Monthly Archives: January 2010

Author : Alexander West

Historically, it has to be said that many of the classic Aston Martin sports cars are in the DB series

This series of cars is named after David Brown He was the owner of Aston Martin at the time the first of these cars was introduced in 1948 Although the first and second cars, known simply as the DB1 and DB2, were in very limited production the DB series of motor cars became more popular as time went on The DB4, which was in production from 1958 to 1963, was the first car in this line to have more than a thousand units produced This vehicle was noted for its 3 7L I6 engine

The DB5, which was produced from 1963 to 1965, was the first of these luxury sports cars to truly become recognized around the world This was thanks to the vehicle’s prominent use in Ian Fleming’s James Bond films This car was a unique design as it used a triple SU carburettor system that enabled the car to reach speeds of 140 miles per hour This made it one of the fastest cars in the world at the time

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s the V8 line of Aston Martin cars were in production A V8 engine was used in this line with a Bosch fuel injection system that could get the car from zero to sixty miles per hour in six seconds Various models of cars, including the Vantage line featured a stronger compression ratio for improved engine performance The compression ratio is the amount of air in the cylinder head between the piston being at the bottom and the top of its motion

In the 1990s the Virage line of cars was the top of the range Over the years this car used the same 5 3L V8 engine but customers were offered a conversion option that allowed the engine to be replaced with a 6 3L V8 engine

In this decade, the Vanquish was in production from 2001 to 2007 It was most noted for its V12 engine but it also employed many new technologies Among these included an electronic brake distribution system and an easy to use manual transmission that allows for seamless shifting of gears

Launched in 1993 the DB7 has been the Company’s best selling car exceeding the combined production of the classic DB4, DB5 and DB6 Since 1914, Aston Martin has built just over 22,000 models 7000 of which are DB7s proving how important the model has been in providing continued growth to the company In Britain a series of pre-production models of the DB7 Vantage were subjected to continuous 30 day accelerated durability tests at the Motor Industry Research Associations Proving Ground – each equivalent to 100,000 miles of regular driving Halting only for refuelling and routine analysis the V12 coupes and Volantes were driven day and night at a range of speeds from one to 140mph

Alex West is a luxury car enthusiast. Currently I drive a Mercedes C-Class and I’m slowly working my way up. You can find out more about Aston Martin experience at Click Here

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Author : Terry Parker

The more you notice about your vehicle, the more likely you will be able to head off repair problems Even if you are mechanically challenged you can detect many common vehicle problems by using your eyes and nose

Is there a little stain or a drop of fluid under your vehicle? It may mean absolutely nothing But you do want to check the wet spots immediately just to make sure

What color is the fluid under your car? Yellowish green, pretty blue or neon orange colors indicate an overheated engine or an antifreeze leak caused by a bad hose, water pump or leaking radiator Not good I remember the yellowish green ooze from my car as the tow truck took it away to its final resting place Get to a repair shop while you still can

A dark brown or black oily fluid means the engine is leaking oil A bad seal or gasket could cause the leak This is how my first car met its demise

A red oily looking spot indicates a transmission or power steering fluid leak Also not good

A puddle of clear water usually is not a cause for concern It may be normal condensation from your vehicles air conditioner

Take a whiff and you may detect your vehicles problem

Do you smell burned toast? This odor often signals an electrical short and burning insulation Have someone come look at your car Do not drive it anywhere until the problem is diagnosed

How about the smell of rotten eggs? This usually indicates a problem in the catalytic converter Get to a repair shop

A thick sharp odor usually means burning oil Look for the sign of a leak This problem needs to be addressed immediately if having transportation is important to you You may also notice a bluish smoke coming from your vehicle

The smell of gas after a failed start may mean the engine is flooded Wait a few minutes and try again If the odor continues, there may be a leak in the fuel system a potentially dangerous problem that needs immediate attention

A chemical odor may mean overheated brakes or clutch Check the parking brake Stop and let the brakes cool after repeated hard braking Light smoke coming from a wheel indicates a stuck brake Call a tow truck

Do you notice a sweet odor? This may indicate a coolant leak Watch your temperature gauge and warning light and drive to a repair shop Now, if you see steam from under the hood, stop and pull over If you keep driving an overheated vehicle, your engine will be seriously damaged Call a tow truck

The basic rule of smell is that if you do notice an unusual odor then get to a mechanic or get one to come to you Pretty simple

A little extra attention to what is coming out of your car or truck could save you the cost of a new vehicle payment Keep those eyes and that nose on the job

For more information repair tips that might make your check engine light come on visit our site.

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Author : Art Gib

Subaru’s SVX, manufactured from 1991-1996, stands out among the Japanese automaker’s cars for a few reasons First of all, the car is as heavy as a third generation Outback — about 3,600 pounds Also, at the time of production, it was the first and only Subaru to ever use a boxer style engine, or a flat 6 as some call it This oddity among the Subaru cars was meant to be the company’s first attempt at the luxury/performance car and had the specs to prove it

The SVX had only one engine: the EG33 The EG33 was a 3 3 liter engine, and as mentioned was a boxer, or horizontally opposed engine It had 6 cylinders with four valves per cylinder The powerful engine produced 230 bhp at 5,400 rpm This engine was the largest that Subaru had ever built and maintained that status until the introduction of the 2008 Subaru Tribeca, which boasts a 3 6L engine Like the uniquely large engine, the SVX also boasted a unique design

The SVX’s predecessor, the XT, was a boxy affair The SVX was designed by Italian Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign As a result the SVX featured curvy lines similar to those that Giugiaro has created for the design concepts of the Ford Maya and Oldsmobile Inca Another distinct feature was the windows within a window

Subaru said that the windows were “an aircraft-inspired glass-to-glass” canopy In this sense the car looks a bit more like it ought to be flying than driving on the ground However, as a result of this design, the windows only go up and down about 2/3 of the height of the canopy Subaru also wanted to use the same design as the SVX debut in the 1989 Tokyo Auto Show to give consumers the opportunity to actually drive a concept car

Initially the strategy seemed to be working In its first year of production SVX sales totaled 5,280 in the United States This was especially impressive since the car debuted during an economic recession Also, the car was unusually high priced for a Subaru, costing anywhere between $24,445 for the low end model and $28,000 for the high end model Before Subaru cut off production of the SVX in 1996, the SVX topped out at a cost of $36,740 for the premium LSi

Subaru estimates that they lost a total of $75,000,000 total in the SVX project (they actually lost $3,000 with the sale of every SVX) but felt that money worth the cost of projecting the image of a forward thinking company

SubaruPartsForYou (http://subarupartsforyou.com) offers a wide variety of Subaru car parts including Subaru SVX parts, the up and coming collector car from Subaru.

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Author : Derek Both

There are so many advantages of vehicle livery that it is hardly surprising that so many different businesses are starting to invest in it nowadays It can be used for anything from advertising to helping the general public to instantly recognise a product or service

One of the advantages of vehicle livery is that it can be used for as long as a company want it to For example, they may only want it for a short period of time during a promotion or it may be a long term thing such as simply displaying the name of the company on the side of a van or truck

There are certain types of automobiles that vehicle livery is absolutely essential for These tend to be for the emergency services such as the police, fire and ambulances as it is important for them to be instantly recognised by the general public There are many different reasons for this from people may require these services to the fact that these vehicles can create hazards for other road users If a police car is travelling very fast then other drivers need to be able to recognise the car as quickly as possible in order to clear a path for the police car to drive through without any accidents being caused

Vehicle livery can help companies to establish a brand and to help people recognise and become familiar with it For example, most people would instantly recognise a Tesco truck driving around because the vehicle livery for all their trucks is the same which means that people can identify it quickly and easily

Vehicle livery is sometimes not only beneficial but also essential Certain vehicles need to be very visible to road users especially at night in order to prevent accidents and to make motorists aware that they are there For example, a lot of road works are carried out at night which means that any vehicles that are being used need to be easy to see so people know to approach with caution

Vehicle livery may even be required in order to ensure that fleet operators meet EU regulations when it comes to outlining rears of vehicles Materials can be supplied and fitted by companies that specialise in this to ensure that maximum visibility is achieved where required

Although vehicle livery has been used by the emergency services for many years, it is still a relatively new concept to many businesses who have only just started to realise its benefits With more and more people wising up to this fact it is likely to become a concept that is going to become increasingly popular

Bluelite Graphics are a vehicle livery design company with more than 20 years of experience. vehicle livery has all the information you need to help you find out anything you need to know about vehicle livery.

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Author : Darryl Power

The soaring price of diesel fuel around the world has proved to be a problem for millions of people Aside from the basic and standard technique on how to improve diesel fuel mileage like the air cleaner, and tire pressure, the use of an aftermarket engine computer programmer will save you at least more than one mile The value of this program has resulted to a 10% rise in fuel cutback

An aftermarket air cleaner can actually get you more 3 to 4 mpg, with the increase in mpg; you have the advantage of significantly prolonging the life of your car engine

Here are some of the proven ways how to improve diesel fuel mileage

1 It is most advised to always keep your engine tuned up because even minor problem with your engine can greatly affect the gas mileage of your car

2 The A/C compressor can hurt your engine, so if you don’t really need it, just turn your A/C off

3 An under inflated tires can make more resistant when travelling, so always check and make sure that your tires are correctly inflated

4 You can take other route alternatives in order for you to avoid those very congested traffic to make you save travel time and gas in the long run

5 Get as much information as you can about the same kind of car that you are using by asking questions to those people who are also using it when it comes to the gas mileage that they were able to get because it may give you some warning and hints how to take more care of your car

6 Another way how to improve your diesel fuel mileage is by using high-quality engine oils, if possible those that were treated with friction reducing oil additive This method has amazingly increased the diesel fuel mileage for around 12% Remove all those things that are unnecessary out of your car because more weight tend to make your engine consume more diesel fuel

7 Also keeping your car at the speed of 55 mph can actually help you increase your diesel fuel mileage at around 25% Although 55 mph is a bit boring speed especially you are used to driving around 75 mph, but hey think about the amount of gas that you will be saving in the long term

Finding ways how to improve your fuel mileage really just comes to one major thing, good oil lubrication But car owners should also be thankful with the advent of online programmer like the Flashpaq, because this programme helps you tune your engine and transmission to achieve best performance

The features of this programme will help your car to have increased horsepower and torque and you can update it at the comfort of your home with the use of the computer and internet connection Good thing about this is that it is very easy to install, there are no special tools to use, 100% assurance that your car’s fuel mileage will greatly improve, and optimum drivebility

Learn more about the many ways to save energy. Read all about the different alternative energy sources at superfuelsaver.info.

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Author : Mike Trudel

Today’s automotive engineers are focusing their attention on improving the way we drive — and the way we live Some automotive improvements make life easier to navigate, like GPS systems with visual and voice-guided turn-by-turn directions Other innovations help protect vehicle occupants and save lives, such as “active safety” technologies, which warn drivers so they can take action to avoid an accident Of course, yet another focus of automotive engineers, garnering much attention today, is improved fuel efficiency Green vehicles are catching the attention of consumers rapidly To meet this demand, nearly every automaker in the world is expanding with clean, fuel-efficient models in their lineup

Automotive engineering today focuses on utilizing a range of technologies to improve fuel economy Not a day goes by when automotive engineers are not working toward the development of new and improved fuel technologies As part of the quest for fuel-efficient technology, current hybrid vehicle systems are constantly being evaluated and expanded For example, many automakers are now creating integrated high-tech hybrids

The concept of the high-tech hybrid vehicle makes more sense if we consider the challenges faced by automotive engineers Automotive engineers must find creative and cost-effective ways to integrate hybrid systems, helping original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) increase efficiency and provide value to the consumer For example, cars do not need to use combustion engines; it is just that — at least in the mass market — they always have used them In the face of new technologies, the classic combustion engine seems poised for change — especially when we realize that automotive engineers are successfully expanding hybrid technology It is this new technology that increases the feasibility of mass manufacturing hybrids for the general public When designing the new high-tech hybrid models, automotive engineers depend on the best thermal management components, electronic/electrical powertrain systems and wiring architecture The key is to leverage industry leaders with the extensiveness and depth of systems integration and power electronics proficiency to provide this advanced technology

With rising oil prices, power electronics awareness is gaining popularity with both consumers and vehicle manufacturers Hybrid vehicles are hitting the streets in North America, helping drivers save money on the cost of operating vehicles Consumers understand that hybrids offer significant advantages, such as fuel efficiency and low cost per mile in addition to environmental benefits If nothing else, high-tech hybrid technology — and the willingness to liberate it — may reduce dependence on fossil fuels and help decrease emissions of greenhouse gases and ozone precursors

As if this were not enough motivation, there are a variety of mechanisms and sources at work to excite the green car industry even further In one example, an organization is on the hunt for a car that achieves fuel economy in excess of 100 miles per gallon without sacrificing key capabilities The fuel-efficient prototype must be able to carry four passengers on varying terrain, pass federal crash and emissions guidelines and yield sales profitability in a volume of 10,000 units or more

Indeed, there is plenty of encouragement in today’s society for increased fuel efficiency and green cars Consumers, environmentalists, economists and technologists are all eager for new automotive technology Thankfully, some of our best and brightest automotive engineers are working to answer the call successfully After all, improving the way we drive and live today is only part of the equation These new technologies will also serve future generations

Mike Trudel, Freelance Writer.

Delphi Corporation is committed to providing state-of-the-art automotive innovations and designs. To learn more, visit www.Delphi.com/4green.

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Author : Billy Whitmire

When riding your ATV in the wilderness, it is best to be prepared Here are some important items you should bring with you on your next ATV adventure:

-First-Aid Kit

-Navigation Tools

-Tire Repair Kit

-Survival Kit

-All Weather Kit

First-Aid Kit

A lot of unexpected events can occur when you are out on the trail, and they include suffering an injury Whether the injury is minor or life-threatening, it is a good idea to be prepared with an onboard first-aid kit The kit will equip you to treat most minor injuries incurred by anyone in your riding group Of course a basic first-aid kit is not equipped to handle most major injuries, but it can help substantially while you wait for rescue assistance

An onboard first-aid kit can treat a whole host of minor injuries that may be incurred by you, or your group, while out in the wilderness

Navigation Tools

Anyone who’s done any amount of riding knows how exciting it is to explore a new trail, or area of wilderness But frankly, putting the excitement aside, it is important for riders to know where they are, and where they are going There are a lot of tools available today that will keep riders safe while they enjoy the excitement of a new trail As an example; trail maps, GPS, a compass, or cell-phone are great items to have as navigation tools

Having several navigation tools as part of your trailblazing gear is an effective way to prevent your riding party from getting lost, or needing rescue assistance

Tire Repair Kit

When riding out in the wilderness your ATV is a great tool to get you where you want to go But, if you suffer a flat tire, and have no repair kit, you will be stuck until the tire is fixed This is where a tire repair kit would come in handy Depending on the condition of your tires, and the trail, your chances of getting a flat may increase or decrease Keeping your tires in good condition and having a tire repair kit can help to avoid ruining a perfectly good excursion

Including a tire repair kit as part of your onboard gear is a great way to avoid getting stranded deep on a wilderness trail

Survival Kit

If you are out on the wilderness trail even just for the day, it is a good idea to be prepared One way to ensure your safety is to carry a survival kit on board just in case the unexpected happens Depending on where you are when you need assistance, it could mean waiting anywhere from a few hours to a day for assistance to reach you This is where a survival kit can make the wait a lot easier for everyone A survival kit should include the following items; water, flashlight, snacks, and a multi-tool kit

Survival kits are the number one precaution that experienced riders carry onboard whether their trip is for a few hours, or a few days

All Weather Kit

This country has many wonderful areas for trailblazing, and each is unique in its character, and beauty But, they also have their own unique weather patterns too Being prepared for a sudden change in weather can mean the difference between an enjoyable, and a very uncomfortable ride An all weather kit should include; cold weather, wet weather or hot weather riding gear

Carrying an all weather kit as part of your gear will let you deal effectively with the unique weather patterns of the area you are riding

When you’re riding your ATV, it is best to be fully prepared. Also check out GIO Bikes for low priced dirtbikes for sale and electric scooter for sale.

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Author : Mark Etinger

The “perfect” car audio system, doesn’t always have to be the most expensive one In fact, it’s simply one that meets your needs and includes all the stuff you want – or, can afford to want There are a few basic facets you need to consider when it comes to your car audio system because it includes a few basic components First off you should consider the source – this is essentially the most important part of the car audio unit You need to first get a good head unit from a manufacture – this doesn’t necessarily HAVE to be a top brand name that everyone knows about

Also, look for a guarantee and avert companies that tell you “we’re the best in the business” Chances are someone else is the best too and they are probably cheaper than the initial business is Be sure to always look around at different stores Usually I like to keep a few different tabs open to compare prices, and if one out-beats the other one, that’s the one I’ll go with Common sense If you don’t have a lot of money to waste – forget about visuals and all the colorful displays that are available on the market right now Simply get a head that performs well, got good reviews, and will have a long lasting value

I’ve had some head units that were MORE than I could afford and they lasted me for a year tops Then, I’ve also bought on a budget, and these head units lasted for a MUCH longer time You can also get mobile video as well – this is a back seat product as well as passenger dash that allows people to watch videos and movies, television and even play video games The second component is the speakers and I find this to be the second most important part of the system! You have several different options available when it comes to sizes, power, shapes and quality Never buy a speaker system by depending on the power rating such as Peak Power, Max Power, PMPO, etc Instead, make sure you follow the Root Mean Square rating (RMS) This is going to be the equivalent of the actual power of the speakers Nothing else matters, JUST the RMS rating Next on the list is amplifiers, these are going to multiply the signals from the head unit and send a powerful and much more quality signal through the speakers in turn the amplifiers make the system sound better so this is definitely not something you want to skimp out on!

It’s important to remember that sub woofers will demand the most power out of your amps – more power should go to your sub woofers than the compounded power to your other speakers Obviously for ALL these components you are going to need a powerful power supply cord as a fundamental part of any car audio system Most of the time you can get away with a 12V DC, if you find that the car audio company you bought from includes a lower Voltage – you simply need to buy a different DC plug for your system – especially important if you have even more gadgets than the ones we listed here

A lot of people really like putting their own systems together Firstly, it allows you to really learn ALL you can about a car How it’s made, how it works, how to install stuff, it’s like one giant puzzle Second off, there is a lot of pride in installing your own car audio components It’s just a nice boost of confidence, it doesn’t matter if you are installing mobile video or car audio, I can guarantee that if you do it on your own you are going to feel much better about the situation and the time and money you spent on it!

At
www.PyleAudio.com
you can find state-of-the-art
car audio
, car stereo equipment and mobile video that will make your car go bling bling.

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