Monthly Archives: December 2009

Author : David Maillie

Famous Formula One racer Juan Pablo Montoya has officially turned in his keys and has embarked on a new career in NASCAR As of Tuesday July 11, Montoya announced that he will be driving on Chip Ganassi’s Nextel Cup team Being that there are 4 Nextel Cup races left it is a sure thing that Montoya will make his debut some time this year before the season ends Rumor has it that this was purely a financial move as the potential growth and current earnings of NASCAR Nextel Cup drivers have far outweighed that of their Formula One counterparts

As announced in his latest press release, “Juan Pablo is an exciting driver and immensely likeable character who will undoubtedly make a successful transition to the NASCAR scene,” said Ron Dennis, CEO and Chairman of the McLaren Group “We have agreed that with so many things happening in Juan Pablo’s life right now, he should take some time out of the car and prepare professionally and personally for the future ” His decision to join NASCAR has been well taken to by both NASCAR and Formula One “We believe that Juan Pablo’s decision to move to NASCAR is very important for him professionally and we will give him every support to ensure that it is a successful transition,” said Norbert Haug, Vice-President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport

Formula One will miss a very talented and adored driver, and NASCAR will gain a great driver with a hugely diverse and international following NASCAR officials have been looking to add diversity to their Nextel Cup races as announced earlier in the year and Juan Pablo will be a very welcome addition This will be a boon to NASCAR as it tries to maintain the remarkable growth it has seen in the past decade By adding diversity they are looking to add to their fan base and change the misconception that it is a southern or redneck sport With racetracks being built in Chicago, Las Vegas and California and races being held in new countries like Canada this will only help to further diversify the sport

Yes, NASCAR still has a huge southern following and should be very thankful for it as this is the most intensely loyal fan base of any sport Montoya will definitely add character, charm, and ability to the NASCAR crowd He will also, undoubtedly, keep the other NASCAR drivers on their toes with his immense experience and superior open road skills Montoya’s debut will definitely be a much anticipated and welcome event for NASCAR fans everywhere

David Maillie specializes in automotive safety products. He holds numerous patents and awards for his patented headlight cleaner and restorer. For more information, tips, safety and money saving products for your auto please visit http://www.mdwholesale.com

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Author : Andy West

If you have set your sights on a career in the automotive industry, you’ll want to set yourself up for success Just about anybody with a mechanical inclination can bust tires; but if you want your career to go beyond an entry level tire tech or”lube guy” type of position, you will need an education from a good automotive repair school

An automotive education proves to employers that you know your trade, making them feel more comfortable about taking a chance on you It also qualifies you for higher-level openings in the automotive industry, such as mechanic or master mechanic positions, depending on your accompanying experience Here are some ways to ensure that the automotive repair school you choose will make a good impression on your resume

Verify the school’s reputation If an automotive repair school has a good reputation among employers, you can bet there is a good reason for it Most likely, the employers have hired graduates of the school’s programs, and have been duly impressed Even if you don’t necessarily have the money or the desire to go to one of the nation’s top automotive schools, you can easily narrow down your list of potential schools by eliminating those with questionable reputations in the industry

Research the school’s degree programs Almost all automotive schools have an associate’s degree to help you get started in the automotive industry This degree can usually be completed in a relatively short amount of time, allowing you to enter the field as soon as possible In addition, many schools also have a master’s program to help ambitious students reach more esteemed positions, such as those of mechanic or master mechanic In all cases, do your research and make sure the program genuinely teaches all of the knowledge and skills you will need to have in your chosen career

Ensure that the school offers ASE certification ASE Automotive Standards of Excellence certification is extremely important to members of the automotive industry ASE certification lets your employer know which areas you can claim expert status in, as well as reassuring your customers that their cars are in good hands Any automotive repair school that is worth its salt will gear its programs toward ASE certification Some schools simply help you study for the tests, while others may offer testing at their location, making it easier for you to get certified

Make sure the school offers internship or employment opportunities The best way to enter the automotive industry is to hold a job in the field while you are in school Working while in school gives you valuable on-the-job experience that will help you to get your first job as a program graduate Most automotive schools have relationships with local garages, dealerships, auto parts stores, and other businesses in the industry, enabling you to easily find internships or part-time jobs while you are attending the school

Find out what resources the school offers its students Most automotive schools offer a variety of student resources One of the most important resources to look for is job placement assistance Ensure that the school has a good program for helping students or graduates prepare for their job search, doing tasks such as creating a winning resume, teaching interviewing skills, and providing automotive job listings

Verify the cost of the program Most people can’t ignore the price tag on the package, a good automotive repair school also has to be affordable Research the cost of the program, and what the cost includes: for example, some schools will quote you one price for everything, while others list only the cost of the courses itself, leaving you to buy books, tools, and other necessities separately Also, find out if the school provides any type of financial aid; many well-established schools can help qualified students get loans to afford their schooling

What you do to prepare for your automotive career can literally affect the rest of your life Attending a shoddy school can be almost as bad as getting no education at all In your search for a good automotive repair school, you will need to look at more than just the degrees a school offers: you will also need to pay close attention to the educational program that you will undergo, the additional resources the school offers, the school’s reputation, and of course the cost of the program As long as you take your time researching and choosing an automotive repair school, you should get off to a good start in your chosen career!

Andy West is a freelance writer for VC Tech, The Automotive School. VC Tech offers world-class training in many exciting automotive repair programs. Please visit http://www.vctechnical.com .

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Author : John Myre

Here’s some information that should bring you to a screeching stop: Your lifetime odds of being killed in a motor vehicle accident are about 1-in-100

Furthermore, each year one of nine drivers is involved in a reported motor vehicle collision The best offensive against roadway hazards is driving defensively Defensive driving means driving safely, in spite of conditions around you and the actions of other drivers or pedestrians

Strive For Perfection

* Try to make every trip a “perfect” trip

* Always buckle up According to the National Safety Council, drivers who buckle up have a 45 percent better chance of surviving a crash, and a 50 percent better chance of surviving without a moderate-to-critical injury

* Hold the wheel at about three and nine o’clock so you can steer quickly and precisely

* Stay alert No eating, drinking, fiddling with the radio, or distracting conversations

* Pull off the road to use a cellular phone

* Avoid operating a vehicle if you are overly tired, drowsy from medications, ill, or extremely stressed or excited

* Signal lane and turn changes

* When you’re in the right lane of a multilane highway, help traffic merge smoothly by moving over a lane if traffic permits

* Honor speed limits They are set to protect you and pedestrians

* Rush hour is especially challenging Be ready to brake at all times, and expect drivers around you to stop or change lanes abruptly

* If an approaching vehicle is signaling to turn, wait until it actually turns before proceeding

* Proper, routine maintenance can help you avoid mechanical problems that can cause an accident

Stay Alert, Plan Ahead

* Assume a “what if” posture Know what you’ll do if a driver swerves or stops suddenly

* Watch for drivers who are preoccupied or driving dangerously They count on you to react to them, instead of watching out for you

* Be cautious at stoplights and stop signs Look both ways before you enter a green-light intersection, or when you have the right of way

* Search the roadway and off-road areas twenty to thirty seconds ahead for potential hazards

* Be particularly watchful in school zones, at blind intersections, and around pedestrians and workers

* The most dangerous spots to encounter pedestrians are those places where you don’t expect to see them Be alert

* Don’t play chicken If someone seems determined to enter your lane, yield the right of way

* Use caution approaching curves and the crest of hills

* Be a loner Avoid clumps of cars on the highway

Protect Your Space

* Maintain a safe following distance by staying three to five seconds behind the car ahead Increase your following distance as your speed increases At higher speeds a three-second gap will not give you enough time to take evasive action if an emergency occurs in front of you

* At 40 mph, stay four seconds behind; at 50 mph and higher stay five seconds behind Increase your distance at night, on rough roads, and in bad weather

* Tailgaters are a dangerous nuisance Pull over after signaling, or slow down slightly without braking and allow them to pass

* On multilane roads remember that other drivers have blind spots Don’t linger in them if you are at the rear side of another vehicle Move forward or back Also, avoid driving next to other vehicles so you have more room to react to other drivers

* Look for these warning signs for impaired drivers: wandering from lane to lane; driving unusually slow or fast; running stoplights and signs; moving erratically or out of control; and driving with lights off at night Stay as far away as you can If possible, notify the police

John Myre is the author of the award-winning book, Live Safely in a Dangerous World, and the publisher of the Safety Times Reproducible Articles..

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Author : Aydan Corkern

The number of car fires was 266,000 in 2005, can you even imagine what is number is now? Most of us can not, as there are a lot more people in this country today We have a reported car fire every one and a half minutes of each day in this country alone As all vehicles have several things that are considered highly flammable, it is no wonder we have all of these fires You need to make periodic checks under the hood of your vehicle a couple times a year If you do not know the first thing about your car, take it to someone that does Over time, even wiring will develop creaks that could cause a fire

There are several other things under the hood that could cause your vehicle to start a fire When you buy a new car or truck you, are given a warranty that will have a schedule telling you when to take the car in for a check up It is a very good idea to follow these to the letter If you have an older vehicle, you will need to take this on yourself to have these things checked As there are so many things under the hood of your vehicle that could start a fire, you will need to keep them checked, even your brakes All it would take is a small spark from the brake shoes to start a fire

As your brake shoes are made of rubber laid on metal, they will become worn and over time this could mean trouble If you let these shoes wear too long you, you will end up with metal rubbing metal and this can produce sparks This is a good reason in itself to have your breaks checked when they should be or when you notice they are not working as well as they should be or even if they are making a noise such as squeaking or scrubbing

If you have a fire under the hood of your car, never open the hood Doing this will only make the fire bigger As fire needs oxygen to live, opening the hood will give this fire all it needs to survive If you should have a fire, just get out of the vehicle after you stop the car Once you and your passengers are out of this vehicle, do not try to get back in

Never let any bystander try to put the fire out When you are all out and safety away, call the fire department and let them put out the fire The main reasons for this is because there can be extreme heat coming from the fire and possibly, toxic fumes These toxic fumes are considered the number one cause of death from these types of fires With fires in vehicles you will have the burning of all the plastic besides the gasoline and oil which are flammable all by themselves

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Author : Peter Clark

You’ve seen some great dune buggies on the beach lately, and you’ve decided that owning and driving a dune buggy looks great So you want to build a dune buggy because you’re good with your hands and want to save some money

Before you do anything though, you need to know where you want to be driving your buggy, and what you need it to do Basically there are 3 places that dune buggies are driven, and each requires a different build

Firstly is the road Yes you can drive a dune buggy on the road But of course it needs to be street legal, and doesn’t need many of the things that other dune buggies can have, like 4 wheel drive

There are some very good fiberglass street legal buggies that look great, and these are usually based on a vw frame and body and built up from there

Then there’s the classic place for dune buggies, the dunes Sand driving is probably about the most fun that you can have in a buggy, but it needs a buggy with specific characteristics For example very light, with a good power to weight ratio Huge sand tires on the rear, and small smooth tires on the front Front brakes not necessary, but good quality rear brakes

Then there’s the off road buggy designed for the dirt Steep hills perhaps, mud and trails They need a stronger frame and roll cage because a rollover can be more severe, (ie hitting a tree for example), The tires are different, front brakes are much more important, and the frame needs to be stronger The driving surface you’ll be on will be rougher and will require better suspension, longer travel and mud and dirt tires

So if you’re intending to build your own dune buggy, then you need to work out your exact requirements first Frame, motor, tires, suspension, brakes, roll cage, body, if you want one

So is it hard to build your own buggY? Well of course that all depends on your level of skill If you’ve spent a lifetime repairing cars, restoring cars and rebuilding cars, for example, then you might be well placed to build your own buggy However if you haven’t done much work with cars before then yes, building a dune buggy isn’t easy It takes skills, it takes money and it takes time, and be prepared for many hours of frustration

My first recommendation if you thinking of building your own dune buggy for the first time? Buy a dune buggy kit or at the very least some high quality dune buggy plans to work from Now a kit doesn’t provide everything you need You’ll need to supply your own motor, for example, but it does supply you with some of the basics that are hard to build yourself For example if you’re wanting a figerglass buggy the fiberglass body isn’t easy to make at home, so you can get a kit with a good body already supplied

But my number one recommendation if you’re thinking of building your own dune buggy for the first time? Don’t Not unless you’re supremely confident in your own skills It isn’t easy, and usually takes way longer than you imagined it could, and costs more, and while you’re slaving in the garage trying to build your buggy everyone else is out there on the dunes cutting it up

There are some very good places where you can find yourself a great dune buggy for sale (or even a good dune buggy kit) at a very good price Usually much cheaper than you could build one for yourself

So grab yourself a second hand buggy, learn all you can about it first, learn all you can about building a dune buggy for yourself and, if you really want to, build your second buggy once you know what you’re in for At least you’ve got your first one there to drive when you get tired of building

Want to know where to buy a Cheap Dune Buggy? visit Peter’s Website Cheap Dune Buggies For Sale and find yourself a Dune Buggy Bargain at http://bitsnbuggys.com/

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Author : Daniel Millions

It goes without saying that almost everyone knows what a Ferrari is It’s red, it’s fast and it’s certainly a luxury not everyone can have Every kid, boys and girls, wants to grow up to own a Ferrari Many man work and toil just to save up enough money to get them a decent Ferrari But how it all did started?

The founder for Ferrari is Enzo Ferrari Born on the 18th February 1898 in Modena, Italy, Ezno did not have a very formal education because he was not particularly interested in his studies He was very determined in racing cars He took up racing when he was 19 but did not have huge success

He then left the tracks and secured a job at Alfa Romeo He took the job as a car racer with them and found bigger success than he did previously After racing for Alfa Romeo for more or less 20 years, he left the company to set up his own company, the Auto-Avio Construzini to subsequently build his own racing cars under his own name, Ferrari The rest as they say is history

The Enzo Ferrari was the Ferrari that was named exactly after its owner This Ferrari was built in the year 2003 and it was built using some of the Formula 1 technologies These technologies include F1-style carbon-ceramic brake discs, carbon-fiber body, and sequential shift transmission To build a car with the best performance, the designers of this Enzo Ferrari also went as far as to use banned Formula 1 technology which is the active and integrated aerodynamics

The Enzo Ferrari has the largest engine as compared with the other Ferraris Despite that fact, the Enzio Ferrari was made with inspirations from the racing tracks With this reason, the frame of Enzio Ferrari was made out of carbon fiber and aluminum honeycomb panels

This frame will then form a rigid tub for the Enzo Ferrari In the middle of the frame is where the new large engine F140 is at The all new F140 is actually a twelve cylinder engine This particularly large engine is attached to the alloy sub-frame at two points The purpose of this design is to prevent the vibrations from escaping into the passenger compartment

As mentioned about the inspirations from the Formula 1, this Enzo Ferrari uses an electro hydraulic system that automatically activates the clutch and the gear changes This is actually a semi-automatic gearbox and it helps the driver of the Enzo Ferrari to change their gears in 150 milliseconds The driver may also achieve gear changes in 90 milliseconds if he is driving the Enzo Ferrari in sport mode

The uniqueness of this Enzo Ferrari also lies with the embedded electronic system that they used on the sport car These embedded electronic systems are included to ensure the comfort of the driver while driving the Enzo Ferrari The designers included a central computer that can synchronize the engine, the suspension, and the transmissions Inside the Enzo Ferrari, the designers also included the aerodynamic subsystem to optimize the performance and also the wellbeing of the driver

Like the founder of the Ferrari, the Enzo Ferrari is truly a unique car of its own There are those that are similar but they can never compete with the quality and the performance of the Enzo Ferrari It is no wonder why people still want to own a Ferrari to this day

The ultimate supercar the Ferrari Enzo. View hot Ferrari Pictures and more.

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Author : Thomas Pretty

Van hire services are vital for many people; workmen who are experiencing problems with their vehicles may choose to hire a van while those planning a self move also choose the rental option For those who are driving a van for the first time however can be daunted, especially if the vehicle in question is large and unwieldy Ultimately driving most vans is not like driving a regular car, there are differences in handling and gear selection, especially if the vehicle in question is heavily loaded The following article attempts to make the experience a little easier by giving tips on the best way to drive a van safely

When you are at the van hire depot it is important to listen intently when the representative is giving advice At this stage they will be able to give you general information on how to operate the vehicle and also give instruction on the controls in the vehicle

While many people tend to drive in sandals or even high heels, ensuring you have suitable footwear to drive the van is essential The clutch of some vans can be relatively heavy and naturally the pedal controls will be different from those in your car Normally a pair of regular trainers will be suitable

Many vans will not have a rear view mirror as the rear of the vehicle obstructs the view As a result understanding how to use your wing mirrors more effectively is essential It is also important to adjust these mirrors properly so that you have as much visible exterior information as possible

In terms of the interior it is vital that you adjust the seat and headrest so you have the best driving position and will be safe in the event of an accident Additionally as with most vehicles you should always wear a seatbelt to ensure you are safe should the worst happen

Before heading off it is essential to ensure all of the doors are locked securely The last thing you want is to be driving along and lose half the load as you hit a bump It is also advisable to test drive the van around the car park to ensure you are fully aware of the responsiveness of the steering and acceleration When first driving the van it is also a good idea to take it slow initially until you are confident with the van’s handling and performance

Once you are driving it is important to realise that being in control of the vehicle at all times is vital If you are going too fast you will not have control and subsequently will not be able to stop in an emergency

Always try to remember the size of the van, especially if the height of the vehicle is considerable This is particularly important when you head under low bridges or overhanging trees Larger vehicles have a poorer turning circle that small cars and hence taking more care with cornering and parking is essential Try to keep your speed low when driving around tight bends as tall vans tend to have a higher centre of gravity and are inherently more unstable Vans also have more blind spots so when changing lanes or making turns care is always a prerequisite

Hopefully this advice will lead to the safe hire and usage of a van, by remembering that it is a larger vehicle and will perform in different ways to a car is essential at all times If you keep your speed low and take care however you should be able to undertake the experience safely

Motoring expert Thomas Pretty looks into the considerations that must be made when utilising van hire services, predominantly focusing on driving advice.

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Author : Mike Trudel

There are a number of distractions that drivers face while behind the wheel; their cell phone beckons, they spill a beverage or a baby drops a toy, to name a few Or perhaps they’ve just been on the road too long and fatigue sets in Any one of these factors can contribute to a momentary loss of focus on the job at hand – staying in their lane and on the road Thanks to Lane Departure Warning systems, drivers can be alerted immediately when their vehicle begins to drift out of their intended path By warning drowsy or distracted drivers when they’ve wandered out of their lane, Lane Departure Warning systems can help reduce car crashes and save lives

Lane Departure Warning systems first appeared in production in Europe on commercial trucks in 2000 and are now available on most trucks sold in Europe Trucks in North America began installing Lane Departure Warning systems in 2002, and today, many upscale passenger cars have a Lane Departure Warning system available

There are a number of different applications with Lane Departure Warning systems, but all are geared to warning the driver when the vehicle begins to move out of its lane on freeways or surface streets If the turn signal is engaged, there will be no warning Lane Departure Warning systems employ a camera that monitors the vehicle’s position in relation to the roadway’s lane markings The camera can be mounted in the overhead console above the rearview mirror or within the rearview mirror itself Other systems use an infrared sensor under the front bumper to monitor the lane markings

On-board software analyzes the data and, when the vehicle is detected leaving its lane, the driver receives a warning A number of different warning technologies are currently available In some models, a simple warning tone is emitted to alert the driver Another effective warning is an audible rumble strip sound generated on the side where the vehicle is drifting Some tones are also accompanied by a flashing warning indicator on the vehicle control panel There is also a warning system using a vibrating steering wheel to alert the driver to unintended departures, and a similar vibration mechanism is available within the driver’s seat

Alcohol and drug use are widely considered to be the main causes of serious accidents involving a single vehicle But other factors may need to receive significant consideration A recent study was conducted in Sweden to determine the cause and effect of 38 single vehicle crashes The results of this study determined that accidents could be grouped into three scenarios: single vehicle crashes caused by driver fatigue, loss of control around curves and driver panic when they lose control and over steer-all conditions that could likely be prevented with a Lane Departure Warning system

Driver fatigue, in particular, is a major concern The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration analyzed data from 2002 and concluded about 1,500 fatalities have occurred in recent years from about 100,000 crashes in which driver drowsiness was a factor Effective Lane Departure Warning systems can help reduce that number In one test of a number of different Lane Departure Warning systems, the results found steering wheel vibration warning to be the most effective, particularly with drowsy drivers, although all of the warning systems tested cut driver reaction time almost in half

Some of the highly sophisticated Lane Departure Warning systems are mated with a vehicle’s stability control system Depending on the situation, gentle brake pressure can be applied and/or corrective steering will respond to return the vehicle to its lane

Vehicle safety has improved considerably in recent decades with the development of driver and passenger airbags, side-impact protection devices, anti-lock braking systems and traction control for improved cornering Lane Departure Warning systems will take their place alongside these ground-breaking technologies in the vehicle safety realm

Mike Trudel, Freelance Writer.

Delphi Corporation is a leading innovator of automobile safety equipment and technology. To learn about Delphi’s safety advancements, visit www.Delphi.com/4safe.

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