Monthly Archives: February 2010

Author : Catherine Harvey

When it comes to our carbon footprint, we are all feeling the pressure of responsibility The press is filled with scaremongering stories of us all being consumed by a deluge that only Noah’s Ark could possibly save us from if we don’t reign in our use of climate warming chemicals One of the biggest enemies of our fragile environment is, we are told, our cars and the carbon monoxide fumes that are emitted from them

However, we have come to rely endlessly on our cars and no matter how much they push up the price of fuel, no matter how much they push up tax and insurances, we complain, we compare, we shop around and still we pay out and use them So, what is the answer?

Well, it comes down to the joint responsibility of the car manufacturers to produce more eco-friendly cars and the consumer to consider and buy with the exhaust emissions in mind Hybrid cars use less fossil fuel and more electricity and have been out for some time so it is possible to find used cars for those who don’t want to buy new Manufacturers are working towards efficient and well performing all electric cars but accessibility to the masses is a little way away So, if we wish to buy a new car then the onus is on us to do the research and find one that is as environmentally friendly as possible

Each category of car will contain cars that are more or less damaging to the atmosphere City cars can be big offenders, all that stop/starting and sitting in traffic with engines running is a major cause of pollution and a big reason why cities end up with a smog above them This smog not only damages our environment but causes all types of respiratory problems in pedestrians

The Citroen C1 is the best city car with emissions from 108 This puts it at the top of its class and one that should seriously be considered if we do a lot of city driving Quite surprisingly, the Ford Ka comes bottom of the list with emissions at 147, despite the fact that people see it as a nippy little car that is easy to park in cities

The supermini category has the Seat Ibiza as its most impressive car followed by the Volkswagon Polo and Mini, all showing low emissions If it’s a small family car you are looking for the Toyota Prius is well known for its anti-climate change stance The BMW 1 Series is not far behind and this is one manufacturer who is aiming for a car in every category to give consumers the choice of high quality cars with low emissions

The executive class of cars sees the BMW 5 Series right at the top This means that style and class does not have to be compromised for looking after the very air that we breathe Mercedes have their E Class, CLS and R Class in the executive category but are still slipping behind BMW

For a truly luxurious car, the BMW 7 Series comes an impressive second place for low emissions, just behind the Audi A8 The performance sports class of vehicle holds the BMW Z4 and BMW 6 Series in quite high regard as well as Audi TT, Audi A5 and a few Mercedes BMW even have an off road vehicle – the BMW X3 that has a low emissions rating, above Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Jeep, the original kings of the off-roading scene

So, it would seem that whatever class of car we are looking for there is a wide choice that we can pick from that will not harm our environment any more than necessary, that can get us around in style and comfort and leave us with no excuse to shut our eyes to the problem

Environmental expert Catherine Harvey looks at the way BMW and other cars are making good headway towards eco-friendly transport.

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Author : Neil Lemons

Linda stares at her new Corvette, not yet fully formed It’s beautiful, but incomplete She can hardly wait to get her hands on the car She stares it up and down imagining the fun the two of them are going to have on the open road An employee at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Bowling Green, KY, invites her to sign her autograph underneath the seat before they fix it into place

Feeling famous, she gladly agrees and decides this is one of the most exciting days of her life Aiding in the birth of brand new Corvette on the Assembly Plant is a dream come true

And the privilege isn’t just reserved for Linda Any Corvette lover interested in making the journey to Bowling Green, KY, to help construct their car and who has the money to do so, can For only $350, a mere drop in the buck for most Corvette enthusiasts, you can purchase a Corvette at your local dealership and then opt to be part of the Corvette Buyer’s Plant Tour

The tour gives the you, and up to three guests, a VIP tour of the Bowling Green Assembly Plant on the day your car is being created Although there is no 100% guarantee because of plant shut downs and other unexpected events, the National Corvette Museum staff, who work in conjunction with the Assembly Plant, make every effort to get you on the Line when your Corvette is being formed

Although the car spends 36 hours winding its way through seven miles of conveyor systems, the VIP tour only lasts 3 to 5 hours But it’s well worth it The public tour of the plant alone reveals some pretty awesome things The fact that you can tour the plant where America’s sports car is made is unique all in itself As a VIP, it’s even better

Along the way, you’ll see how Corvettes are put together from the ground up Brightly colored car parts descend from the ceiling while Corvette frames meet at the bottom, waiting for the “marriage ” And while you are there, your tour guide will tell you some rather interesting history and fun facts about the Corvette

To add to this ultimate experience, like Linda, you may get to help assemble some parts of the car Plant workers are known to let you adhere the tires, fill up the gas tank, and assemble certain parts

The most exciting part? Giving birth to your new Corvette, otherwise known as, starting the Corvette for the first time when it’s completely finished It’s like being a being a proud parent showing off their newborn for the first time

Neil Lemons represents Corvette Gear USA, a leading retailer of officially licensed C5 & C6 leather accessories. For more information on Corvette merchandise and Corvette stuff visit http://www.corvettegearusa.com.

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Author : Tony Hill

It’s one of the most popular choices for a first car, so why is the Vauxhall Corsa such a popular choice among young people?

In many ways the Corsa is the perfect choice for learner drivers and teens looking for their first car It falls into the low-insurance group and low tax band which makes it a good choice economically This is often a major factor when young people choose a car as insurance quotes can be sky high – particularly for teenage boys

The fact that The British School of Motoring (BSM) also use the Corsa as their vehicle of choice for teaching learner drivers suggests that Vauxhall must be doing something right

Undoubtedly the economical benefits make the Corsa a suitable and perhaps obvious choice for a driving school and therefore other factors may be overlooked Nevertheless the Corsa’s steady bodywork and light handling make it an excellent choice for learner drivers

The Corsa’s stylish exterior makes it aesthetically pleasing and it will no doubt appeal to the many new drivers looking for their first set of wheels The sporty three-door version will be the more popular of the two with young drivers, but the five-door is just as stylish

The jet black paintwork seems to be a popular choice and oozes coolness which will obviously be an important factor when teens choose their car and set out to impress their mates

The light-handling will also be a decisive factor when choosing a car for a teen as they will want to have a pleasurable and effortless driving experience The spacious interior also means that they can fill the back seats and boot up with their junk!

There is also a great choice of body styles and trims to choose from in the brand new Corsa range They range from the Corsa Life to the top of the range VXR featuring 17inch alloy wheels, low-profile tyres, a CD player with MP3 format and sports seats which will undoubtedly appeal to the young-driver market – if they can afford one!

The infamous C’Mon Corsa marketing campaign may also have something to do with the popularity of the “hot hatch” The knitted dolls that feature in the adverts proved so popular at one time they completely sold out

In a competitive market the Corsa always seems to come out well which is largely testament to its popularity with young-drivers

Tony is an online marketer and writer. He is currently researching the new Vauxhall Corsa

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Author : Daniel Millions

The Yamaha Raider Motorcycle is an excellent motorcycle with a cool look and it offers a powerful experience to bikers The Yamaha Raider has it all: style, power and the ability to be customized by owners

When the Yamaha Raider Motorcycle is compared to the Victory Kingpin 8-Ball and Kawasaki Versys, the Yamaha Raider comes out on top The Victory Kingpin 8-Ball is a black motorcycle with much style It does trade some of its practicality for the great stylish look The blackened Kingpin 8-Ball is set low with fins, black wheels and steering bar The Kingpin 8-Ball looks like it could be in the movies since its black styling gives it much presence

The 692 pound Kingpin 8-Ball is a big bike but not a monster It can be handled on the road relatively easily for a few hours The single rider does feel some windblast on their body and legs, which can feel as though it is pushing the rider’s feet off the foot boards

The seat is well padded but small There is no passenger seat which means that all Kingpin 8-Ball riders go solo on their bike trips There is also a noticeable lack of accessories for the Kingpin 8-Ball Riders may want to carry a backpack since the bag that is available is small

Also, dealer support for the bike not as prolific as it is for other motorcycles Before you buy this bike, you will need to find a dealership for parts, maintenance and repair in your area or later, you may be kicking yourself when the nearest dealer is several hundred miles away and you can’t ride your bike

Kawasaki describes its Versys motorcycle as the “Jack of all trades” The name of Kawasaki’s Versys is meant to represent two words: versatility and system The name may point out the main problem with the Versys The bike tries to be something to everyone and may lose some desirability in the effort For instance, the look of the bike is like a cross between small sport bike and a larger motorcycle The result is a shortened vehicle that looks like just a day tripper and not a long haul motorcycle

The Kawasaki Versys weighs only 454 pounds, which makes it easy to maneuver in tight turns The bike is not designed for off road trips and is more suited to rides in town instead The thinly padded seat is placed 33 1 inches above the ground which may make it inaccessible to short legged riders The thin seat can be uncomfortable to stay on for hours at a time The small windshield is functional for the driver but the passenger will be subjected to windblast since the passenger sits well above the driver

The Yamaha Raider motorcycle offers style, ease of use and practicality to its owners The bike has a customized style that makes it appear that it is ready to blast off with its heavier front end with a high mounted gas tank and smaller back end with low profile rear tire

The Yamaha Raider weight 792 pounds and is a comfortable ride from all aspects It is a big bike with a powerful engine that revs to its owner’s delight The Raider is ready for rides in town and has some off road capabilities The Raider can be used for long distance trips with its thickly padded seat with passenger room Owners have a full line of accessories for customizing their bike The Raider is customizable, powerful, useful in different situation when compared to the Kingpin 8-Ball and the Versys

If you are a motorcycle fan then there is no denying that the Yamaha Raider is in a league of it’s own. Unique lines, power and the ability to mod make it a dream to own.

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Author : Victor Epand

We are all aware of the serious problems with the Stryker MGS, but now that Stryker Brigades have entered combat, and peace stabilization work in Iraq, a number of observations have been made

They are a hell of a lot safer than being in a light armored jeep They can handle rifle and machine rounds Smaller IED and personnel mines handled without too much difficulty

However, they cannot take the punishment that the M2 Bradley can handle Even with SLAT armor, they have fallen prey when multiple RPG are fired at them They are reportedly also taking a lot of damage in the wheel areas of the vehicles, whereas the tracked M2 would brush them off, keep on moving, and fighting

Considering the foregoing, do you think the Stryker will be relegated a lesser position in the new modular army, with the M2 being put back into the spotlight I note that to date I haven’t seen much about the speed of the Stryker being of much use in convoy or patrol duties, which makes one wonder if the think-tanks are hashing this over in terms of light mobility that can’t handle RPG’s let alone larger munitions

The M2/M3 has shown that they can take more damage, sure, but they’re still vulnerable to RPGs The other thing that surprised me is that Stryker’s tend to do better when hit in the wheel areas than Bradley’s; the RPG detonates when it hits the tires, meaning it disables the vehicle but doesn’t punch through the armor, while the same hit wouldn’t necessarily disable the Bradley but it’d kill everybody inside I’ll ride in the Stryker

Also, the Stryker was never meant to lead an assault when there was real armor available; it’s supposed to deploy quickly like the 82nd did in 1990 for the Gulf War, and then it’s good for peacekeeping stuff, plus it’s a good platform for middle echelon forces

The Stryker’s have done pretty good in Mosul with 1-24 INF I saw that had been hit by a car bomb, the only thing really wrong with it was the tyranny made some funny noises and it needed some new tires and a paint job

One item that the Stryker units in Iraq wish they had “the day before” is the version with the 105mm cannon But because of problems with the autoloader it’s IOC has been pushed back to 2008 or 2009 For the life of me I can not figure out why the US Army does not buy some of those off the shelf 105mm two man conventional turrets (Cadillac Gage has them in production for export orders) and fit them to Stryker’s for Iraq till the overhead turret version is available

Yes, the TOW bunker buster is “some what” filling that role (i e electrical wires cause problems in urban warfare), but all the commanders say a conventional cannon is needed NOW And in fact the conventional turret 105mm is much better for the type of warfare that the US Army is now engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan (i e the turret commander can acquire targets and direct fire better) The only clear cut advantage that the overhead turret has is in the tank destroyer role

Finally, if the US Army bought a batch of conventional 105mm turrets for an interim solution, after the overhead turret version is fielded those turrets could be removed and easily sold on the world export market

One of the problems with the Stryker MGS is that some people tried to make them a tank replacement They could have gotten away with a vehicle with more firepower over the 25-40mm cannon, with something like the Canadian Cougar with its short 76mm gun, and had no problems with shooting it However, that would have brought into question the disparity between the 105-120mm guns on tanks

I have no problems with light armored forces, after all that is what I served in, however the Rumsfeld’s of the world, and lord knows we have our share of them up here, had an agenda and nothing was going to change their ideology, even if lives were lost For me and I’d suggest many others that is the bottom line

It also brings into question the thought processes that the Stryker’s would not be in frontline combat as this would be left to tanks and heavier armor in the way of the M2 and M3, but they somehow forgot how insurgency fighting can be as dangerous as frontline duty Convoys with weaker armor can still cost lives, just as frontline combat can and in Iraq that never ending lesson is played out far too often

One of the other posters said something important, IMHO, that these types of vehicles have a place for base security patrols, true peacekeeping where the belligerents want you there as a buffer force, but otherwise this use of Stryker’s in a combat zone has to be rethought Maybe with newer Stryker’s that have added armor this situation will improve I know that they have done pretty good in Iraq and in Afghanistan

In prior conflicts Canadian troops lost their legs, and sometimes lives due to the inherit weakness in the M-113 APC, with the wheels and bottom protection doing what they are supposed to do, and that is all to the good side of the equation However, without added armor protection that benefit is lost and also the nonsense about making them air transportable No way with the added armor

Makes one think again that both Lockheed-Martin and Boeing have missed the boat in not creating a successor to the Herc, and why the A400M Airbus with its superior payload capacity while still having the same take off and landing requirements of a Herc will win the day in many purchases from NATO countries

Unproven yes, but if it does succeed, LM’s lead in the medium military lift field will be extinguished

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for http://www.CombatCloth.info/. CombatCloth.info carries the best selection of combat clothing, gear, and accessories on the market.

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Author : Brian Knapp

Most people who buy trucks don’t use them to haul things In fact, most times you see a truck driving down the road it isn’t hauling anything You usually see a truck being treated more like a passenger vehicle If you are one of those people that drives a truck like a car, but you think trucks look cool because they are big and powerful, a gas truck would probably make more sense for you

In fact, General Motors has developed a technology that makes your gas engine truck save a ton of fuel What it does is it turns off half of the cylinders while the power isn’t being utilized, like when the truck is running at highway speeds It can effectively turn an eight cylinder engine into a four cylinder engine The fuel savings turns out to be quite significant using this system

However, if you wish to use your truck for real work such as towing, you value fuel economy and want a very powerful, dependable vehicle diesel would likely be a better choice for you While the price to buy a diesel truck might be higher, the lifetime cost of the vehicle might actually be lower

In diesel vehicles the different vehicle manufacturers offer very different options, engines, and value Most diesel trucks come in the three quarter ton size, heavy duty truck

Dodge offers the 2500 and 3500 Ram Heavy Duty trucks These are the two larger models in the Dodge Ram family Dodge promised more powerful engines for the 2500/3500 platform and they delivered on that promise The base engine is the 5 7 liter gasoline V-8 that is both very powerful and revives the Hemi name

Ford helped make the three quarter ton and one ton truck market as popular as it is today They did this by introducing larger, heavy duty diesel trucks Before 1994, heavy duty diesel engines in most trucks were built poorly and were no match for comparable gas engines

From 1994 to 2002, over seventy percent of super duty Fords were sold with the optional 7 3 liter V-8 diesel engine That helped Ford dominate the heavy duty truck market and put them in the position that they are today, as a market leader

Over the years, diesel trucks proved to be efficient in terms of gas mileage, have excellent power for towing, and are much cheaper in long term maintenance costs Since diesel engines don’t use spark plugs, they don’t require the frequent tune-ups that gasoline engines do

If you want a long lasting truck that can tow a big load and has better gas mileage, a diesel truck can be a fantastic truck for you

Brian is a writer and car enthusiast always looking for a great deal on a Camaro for sale. His favorite is a 1969 Camaro convertible. You can read more at http://www.camaroforsale.org/blog/

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Author : Mark Etinger

Upgrading the audio system of your car is a great way to try to get the most out of your vehicle Comfort and luxury while riding in your vehicle is one of the most important traits about your car, and having a good sound system is definitely an important aspect of that Upgrading your audio does not necessarily have to be a pricey endeavor — it all depends on whether or not you want to just add some car audio amplifiers or a massive surround sound unit

A great thing about upgrading is that you will have your own top quality mobile audio system Wherever you go, you can take this portable system with you, always ready to blow you away with top quality sound

Here is some advice for the next time you find yourself buying a car audio system:

Take note of the size of your ride It might be great to buy a super-sized car audio subwoofer, but if would be a big problem if you could not fit it into the interior of your car When adding speakers, look at your car and determine where you want to put them If possible, you may want to get some professional advice as well

Factor in your budget How much money you have to spend will determine both the performance specs of your audio as well as the brand Preferably, you should try to find a reputable brand that you can trust for your car audio speaker system, and any car audio woofer or amplifier you may have

Find a good store If you are looking to purchase your audio upgrade online, make sure you find a good website to buy from You may want to look at different forums for customer reviews before making your purchase

Unpack your new system carefully Be sure you check all the parts to be sure that nothing is damaged or missing If you find any device that is missing or not functioning properly, contact the seller and return the part as soon as possible

Have the installation done right Now you may want to try to install your new audio system yourself, but I would highly recommend that you invest in some professional help Unless you are a very electronic savvy person with experience in audio upgrading, you will probably end up with a mess of wires and multiple holes in your car It is almost always smarter to just find a car audio shop and have them do it for you

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

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Author : John Myre

Suzy loved her compact car It was easy to maintain, efficient, and very maneuverable It was small, like her She could settle into the driver’s seat and feel the little car almost wrap around her

She felt in total control When she hit the ice patch that winter morning, she lost control, however The car turned over, rolled three times and pinned Suzy into the steering wheel, inflicting fatal injuries on the young woman

The strengths of her little car had become its greatest weakness

There are many reasons people buy small cars For all their advantages, however, small cars generally absorb more force in a collision than a heavier car According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, people in small cars are injured more often and more severely than those in larger vehicles

Still, like Suzy, many of us maintain our love affairs with our small cars The challenge for drivers is to make up in safety awareness what their vehicle may lack in size and weight

See And Be Seen

In a small car, you are up to nine inches lower than the driver of a large car Barriers, medians, curbs, guard rails, and roadway obstacles may make it harder for the drivers of small cars to see and be seen

Most accidents involving small cars actually occur because drivers of large vehicles have trouble seeing the small car Here are a few suggestions to help you compensate for your disadvantage:

* Realize that because you are closer to the ground, your range of vision is limited You will also catch more glare off the road at night and in wet weather

* Exert caution and respect for those things you cannot see If your vision is restricted in any way, slow down!

* Leave a “cushion of space” between you and other vehicles Your purpose is to defend yourself from the dangers around you

* Drive with your lights on during the daylight hours, especially in inclement weather

* Do not ride alongside or behind larger vehicles You are likely to fall into their blind spot

* Try to keep your car where it is visible in the rear view mirror of cars ahead of you

* Keep in mind that dark colors, such as black, dark green, or brown, are less visible than bright colors

* If you think a larger vehicle does not see you, flash your headlights on and off, or honk your horn

You Win With Defense

* When purchasing a car, pay special attention to safety features

* Always wear your safety belt According to the National Safety Council, lap and shoulder belts reduce the risk of fatal injury to front seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent, and reduce the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 50 percent

* Do not drive aggressively Resist the temptation to weave or slip through tight spaces, even if you think you can

* Sudden changes of wind can greatly affect control of a small car Such changes can occur when passing or being passed by larger vehicles, or when driving on stretches of highway open to wind gusts Grip the steering wheel at 9 and 3 o’clock and move to the far side of your lane, away from the larger vehicle This applies to windy conditions as well

* Use the side and rear view mirrors constantly Know what is behind, beside, and ahead of your car at all times

Highway Tips

Most small cars do not have the engine power of large vehicles, and most highways in the United States have been engineered for larger cars With that in mind:

* Small cars must accelerate rapidly on the entrance ramp to a highway Don’t wait until you reach the expressway

* For that same reason, allow plenty of distance and time when passing a vehicle, or merging

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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