propane Conversion Kits For Cars Will Save You Money While Driving Green

Author : Jerbob Johnson

Using a propane conversion kit for your auto is not something new People have converting gasoline engines to run on propane for many years Today with the price gasoline skyrocketing, it is only natural to see the increase interest in alternative fuels Forklifts and other heavy duty vehicle having been widely using propane but it is certainly adaptable to the home auto If you search the web for propane kits for cars, you will find there are widely available profession propane conversion kits If you like to tinker around your car, you could also convert your gasoline engine to propane by yourself You only need to have a few key pieces to do the conversion

Before I jump in with my propane conversion, will I really save on gasoline? How many MPG can I expect after the conversion? Propane by its nature has a bout 10 less BTU s than gasoline What this means is the car running on propane will get pretty close to what the auto manufacture list as miles per gallon on gasoline Propane today sells for around $2 00 $2 25 a gallon compared to gasoline at $3 79 a gallon Do the math Even if you lose 10 of your mileage, the cost benefit of propane is a no brainer

Propane burns cleaner than gasoline This in term means your engine will be cleaner than if you are using gasoline With a car running on propane, you will not only be saving money but also reducing your contribution to pollution You are driving green

In considering propane conversion kits for cars, you need to make sure it is EPA certified In 1997, EPA passed a regulation mandating that all vehicles converted from gasoline to alternative fuels such as propane must use only certified EPA kits In this day and age, make sure you are getting what you paid for

Propane conversion kits will require a fuel tank that meets transport authority specifications These regulation tanks have above average rupture resistance and are very durable In case of a rear end collision, you don t want the tank exploding That is why your gas tank is designed the way it is

Let s examine the myth that propane will make your engine lose power This is possible with some kits However, if you use a dedicated carburetor conversion kit to propane, you will not lose power The propane is delivered into the engine just the way gasoline is introduced Most good kits will use a oversized demand regulator for better engine performance

I hear that if I run propane through my engine it will run hotter and burn my valves This is definitely not true Since propane is lower in BTU s than gasoline, it will run just as cool as running on gasoline Naturally, it has to be set correctly for the proper air to fuel mixture Sounds just like running gasoline through your engine

Will converting my gasoline engine to propane void my warranty? Yamaha and Mitsubishi are more lenient regarding this The other manufacturers have not truly said what they will do If your warranty is already passed, then this isn t an issue for you

How hard is it to do the conversion? If you can put a swing together or install a light switch by following the directions, you probably could do it yourself For me, I am not that secure in my mechanical abilities but if I have a friend who is mechanically incline, then this little project could be completed on a Saturday afternoon

Jerbob Johnson owns the http://www.propanekitsforcars.com web store. Propane Kits For Cars is dedicated to offering different propane kits for the hobbyist or those mechanically incline. When you are ready to convert to an alternative fuel, visit http://PropaneKitsForCars.com.

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Emergency Bags Why You Need One In Your Car

Author : Jon Fotheringham

No matter how much control we like to think that we have, we never really know where we are going to be when disaster strikes If you happen to be in your car when roads get washed out or otherwise impassible, or when you find yourself trapped on the side of the road, you’ll find that having a emergency bag is precisely what you need to stay warm and comfortable until help comes It can be more than just a matter of comfort; it can save your life

Remember that even if you are not dealing with an area-wide catastrophe that a good 72 hour emergency bag is still something that can come in handy Accidents do happen, and you’ll also find that running out of gas, breaking down, running off the road and even winter road closures are things that can trap you out in your car for hours or even for days at a time A car can be a ready source of shelter if only you know to use it, and with a little bit of preparation, you can be as cozy as you would be in your home

The following items will provide a primer on the basic contents of an emergency bag for the automobile

- Water: a gallon per person per day

- Food: At least three days worth of ready to eat non-perishable food Canned food or packaged army surplus rations work well, but be sure your food does not require too much water or heat to prepare

- Flashlight and replacement batteries (replace with fresh ones on a regular basis to prevent corrosion) or better yet, a hand crank model

- Prescription medication/feminine hygiene supplies if applicable

- A shrill whistle: to signal for help

- Dust mask: to help filter contaminated air

- Blankets/ foldable emergency foil blanket

- Maps of the surrounding area

- Personal sanitation: moist towelettes, hand sanitizer

- First Aid kit: With instructions on how to use it in case of injuries

- Tools: a sharp knife, a manual can opener for canned food and a crowbar

Another reason that you may want to consider having a 72 hour emergency bag in your car is that you may need to evacuate with your family In this case, a portable emergency bag is handy and each member of your family should have a bag of their own to grab should the need arise Remember that the set that is kept in your car is different and that it should be kept in your car The more supplies that you have stored, the better you are going to feel, so make sure that both your car and your home is outfitted accordingly

Jon Fotheringham has been in the emergency preparedness field for several years. He hopes to help families all over the world be prepared in disaster situations. He also writes for the site www.ntemergencysurvivalsupplies.com, which offers emergency bags, emergency food and water, first-aid, and other preparedness goods.

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A Look At The New Old Mustang The Mustang With The Retro Body

Author : Gregg Hall

Ford was smart to introduce its new Mustang and it was a good year for the 2005 Ford Mustang that made good sales in the sports car venue The new Mustang GT, which came with V-8 power, started its pricing at $24,995 with a 300-hp motor Even though this was the only car with a stock 300hp motor in its class any import tuner can put down more power then any mustang

Perhaps one of the best selling and most notorious models of the Mustang is the V-6 model The car is at almost 20 grand and comes with a V-6 motor Ford has always given what the consumer wants but also hasn’t given anything turbo charged yet that I have seen Hopefully this new Mustang can give drivers what they are looking for in a car and if not they can resort to tuners which are and can be the best of the best Here are some of the many details about the new Mustang that you won’t see anywhere else

It has 16-inch aluminum rims that are cast, the rims are painted to give it flair and show some diversity It gives you four disk power brakes with all season type of tire but you can change them and get better tires which is recommended It has huge rotors and calipers to handle the speed that the car will be slowing down from at some points during ownership Still, you can get upgrades such as a BREMBO big brake kit

Air-conditioning goes stock with the car and it also comes stock with a rear window defroster as well Dual power locks and windows come stock in the new mustang

The new Mustang comes with a 210-horse power motor that makes 4 0 liter SOHC V-6 engine Probably produces around 200 feet pounds of torque Also comes stock with a 5 speed manual transmission also can be bought in automatic with electronic overdrive

More features come stock like power windows, power locks, key less entry, rear wheel drive so it can be used to drift if you want, leather depending on package There are many features to the new mustang

Ford also provides the system in which if involved in an accident the air bags will automatically deploy to try and save your life The buyer or owner can add anything they wish to the car to make it unique It is advised that you customize the car and make it the way you want it

Even though there is the Mustang there are many other cars that are beyond what the Mustang can give you The Supra is a good one, 240sx with a swapped motor is a good one there are a number of cars that you can buy to compensate with a mustang Like the Nissan Skyline comes with a rb26dett stock and produces over 270 horse power stock and over 280 feet pounds of torque without any upgrades

Gregg Hall is an author living with his beautiful wife and family in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about sports car racing as well as car care products at http://www.waxyourauto.com

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Hydrogen Fuel System Saving Money For Your Car

Author : Paul Hata

For many years now, scientists and researchers are trying to find out an alternative source of fuel energy for cars They have reached conclusive studies after many years The fact is, cars won’t run without fuel But through a hydrogen fuel system, you can raise gas mileage and at the same time cut down gasoline expenses

Automotive companies and hundreds of researchers are offering a very effective solution hydrogen fuel system What is the system all about?

If you own a car, this is the best time to use the hydrogen fuel system because it can save you a lot of money You don’t have to purchase a new car All you need to do is to make some changes and put some additional parts After that, your car will have added power Major oil companies will be the very first ones affected by this new system

If you think the system costs a lot, you’re wrong because you will only need over a hundred dollars for a single fuel cell Installation is also not a big problem because you can do it by yourself with ease The system will not cost you over $180 If you want a more durable and smooth car engine, why not incorporate the said system in your car?

Your search for a cost-effective way to fuel your car has ended The hydrogen fuel system can give you a lot of benefits Firstly, your gasoline expenses will decrease Secondly, you can help in improving the current status of the environment You car will not emit a large amount of greenhouse gases thereby decreasing pollution

Even if the hydrogen fuel system is advanced, it is easy to understand it works effectively Instead of depending solely on gas, you will also be using water to power the car engine Hydrogen from water will be extracted to provide the car with additional power to lessen the consumption of gas You can easily install the system in your car

You will have cleaner emissions because the byproducts of hydrogen fuel system are water and oxygen But with an internal combustion engine, your car will give off carbon emissions and even carbon deposits If you want to help in the current global warming problems, install a hydrogen fuel system as soon as possible

Global warming and very high gas prices are quite alarming and these are the reasons why a lot of car owners today want to take advantage of the hydrogen fuel system If you want to increase mileage by 87%, use the system; the same thing if you want 45-53% car efficiency

Car owners who are now using hydrogen fuel systems are enjoying decreased gas costs If you want to experience the same thing, why don’t you purchase a hydrogen fuel cell kit now? Simply follow the instructions included in the kit and put together the various parts properly

After installation, you can now run your car using water or gasoline You can’t get rid of gasoline entirely but the cost of running a car will definitely decrease by more or less 50% Besides, hydrogen fueled cars run longer distances

Hydrogen fuel systems are not new If you want to know more about it, you can search the net for related information By doing some research, you will discover that a lot of people are already making use of the said system

Hydrogen Fuel System Saving Money For Your Car
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