Monthly Archives: December 2009

Author : John Myre

It was late on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and Tom was still two hours from his destination He was cranky and tired, and the transport truck in front of him was hogging the passing lane on the steep incline Tom flashed his lights several times and honked his horn angrily The inside lane was blocked by a truck, too Tom stayed in the passing lane at 20 miles per hour and stewed

Things changed dramatically on the downgrade A third truck came up behind him quickly, and the three 18-wheelers kept him wedged between them as they careened down the mountain at 70 miles per hour His small Buick was never more than ten feet from disaster The episode taught Tom a new respect for big trucks and their drivers

While most drivers are courteous professionals, trucks are potent dangers and should be handled with respect and caution

According to the National Institute for Highway Safety, about 5,000 people die annually in crashes involving large trucks In collisions between large trucks and cars, 98% of people killed were in the car To safely manage your encounters with these behemoths:

Avoid Their Blind Spots

Because they sit so high, drivers may appear to have total vision of the road Instead, they have more blind spots than ordinary drivers They are called “No Zones” because cars should avoid them A big rig’s four blind spots are:

-immediately in front, sometimes as much as 20 feet if the truck has a long hood

-on either side of the cab The right side blind spot is especially dangerous, because trucks like to swing into the right lanes to avoid troubles in the road ahead

-up to 200 feet in the rear

* Remember: If you can’t see the driver of a truck in his side mirror, he cannot see you, either To be seen, pull ahead or drop back

– Don’t cruise beside a truck for a long time, because if the driver needs to change lanes quickly, he might not know you’re there

– Keep your lights on in bad weather It helps truck drivers see you amidst the spray

Pass With Care

– On two lane roads, blink your lights to let a driver know you want to pass, whether it’s day or night If he blinks back, you can pass him safely If he doesn’t blink back, he is telling you it’s not safe to pass Wait and try again later

– If a truck driver behind you blinks his lights, he wants to pass Blink back and give him the time and room he needs

– If a truck approaches quickly on a steep downhill grade, pull to the right and let him pass He may have lost his braking power

– When you pass a truck, wait until you are at least far enough ahead to see its headlights in your rearview mirror before you move back into the lane

– Stay as far away as possible when encountering a truck on the highway to reduce the wind blast

Proper Spacing

Even on dry pavement, trucks need twice as much stopping distance as cars

– Cooperate with truckers by allowing plenty of safety cushion for the truck In heavy traffic leave room for a truck to change lanes

– Give trucks enough room to turn, especially on the right side for both left and right turns

– Do not tailgate a truck (or any other vehicle) If he stops suddenly, you could find yourself wrapped around his rear axle Tailgating also blocks your view of the road ahead Rule of thumb: Stay 4-5 seconds behind a truck

– When you are following a truck, position your vehicle at the side of the lane so you can be seen in the truck’s mirrors

– Another hazard of following a truck too closely is a tire blowout and flying debris

– Be careful when you are behind a truck that has just entered the highway; it takes longer for a truck to pick up speed

– In wet weather use more caution

– If a trucker tailgates you or makes you angry, signal and get out of the way Don’t retaliate It’s a losing battle Try to get some identification (safely) and report the incident

John Myre is the author of the award-winning book, Live Safely in a Dangerous World. It was selected as one of the Ten Outstanding Books of the Year in the 2003 Independent Publisher Awards competition.

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Author : Idan Lavi

Classic and vintage car owners often find themselves hard-pressed to decide how to handle a cross-country move with their baby in tow Fear of allowing someone else to move the vehicle is only topped by concerns over driving it themselves, facing road hazards along the way Amtrak car moving is a great solution to both problems

Providing a way for classic and vintage car transport to include professional assistance and enclosed carriers, Amtrak car moving eliminates a lot of worry At the same time, since the owner of the classic or vintage car is along for the transport, there`s no fear of having to be too far away from the car during the long trek

Amtrak car moving operates out of two stations along the eastern seaboard only, so it won`t be a solution for everyone However if a move to the southeast from the northeast, or vice versa, is on tap, this is ideal for classic, vintage car transport The train company`s two stations of call for this service are found in Lorton, Virginia, which is near D C , and Sandford, Florida, which is very close to Orlando and Daytona It`s also a stone`s throw to almost any destination in the Sunshine State

The benefits of Amtrak car moving for classic, vintage car transport are many Topping the list, of course, is the fact the car is enclosed and isn`t facing wear and tear while the owner can be accommodated in style onboard the train The wear and tear issues involved in long treks are the number one concern most classic, vintage car owners harbor, making transport a necessity in many cases

Next on the list is the fact that Amtrak car moving enables those who are moving to pack their cars pretty tightly with items they`d like along for the ride While they won`t be able to access them during the trip, important papers, clothes, immediately needed household goods and so on, can all be stowed within the vehicle for fast access upon arrival While Amtrak car shipping doesn`t allow for storage of items outside the vehicle during transport, i e , on luggage racks or bike racks, this likely won`t be a concern for a classic or vintage car transport job

Even as Amtrak car moving enables a virtually pain-free way to enjoy classic, vintage car transport, there are some other perks for those riding along Inside the train, passengers can enjoy great dining, fantastic scenery and even onboard entertainment during the haul This provides for a great way to relax prior to having to deal with all the unpacking The total trip generally takes just under 17 hours, which beats the travel time on the road and removes the headaches involved in air travel, too

Due to its limited stations of call, Amtrak car shipping won`t be for everyone, but for those needing classic, vintage car transport to or from the northeast from the southeast, it`s a great alternative that can cut miles and miles off a trip for the car and driver

For more ideas on classic, vintage car transport, visit the USA Auto Transport Guide

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Author : Lawrence White

If you are looking for a light commercial vehicle to meet your business needs the Bipper is well worth taking for a test drive

Designed with deliveries in large and crowded cities in mind, Peugeot have created a lights goods vehicle which incorporates numerous different external and internal features to meet customer needs

The Bipper offers a very generous pay load capacity for a van of its class, along with special features such as optional side access doors and low sills to make loading and unloading easier, especially when the van is park in small and restricted areas Further advantages include the rear door capability of a 60/40 spilt and opening angle of 90 or 180 degrees making this little van very handy for use in urban areas where parking may be difficult

With its distinctive rounded design the Bipper is a good looking van which offers the opportunity of lots of business advertising on both the rear doors and sides, a must for all businesses in today’s competitive market place

With the current economic doom and gloom and many car manufacturers either working reduced hours or being forced to close, buying a new van has never been easier or more affordable The Bipper offers both affordability and practicality for small and medium sized businesses It is a great time to buy a new van at the moment, many approved Peugeot dealerships are offering some very attractive special offers and a range of different payment options

Safety features highly on the Bipper The payload can be securely fastened by securing rings which are attached to the load floor The driver is further protected by a driver ladder frame protector To help reduce the risks of theft of goods the load space and cab can be locked and unlocked separately a necessary safe aspect for people delivering in busy high theft risk areas

As with all Peugeot’s new commercial vehicles the gear lever is mounted on the facia to optimise internal space The multifunction folding passenger seat enables the payload to be increased in length by another metre Making the already generous payload space even more business and user friendly

The height of the Bipper enables it to use underground car parks even when the roof bars are fitted For additional carry capacity with roof bars and roof rack fitted the Bipper is capable of carrying an additional 100kg on its roof

All Bipper have hydraulic power steering fitted as standard, providing a versatile van which performs well in tight spaces The kerb to kerb turning circle is only 10 2 metres, affording excellent manoeuvrability in crowed towns and cities

The Bipper S comes with 14 inch steel wheels, driver airbag, ABS, CD player with radio, power steering, a driver protection ladder and the innovative asymmetric steel rear doors with up to 180 degree opening as standard

Other options are available such as air conditioning, side doors, Bluetooth connection, rear parking aid and roof bars

There is little wonder that with all the innovative features, style and payload size the Peugeot Bipper has to offer it has been awarded ‘Best New Van of the Year’

For further information and to book a test drive in a Peugeot Bipper contact Charles Hurst Group

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Author : Francis Hesse

We all need cars to drive to and from work and just to get around in general Even so, occasionally our cars break down or we get in wrecks and we need certain auto parts

If you’ve ever searched for automobile parts for your car, you’ve in all likelihood observed how costly they can be How can you repair your car and still save money? Well, if you do not know a thing about cars, you’re going to have to go to a store where they will not merely charge you for automobile parts but also for labor

If you know how to fix your own automobile, there are numerous thoughts on how to save money on car parts You should unquestionably shop around to receive the best price on the best auto parts for your car

I Know nada About automobiles

If you do not know a thing about how cars work, how to repair cars, or the total concept is simply foreign to you, you have a problem

If your car breaks down, or you get in a accident and you need parts for your car, you will have to take it someplace where a person with knowledge of autos can work on it

What takes place in this situation, however, is that they will charge you for the automobile parts as well as labor It’s the labor prices that are usually so excessive You can’t really do much about that, however What you can do something about, however, is the cost of the parts themselves

You’re not restricted to the auto parts at the shop They’re probably just going to order them from somewhere just like you would if you were going to repair your own car

So shop around, purchase the automobile parts yourself so that you can save some money, and then have them fix your car You’re going to get taken on the labor but at least you can save on the automobile parts themselves

Repairing Your Own automobile

If you know how to fix your own car, you have many choices on where to get your parts Even if you are bringing it to a shop, you have the same selections You can look online

Online auction sites are great ways to get parts while saving money Just make sure you know exactly what you’re receiving It’s useless to save initially on auto parts only to have to replace those parts in the near future

Then you’re just spending double what you normally would have spent So make sure you know what you’re getting, always shop around to find the best price, whether it’s online or at auto parts stores, and never get taken by pushy shop owners and technicians

This is your car and it’s how you get around and you want it fixed right but you don’t want to go broke in the process

F.X. Hesse is ‘The Auto Parts Guy’, he will help you find what you need to keep you rolling down the highway.
To Learn More About Auto Parts Click Here

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Author : Bill Williams

If we, the general public, can accept that a major change in the fuel system of our vehicles is available to us NOW then why are governments all around the world not joining in the fray in support especially so considering that delegates from the majority of countries (180) around the globe made such a fuss about attending a huge “freebie” on how to combat global warming and carbon gas emissions on the paradise island of Bali in Dec ’07

Just one little point here, every taxpayer in those 180 countries has been paying tax each year to send those delegates to these conferences, held in various locations annually around the world since the 1997 Kyoto meeting While all this talking at conferences has been going on how has it affected most people so far; whilst fuel prices have had a dip or two over the years we are now paying record prices at the pumps for our motoring fuel while carbon gas emissions and global warming still go on regardless

Cars have been around now for approx 100 years, the engine of the car has hardly changed its basic concept-that it requires either petrol or diesel to operate

While there is new technology being discovered every day in all fields:-medicine, aerospace, food manufacturing, agriculture etc: why on earth do we not accept that the technology of the car engine moves on Basic answer- governments and big business (the oil companies) do not want any change Well on this ocassion they have one big problem that makes opposition to the water-fuel conversion movement more difficult in that its no one person holding a patent or registered design because its all open information It doesn’t need development money as its here with us NOW

When water-to-fuel conversion companies can tell you for a very small price how to make your own kit or you can purchase a full d-i-y kit and have it fitted for a reasonably small sum, how are the big boys going to substantiate their argument for not getting on board and for not only reducing the financial burden of owning a vehicle but also to play a major part in improving and not further destroying the environment of our planet

One should not be naive and underestimate government thinking Who knows, if they do think that the water-fuel conversion system is the “Real Deal” they will already be planning to make up the lost tax revenue resulting from less fuel purchased at the pumps

The only way to win in this situation is to take advantage of the technology involved in the water-fuel conversion system and enjoy the benefits of much improved fuel consumption for your motor for years to come while making a positive contribution to the enviroment by causing less climate change through reduced gas emissions It should be carefully noted that governments worldwide are now reviewing imposing draconian taxes on vehicles emitting above limit carbon gas emissions

Bill is now retired but as a keen motorist has driven on most continents of the world and has a keen interest in environmental issues, these account for only a couple of his many varied interests. For further info on the Water4gas fuel conversion system please visit..http://www.the-car-hub.co.uk/

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Author : Steven Magill

Recently, while travelling in Wales, I had my Volvo XC90 serviced in Bridgend and I have to commend their professionalism and customer sales service

I have always been a Volvo enthusiast ever since my mom had her 244 station wagon which was the first car I learned how to drive in Alright, it was boxy, but it was safe That station wagon led us safely to many destinations and often times; it was the workhorse auto for the family Both my older brother and younger sister learned to drive in that car as well

It took me some time before I was able to get the XC90 as the wait list in the UK was a bit long Still I got the 7 seater version with the usual trimmings needed for a family SUV car I got the D5 Turbo diesel version which wasn’t necessary a fast SUV, but it got great mileage and I didn’t want to drive fast especially with my family The car was the perfect vehicle for a road trip to Wales with my wife and my three kids whose ages ranged from 4 to 12 Needless to say, the trip was going to be interesting as trying to get them calm and sedated for a long haul was to say the least a challenge

Nearing Bridgend, I noticed a red light blinking in my dashboard and stopped to find out what it all was about Looking for the documentation about the Volvo, I open the glove compartment to see it full of crayons, craypas and some unused baby pampers I then realized that my youngest son took it upon himself to use the glove compartment as his own personal locker Well, what can you do Making a quick phone call, I was directed to go to an authorized Volvo service centre in Bridgend

When we got there, this family owned company had already been informed by the Volvo hot line I called that I was coming there We were greeted courteously by the service centre manager who brought us to a waiting centre The shop had the VIDAS system, which is the Vehicle Information & Diagnostics for After Sales System which was used to fix the problem Ultimately, there was a leak in one of the oil tubes and it was repaired Since it was under warranty, what I paid for was very minimal This whole thing took less than two hours

The Volvo service centre in Bridgend reminded me of how the old auto repair shops were with its friendly and cozy atmosphere combined with the high technology tools What a great mixture of old school and new school servicing

At long last! For people who want comprehensive information on Bridgend volvo specialists, it’s only a mouse click away http://www.bridgendvolvospecialists.co.uk/
Check out volvo service Bridgend here! http://www.bridgendvolvospecialists.co.uk/About-Us.html

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Author : Gregory Smyth

As with any talent, some people – or cars – have it, and some just don’t The winds of fortune will all blow in your direction sometimes, and others it will be a struggle just to fit a nut and bolt together Here we look back at ten different cars which the winds of fortune lifted up, to soar through the clouds like enormous metal eagles!

1 The Range Rover, by Land Rover, set a new standard for rough-and-ready cars, for guts and glory Land Rover may not have made the first off-road vehicle on the market, but they were the first to do it so well Range Rover became synonymous with off-roading, and the shape of the model is burnt into our psyches The off road skills of the vehicle were soon augmented by comfort and drivability for everyday use, and handling was improved to make the ride easier in traffic Soon, Range Rover became more of a luxury car, and they have found extra popularity as a luxury car in Hong Kong

2 The XF Jaguar is a new model from the company, expected to do great things for a brand that has not made a profit for Ford, its parent company, in 20 years Jaguar’s reputation has been for luxury automobiles in Hong Kong, with superb handling and lithe styling, and the XF should deliver

3 Hyundai’s Pony is little known today, and is certainly not a luxury car, in Hong Kong or elsewhere However, it certainly was a miracle car, and definitely changed the fortunes of Hyundai It was the first model the company produced itself, after gaining experience assembling Ford Cortinas shipped out in kit form The City of London, British Leyland, Mistsubishi and Giugiaro all combined forces to help make the Pony a reality – and it has been the first step for this ever more popular Hong Kong new car manufacturer

4 The 1936 Mercedes Benz 500K was a leap forward in luxury automobile styling It has elegant lines, a smooth appearance, yet arobust flavor It was touted as a dream car, available to a small, select clientele, and set the standard for luxury cars the world over, including for luxury cars in Hong Kong

5 The Ford Focus is one of the world’s oldest car manufacturer’s more recent success stories Ford has had many ups and downs, and their new car market in Hong Kong has risen and fallen with the tides However, in 1997 the Focus brought an excellent high, with its excellent, comfortable handling, versatility, and style

6 The Fiat Nuova was another car that changed the fortunes of its manufacturer The rear-mounted, two cylinder engine vehicle was made in 1957 and oozed Italian charm It became the people’s car, aiming to help cars be within the reach of lower paid Italian workers

7 The Citroen BX was a model that really defined the brand Peugeot bought Citroen in 1974 and saved the company financially, but the personality and soul of Citroen was not captured in a car until the BX of 1982 It was a high-performance, good economy, ultra modern engineering feat

8 Chrysler’s K-cars would hardly have won any awards for style or speed, but their wide appeal as cheap, economic runabouts saved the company from oblivion in the 1980s

9 The BMW 3-series began in the 1970s, and was still being manufactured this decade The initial 1 3 million made of the first model were all sold, and the replacement for these transformed the way that BMW operated as a luxury car manufacturer in Hong Kong and elsewhere

10 Audi’s miracle car came way back in the 1960s, with the 100 model that ousted the Beetle’s right of way after Volkswagen bought Audi in 1968 When bosses saw the prototype 100s, they were so impressed that they gave the go-ahead for their building straight away

As one of the world’s most exciting and prestigious brand, Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong offers luxury passenger cars and commercial vehicles extensive choice of Vito, Sprinter, Viano, Actros, Axor and Atego to the customers in Hong Kong and Macau.

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Author : James Todman

Car tyres in good condition are not an excuse for driving fast in heavy rain There is a high potential of aqua planning, significantly reduced visibility and you may encounter a flooded road

This article provides advice about driving in heavy rain and what to do if you encounter a flood

During the winter months regularly check your windscreen wipers to ensure they can cope with heavy rain If the rubber has deteriorated, replace it immediately It’s very simple to do or local garage will be happy to help

If caught in a downpour then double the distance between yourself and the car in front This is because stopping distances are increased on wet roads as your car tyres struggle to find grip Visibility is also reduced which will lower your reaction time if required to brake suddenly

Even today’s modern road surfaces struggle to cope with a heavy downpour and standing water is a potential hazard Try to avoid standing water and slow down If you don’t there is a high risk of the car aqua planning

Aqua planning occurs when the car tyre’s tread pattern is unable to disperse enough water to maintain a point of contact between the tyre and the road This makes the vehicle uncontrollable with the loss of steering, grip and a sensation of driving on ice It can be a very frightening event as I’m sure anyone who has experienced it will agree The best advice when it happens is to hold your steering wheel lightly and lift off the accelerator until your car tyres regain their grip

If you’re unlucky enough to break down in heavy rain, stay with your car but check you are not in a location that is at risk of flash flooding Your engine may have been affected by the water and in many cases the car will restart when it has had a chance to ‘dry out’ If you have called for assistance do not prop the bonnet open until help arrives This will cause the electrics to become rain-soaked and the car will be even harder to restart

The rain may be so heavy that you experience a flooded road The AA provides some good advice about how to deal with this:

1 Do not drive through flooded water unless you know how deep it is

2 Stay in the middle of the road This is known as the crown of the road and should be where the flood water is shallowest

3 Drive slowly to avoid creating a bow wave, which can cause neighbouring houses to be flooded

4 Pass one vehicle at a time through flood water Allow the oncoming traffic to pass first

5 Do not risk driving through fast moving water as your car can easily be swept away

6 Driving at speed through a flood can cause expensive damage Even a small quantity of water sucked into the engine through the air intake will cause serious damage

7 As you drive through the flood water, keep the engine revving by slipping the clutch This prevents water in the exhaust which may stall the engine

8 Test your brakes as soon as you leave the water

Car tyres in good condition will be able to cope with most wet driving surfaces But with heavy rain or a sudden downpour extra care must be taken to avoid a possible accident or injury

Merityre.co.uk are a leading UK independent supplier of car tyres. Visit their website for free vouchers, including 10% off your next MOT, free wheel alignment check and free locking wheel nuts.

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