tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86722258448483851492024-03-20T16:47:44.839+07:00Auto Gearhead | All Information About AutomotiveAll information about automotive, ranging from engine, technology, history, tips and others. Informative articles on this site take a closer look at things you need to know about Automotive.AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-14507204882972587132022-02-04T14:44:00.000+07:002022-02-04T14:44:05.128+07:00Pros and Cons of Electric Cars (EV)<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><h2><b>What are the pros and cons of electric cars?</b></h2><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">For car drivers looking for a low maintenance alternative to their gas-powered car, electric cars offer many advantages. However, if you are worried about not being able to commit to charging your car, you might want to stick with your gas car for now.</div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><br /></div></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">In this article, we will focus purely on the pros and cons of all-electric cars. The electric car has gone mainstream with sleeker, more affordable options to choose from. Because electric car models are newer than their gas-powered counterparts, many consumers are unaware of their options aside from the many recently announced carmakers going all-electric. </div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-vtOcFWDwmcWVhk6SiA8g2wOzXASY-cgxqmotoZhndERF7bvzmdr4shr8ezXmSxOiWTz0shOsaJRYrpY5LN2UOXzuKVxzxhUstY5a_wtckEFwsE7XYQ4_klmgIpBM2Jvmh3iWpjIE2JV2AdueyrsOlymVsQUJZAre0aAKYA_paL67_gcByhngV6gnwA=s612" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-vtOcFWDwmcWVhk6SiA8g2wOzXASY-cgxqmotoZhndERF7bvzmdr4shr8ezXmSxOiWTz0shOsaJRYrpY5LN2UOXzuKVxzxhUstY5a_wtckEFwsE7XYQ4_klmgIpBM2Jvmh3iWpjIE2JV2AdueyrsOlymVsQUJZAre0aAKYA_paL67_gcByhngV6gnwA=s16000" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of a charging electric car. iStock</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h3><b>Pros of electric cars </b></h3><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><b>Lower ongoing costs </b></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">Recharging an electric car is much more affordable in the long run as opposed to refueling a gas-fueled car. </div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">This is especially true when taking into account the fact that you can recharge your electric car at home and get tax benefits from installing a solar powered carport or using solar panels for your electricity.</div><a name='more'></a><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><br /></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><b>Reduce carbon footprint </b></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">According to the EPA, one traditional gas-fueled passenger vehicle with a 22-miles per gallon range emits an average of 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. </div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><br /></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">Non-hybrid electric cars emit zero tons of CO2 or other greenhouse gases, making them much more environmentally friendly. Charging electric cars with renewable energy, like solar, ensures no CO2 is emitted at any phase of your vehicle use. </div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><br /></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><b>Low maintenance needs </b></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">Mechanical engines have a lot of moving parts, including pumps and valves, along with fluids that need changing. Think frequent oil changes - which electric cars don't have. </div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><br /></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">Because electric vehicles don’t have as many components that need replacing, less maintenance is necessary. Electric cars also generally last longer than their gas-powered counterparts because of less wear and tear.</div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><br /></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><b>High-quality performance </b></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">Because there is no exhaust system, electric cars are known for operating smoothly and quietly. Electric crossover and SUV models are much quieter than traditional gas engines, which leads to less noise pollution and a more relaxing ride. Electric motors also tend to react much quicker than mechanical engines, providing more torque and agility while driving. </div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><br /></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">Additionally, electric cars usually operate more efficiently and use less energy in stop-and-go city traffic.</div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><br /></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><b>More convenient </b></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">A lot of people mistakenly think that electric cars are more inconvenient since you have to find charging stations, which aren’t as easy to find as gas stations. </div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><br /></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">But the ability to charge electric models at home is a great advantage, and more charging stations are popping up around the country every week, for both Tesla models and other brands. Some newer electric cars even have voice-enabled systems so all you have to do is ask where a charging station is and the car will lead you there.</div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><br /></div><h3>Cons of electric cars </h3><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">Although electric cars have more than their share of advantages, it's worth noting that they are not without their drawbacks. The following are a few of the disadvantages of electric cars:</div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><br /></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><b>Finding charging stations can be challenging </b></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">Even though you can charge an electric vehicle at home, finding a charging station if you're driving through rural areas or on a long-distance road trip can be a challenge. As noted above, more areas are embracing EV charging stations and numerous hotel chains have started to include EV chargers in their parking lots. This trend will continue as demand for charging stations increases.</div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><br /></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><b>Charging can take a while</b></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">Adding gas to a fuel tank doesn't take much longer than five minutes, whereas recharging an electric car can take some time to do, especially if the battery is fully depleted. </div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">It can take upwards of two days to get a full charge on a battery pack using normal outlets, depending on car type and battery size. Even the fastest charging stations will take 30 minutes to get near 80 percent capacity.</div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><br /></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><b>The driving range is limited </b></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">The driving range of a gas-powered car is much longer than that of an electric car, which can range anywhere from 100 miles to 400 depending on the type of car. </div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">This can be problematic if you're planning a long-distance trip, but it should be fine for daily commutes if you charge your car nightly.</div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><br /></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><b>High initial costs </b></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">Although the cost of an electric car can be offset by fuel cost savings and tax credits, the upfront price of most electric cars is higher than that of comparable gas-powered vehicles.</div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><br /></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><b>Battery packs can be expensive to replace </b></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">Although little maintenance is generally needed, don't be surprised if you need to replace your electric car's battery pack at least once during its lifetime. Doing so can be expensive, although it's worth noting that the price has dropped significantly over the past few years.</div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style"><br /></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">Reference: <a href="https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/10-pros-and-cons-of-electric-cars" target="_blank">solarreviews.com</a></div><div></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style">
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</script>AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-6948487912673707542013-12-19T01:17:00.000+07:002013-12-24T17:05:27.994+07:00Octane Rating or Octane Number<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6r8U_cD8e1xm62OHVVGVncBvNaM-4L7E3OUDQl0j1Ws93llQQMmD5S140L9fF3Mk3NE_yM049-Irvc67hMjOJf03BSY5SHsKca1IgVWghhKle0MQO6Sy5R0s5id_n8bxQ3VVLLDrTflv/s1600/Octane_Ratings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6r8U_cD8e1xm62OHVVGVncBvNaM-4L7E3OUDQl0j1Ws93llQQMmD5S140L9fF3Mk3NE_yM049-Irvc67hMjOJf03BSY5SHsKca1IgVWghhKle0MQO6Sy5R0s5id_n8bxQ3VVLLDrTflv/s320/Octane_Ratings.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture: wikimedia</td></tr>
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Octane rating or octane number is a standard measure of the anti-knock properties (i.e. the performance) of a motor or aviation fuel. The higher the octane number, the more compression the fuel can withstand before detonating. In broad terms, fuels with a higher octane rating are used in high-compression engines that generally have higher performance.<br />
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Octane is a hydrocarbon liquid that is used as a reference standard to describe the tendency of gasoline, petrol, or benzin fuels to self ignite during compression prior to the desired position of the piston in the cylinder as appropriate for valve and ignition timing. The problem of premature ignition is referred to as pre-ignition and also as engine knock, which is a sound that is made when the fuel ignites too early in the compression stroke.<br />
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Severe knock causes severe engine damage, such as broken connecting rods, melted pistons, melted or broken valves and other components. The octane rating is a measure of how likely a gasoline or liquid petroleum fuel is to self ignite. The higher the number, the less likely an engine is to pre-ignite and suffer damage.<br />
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The most typically used engine management systems found in automobiles today monitor the level of knock that is being produced by the fuel being used. In modern computer controlled engines, the timing of the ignition will be automatically altered by the fuel management system to reduce the pre-ignition to an acceptable level.<br />
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The octane rating of gasoline is measured in a test engine and is defined by comparison with the mixture of 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (iso-octane) and heptane that would have the same anti-knocking capacity as the fuel under test: the percentage, by volume, of 2,2,4-trimethylpentane in that mixture is the octane number of the fuel. For example, petrol with the same knocking characteristics as a mixture of 90% iso-octane and 10% heptane would have an octane rating of 90.[1] A rating of 90 does not mean that the petrol contains just iso-octane and heptane in these proportions, but that it has the same detonation resistance properties. Because some fuels are more knock-resistant than iso-octane, the definition has been extended to allow for octane numbers higher than 100.<br />
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Octane rating does not relate to the energy content of the fuel (see heating value). It is only a measure of the fuel's tendency to burn in a controlled manner, rather than exploding in an uncontrolled manner. Where the octane number is raised by blending in ethanol, energy content per volume is reduced.<br />
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It is possible for a fuel to have a Research Octane Number (RON) greater than 100, because iso-octane is not the most knock-resistant substance available. Racing fuels, avgas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and alcohol fuels such as methanol may have octane ratings of 110 or significantly higher. Typical "octane booster" gasoline additives include MTBE, ETBE, isooctane and toluene. Lead in the form of tetra-ethyl lead was once a common additive, but since the 1970s, its use in most of the industrialised world has been restricted, and its use is currently limited mostly to aviation gasoline.<br />
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<h3>
Research Octane Number (RON)</h3>
The most common type of octane rating worldwide is the Research Octane Number (RON). RON is determined by running the fuel in a test engine with a variable compression ratio under controlled conditions, and comparing the results with those for mixtures of iso-octane and n-heptane.<br />
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Effects of Octane Rating</h4>
Higher octane ratings correlate to higher activation energies: This being the amount of applied energy required to initiate combustion. Since higher octane fuels have higher activation energy requirements, it is less likely that a given compression will cause uncontrolled ignition, otherwise known as autoignition or detonation.<br />
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It might seem odd that fuels with higher octane ratings are used in more powerful engines, since such fuels ignite less easily. However, detonation is undesirable in a spark ignition engine, and is signified by audible "pinging" or in more extreme cases "knock".<br />
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A fuel with a higher octane rating can be burnt in an engine with a high compression ratio without causing detonation, as such fuels are less prone to detonation. Compression is directly related to power and to thermodynamic efficiency (see engine tuning), so engines that require a higher octane fuel usually develop more motive power and therefore do more work in relation to the calorific value of the fuel (BTU) being used. Power output is a function of the properties of the fuel used, as well as the design of the engine itself, and is related to octane rating of the fuel. Power is limited by the maximum amount of fuel-air mixture that can be brought into the combustion chamber. When the throttle is partly open, only a small fraction of the total available power is produced because the manifold is operating at pressures far below that of the external atmosphere (depression). In this case, the octane requirement is far lower than when the throttle is opened fully and the manifold pressure increases to almost that of the external atmosphere, or higher in the case of forced induction engines (See supercharged or turbocharged engines).<br />
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Many high-performance engines are designed to operate with a high maximum compression, and thus demand fuels of higher octane. A common misconception is that power output or fuel efficiency can be improved by burning fuel of higher octane than that specified by the engine manufacturer. The power output of an engine depends in part on the energy density of the fuel being burnt. Fuels of different octane ratings may have similar densities, but because switching to a higher octane fuel does not add more hydrocarbon content or oxygen, the engine cannot develop more power.<br />
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However, burning fuel with a lower octane rating than that for which the engine is designed often results in a reduction of power output and efficiency. Many modern engines are equipped with a knock sensor (a small piezoelectric microphone), which sends a signal to the engine control unit, which in turn retards the ignition timing when detonation is detected. Retarding the ignition timing reduces the tendency of the fuel-air mixture to detonate, but also reduces power output and fuel efficiency. Because of this, under conditions of high load and high temperature, a given engine may have a more consistent power output with a higher octane fuel, as such fuels are less prone to detonation. Some modern high performance engines are actually optimized for higher than pump premium (93 AKI in the US). The 2001 - 2007 BMW M3 with the S54 engine is one such car. Car and Driver magazine tested a car using a dynamometer, and found that the power output increased as the AKI was increased up to approximately 96 AKI.<br />
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Most fuel filling stations have two storage tanks (even those offering 3 or 4 octane levels): those motorists who purchase intermediate grade fuels are given a mixture of higher and lower octane fuels. "Premium" grade is fuel of higher octane, and the minimum grade sold is fuel of lower octane. Purchasing 91 octane fuel (where offered) simply means that more fuel of higher octane is blended with commensurately less fuel of lower octane, than when purchasing a lower grade. The detergents and other additives in the fuel are often, but not always, identical.<br />
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The octane rating was developed by chemist Russell Marker at the Ethyl Corporation in 1926. The selection of n-heptane as the zero point of the scale was due to its availability in high purity. Other isomers of heptane produced from crude oil have greatly different ratings.AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-36446731446224834312012-09-18T13:22:00.000+07:002012-09-18T13:22:43.889+07:00What is Nitrous Oxide System or NOS and How Does It Make The Car Go So Fast? <br />
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If you've watched the new 'Fast & Furious' movie maybe you've noticed that just like the first one 'The Fast and the Furious' you keep seeing those blue NOS bottles. So what is Nitrous Oxide or NOS and how does it make the car go so fast?<br />
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What is Nitrous? Simply put, Nitrous (N2O) creates large amounts of horsepower by creating more oxygen in the engines combustion chamber while simultaneously introducing additional fuel. The added oxygen allows the additional fuel to burn which creates increased horsepower for short bursts of torque and speed.
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In applications for vehicle racing, nitrous oxide (often referred to as just "nitrous") allows the engine to burn more fuel by providing more oxygen than air alone, resulting in a more powerful combustion. The gas itself is not flammable at a low pressure/temperature, but it delivers more oxygen than atmospheric air by breaking down at elevated temperatures. Therefore, it is often mixed with another fuel that is easier to deflagrate.<br />
Nitrous oxide is stored as a compressed liquid; the evaporation and expansion of liquid nitrous oxide in the intake manifold causes a large drop in intake charge temperature, resulting in a denser charge, further allowing more air/fuel mixture to enter the cylinder. Nitrous oxide is sometimes injected into (or prior to) the intake manifold, whereas other systems directly inject right before the cylinder (direct port injection) to increase power.<br />
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The technique was used during World War II by Luftwaffe aircraft with the GM-1 system to boost the power output of aircraft engines. Originally meant to provide the Luftwaffe standard aircraft with superior high-altitude performance, technological considerations limited its use to extremely high altitudes. Accordingly, it was only used by specialized planes like high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, high-speed bombers, and high-altitude interceptor aircraft.<br />
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One of the major problems of using nitrous oxide in a reciprocating engine is that it can produce enough power to damage or destroy the engine. Very large power increases are possible, and if the mechanical structure of the engine is not properly reinforced, the engine may be severely damaged or destroyed during this kind of operation. It is very important with nitrous oxide augmentation of internal combustion engines to maintain proper operating temperatures and fuel levels to prevent "preignition", or "detonation" (sometimes referred to as "knock"). Most problems that are associated with nitrous do not come from mechanical failure due to the power increases. Since nitrous allows a much denser charge into the cylinder it dramatically increases cylinder pressures. The increased pressure and temperature can cause problems such as melting the piston or valves. It may also crack or warp the piston or head and cause preignition due to uneven heating.<br />
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Automotive-grade liquid nitrous oxide differs slightly from medical-grade nitrous oxide. A small amount of sulfur dioxide (SO2) is added to prevent substance abuse.[29] Multiple washes through a base (such as sodium hydroxide) can remove this, decreasing the corrosive properties observed when SO2 is further oxidized during combustion into sulfuric acid, making emissions cleaner<br />
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Watch this interactive video and learn more than you ever thought you'd know about Nitrous Oxide.<br />
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Source: en.wikipedia.org + boxwrench.net<br />
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Credit World War II for making cars that can swim. And though the largest numbers of amphibian passenger cars were made way back in the 1960s, the prospect of a car that can navigate waterways like a boat continues to attract inventors.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Amphicar</span>
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Amphicar<br />
Even though less than 5000 German-designed Amphicars were built, you can still see them. Most came to America and many are still in use.<br />
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The Amphicar was built for five years starting in 1961; it was a compact convertible with a steel unibody and double seals on the doors. Using a 1.2-liter four-cylinder Triumph engine mounted in the rear, it drove the rear wheels through a Porsche transaxle. A transfer case switched power to two 12-inch propellers when you entered the water. With 11 inches of ground clearance, entering a lake or river was easy, and the Amphicar would cruise at 8 knots. The front wheels served as rudders. Top speed on the highway for the 43-hp car was 70 mph.<br />
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To publicize the car, the company once drove it across the English Channel. Legend has it that President Lyndon Johnson liked to terrify joyriding houseguests by pretending that his car's brakes had broken and driving the Amphicar into a lake.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSP0BNuaJ3jqjdjxS2CCRo67KpcWwfVClFbnj_oAZjptRFIdZdPcUrkJk6B9D17gtcERzlF63TQXpnrKAkKANRKk7dUDCAG-gmlzcZa5n2oL7wLLO1ixPGhBCdsxJAqskyBMBxfOPwlrXV/s1600/Gibbs+Aquada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSP0BNuaJ3jqjdjxS2CCRo67KpcWwfVClFbnj_oAZjptRFIdZdPcUrkJk6B9D17gtcERzlF63TQXpnrKAkKANRKk7dUDCAG-gmlzcZa5n2oL7wLLO1ixPGhBCdsxJAqskyBMBxfOPwlrXV/s320/Gibbs+Aquada.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Gibbs Aquada</span>
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Gibbs Aquada<br />
Alan Gibbs of New Zealand commissioned British automaker Lotus in 1996 to undertake an engineering viability study for an amphibious car. Neil Jenkins, who helped build the Jaguar XJ220, contributed to the clever frame and body/hull design; he now runs Gibbs Sports Amphibians, which announced this year it is beginning to work on producing the Aquada.<br />
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The Gibbs will come with hydraulically retractable wheels on struts. A single 165-hp 2.5-liter Rover four-cylinder engine will power the rear wheels and also a jet pump drive for marine travel. That engine will get the 4000-pound plastic-hull aluminum-framed Aquada to 100 mph on land and 30 mph in the water. A prototype crossed the English Channel in 40 minutes in 2004.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFiYZzgbwEzeiV43Sg-L543T2P26UTCwJv1hFl0Lr3yr3o1U5ZibmnO-GI39FBjbwRh-Na1O_Oz0FSE4H62GqUydm2pR-xgOq2nlfsFPy7WIIgedwkyOIT1Nl1TGVXN64MUcD7aelMibt/s1600/amphibious-cars-VW+Schwimmwagen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFiYZzgbwEzeiV43Sg-L543T2P26UTCwJv1hFl0Lr3yr3o1U5ZibmnO-GI39FBjbwRh-Na1O_Oz0FSE4H62GqUydm2pR-xgOq2nlfsFPy7WIIgedwkyOIT1Nl1TGVXN64MUcD7aelMibt/s320/amphibious-cars-VW+Schwimmwagen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">VW Schwimmwagen</span>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
VW Schwimmwagen<br />
VW Beetle creator Ferdinand Porsche produced the four-wheel-drive Kübelwagen for the German Army in WWII. He then made an amphibious version of it in 1941, followed by a smaller version of the first amphibious car called the Schwimmwagen. It was powered by a 1.2-liter air-cooled flat four, which also drove a single propeller. The amphibious car used the front wheels as rudders when in the water. On land, the propeller would swing up, disengaging it from the engine. The Schwimmwagen was heavy and slow but had good traction off-road.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcQNQ9grnBfbzzn7jUUpBLFbvZhPHs3M8yfmNjByuewsKDiAM6BF1LvQxbWgz-m9d48jxNvgvSJNAru34Qvy0p4TXVpHZ89GlpkfDfZl5BDPr3XyoUTT2BMnPLR6yxynPM1zv9Ju_IzTm/s1600/amphibious-cars-U.S.+Army+DUKW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcQNQ9grnBfbzzn7jUUpBLFbvZhPHs3M8yfmNjByuewsKDiAM6BF1LvQxbWgz-m9d48jxNvgvSJNAru34Qvy0p4TXVpHZ89GlpkfDfZl5BDPr3XyoUTT2BMnPLR6yxynPM1zv9Ju_IzTm/s320/amphibious-cars-U.S.+Army+DUKW.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">U.S. Army DUKW</span>
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</tbody></table>
<br />
U.S. Army DUKW<br />
GM built the DUKW, called Duck when it was produced, for the U.S. military in 1942. It was adapted from a troop-carrier truck. The awkward name came from GM's official designations: D meant the 1942 model year, U stood for utility, K was GM's code for front-drive, and W was the code for two rear axles.<br />
<br />
The DUKW's capacity was 5000 pounds or 25 soldiers. It'd do 50 mph on land or 5 mpg in the water. George Patton made the vehicle famous by using 1000 DUKWs to land in Sicily in 1943; 2000 participated in the D-Day landing in France in 1944.<br />
<br />
In sum, GM built 21,000 Ducks. Today the amphibious cars are mostly seen giving aquatic tours. Milwaukeean Melvin H. Flath bought a surplus DUKW and charged 50 cents for tours in 1946; now tour companies in various cities use a couple hundred of the vehicles.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5f6T7ZP6GEzVugKUuMJ0Ux5z_a2pgNu8nD4H73wG9xuF9QAcyt-CqPfiwUvwJTp-0nE5e3TDzKo3Oa__L_f8GX4wGGNnO46gCHECiRSDhvue5EG_ie_GuEpdQ8ihO8JpiGfGBRZ995WoD/s1600/amphibious-cars-Terra+Wind+Motorhome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5f6T7ZP6GEzVugKUuMJ0Ux5z_a2pgNu8nD4H73wG9xuF9QAcyt-CqPfiwUvwJTp-0nE5e3TDzKo3Oa__L_f8GX4wGGNnO46gCHECiRSDhvue5EG_ie_GuEpdQ8ihO8JpiGfGBRZ995WoD/s320/amphibious-cars-Terra+Wind+Motorhome.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Terra Wind Motorhome</span>
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<br />
Terra Wind Motorhome<br />
In September 2004, commercial pilot John Giljam built an amphibious motor home that cost $1.2 million and was 42 feet long. Powered by a rear-mounted 330-hp diesel engine, the all-aluminum bodied home on wheels uses two propellers and two rudders when it's floating. It has two inflatable pontoons on its sides for stability but can travel on water without them. Giljam now builds other amphibious machines through a company called Cool Amphibious Manufacturers International, which also builds DUKW-type vehicles for tour companies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2WEjVBgHd8FyXp1f-PEDPgblEaBi8jicjZv3e6dirRII-1RuFsHRf8VgjKr7dr5wvapbB8etIYhyphenhyphenDoaMxVg-Mstc_yFa8fHPeNtgRjvzhMHSxsj9Xfex4YprNkP1FCD-0oYF7uit31bz/s1600/Dobbertin+Surface+Orbiter-amphibious-cars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2WEjVBgHd8FyXp1f-PEDPgblEaBi8jicjZv3e6dirRII-1RuFsHRf8VgjKr7dr5wvapbB8etIYhyphenhyphenDoaMxVg-Mstc_yFa8fHPeNtgRjvzhMHSxsj9Xfex4YprNkP1FCD-0oYF7uit31bz/s320/Dobbertin+Surface+Orbiter-amphibious-cars.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Dobbertin Surface Orbiter</span>
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<br />
Dobbertin Surface Orbiter<br />
Using a double-wall stainless-steel milk tank from the back of a truck, Rick Dobbertin from Cazenovia, N.Y., built an amphibious truck that he drove from Florida to South America via the Gulf of Mexico, and back to the U.S. on land in 1995. It took him four and a half years to build the craft, which is 32 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, 10 feet high, and weighs 9 tons fully loaded. Its GM diesel V-8 makes 250 hp and powers all six wheels. The "surface orbiter" has traveled 33,000 miles on land, 3,000 in the sea, and was sold in a 1999 divorce auction for $200,000.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2X4QUXjjKWocs32jb24k6iMBq2Qgxcg22H-MBEQ-OD0XJzQ79rJHqC-2mVfbtkFNgY8vX0FzThc-MFQCq2VxfqmKmHGCJjpI9dCPN8nZoKo5x5soeLOpNGB5PWMQl5hJbAknu8ZXHdog/s1600/Rinspeed+Splash-amphibious-cars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2X4QUXjjKWocs32jb24k6iMBq2Qgxcg22H-MBEQ-OD0XJzQ79rJHqC-2mVfbtkFNgY8vX0FzThc-MFQCq2VxfqmKmHGCJjpI9dCPN8nZoKo5x5soeLOpNGB5PWMQl5hJbAknu8ZXHdog/s320/Rinspeed+Splash-amphibious-cars.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Rinspeed Splash</span>
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<br />
Rinspeed Splash<br />
Well-known Swiss sportscar tuning firm Rinspeed built an amphibious car in 2003 that can go 120 mph on land and 45 knots on water. Under 30 knots, the Rinspeed can cruise in water like a conventional boat. Above 30 knots, fold-down hydrofoils raise the car's a lightweight carbon composite body shell 12 feet above the water. A single propeller lowers into water with the foils, and the wheels can lift out of the water.<br />
<br />
Power comes from a 140-hp two-cylinder 750-cc engine running on natural gas. The vehicle's total weight is just 1800 pounds.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6KY2Yv6lupGWZjbUEqhJqvZbPI4_QPCWMHmdP8ZQ7db6AEX8dzXg_HDb1VshJH769HGhCm3ZP8sfelb8azDetvz_AIG-MIaPiDIDPsfPntcXGpVd1gF6Gte-GObgOJdCLdQ-PqSTiXek/s1600/SeaRoader-amphibious-cars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6KY2Yv6lupGWZjbUEqhJqvZbPI4_QPCWMHmdP8ZQ7db6AEX8dzXg_HDb1VshJH769HGhCm3ZP8sfelb8azDetvz_AIG-MIaPiDIDPsfPntcXGpVd1gF6Gte-GObgOJdCLdQ-PqSTiXek/s320/SeaRoader-amphibious-cars.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">SeaRoader</span>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
SeaRoader<br />
Englishman Mike Ryan designed and built his first Land Rover-based SeaRoader amphibian in 30 days back in the 1980s. He's built amphibious motorcycles, a Lamborghini-bodied amphibian, and his shop engineered the three floating cars featured on Top Gear in 2006.<br />
<br />
The SeaRoader is Ryan's first production amphibian, made with steel body panels. It sells for $42,000. The on-road propulsion comes from the Land Rover's original 1.7-liter turbodiesel engine. In the water, a separate marine engine and output jet in the back can push the SeaRoader to 6 mph.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE6IF_YguVqrP3WSD97LknwFGXreXm89qVQvhhwGRPdlJWmYnBxS51yerEavxnrM0ugqu5FOX-Haie8bEW2sYG_AWtS8MspIqCfcQOwko1PrN-IpMIoXfToAQVUYzBl5oMOboCmeYEG3Y/s1600/U.S.+Army+LARC-amphibious-cars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE6IF_YguVqrP3WSD97LknwFGXreXm89qVQvhhwGRPdlJWmYnBxS51yerEavxnrM0ugqu5FOX-Haie8bEW2sYG_AWtS8MspIqCfcQOwko1PrN-IpMIoXfToAQVUYzBl5oMOboCmeYEG3Y/s320/U.S.+Army+LARC-amphibious-cars.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">U.S. Army LARC</span>
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U.S. Army LARC<br />
In 1952, the massive Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo amphibious vehicle, capable of carrying a 60-ton tank, made its maiden voyage in Washington state. Gross weight fully loaded: 319,000 pounds. One GMC 265-hp marine diesel engine powered each of the LARC-60's nine-and-a-half foot tall Firestone tires. The same four engines were used to drive two propellers in the rear via a transfer transmission. The 17-foot tall, 63-foot long LARC can travel at 20 mph on land and 7 mph in the water.<br />
Two smaller versions were also produced—one that could carry 5 tons and another that could carry 15 tons.<br />
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Source: popularmechanics.com<br />
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AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-34844079431868439332012-04-04T17:22:00.001+07:002012-04-04T17:24:03.691+07:00Flood Driving Safety Tips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eLONRnZOcBwCw3q4szbAKZuzG7UvSHVBrEG7HyGyPYKoDxFrazbYGOu8CNJpONbnrXdV4qmU1o1QMu9FC7n2f1N02TqfFo6O0fPKdcKU7RUauYlN0RYbHnc5Mi_1XTT1hHlzPifI9poi/s1600/Flood+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eLONRnZOcBwCw3q4szbAKZuzG7UvSHVBrEG7HyGyPYKoDxFrazbYGOu8CNJpONbnrXdV4qmU1o1QMu9FC7n2f1N02TqfFo6O0fPKdcKU7RUauYlN0RYbHnc5Mi_1XTT1hHlzPifI9poi/s200/Flood+road.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/" target="_blank">Autogearhead</a>: Flooded roadSome areas are more prone to flooding than others. This problem is set to increase in the UK with the onset of global warming.<br />
Floods can occur when rivers burst their banks, after a period of heavy rainfall. Large volumes of water can cause flash-floods, or floods in urban areas where the sewers and drains can't cope and there is nowhere for the water to soak away.<br />
<a name='more'></a>As with all driving emergencies prevention is better than cure; in the case of flooding this means watching the weather forecasts before you set out on a journey, if flooding is widespread you might be better off cancelling trips that are not absolutely necessary.<br />
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If you are in a flood affected area consider moving your car to a place of safety when you first hear the warnings, but also be aware that if flooding has started moving your vehicle could pose a serious risk - never underestimate the dangers of flood water.<br />
<br />
<b>Eight things to think about when driving through floods.</b><br />
<br />
<ol><li>Flash floods can come rapidly and unexpectedly. In the UK they are usually cause when rivers break their banks.</li>
<li>You may not have warning that a flash flood is approaching.</li>
<li> Never attempt to drive through a flood that you couldn't walk through and be aware that water hides dips in the road. Worse still, there may be no road at all under the water. Flooding can wash away the entire road surface and a significant amount of ground beneath.</li>
<li>Slow down into waterJust six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars; this depth can cause loss of control or possible stalling as water is sucked into the exhaust or washes into the air intake.</li>
<li>If negotiating a flooded section of road, drive in the middle where the water will be at its shallowest.</li>
<li>Consider other drivers - pass through flooded sections one car at a time, don't drive through water against approaching vehicles.</li>
<li>Many cars will start to float in as little as one foot of water - this can be extremely dangerous because as the wheels lose grip, you lose control.</li>
<li>Two feet of flowing water can sweep away most vehicles — including large four-wheel drive cars. Don't try driving through fast-moving water, for example approaching a flooded bridge – your car could easily be swept away.</li>
</ol><br />
<b>Negotiating floods</b><br />
<br />
Driving at speed into water that is more than about 15 centimetres deep can have dramatic effects - it could almost feel like driving into a brick wall with loss of control. This is why it's especially important to watch your speed on roads where there might be unexpected patches of water (perhaps hidden by a bend or a dip in the road).<br />
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I caught the cars on the right on camera driving into about six centimetres of standing water at around 25mph - an instant after this picture was taken the red car lost control, luckily an accident was avoided. perhaps next time the driver might not be so lucky. In 15 minutes I saw several near misses at the same spot.<br />
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Use a low gearIf you intend to drive through a flooded section of road, your first task is to check the depth of the water. In normal vehicles you should never attempt to drive through water that is more than about 25 centimetres deep (or up to the centre of your wheels).<br />
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It's also worth checking where the air intake is on your engine. If water is sucked into the engine it will stall, but worse than this, it can cause severe damage that will require the engine to be stripped down in order to bring it back to life. Do not try to restart an engine that has sucked in water - the plugs or injectors should first be removed to allow the water to be expelled.<br />
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Some four-wheel-drive vehicles are equipped with high level air intakes allowing them to be driven through water several feet deep, however, you can say goodbye to your deep pile carpet and Gucci Sneakers if you attempt this! And as mentioned above - even 4x4 vehicles can be washed away in flowing water. If the water is fast-moving - even 30 centimetres depth of fast-moving water could wash your car off the road.<br />
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Where possible flooded roads are best negotiated by one vehicle at a time. wait for approaching vehicles to clear the water before you start to drive through.<br />
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Using first or second gear (L or 1 in an automatic) drive slowly to avoid creating a large 'bow wave' (a small wave can be helpful but too much and the water can wash back into the engine). Slipping the clutch and revving the engine will also help to keep the exhaust clear and keep the engine running if water splashes onto the electrics. In an automatic keep your foot on the gas in the lowest held gear and use the brake to control your speed (and hope for the best!).<br />
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Try your brakesIn some cases a stalled engine can result in water being sucked back through the exhaust into the cylinders - this can cause extensive and expensive damage. Do not change gear because this can also cause water to be sucked back through the exhaust (due to the change in engine speed and manifold depression).<br />
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Another potential cause of damage in floods is a cracked catalytic converter ('cat'). The 'cat' is part of the exhaust system and works at high temperatures; if it comes into contact with very cold water there is a possibility that the rapid contraction of the metal could crack the welded sides - OK if you have plenty of money to replace it!<br />
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If your wheels start to lose grip partway through a flooded section it could be that the car is trying to float. To counter this, open a door and allow some water into the car, this will weigh it down, enabling the tyres to grip again - it's probably best to get a passenger to do this so that you can continue revving your engine and slipping the clutch.<br />
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After driving through a flooded section of road or a ford across a river, test your brakes (whilst still driving slowly) and be prepared to drive them off by touching the brake pedal very lightly with your left foot (practice this on an empty stretch of road next time you go out driving to discover what very lightly means!).<br />
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If your car has been abandoned and has stood in deep water for a long period (an hour or more) it's worth getting a mechanic to look at it before you try and start it. Alternatively, if you know a little about engines and have the appropriate tools, remove the spark plugs (or injectors) and turn the engine over to expel any water from the cylinders before trying to start the engine.<br />
<br />
Stay calm - stay safe! <br />
<br />
Source: www.smartdriving.co.uk<br />
<br />
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<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8672225844848385149"></a><a class="addthis_button_tweet" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8672225844848385149"></a><a class="addthis_button_google_plusone" g:plusone:size="medium" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8672225844848385149"></a><a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8672225844848385149"></a></div><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=xa-4ed8abb46caa8c21" type="text/javascript">
</script>AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-4401402930909556512012-03-18T00:05:00.001+07:002012-03-18T00:07:11.423+07:00Ford Transit to Get EcoBoost V-6 in 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI37RCLVEOrqiTJ9yxx6h3UYSZmD0fk2PZPfLl8L-r8LGYQBUtu2b4A6N6UnutuByOW-JlJT6128gi3n5NeGIijLuVhdaAOQWeMy510JRLMnOSpLI52y-4vrUBfxDcIR0sLMFqI2IBJl2U/s1600/ford-transit-ecoboost-outline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI37RCLVEOrqiTJ9yxx6h3UYSZmD0fk2PZPfLl8L-r8LGYQBUtu2b4A6N6UnutuByOW-JlJT6128gi3n5NeGIijLuVhdaAOQWeMy510JRLMnOSpLI52y-4vrUBfxDcIR0sLMFqI2IBJl2U/s320/ford-transit-ecoboost-outline.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/" target="_blank">Autogearhead</a>: In December, it became official: Ford would replace the E-Series with a version of its new generation global Transit van under Ford's "One Ford" program. Details were scarce at the time, but Ford is finally starting to dish about the new Transit, and just announced that the van will receive Ford's 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 found under the hood of numerous Blue Oval offerings.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>The announcement was made at the National Truck Equipment Association Work Truck show in Indianapolis. Ford divulged just one specific detail on the Transit EcoBoost: It will be a rear-drive model. We don't yet know if all-wheel drive will be an option.<br />
<br />
We do know that the U.S.-spec Transit is likely to be called the T-Series. It will be built at Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri, with production starting later this year. Though we don't know the transmission options or power specs for the Transit's EcoBoost, it is unlikely to deviate much from the F-150's, which has become a popular option for Ford truck buyers.<br />
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In the F-150, the engine is paired to a six-speed automatic good for 365 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. Exterior styling will bear elements of Ford's "kinetic design" language, and shouldn't be wildly different from that of the Ford Tourneo Custom Concept Ford is unveiling at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.<br />
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Source: automobilemag.com<br />
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</script>AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-51562592899240232112012-02-17T23:45:00.001+07:002012-02-17T23:46:56.936+07:00The Threatening Dangers in Automobiles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4rvkdprm7zebbN3_jGslR15XfPawsnLVrLuK6c73p3KtMViRGFC5Ijr7X0iIc5pxwcvb2VCWUacoYztAtBhsMLovUdECTOEfZs_EldRIELMS2HVDAr8Ng0sL25uz5SN8PemsaSFNn8QS/s1600/Asbestos+Cars.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4rvkdprm7zebbN3_jGslR15XfPawsnLVrLuK6c73p3KtMViRGFC5Ijr7X0iIc5pxwcvb2VCWUacoYztAtBhsMLovUdECTOEfZs_EldRIELMS2HVDAr8Ng0sL25uz5SN8PemsaSFNn8QS/s200/Asbestos+Cars.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; color: #2c64b4; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">AutoGearhead</a>: </span><span style="line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This very informative article is about the threatening dangers in automobiles was written by <a href="http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/brian/" target="_blank">Brian Turner</a> for autogearhead.com. </span></span>Asbestos is one of the most threatening dangers in automobiles. The sturdy but dangerous substance was a common additive in automotive parts manufacturing. For most of the last century, manufacturers used asbestos in brake parts, heat seals, hood liners, clutch components, valves, gaskets, and more. </div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Toxic Dangers in Automotive Parts</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Asbestos is a natural fibrous mineral that was once heralded for its strength, durability, and fireproof qualities. The public learned of its toxic dangers in 1977, when the United States government started regulating its use. Until then, asbestos was popular in many industries -- the automotive industry, of course, but also appliance manufacturing, building construction, and more. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Numerous clinical studies have linked asbestos exposure to lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare and deadly cancer. The disease has a long latency period, and a mesothelioma prognosis is grim. Automobile mechanics, body shop workers, and vintage car enthusiasts are most at risk for asbestos contact. Even those who do not develop mesothelioma may still experience respiratory problems like asthma and allergies. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Toxic Dangers Outside the Car</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unfortunately, asbestos is not the only threatening danger in automobiles. Car emissions contain numerous health hazards. Carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, benzene, and other exhaust chemicals pose serious threats to public health and the environment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Medical research has found a link between benzene and the development of leukemia. Other car emissions have been known to cause damage to the central nervous system and cardiovascular system. Exhaust toxins may also harm the immune system and reproductive health. And certain birth defects are associated with exposure to emission chemicals.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Toxic Dangers Inside the Car</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Modern vehicles are just as dangerous inside the cab -- in early models and late models, alike. The intoxicating smell of a brand new car stems from a combination of chemicals that include bromine, chlorine, and lead. Flame-retardants, plasticizers, and conditioners on the seats, floors, arm rests, and dashboards release harmful chemicals that increase in toxicity upon exposure to sunlight.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Chronic exposure to the threatening dangers inside a car can lead to liver and kidney disease and cancer. Pregnant women can give birth to premature infants with congenital defects. These children may later experience learning disabilities.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Preventing Automobile Dangers</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Awareness of automotive safety issues, road hazards, the dangers of texting and driving, or driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. These are some of the threatening dangers of driving. Automotive toxins are the threatening dangers in automobiles themselves. Awareness, education, and prevention are the best ways for drivers to protect themselves against all dangers, both seen and unseen. (<a href="http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/brian/" target="_blank">Brian Turner</a>)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFxALOuU6pMQ2G0AuM_AapvoQ23EpHrBEl5Vg8tbTN-mBQobQZl5Fmy7mrMlNI81aWiAkd7DFzp5MmFsSPcZH7RCU3875sLb6NuvsmhGT6nVnGvaAIYr19k9VAIm9B9nGiID1LvmMe0tD/s1600/208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFxALOuU6pMQ2G0AuM_AapvoQ23EpHrBEl5Vg8tbTN-mBQobQZl5Fmy7mrMlNI81aWiAkd7DFzp5MmFsSPcZH7RCU3875sLb6NuvsmhGT6nVnGvaAIYr19k9VAIm9B9nGiID1LvmMe0tD/s320/208.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peugeot 208</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/" target="_blank">AutoGearhead</a></b>: The Peugeot 208 is in the final round to become the most beautiful car of the year 2011. Discover eight details of the 208 design.<br />
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Stylistic regeneration, the 208 gives form to and refines the new aesthetic codes of the Marque. ‘Floating’ grille, light signature, ‘boomerang’ rear lamps - each detail is designed in complete coherence with the balance of the car, structured by a "spine" the impression of which is even visible on the roof. Sculpted, athletic, both pure and sophisticated, its style projects the Marque towards a renewed and attractive modernity, suggesting sensuousness and energy, smoothness and mischief. The two body types have been given entirely different treatments, with the style of the quarter panel of the three-door version recalling one of its illustrious older siblings.<br />
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"A small group, very closely knit, we had the same vision of the direction we should take. That is what inspired us, gave us the strength and energy to succeed in realising all our ideas."<br />
Pierre Authier, 208 Style Manager<br />
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"The strength of the 208 lies in its style: it is a real ball of energy. It has the potential to please everyone, without being a compromise, like a popular piece of music that touches the human soul regardless of culture."<br />
Gilles Vidal, Peugeot Style Director<br />
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Source: <a href="http://mostbeautifulcar.eurosport.com/">mostbeautifulcar.eurosport.com</a><br />
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</script>AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-1992673315458692652011-12-20T13:17:00.002+07:002011-12-20T15:18:34.768+07:00Are hybrid cars slower than regular cars?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKg-DMsKQQH2HqP7ExPRZelY_LUKJAxIgA0ICKqBFvPqRe91O6TKeJ-K4YFPeGK3ZIzqp0y7QSvKYAvLVUc1Bs52E1nb4sIQDJXZPQ1BeoSxoYLBAzGnhwDZd8cOLjN5tnJm3SujNF3RaJ/s1600/hybrid-car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKg-DMsKQQH2HqP7ExPRZelY_LUKJAxIgA0ICKqBFvPqRe91O6TKeJ-K4YFPeGK3ZIzqp0y7QSvKYAvLVUc1Bs52E1nb4sIQDJXZPQ1BeoSxoYLBAzGnhwDZd8cOLjN5tnJm3SujNF3RaJ/s320/hybrid-car.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="img"> </span> <br />
<div class="bd"><div class="caption">Do hybrid cars sacrifice speed for better fuel-efficiency?</div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/" target="_blank"><b>AutoGearhead</b></a>: In this article, John Fuller has explaination, are hybrid cars slower than regular cars? Part of America's love affair with cars is the desire for speed. Sure, we're attached to automobiles for several other reasons they get us comfortably from one point to the next, and we're even willing to sit through grueling traffic jams in them just to get to work or to the grocery store. But the rumble of the engine, the whine of the gears shifting upwards and the wind flowing through an open window is a common, iconic image. It's probably no coincidence that lots of American road movies include montages that attempt to convey that sort of feeling.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The rising popularity of hybrid cars within the auto industry, however, is changing that familiar perception. For one, most fuel-efficient vehicles don't necessarily rumble. In fact, most employ a function that allows the gasoline engine to stop running while sitting in traffic, coasting or even when the car is driving at lower speeds. Instead, a hybrid vehicle uses a quieter electric motor to conserve fuel and produce fewer emissions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But despite being known for having good fuel efficiency and promoting eco-friendly driving, some have criticized hybrid vehicles for a variety of reasons. Some have questioned, for instance, the reliability of hybrid battery packs, claiming that they tend to be faulty and that they're expensive to replace. This is largely untrue, and nearly every car company producing a hybrid vehicle guarantees their battery pack for the life of the car.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other critics, at least those that have grown accustomed to faster speeds associated with modern gasoline-powered cars, have noted that hybrid cars are typically slower than regular automobiles. The claim is that by focusing on fuel-efficiency and lower emissions, hybrid cars are sacrificing higher speeds and more power, slowing down their performance. Because this doesn't gel with the typical image of the fast American car, some drivers are a little turned off by this.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, are hybrid cars really slower than regular cars? Why is this? And is that really the point for someone concerned about green driving?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgto5EzrH_jlwvGr3_8Si8dbVGpwcZRTsn6rG60LOuUWhoOYTh3LfuQI8fvifKFQakwmGMcw-dXQfwE479S-owOQ6LnGzhgGBTnGeSdmFISguIgwEQ7IuseDP3WjJ6TbzWQ9TE1PF6SSF/s1600/Hybrid+Engine+Performance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgto5EzrH_jlwvGr3_8Si8dbVGpwcZRTsn6rG60LOuUWhoOYTh3LfuQI8fvifKFQakwmGMcw-dXQfwE479S-owOQ6LnGzhgGBTnGeSdmFISguIgwEQ7IuseDP3WjJ6TbzWQ9TE1PF6SSF/s320/Hybrid+Engine+Performance.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While hybrids can reach relatively high speeds,<br />
it's good acceleration that some models lack.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Hybrid Engine Performance</b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">When most people buy a hybrid car, they usually do so with the understanding that there's going to be some kind of compromise between power and eco-friendly driving. The reason hybrid vehicles have become such a buzz topic and a go-to model for the auto industry recently is because of that compromise. As concerns increase over global warming, caused in part by carbon emissions resulting from vehicle fuel consumption, the power provided by a gasoline engine coupled with the fuel-saving qualities of an electric motor seem like the best possible combination.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But are fuel-efficient vehicles significantly slower than regular cars? To see if hybrid cars crawl on the road rather than zip along, we have to look into hybrid engine performance. Generally speaking, the engine in a hybrid car is almost always smaller than the engine in a comparable non-hybrid car. Smaller engines usually equal less horsepower and less torque. To get good fuel efficiency, hybrids operate from a standing start using only the electric motor, which typically provides much less horsepower and torque than a gasoline-powered engine. These two systems work together, however, to ensure hybrids can save fuel in the city and drive at faster speeds on the highway or even climb steep hills.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In short, hybrid cars won't be maxing out at 45 miles per hour (72 kilometers per hour) on the highway, endangering -- or at the very least, angering other drivers on the road, but they won't go quite as fast as most regular cars, either. While many all-electric vehicles have significantly lower top speeds and some are even a little bit unstable on the highway, hybrid cars get enough power from the gasoline engine to go as fast as 100 miles per hour (161 kilometers per hour). The real matter for hybrids is in acceleration. Since the smaller electric motors that most automakers use don't produce much horsepower, a relatively fast hybrid car can go from zero to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) in about six seconds, while a more typical hybrid car's zero to 60 time hovers around the 10 second mark. For some people, that's a little too slow.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">How are the carmakers responding? Well, some are developing faster hybrid cars with larger, V-6 engines and more powerful electric motors. Hybrid technology developer Frazer-Nash Research and Italian design firm Italdesign Giugiaro, for instance, worked together to build the Namir, a concept plug-in hybrid that can go from zero to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 187 miles per hour (301 kilometers per hour). The Namir's range is also 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometers), so anyone with the need for speed and an itch for green driving should look toward Italy. (John Fuller)</div><br />
Sources:<br />
<ul><li>Aziz, Nick. "Frazer-Nash Namir by Giugiaro: World's fastest plug-in hybrid." LeftLaneNews.com. March 3, 2009. (April 27, 2009)</li>
<li>Siler, Wes. "2010 Mercedes ML450 Hybrid: V8 Power With V6 Fuel Economy." Jalopnik.com. April 8, 2009. (April 27, 2009) </li>
<li>Wald, Matthew L. "Hybrid Cars Burning Gas in the Drive for Power." The New York Times. July 17, 2005. (April 27, 2009 </li>
</ul>This video below, will describe about a Blue TEC hybrid features, an additional magneto-electric motor and a 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission specially configured for the hybrid module, the necessary operating and control electronics, the transformer and a high-voltage lithium-ion battery.<br />
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<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="369" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kvcgZE8696I" width="500"></iframe></center><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">During braking the electric motor acts as a generator and is able to recover kinetic energy by a process known as recuperation. During this process the electric motor works together seamlessly with the engine brake of the internal combustion engine and the conventional wheel brakes. The recuperated energy is stored by a compact but efficient lithium-ion battery in the engine compartment and retrieved when required. Major advantages over conventional nickel/metal hydride batteries include a higher energy density and greater electrical efficiency combined with more compact dimensions and a low battery weight. Thanks to space-saving installation in the engine compartment, the trunk capacity and generous interior dimensions remain unchanged. The hybrid module also has a convenient start-stop function.</div><br />
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</script>AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-13039283699311731632011-12-20T00:38:00.000+07:002011-12-20T00:58:07.265+07:00From the 1970s to the all new Honda Civic 2012<div style="text-align: justify;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOlSAWHdrbqwsQvkVQtksOHDi3XjcDzzPb3Vg6jHDask5wNgA1XxePXzc8XJ5zHtAnspo4KL2wJNrKp94DJAnkCSL1cfhjDyfHEdYMTMRXqvHg1SJ6PZAMHvBrrVphNbOqt_zDcuDD8RB/s1600/2012-honda-civic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOlSAWHdrbqwsQvkVQtksOHDi3XjcDzzPb3Vg6jHDask5wNgA1XxePXzc8XJ5zHtAnspo4KL2wJNrKp94DJAnkCSL1cfhjDyfHEdYMTMRXqvHg1SJ6PZAMHvBrrVphNbOqt_zDcuDD8RB/s320/2012-honda-civic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012 Honda Civic</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/" target="_blank"><b>AutoGearhead</b></a>: The Honda Motor Company is no stranger to innovation in its road cars. It was one of founder Soichiro Honda’s core principles and the company’s history books are filled with examples of great technical achievements. With the launch of the all-new Honda civic, we thought we’d take a look back at the contributions that Honda have made to the automotive industry over the years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Honda has always placed great emphasis on research and development, employing some of the best engineers in the automotive industry, which was evident way back in 1963, when it launched its first road car - the S500. With a high-revving twin-cam engine and chain-drive to the wheels, this was innovative stuff and a warning to other car makers of what was to come.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The 1970s: compound vortex controlled combustion (CVCC)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">By the 1970s, America was waking up to the need to drastically improve the exhaust emissions from vehicles, and Honda wowed the car industry with an amazing new design. For the 1972 Civic, Honda stole a march on competitors by announcing their patented ‘CVCC’ combustion chamber - doing away with the need for a catalytic convertor while still passing tough Federal emissions laws.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The 1980s: variable valve time and electronic lift control</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">With strong roots in motorsport, Honda was never going to forget performance fans and 1988 saw the launch of‘Variable Valve Timing and Electronic Lift Control’ or VTEC as we all know it. A sophisticated system that allowed the engine to shift between two different camshaft profiles for maximum performance and driveability, VTEC introduced drivers to a whole new experience of sonorous, high-revving petrol engines. The technology reached its zenith in the awesome NSX which was just around the corner…</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The 1990s: The NSX and EVs</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The nineties was the decade that will always be remembered for the launch of the incredible NSX supercar. With a powerful VTEC engine, aluminium suspension and handling tuned by the late, great Ayrton Senna, the NSX redefined the supercar for a whole new generation. But it wasn’t all about performance. With stringent zero-emissions regulations looming in the US, Honda turned its engineering brains to the electric vehicle. Not only did it put an EV into production but it revolutionised battery technology along the way!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>2000 and Beyond: designing for the future</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Honda continued to bring us exciting concept cars, showcasing everything from advanced power trains and electronics to Space Age materials and construction. And while you can’t buy them, they certainly influence the cars you and I will buy in the future. And speaking of the future, step forward the Honda FCX Clarity, the world’s first commercially available fuel cell vehicle. Powered by hydrogen, the FCX is extremely efficient and its only tailpipe emission is water!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>2010 and beyond: the Honda Civic</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Continuing the trend for innovation and technology brings us to the new-for-2012 Civic. Petrol engines get the latest <b>i-VTEC</b> system, a redesigned cylinder head, and a host of lighter components while the diesel – a 2.2 litre <b>i-DTEC</b> unit – receives more extensive changes including new materials to make the engine stronger and lighter. A revised oil-flow system and redesigned internal components reduce internal friction, while a further boost to economy comes from a new ‘Idle Stop’ system on manual models. This shuts the engine down when the car is stationary – saving fuel when stuck in traffic – and restarts instantly when you are ready to go.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Aerodynamics too have come in for plenty of attention and the many hours spent in the wind tunnel have certainly paid off. Careful re-shaping of the rear spoiler and lights, and under-body panelling improves the flow of air, particularly at motorway speeds. A new grille shutter system for the diesels uses information such as air temperature, water temperature and speed, to optimise cooling and reduce drag.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">ECO assist can improve economy by up to 15%, tells the driver when to change gear and even changes the colour of the speedometer from blue to green when you are being light-footed. Added to this is the ‘<b>ECON</b>’ button in the cabin which changes various settings, including throttle mapping and the air-conditioning system, to further maximise economy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There is more technology inside with a new colour information screen for the driver. Called <b>i-MID</b> the screen displays a range of information including audio system and climate control settings and the status of the Idle Stop system. And on the safety front, the new ‘Collision Mitigation Braking System’ monitors the distance from the car in front and if a collision is imminent, provides assistance to the brakes and tightens the seatbelts to provide maximum protection for occupants.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The new Honda Civic 2012 is the culmination of over 40 years of automotive innovation from Honda. (adv)</div><br />
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<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="284" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/b67SD5wJij4" width="500"></iframe></center><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A review of the 2012 Honda Civic from a consumers perspective. LotPro's Editor of Automotive Content, Steve Cypher test drives and reviews the new 2012 Honda Civic.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><marquee><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dear fellow readers, if you would like to share articles on this blog, that would be awesome. Thank You :)</span></marquee> <br />
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</script>AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-67263715910561101622011-12-08T14:15:00.000+07:002011-12-08T14:15:26.035+07:00Understanding Crash Test<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCWTZStzb9G-79XAmo6TK6KD55OaRxWToAvnoeVAJXaZAuJAjWRWPuWJy8gTw0ACO5ecPOpvyczeoy_K0R0_CrVWv4juhzX-BR14wZjTH-6VMGP6R5dp9t0N96fIom2ubB77ZPYSLK6mT/s1600/Ford-Fusion-Crash-test-resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCWTZStzb9G-79XAmo6TK6KD55OaRxWToAvnoeVAJXaZAuJAjWRWPuWJy8gTw0ACO5ecPOpvyczeoy_K0R0_CrVWv4juhzX-BR14wZjTH-6VMGP6R5dp9t0N96fIom2ubB77ZPYSLK6mT/s320/Ford-Fusion-Crash-test-resized.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ford Fusion Crash Test</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/" target="_blank"><b>AutoGearhead</b></a>: You know why cars have been getting safer? Its because of a well-established testing program. In this article, you'll know about <b>automotive crash testing</b>. You'll be amazed at how much thought and preparation goes into making sure that safe cars are on the roads. A crash test is a form of destructive testing usually performed in order to ensure safe design standards in crashworthiness and crash compatibility for various modes of transportation or related systems and components.<br />
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<b>Types of Crash Test</b><br />
<ul><li><b>Frontal-impact tests</b>: which is what most people initially think of when asked about a crash test. These are usually impacts upon a solid concrete wall at a specified speed, but can also be vehicle-vehicle tests. SUVs have been singled out in these tests for a while, due to the high ride-height that they often have.</li>
<li><b>Offset tests</b>: in which only part of the front of the car impacts with a barrier (vehicle). These are important, as impact forces (approximately) remain the same as with a frontal impact test, but a smaller fraction of the car is required to absorb all of the force. These tests are often realized by cars turning into oncoming traffic. This type of testing is done by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), EuroNCAP and Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).</li>
<li><b>Side-impact tests</b>: these forms of accidents have a very significant likelihood of fatality, as cars do not have a significant crumple zone to absorb the impact forces before an occupant is injured.</li>
<li><b>Roll-over tests</b>: which tests a car's ability (specifically the pillars holding the roof) to support itself in a dynamic impact. More recently dynamic rollover tests have been proposed as opposed to static crush testing.</li>
<li><b>Roadside hardware crash tests</b>: are used to ensure crash barriers and crash cushions will protect vehicle occupants from roadside hazards, and also to ensure that guard rails, sign posts, light poles and similar appurtenances do not pose an undue hazard to vehicle occupants.</li>
<li><b>Old versus new</b>: Often an old and big car against a small and new car, or two different generations of the same car model. These tests are performed to show the advancements in crashworthiness.</li>
<li><b>Computer model</b>: Because of the cost of full-scale crash tests, engineers often run many simulated crash tests using computer models to refine their vehicle or barrier designs before conducting live tests.</li>
</ul><b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Crash Test Major providers</b><br />
<ol><li>National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States, specifically the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) and New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)</li>
<li>European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP)</li>
<li>Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States</li>
<li>Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP)</li>
<li>Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC) in Germany</li>
<li>Japan New Car Assessment Program (JNCAP)</li>
<li>China New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP)</li>
</ol><div>Reference: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crash_test" target="_blank">en.wikipedia.com</a></div><br />
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<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="4" height="369" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7F13wYMldzg" width="500"></iframe></center><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Euro NCAP, Peugeot 3008 Crash Test</b>: Frontal Impact takes place at 64 Km/h, 40% of the width of the car striking a deformable barrier. In the side impact, a mobile deformable barrier impacts the driver's door at 50 km/h. In the pole test, the car tested is propelled sideways at 29km/h into a rigid pole.</span></div><br />
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<marquee><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dear fellow readers, if you would like to share articles on this blog, that would be awesome. Thank You :)</span></marquee> <br />
<div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style "><a class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8672225844848385149"></a><a class="addthis_button_tweet" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8672225844848385149"></a><a class="addthis_button_google_plusone" g:plusone:size="medium" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8672225844848385149"></a><a class="addthis_counter addthis_pill_style" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8672225844848385149"></a></div><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js#pubid=xa-4ed8abb46caa8c21" type="text/javascript">
</script>AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-79146733188389587732011-12-04T02:25:00.000+07:002011-12-04T02:33:38.546+07:00Tips to Prepare Your Car for Winter Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuV8vWuybcKzNcfqj0mr3gGPVhCdx3ZgTt9vQVwqWPQ44SN_DG2oC_OKs4ljhlirTxsIJOGq1m0uCVZK5ExL2ZPEca5NOFOu08Xax7w_c4ordLERPmjs14vrnzkOJ8Sj463TwFODaqEa7/s1600/winterized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuV8vWuybcKzNcfqj0mr3gGPVhCdx3ZgTt9vQVwqWPQ44SN_DG2oC_OKs4ljhlirTxsIJOGq1m0uCVZK5ExL2ZPEca5NOFOu08Xax7w_c4ordLERPmjs14vrnzkOJ8Sj463TwFODaqEa7/s200/winterized.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><b><a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/" target="_blank">AutoGearhead</a></b>: The changing of the seasons is a great time to check out what your car needs to gear up for cold, wet, winter driving conditions. During winter season, make sure your car is prepared well. Get your vehicle ready for winter and learning what it takes to <a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/2011/12/winter-driving-safety-tips.html" target="_blank"><b>drive safely through ice and snow</b></a> could save your life. In this article, I'll tell you what your car needs to make it through winter and what to pack before you take a winter road trip.<br />
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To help ensure both you and your car stay out of harm’s way this winter, here are few simple tips could keep your car running all winter long.<br />
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<b>Get your car serviced</b><br />
The peace of mind a professional check could offer is well worth paying for. Therefore before the winter weather gets any worse, it’s a good idea to book your car into a garage and have it looked over by a mechanic. Fixing any mechanical problems now will hopefully reduce the risk you will break down at a later date.<b> </b><br />
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<b>Lubricate door locks</b><br />
Lubricate the door and trunk locks, as well as the hood locking mechanism so they won't freeze. It's also a good idea to lubricate hinges of the hood, doors and the trunk. Clean and lubricate the door rails if your vehicle has sliding doors. <br />
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<b>Wipers, windshield washer fluid</b><br />
Windshield wipers are very critical to winter driving; consider installing winter wipers. Make sure you replace summer washer fluid with special winter windshield washer fluid that won't freeze. If the washer jets don't spray properly, clean and adjust them. Good visibility is important - don't forget to clean your windshield and other windows from inside as well. <br />
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<b>Battery Check</b><br />
Mostly, there is no way to tell when the battery will decide to quit - sometimes it happens unexpectedly with no prior signs. However, if you feel that cranking speed is slower than before, the battery is probably close to its end. Have your battery tested, especially if it is more than 2-3 years old. A dead battery is one of the most common causes for a no-start during winter. Make sure the battery terminals are tight and not corroded. Corroded terminals will cause troubles.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjMlHXFgP4LJFTvqKBGi777X1VX8QjlVBwfFOlOvDeOFPSVrvN5mlWS8xTCSftFzLo4OYS_2zVfxzCmDaAH4qOM7XVzHjlLEz2XPfYYOH9o2-CQrVq-zKMyMb4WdjksHlGJVMqYmraser/s1600/battery.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjMlHXFgP4LJFTvqKBGi777X1VX8QjlVBwfFOlOvDeOFPSVrvN5mlWS8xTCSftFzLo4OYS_2zVfxzCmDaAH4qOM7XVzHjlLEz2XPfYYOH9o2-CQrVq-zKMyMb4WdjksHlGJVMqYmraser/s1600/battery.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corroded terminals</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>Winter tires</b><br />
Consider installing good-quality winter tires. <a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/2011/12/winter-tire-faqs.html" target="_blank"><b>Winter tires</b></a> are specifically designed to improve traction on snow-covered or icy roads. Many dealerships will store your off-season tires if you purchase tires with them. There may be a small fee, but it's worth it for the convenience.<br />
If you have alloy wheels, especially those with wide performance tires, consider purchasing winter tires pre-installed on steel rims instead of changing tires only - it's easy to damage alloy rims during winter and they are usually not repairable. There is less labour involved in changing tires that are already installed on the rims, so the charge is usually less. Winter tires need to be installed on all four wheels. Don't skimp on safety.<br />
While winter tires have better traction on winter roads than all-season tires, they are not foolproof; drive carefully in winter conditions. Winter tires wear faster on dry roads in warm weather; don't forget to remove them when the winter season is over.<br />
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<b>Pump up your winter tires</b><br />
Don't forget to use your winter tires. To help lower the risk of skidding, check both your car's tire condition and pressure are correct before you drive. The current legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, but during the winter months it is a sensible idea to ensure your tyres have at least 3mm of tread depth.<br />
This should also help increase your car's fuel efficiency and lower your petrol costs as you won’t have to put your foot down as hard on the accelerator.<br />
<br />
<b>Look after your lights</b><br />
Dark mornings and dark evenings can make driving extremely dangerous. It is therefore crucial to ensure all your lights are clean and working properly. Always replace any broken bulbs immediately. If you don't, you will not only find it difficult to see the road clearly, you run the risk of not being seen by other drivers. Make sure you know where your front and back fog lights are.<br />
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<b>Fill up your fuel</b><br />
Before you hit the road, make sure you have sufficient fuel in the tank. This also will reduce condensation, making your vehicle easier to start on cold mornings.The last thing you want in the cold weather is to run out of petrol and be stuck on the side of the road somewhere.<br />
It is also important to check you have the right level of oil in your car, and top it up if it gets too low.<br />
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<b>Ensure you can see</b><br />
Winter weather can make it more difficult to see clearly when you are driving. To help lower the risk of having an accident always make sure the windscreen is clean and clear, you have plenty of screenwash and your wiper blades are in good condition. If your windows are covered in frost, make sure you de-ice them before driving and don’t forget to clear your mirrors too.<br />
When you're warming up your car, never leave your car unattended with the keys in the ignition and the doors unlocked. You only need to turn your back for a second and an opportunist thief could jump in and drive off.<br />
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<b>Drive safely</b><br />
Finally, make sure you take extra care on the roads. Allow more time for journeys and try to avoid rushing. Keep a safe distance from the car in front, and leave more time to brake and accelerate in wet or icy conditions. If there is snow and ice on the roads, use high gears to reduce the need for sudden deceleration or acceleration. And in the fog watch your speed as fog can give the impression of slow motion in oncoming traffic.<br />
If you can it's a good idea to avoid driving in the dark and bad weather altogether as the number of accidents increase during these conditions. Wherever possible try to use major routes which have been gritted or salted. Be aware that not everyone on the road will be experienced in driving in these types of conditions so remain alert at all times.<br />
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A winter accident could leave you stuck on the side of the road. Packing your car with a few essentials will help keep you safe and ready for whatever conditions pop up on your trip. It is a sensible idea to put together an emergency winter survival kit so that you are prepared should you break down or have an accident. Remember to include a torch, warm clothes, blankets, food, ice scraper and a first aid kit. Here are tips for packing Your Car during Winter TripsIt's also important to always carry a fully charged mobile phone and the number of your car breakdown service with you so that you can call for help should you need it. A car charger for the phone is also a smart device to keep in the car. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYQohcSSTAaOZfg1kvkT4zQ4DJUMBscF2oOvm-6m1RsNal8tsbx81r2PiG5cLCT-HdJSq9qdM9dwVu-a7pazqHBCNfzJQ1ZdbwyPUwHRf2B1bc4eGbwJY__gT8LtUNXtnVZBiXS-RS42K/s1600/emergency+items.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYQohcSSTAaOZfg1kvkT4zQ4DJUMBscF2oOvm-6m1RsNal8tsbx81r2PiG5cLCT-HdJSq9qdM9dwVu-a7pazqHBCNfzJQ1ZdbwyPUwHRf2B1bc4eGbwJY__gT8LtUNXtnVZBiXS-RS42K/s320/emergency+items.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Be prepared for an emergency. Store a kit of emergency items in your trunk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><ol><li>Always store a snow/ice scraper and a shovel in your vehicle. A first aid kit is another must-have item to keep on hand. It should include all the usual items plus winter extras like flashlights, a fresh supply of batteries, blankets, matches, extra clothes, bottled water, and non-perishable snacks. Peanuts and granola bars are good protein- and carbohydrate-rich foods.</li>
<li>For rear-wheel drive vehicles, you might want to keep a small bag of sand in your trunk to create traction under the tires if you get stuck. The bulk of a vehicle's weight is the engine, in the front of the car. If the car is driven by it's rear wheels instead of its front wheels, the heavy front end and light back end makes the car prone to slide around an ice- or snow-covered road.</li>
</ol><br />
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<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="284" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/q6L4lA4qAVg" width="500"></iframe></center><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Tod Pritchard from ReadyWisconsin gives a quick lesson on what to include in a winter survival kit for your car.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div>References: <br />
<i>samarins.com, auto.howstuffworks.com, <cite>independent.co.uk</cite></i><br />
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<marquee><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dear fellow readers, if you would like to share articles on this blog, that would be awesome. Thank You :)</span></marquee> <br />
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</script>AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-81537833182674333252011-12-03T01:14:00.000+07:002011-12-03T01:43:47.625+07:00Winter Tire FAQs<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfONkRjsfcPfOU0XuMPBdC9zD4zWLTAcoBq9GwKBmHIlGrA7wDe8s6wWQoUMC6xRWEv7pggZCl4XKCqYCDjeRZM4h9oFxui5bVywe63s-yVEpubOXWBQ5cOqyxuZ_J11HIeESgswP09AS/s1600/Winter+tire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfONkRjsfcPfOU0XuMPBdC9zD4zWLTAcoBq9GwKBmHIlGrA7wDe8s6wWQoUMC6xRWEv7pggZCl4XKCqYCDjeRZM4h9oFxui5bVywe63s-yVEpubOXWBQ5cOqyxuZ_J11HIeESgswP09AS/s320/Winter+tire.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Bridgestone.it</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/" target="_blank"><b>AutoGearhead</b></a>: Gee... it's getting cold outside!! I will try to warm your room with this article :) In previous article, we have talk about <a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/2011/12/winter-driving-safety-tips.html" target="_blank">winter driving safety tips</a>, now we'll talk about <b>winter tires</b>. Winter tires have a conception of the aggressive tread that gives a better grip while throwing the snow and slush, which gives more stability during braking and better management of vehicles. The compound of winter tires is relatively mild. <br />
<a name='more'></a>The rubber of all-season tire begins to lose elasticity and harden at temperatures around -8 ° C to -10 ° C, reducing traction. At -15 ° C, this type of tires have lost its elasticity, while a winter tire will harden to about -40 ° C – it retains its elasticity for a very long time.<br />
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Taken from <a href="http://www.cars.about.com/" target="_blank">www.cars.about.com</a>, Aaron Gold has shared information about winter tires frequently asked questions.<br />
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Q: <i>What makes snow tires different from regular tires?</i><br />
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A: Snow tires (also known as winter tires) have tread patterns specifically designed to dig down and bite into snow and ice, plus they are made from softer rubber compounds that retain their flexibility in cold weather, allowing the tire to better conform to the surface of the road. (Regular tires tend to get hard and brittle in cold temperatures.) As a result, winter tires keep a better grip on snowy and icy surfaces than regular all-season or summer tires. Grip is critical. Not just to avoid getting stuck, but to ensure that the car can stop and steer. Life-saving safety technologies such as antilock brakes, electronic stability control and all-wheel-drive cannot do their jobs if the tires can't maintain their grip on the road surface.<br />
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Q: <i>My car has all-season tires. Aren't those good enough?</i><br />
<br />
A: Not really, no. All-season (also known as all-weather) tires are designed to cope with all sorts of conditions, including dry roads and rain, but are not optimized for any one condition. They are generally made from harder materials that don't conform to the road surface as well in low temperatures. Think of all-season tires as sneakers and snow tires as heavy-duty snow boots. It is possible to walk down a snowy, icy sidewalk wearing sneakers -- but it's a lot easier and safer to do it with proper snow boots.<br />
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Q: <i>Can I put snow tires on just the drive wheels of my car?</i><br />
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A: Putting just two snow tires on your car is a bad idea. If you have a front-wheel-drive car and put snow tires on the front only, the back wheels won't have anywhere near as much grip as the front wheels. This will make the car much more likely to spin out while braking or cornering. Likewise, if you put snow tires on the just back wheels of a rear-wheel-drive car, the wheels that do the steering won't grip as well as those that provide the power, so the car may not respond when the steering wheel is turned -- it will simply plow straight ahead. Always install snow tires as a full set of four.<br />
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Q: <i>Can I leave my snow tires on all year?</i><br />
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A: You can, but it's not a good idea. Snow tires tend to be noisier, plus the softer compounds from which they are made means they will wear out faster, especially in warm weather. Wear is critical, because winter tires rely on their deep tread to dig into snow and ice. As soon as the snow is gone for good, remove your snow tires and reinstall your regular tires. The good news: Since you're savvy enough to use snow tires, you don't need to stick with the all-season tires that came with your car for the rest of the year -- you can choose a "summer" tire that will provide better handling, better traction in the rain, or a smoother, quieter ride.<br />
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Q: <i>Unmounting one set of tires and mounting another at the beginning and end of winter is a pain. Is there an easier way?</i><br />
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A: Yes! Buy an extra set of wheels from a salvage yard and use those for your snow tires. The wheels don't have to be the exact same design, so long as they are the same diameter and have the same bolt pattern as your car's original wheels. If you've purchased aftermarket wheels, keep the stock wheels and use those for your snow tires. That way, when it comes time to change from summer tires to snow tires, all you have to do is have the wheels changed -- a quick and inexpensive job.<br />
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This video shows just how much difference they can make: up to 50% reduced braking distance on snow. Winter tyres are made with a higher percentage of natural rubber meaning they remain more supple at temperatures below 7º C.<br />
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</div>By purchasing and installing winter tires, you have to remember the following:<br />
<ol><li>Install four winter tires - To help maintain control and stability of the vehicle in icy conditions, always use a set of four winter tires.</li>
<li>Mixing tires with different models of internal structure and size affect the stability of the vehicle and should be avoided.</li>
<li>As a tire wears, traction is reduced by the snow. The tires are used near the wear indicators have reduced traction and should not be used on roads with snow or in severe snow conditions.</li>
<li>The correct air pressure for longer tread life, improves safety and reduces fuel consumption – all vital factors in saving energy and protecting the environment. Tire pressure decreases as the temperature drops, so be sure to check the pressure at least once a month when the tires are cold, preferably after the car has been out all night. (*)</li>
</ol><marquee><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dear fellow readers, if you would like to share articles on this blog, that would be awesome. Thank You :)</span></marquee> <br />
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</script>AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-58379697225119763472011-12-02T13:48:00.000+07:002011-12-03T01:28:13.234+07:00Winter Driving Safety Tips<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmDT3f6A7Bk_hGH_70P2lZrOVz9PZ9kixDntbQsT4s5KdWFqmTCOqr60C8TkPzzT5gWjP2dtbnIj_pEOrE5GMH3dyEE6H-2kUfpOkMWeNpERvKcxY1VBxnpQe5u5d2DFq0txqjwZSrKNo/s1600/winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmDT3f6A7Bk_hGH_70P2lZrOVz9PZ9kixDntbQsT4s5KdWFqmTCOqr60C8TkPzzT5gWjP2dtbnIj_pEOrE5GMH3dyEE6H-2kUfpOkMWeNpERvKcxY1VBxnpQe5u5d2DFq0txqjwZSrKNo/s1600/winter.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Driving in snowy conditions</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/" target="_blank"><b>Auto gearhead</b></a>: In the northern hemisphere, winter has begun, including in US and Europe. In this article I will share important informations about <b>driving tips in snowy and icy conditions</b>. This winter driving tips is taken from the National Safety Council, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Washington State Government Information & Services.<br />
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The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it. Don't go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination. If you must drive in snowy conditions, make sure your car is prepared, and that you know how to handle road conditions. It's helpful to practice winter driving techniques in a snowy, open parking lot, so you're familiar with how your car handles. Consult your owner's manual for tips specific to your vehicle.<br />
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<b>Driving safely on icy roads</b><br />
<ol><li>Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.</li>
<li>Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.</li>
<li>Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.</li>
<li>Keep your lights and windshield clean.</li>
<li>Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.</li>
<li>Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.</li>
<li>Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.</li>
<li>Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.</li>
<li>Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.</li>
</ol><b>If your rear wheels skid</b><br />
<ol><li>Take your foot off the accelerator.</li>
<li>Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.</li>
<li>If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.</li>
<li>If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.</li>
<li>If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse this is normal.</li>
</ol><b>If your front wheels skid</b><br />
<ol><li>Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.</li>
<li>As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.</li>
</ol><b>If you get stuck</b><br />
<ol><li>Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.</li>
<li>Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.</li>
<li>Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.</li>
<li>Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.</li>
<li>Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.</li>
<li>Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first it can damage the transmission on some vehicles). Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.</li>
</ol><br />
Sources:<br />
National Safety Council, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Washington State Government Information & Services.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Winter driving tips from Audi driving instructor Harald Büttner. </div><br />
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<marquee><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dear fellow readers, if you would like to share articles on this blog, that would be awesome. Thank You :)</span></marquee><br />
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</script>AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-88003493801966698812011-12-01T15:21:00.000+07:002011-12-01T17:18:07.953+07:00Audi Unveiled “A1 SAMURAI BLUE” at The Tokyo Auto Show 2011<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTkQbeMl6CAypCYPdRXx_0Cjv67oy2nnX4jMoqIUHN2BRSDHaYwIeJildaz7zYrN7eZJl5g3dKUQ-R7JEetwDU8W_Vu0R8GtRycpuCTv5HKl-hDdCRI6-Qm-JrQp3Q_swjlx-Nz_dHOhn/s1600/2012-Audi-A1-Samurai-Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTkQbeMl6CAypCYPdRXx_0Cjv67oy2nnX4jMoqIUHN2BRSDHaYwIeJildaz7zYrN7eZJl5g3dKUQ-R7JEetwDU8W_Vu0R8GtRycpuCTv5HKl-hDdCRI6-Qm-JrQp3Q_swjlx-Nz_dHOhn/s320/2012-Audi-A1-Samurai-Blue.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> The Audi A1 Samurai Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/" target="_blank">AutoGearhead</a>: <b>Audi</b> has unveiled a unique A1 at the<b> Tokyo Motor Show</b>: Glistening in the colors of the Japanese national soccer team, the Audi A1 SAMURAI BLUE shows Audi’s respect for the Japanese national soccer team. Audi plans to sell the SAMURAI BLUE as a one-off model and donate a part of the profit for a charity.<br />
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“Blue Samurai” is the nickname for Japan’s national soccer team. Blue and white are the colors of the soccer jerseys for both men and women. The Japanese men are the reigning Asian champions, while the women have been even more successful in the world soccer arena: this year they won the championship title in the World Soccer Cup held in Germany.<br />
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Blue and white are also the colors of the Audi A1 SAMURAI BLUE, accentuated by the red of the Japanese flag. The 18-inch wheels with their exclusive polygonal design are likewise painted red. The interior equipment is black, with contrasting stitching in blue and corresponding colorful accents for the air vent nozzles, inlays, center console and floor mats. With its powerful 1.4 TFSI engine and 90 kW (122 hp), the A1 SAMURAI BLUE has strong acceleration and high speed, while the sports suspension with 225 millimeter wide, 18-inch wheels give the car the agility of a top league soccer star.<br />
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An Audi A1 Limited Edition is also planned to sell in 2012, with its design based on the SAMURAI BLUE.<br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.audi.com/">http://www.audi.com/</a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Audi A1 'Samurai Blue' and A1 Sportback unveiled at 2011 Tokyo Motor Show</div>AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-70061919947732119862011-12-01T13:29:00.000+07:002011-12-01T17:34:07.124+07:002012 Porsche 911 Video<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yPb8eVjDwMr9NomedgLNomtMgyBsftlCopZQC0PfUBsmZDxwiHWloZdrqP2CPmVszeXy5wPQFxPimkAsuhAgSk16JUA_4njprRyy9ecjS8HJ6KW6QVoX7RXFZ6iKC0IDm7F_6ZdXPG5B/s1600/911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yPb8eVjDwMr9NomedgLNomtMgyBsftlCopZQC0PfUBsmZDxwiHWloZdrqP2CPmVszeXy5wPQFxPimkAsuhAgSk16JUA_4njprRyy9ecjS8HJ6KW6QVoX7RXFZ6iKC0IDm7F_6ZdXPG5B/s1600/911.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012 Porsche 911</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/" target="_blank">AutoGearhead</a>: The all-new <b>2012 Porsche 911</b> is ready to make its debut on the world stage. In anticipation, Porsche has produced this teaser video of the latest 911 in action.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">2012 Porsche 911 (991) revealed - offcial trailer</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Source:</div><a href="http://www.automobilemag.com/" target="_blank">http://www.automobilemag.com</a>AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-27396444331953636152011-11-30T13:44:00.000+07:002011-12-02T18:47:43.857+07:00Images From the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/" target="_blank">AutoGearhead</a>: These photos are taken from <b>Los Angeles Auto Show 2011</b>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggy4EZoElhyLv5coZj3dn3c2LRDu0cATo671StTQgicSYSHJsSNMGuQsfIuWMJCpiqIpd90tSFPGSzuEcnbdlFElhlI0O2I9HCvvIt321Sky84xggRouXgtNk6gPIQQdo7-f51MXqSY3q5/s1600/dok-ing+elec+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggy4EZoElhyLv5coZj3dn3c2LRDu0cATo671StTQgicSYSHJsSNMGuQsfIuWMJCpiqIpd90tSFPGSzuEcnbdlFElhlI0O2I9HCvvIt321Sky84xggRouXgtNk6gPIQQdo7-f51MXqSY3q5/s400/dok-ing+elec+car.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Dok-ing XD electric car, created by Croatian industrialist Vjekoslav Majetic, on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The electric car is only nine feet long feet long, features gull wing doors and seats three passengers, with the driver in the center and two passengers set back on either side. The car show opens to the public on Friday and runs through Nov. 27.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNM-hmq5mpp-JmCyYTgqxxg6Pe88lYwQaD4bdFl89OAMvTnaewMnBarV1z1VFgYweLwO-8j3Yt0AaEZhPgyV22XolPA_zH6bmhwIFk08jhEVs1AK1zdrdW9du3CuOUgSOHCQWsUdyykHz/s1600/mighty+mex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNM-hmq5mpp-JmCyYTgqxxg6Pe88lYwQaD4bdFl89OAMvTnaewMnBarV1z1VFgYweLwO-8j3Yt0AaEZhPgyV22XolPA_zH6bmhwIFk08jhEVs1AK1zdrdW9du3CuOUgSOHCQWsUdyykHz/s400/mighty+mex.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The first production model Mastretta, the MXT, is shown on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Mastretta is a Mexican car maker and design studio established by Mexican industrial designer Daniel Mastretta.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71bT39TbkhdvZhd1TmhZAI0KCxbeYY29csOXzmgqmel4V5xMnL-8_vYm648t46SsM1lYAj8Zy4DXGrFCmu7e1hllSv-rRPnzKdqTyuLqltI7meDzeoItUdIGklVUT0G9sDcvRL5vC11Dt/s1600/f150+raptor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71bT39TbkhdvZhd1TmhZAI0KCxbeYY29csOXzmgqmel4V5xMnL-8_vYm648t46SsM1lYAj8Zy4DXGrFCmu7e1hllSv-rRPnzKdqTyuLqltI7meDzeoItUdIGklVUT0G9sDcvRL5vC11Dt/s400/f150+raptor.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A Ford F150 Raptor SVT pickup truck is shown on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show.The show will surpass 50 vehicle debuts with nearly 20 highly-efficient, 40 mpg plus vehicles to be exhibited.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUh7G8QJK7-TEXdJoRwvU30zA8qRIoS0G6k3Ik6ORZhW0nOQWr4TWbYjVWrZ33_g6zGvOaN4JWaWukGw2jvaE5w7FINY9hvGVS8DLTkMxAAsKGEia_GmcAPcmQzi9GxatjdwzyyOiswgFJ/s1600/rovers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUh7G8QJK7-TEXdJoRwvU30zA8qRIoS0G6k3Ik6ORZhW0nOQWr4TWbYjVWrZ33_g6zGvOaN4JWaWukGw2jvaE5w7FINY9hvGVS8DLTkMxAAsKGEia_GmcAPcmQzi9GxatjdwzyyOiswgFJ/s400/rovers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Land Rover DC100 concept cars make their North America debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO0hY6DB_XIHUKl27ObqY4ZECL6kHJTYMPP4E5_mi-Ptn3KIHELz6fA5MB6oXIYwQk3A2yBs1FYXHxg49hhD_e0uy2aCU74_K3Ti2prn2dmgSRCcaxKNgtykDVLp8i6ewRqbca41UKo6W/s1600/aston.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlO0hY6DB_XIHUKl27ObqY4ZECL6kHJTYMPP4E5_mi-Ptn3KIHELz6fA5MB6oXIYwQk3A2yBs1FYXHxg49hhD_e0uy2aCU74_K3Ti2prn2dmgSRCcaxKNgtykDVLp8i6ewRqbca41UKo6W/s400/aston.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">An Aston Martin One-77 is shown on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47Qvu9dXZr1GvuMVYbQ0tfRvf0B4lgbbVDFvs5ZIeYAe-TWSrsRS7MmfY5wrbPday6h8-3b6u_q6zn30SfVDSZHUKQHyCeXWd4crpeLF0ql_TRSRuASsjxxwFwpWwIWUr6GG4oQmjI56i/s1600/bmw+i3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47Qvu9dXZr1GvuMVYbQ0tfRvf0B4lgbbVDFvs5ZIeYAe-TWSrsRS7MmfY5wrbPday6h8-3b6u_q6zn30SfVDSZHUKQHyCeXWd4crpeLF0ql_TRSRuASsjxxwFwpWwIWUr6GG4oQmjI56i/s400/bmw+i3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The BMW i3 plug-in hybrid makes its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jCcigb5g6MrYJ6sYYeAy7dbbTEj8qxcm4hvgoLyPK9UyxuW7iJJMBb0kUjQQ6ur94-6cdf9EsdQap9CAFP-DldqDTvbGlb267KjmNxlGb3UqtgfyPL_KgZHZWmz7tm1NeQ77ry0n8Bzc/s1600/go.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jCcigb5g6MrYJ6sYYeAy7dbbTEj8qxcm4hvgoLyPK9UyxuW7iJJMBb0kUjQQ6ur94-6cdf9EsdQap9CAFP-DldqDTvbGlb267KjmNxlGb3UqtgfyPL_KgZHZWmz7tm1NeQ77ry0n8Bzc/s400/go.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A car detailer dusts a Rolls-Royce Ghost on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbLJGVGr1GY_j4NXRuiDcMnJsKay3pF4k5qPDa3CVFhi7EJbVf1aw4m0UVc4_v3Bq-PUAXLPv6_k9viGd01bbxZFCeUY6am9W4cm42w1yXiaQfnj1Bcyyenre96HpTZaCDiCW-L_2xgvD/s1600/chevy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbLJGVGr1GY_j4NXRuiDcMnJsKay3pF4k5qPDa3CVFhi7EJbVf1aw4m0UVc4_v3Bq-PUAXLPv6_k9viGd01bbxZFCeUY6am9W4cm42w1yXiaQfnj1Bcyyenre96HpTZaCDiCW-L_2xgvD/s400/chevy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Chevrolet Vice President Global Marketing and Strategy Chris Perry speaks as the 2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Convertible is unveiled at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The ZL1 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and can reach a top speed of 184 mph. The convertible will go on sale in the summer of 2012 as a 2013 model.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTBNcaAXrqpuPBUf3fpXZ-QbIMWc3jFdqOH1DUPB89FRJ-_jmfAL-Mw7CD8n792g8DCQGmHgrxVoGEmbptM30wlVhQDij7bWJ3PM74Jif4ZQGXJAm_9fvxSzyptRYFwxsSUWbhssFswqq/s1600/spyder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTBNcaAXrqpuPBUf3fpXZ-QbIMWc3jFdqOH1DUPB89FRJ-_jmfAL-Mw7CD8n792g8DCQGmHgrxVoGEmbptM30wlVhQDij7bWJ3PM74Jif4ZQGXJAm_9fvxSzyptRYFwxsSUWbhssFswqq/s400/spyder.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A model stands beside an Audi R8 GT Spyder on display at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CbZRm9-f__lEIxXyvTzL7bDnU_q4nMcAXbDckLOFEi7rwdFEd4HdCH_z9sT81-9rlqCZHVD7YKqVnsH0pu9Dsf86RQ-0QU181XYwOoqyn68O_hsk_mc557yv6PoTRquraQnWvzJwf_8q/s1600/volvo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CbZRm9-f__lEIxXyvTzL7bDnU_q4nMcAXbDckLOFEi7rwdFEd4HdCH_z9sT81-9rlqCZHVD7YKqVnsH0pu9Dsf86RQ-0QU181XYwOoqyn68O_hsk_mc557yv6PoTRquraQnWvzJwf_8q/s400/volvo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Volvo You concept car with coach doors and suspended seating is displayed at the 2011 LA Auto Show.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pWRk1XVRIGePy7zCBWC864Mw6xEBgKO7Ll131gG2uMAtfxv7CMGMIkiqy1pEYV4du6hbUsNPtQnygFGwZdueqh-wl766BmQO5-r0EUzMeDGALVvYA7WN_y_f6Zw0zNhw7XF-WtmGCNxj/s1600/bmw+concept.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pWRk1XVRIGePy7zCBWC864Mw6xEBgKO7Ll131gG2uMAtfxv7CMGMIkiqy1pEYV4du6hbUsNPtQnygFGwZdueqh-wl766BmQO5-r0EUzMeDGALVvYA7WN_y_f6Zw0zNhw7XF-WtmGCNxj/s400/bmw+concept.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Actress Paula Patton is helped out of the BMW i8 concept car that is featured in the upcoming Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol movie by Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO of BMW North America as the car is revealed at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrCsSswnuxu3iYkLFaLIq8ez23aUmjLbPrJN-KLZZim9RKmTeT64tO0t97SYGeixonP6Wjv99rqQnUwBJk3bNudo81HqfpQiOzWDuQBimstpgaumn0MhMn0qodyYPmBWDwBpr4qr57vuX/s1600/crv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrCsSswnuxu3iYkLFaLIq8ez23aUmjLbPrJN-KLZZim9RKmTeT64tO0t97SYGeixonP6Wjv99rqQnUwBJk3bNudo81HqfpQiOzWDuQBimstpgaumn0MhMn0qodyYPmBWDwBpr4qr57vuX/s400/crv.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The 2012 Honda CR-V makes its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNnMdFGZwiQVNtzv48rQpsmeJsvxKRYD3gGXQgtIz9RZPq1dnM1y7QQv6Eo-b-cXYiFP-E_dQJllMeomeGb6TjjE7yHUjNWbvzhgcm2DM-ZtZNywgMqORZjGAhCOvdISum19I2ggldaLf/s1600/fiat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNnMdFGZwiQVNtzv48rQpsmeJsvxKRYD3gGXQgtIz9RZPq1dnM1y7QQv6Eo-b-cXYiFP-E_dQJllMeomeGb6TjjE7yHUjNWbvzhgcm2DM-ZtZNywgMqORZjGAhCOvdISum19I2ggldaLf/s400/fiat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Olivier Francois, CEO of Fiat Brand and Chief Marketing Officer of Chrysler and Fiat, unveils the Fiat 500 Abarth car during the LA Auto Show.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFKuw4FLxj91zqUNs09N1nYspUORLRvFd4P1keRfVpcvIwt10YgNja6VVD_b0TfN92n4rlmcQ62HsyqqcayOWAHyF-gRUgqvn61nYcuwGiIqsgQTXuZw-64oQA1qVTue9eUAji6yNjdDn/s1600/focus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFKuw4FLxj91zqUNs09N1nYspUORLRvFd4P1keRfVpcvIwt10YgNja6VVD_b0TfN92n4rlmcQ62HsyqqcayOWAHyF-gRUgqvn61nYcuwGiIqsgQTXuZw-64oQA1qVTue9eUAji6yNjdDn/s400/focus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A Ford Focus Electric vehicle on display at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcQNgqUYSV_UzVx374bo6NrfYu2DMv1bgVip8ouR8aZy3mD_E4JwAD-qIRgWyY06kkoVuienbafjTWbNrIqRqeHf_1aWbj_VE8mZ5bKJCop3yLWC4CvTKHs4OMSshnVC69cT47k4RlymB/s1600/kia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcQNgqUYSV_UzVx374bo6NrfYu2DMv1bgVip8ouR8aZy3mD_E4JwAD-qIRgWyY06kkoVuienbafjTWbNrIqRqeHf_1aWbj_VE8mZ5bKJCop3yLWC4CvTKHs4OMSshnVC69cT47k4RlymB/s400/kia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A specially painted Kia Optima with US basketball star and Kia spokeman Blake Griffin's name is displayed at the 2011 LA Auto Show in Los Angeles.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzCHBNTxBcVPMS27kLGTPBqiba0N1bY3XaRCPEU_cCc9gJCbpOQ5y8di4xDl05bggipW2AGpBKvHjzJdpre1wntopYZhNUc2-Fn2REre0G05sw7xQ7NjZc7dKmkizwCApaw7Xv8tBEMyT/s1600/hyundai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzCHBNTxBcVPMS27kLGTPBqiba0N1bY3XaRCPEU_cCc9gJCbpOQ5y8di4xDl05bggipW2AGpBKvHjzJdpre1wntopYZhNUc2-Fn2REre0G05sw7xQ7NjZc7dKmkizwCApaw7Xv8tBEMyT/s400/hyundai.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hyundai’s President and CEO John Krafcik, left, and Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun unveil the Hyundai Azera at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvloDs5EKlSm4h2gvfWbQQt02_xWF6T6nZHYJWtmz3IiZmDn_EgChf-Eu94idOcAWvLePsqswhMhHibhU9O2aI2S0Yjt5SSCKi0-coEjew8E_rqGWbj1LHaVCsc9jcfYYgtAs4yX9gD5z/s1600/vw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvloDs5EKlSm4h2gvfWbQQt02_xWF6T6nZHYJWtmz3IiZmDn_EgChf-Eu94idOcAWvLePsqswhMhHibhU9O2aI2S0Yjt5SSCKi0-coEjew8E_rqGWbj1LHaVCsc9jcfYYgtAs4yX9gD5z/s400/vw.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Frank Fisher, CEO of Chattanooga Operations, Volkswagen Group of America, top left, holds the 2012 Motor Trend Car of the Year award for the 2012 Volkswagen Passat.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoGcwhWN0sCqgV7nWUeYdEltCbMkOyfuB1KhbFn6hYLa4U2dTMsy_M1HADeBg-6aZ8ahSUO7LjwMokJDWLFS3Lwm-MZLqf-B93BJCFIU_z_lN8OI73UAckTxZmTUFzbxnjiWOIFWiJEIN/s1600/audi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoGcwhWN0sCqgV7nWUeYdEltCbMkOyfuB1KhbFn6hYLa4U2dTMsy_M1HADeBg-6aZ8ahSUO7LjwMokJDWLFS3Lwm-MZLqf-B93BJCFIU_z_lN8OI73UAckTxZmTUFzbxnjiWOIFWiJEIN/s400/audi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">An Audi e-tron Spyder is seen at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Reference: <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/">http://www.msnbc.msn.com</a></div></div><br />
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</center><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Day 2 from the 2011 LA Auto Show with the new Porsche 911, Panamera GTS, Lamborghini with the LP550-2 Spyder, the new Kia GT concept, and an Occupy movement hits the show floor. Hosted by Derek DeAngelis.</span></center><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</script>AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-43872210757317284472011-11-27T02:03:00.000+07:002011-12-02T18:49:21.854+07:00100 Years of Chevrolet and The Best Chevy Ever<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiic8L0l41IOzPg4n7c8cpEoIKMVyFw3vat2V25CdbFaCAO-IihKiQ95yAKnu_S2k7Q1EolHq_fLEprNA5qr1RsbeD-5tj2qi0ZGGEHswEEIlfTSH1FtJtU77byev1PHd3kLowGxATXASz7/s1600/1969-Camaro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiic8L0l41IOzPg4n7c8cpEoIKMVyFw3vat2V25CdbFaCAO-IihKiQ95yAKnu_S2k7Q1EolHq_fLEprNA5qr1RsbeD-5tj2qi0ZGGEHswEEIlfTSH1FtJtU77byev1PHd3kLowGxATXASz7/s1600/1969-Camaro.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1969 Camaro</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/" target="_blank">AutoGearhead</a>: Base on vote at the official Chevy website for the best Chevy ever. Most of voters chose 1969 Camaro as the best Chevy ever.<br />
By 1969 the Camaro was extremely popular. And though this was the final year of the Camaro's original iconic design, it went out with flying colors. The '69 Camaro paced the Indianapolis 500® for the second time.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>It was the first and only year the legendary aluminum ZL1 engine was offered, and the Z28® SS/RS performance package qualified the '69 Camaro to compete in the Trans-Am racing series. It's still considered one of the hottest-looking rides of the classic muscle car era. It had a 290-horsepower rating but tested at close to 400.<br />
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This four-wheeled icon has graced the silver screen many times. In Almost Famous, a young William Miller watches his sister drive off with her boyfriend in a blue 1969 Camaro coupe. And a slightly earlier version stars as the famous black beauty in Better Off Dead.<br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.chevrolet.com/" target="_blank">http://www.chevrolet.com</a><br />
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</script>AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-84493702150172855112011-11-24T17:31:00.000+07:002011-11-24T17:40:02.198+07:00Understanding Oversteer.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5ZpYQg_1NUQW1HEMPsq_sFlProoTNmxqM9hv1HPB3FoJ25X4MawFaYMCGOENLRLmnF1KnbIpU5lNe2CsbsfUTbuo28CHuzOQLDgHnM2bF1tIhbOuLFosi9a2xFlD1G8sdOaFqY_2v9j8/s1600/oversteer+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5ZpYQg_1NUQW1HEMPsq_sFlProoTNmxqM9hv1HPB3FoJ25X4MawFaYMCGOENLRLmnF1KnbIpU5lNe2CsbsfUTbuo28CHuzOQLDgHnM2bF1tIhbOuLFosi9a2xFlD1G8sdOaFqY_2v9j8/s320/oversteer+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">Oversteer: the car makes the turn too sharp and gets into a spin.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/">Auto Gearhead</a>: In previous article we have talk about <a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/2011/11/understanding-understeer.html"><b>understeer</b></a>, in this articel we gonna talk more about understeer. Understeer and oversteer are vehicle dynamics terms used to describe the sensitivity of a vehicle to steering. Simply put, oversteer is what occurs when a car turns (steers) by more than (over) the amount commanded by the driver. Automotive engineers define understeer and oversteer based on changes in steering angle associated with changes in lateral acceleration over a sequence of steady-state circular turning tests.<br />
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An article from <a href="http://drivingfast.net/">drivingfast.net</a> says, when you reach the limits of grip on a corner, two scenarios can result known as understeer or oversteer. Oversteer, like understeer, results from the car reaching the limits of traction on a corner. In this case, the rear tyres reach the limit of adhesion before the front. This leads to 'the back coming out'. The good thing about oversteer is that you normally go through the hedge backwards, thus preventing expensive repairs to the front of your vehicle. If you manage to performed sustained, controlled oversteer this is know as drifting.<br />
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<b>Symptoms of oversteer</b> It's unlikely you'll ever experience oversteer unless you're driving a car near the limits of grip. You can recognise oversteer if, the rear of the vehicle becomes unstable and 'light' due to lack of grip and the car starts to rotate so the driver is facing towards the inside of the corner<br />
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There are four major active <b>causes of oversteer</b>, but what you're likely to encounter depends on the car being driven, causes include:<br />
<ol><li>Entering the corner too fast.</li>
<li>Accelerating into the corner, too early or too aggressively.</li>
<li>Braking into the corner or mid corner.</li>
<li>Lifting off the throttle mid-corner. This scenario is also known as:</li>
</ol><ul><li>lift-off oversteer</li>
<li>snap-oversteer</li>
<li>trailing-throttle oversteer</li>
<li>throttle off oversteer</li>
<li>lift-throttle oversteer</li>
<li>lift-off oversteer</li>
</ul><b>Lift-off oversteer</b> is a phenomenon which can occur when reducing the throttle mid corner. This will only happen when driving close to the limit so only experiment when on the track. Sporty front wheel drive drive cars can be especially prone to this due to the heavy front end and light rear. Reducing the throttle input results in a forward weight transfer, which increases the grip at the front tyres, but reduces levels at the rear. If this is performed during cornering, the combination of the heavy front end and the reduction of grip can cause the rear wheels to break traction and start to slide towards the outside of the corner.<br />
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Whatever the cause of oversteer it is important to keep the front wheels pointing in the direction you're hoping to go. If you fail to do this, the most likely result is a spin. This technique is known as counter-steering or applying opposite lock. You should apply enough steering lock to point the wheels in the direction of the slide as shown below. Too little and you're likely to spin as the back continues to come round, too much and the car will rapidly over-correct, often resulting in a spin in the opposite direction. The skill can only be mastered with plenty of practice and should become instinct if you're planning to drive fast on a track.<br />
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Applying corrective steering needs to be done rapidly to catch the back of the car before it slides to a point which may be difficult to control. Once the slide has been controlled and the back starts to fall back in line, it's also important to get the steering correction off quickly too, otherwise you might find your self with oversteer in the opposite direction due to the resulting pendulum effect.(*)<br />
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<center><div style="text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JcthJw_EHZQ" width="420"></iframe></center><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></center><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">A video with Martin Brundle describing Oversteer and Understeer.</span></center><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></center>AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-550354892727728142011-11-23T11:34:00.000+07:002011-11-23T15:32:14.645+07:00Understanding Understeer.<div style="text-align: right;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vbUwlYR2gcZWuMV80vh435kAx_ADTnfvbdzZbDjblSTh5Zyl_qpUqkh1NDjX5HtfErlgB1s2B5BQSvEpHIBEmIyokXagi0yzORhivGsLlr9ezWyvtBXRT1Vo9OULI_304dZqj4bOJScQ/s1600/understeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vbUwlYR2gcZWuMV80vh435kAx_ADTnfvbdzZbDjblSTh5Zyl_qpUqkh1NDjX5HtfErlgB1s2B5BQSvEpHIBEmIyokXagi0yzORhivGsLlr9ezWyvtBXRT1Vo9OULI_304dZqj4bOJScQ/s320/understeer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">Understeer: The car does not turn enough and leaves the road.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/">Auto Gearhead</a>: <b>Understeer</b> is vehicle dynamics terms used to describe the sensitivity of a vehicle to steering. Understeer is what occurs when a car steers less than, or 'under' the amount commanded by the driver.<br />
Automotive engineers define understeer based on changes in steering angle associated with changes in lateral acceleration over a sequence of steady-state circular turning tests. Understeer occurs when traction is lost at the front wheels while cornering, forcing you wide on a bend despite applying the correct steering angle.<br />
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<b>Avoiding understeer.</b><br />
The potential harm of understeer is the car out off the road. But fortunately, this emergency situation is fairly easy to overcome. The point is to slow the vehicle so that traction can be returned.<br />
To avoiding understeer you can drive as smooth as you can, don't enter corners flat out, and accelerate as you exit, do not add a round steering wheel or brake, reduce round the steering wheel until the tire gripping again. The las is do not brake in a corner. The only exception to this is if you are using trail braking (late braking). In some situations on the track, it may be possible to get a better time by leaving your braking to the very last minute, forcing you to maintain braking into the turn. If this is the case, ensure most of the braking effort has been carried out in a straight line, and progressively release the brakes as you approach the apex. The resulting forward weight transfer can reduce understeer and improve 'turn in', however, it can also make the car more prone to oversteer. This is an advanced technique and should only be used once you are very confident with your car, the track and the conditions.<br />
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<b>Simple modifications to make a car less prone to understeer.</b><br />
If you have a track car and find understeer a problem, you can complete some relatively easy modifications which can make the handling more neutral. These include:<br />
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<ul><li>Reducing the front tyre pressure</li>
<li>Softening front springs or anti-roll bar</li>
<li>Use softer front tyres</li>
<li>Increase front down force (if aerodynamics fitted).</li>
</ul>Reference: <a href="http://drivingfast.net/" target="blank">drivingfast.net</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/z_bWWLw-60k/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z_bWWLw-60k&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z_bWWLw-60k&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A video from the AMG Driving Academy Performance, an explanation about Understeer and Oversteer.</div>AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-21259172509081365062011-11-23T02:31:00.000+07:002011-11-24T18:21:52.605+07:002013 Chevrolet Malibu.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbUtTUnB1QW70WvL1529QnaLvITsIYdcVnU-k-xYqz_MdodaM7kcdI8ROQfJyw7ycuaMyFBEZly1Rrn91D5S6YqxmcEtxDGHziNJCmgzgofnWK8RV13dX2iV5Tz6h6LJz7CT-k9EFvigw/s1600/2013-Chevrolet-Malibu-Eco-Front-Quarter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbUtTUnB1QW70WvL1529QnaLvITsIYdcVnU-k-xYqz_MdodaM7kcdI8ROQfJyw7ycuaMyFBEZly1Rrn91D5S6YqxmcEtxDGHziNJCmgzgofnWK8RV13dX2iV5Tz6h6LJz7CT-k9EFvigw/s320/2013-Chevrolet-Malibu-Eco-Front-Quarter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chevrolet Malibu</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/">Auto Gearhead</a>: Chevrolet has begun setting prices for its redesigned 2013 Chevrolet Malibu lineup, starting with the upper-level Malibu Eco model to be priced from $25,995, including $760 for destination and handling.<br />
The first of Chevrolet’s new family sedans, the Malibu Eco will take over the role that the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid held in the automaker’s lineup until it was dropped from the lineup after the 2010 model year.<br />
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Close in concept, both the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu and its predecessor use a mild hybrid setup that assists the gas engine with the electric motor, instead of either the gas engine or electric motor working independently of one another.<br />
Based around Chevrolet’s 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, the combination produces 182 horsepower—the same as the base Malibu’s non-hybrid system. But with the eAssist technology, Chevrolet claims the car will achieve 26 mpg city/38 mpg highway. It will come with a lithium-ion battery pack in addition to automatic engine start-stop, and regenerative braking—all while only adding 130 pounds over the standard Malibu. Chevrolet is quick to point out that it compares well to the full hybrids in its class, but at a lower price.<br />
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Between the Ford Fusion Hybrid (40 mpg city/36 mpg highway), Volkswagen Passat TDI (30 mpg city/40 mpg highway with automatic transmission), Toyota Camry (40 mpg city/38 mpg highway), and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (35 mpg city/40 mpg highway), none achieve below 30 mpg in any standard, leaving the Malibu Eco in a tenuous spot per its press literature. At least it is more affordable than the aforementioned models.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemAtOoICDn3thQvOLL5Ne5RGIyUo4e-BsWGEmBvo3EY2ZgWlV0n3RY_GydcZ4-4IGA0BUona7KwJDslkWULtxj_v2IBeC1MbIGCweUc34hNovOF1M0mKCCltwu1uzuQm-bUqiYh6hZBcB/s1600/2013-Chevrolet-Malibu-Eco-Rear-Quarter-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemAtOoICDn3thQvOLL5Ne5RGIyUo4e-BsWGEmBvo3EY2ZgWlV0n3RY_GydcZ4-4IGA0BUona7KwJDslkWULtxj_v2IBeC1MbIGCweUc34hNovOF1M0mKCCltwu1uzuQm-bUqiYh6hZBcB/s320/2013-Chevrolet-Malibu-Eco-Rear-Quarter-.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
New for the 2013 model year, Chevrolet has included a host of upgrades, including active aerodynamics that close hood vents at highway speeds to cut through the wind better, standard low rolling-resistance 17-inch tires mounted on aluminum wheels, the MyLink infotainment system, satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, OnStar, and eight airbags distributed throughout the interior. Other features are available like a backup camera, remote starter, a nine-speaker Pioneer stereo system, and leather.<br />
The Chevrolet Malibu Eco goes on sale in the first quarter of next year, representing the first time the Malibu will be sold all over the world in Chevrolet’s lineup. It will initially be produced in Chevrolet’s South Korean factory. Following it, the Malibu LS, LT, and LTZ non-hybrid trims will start production in summer 2012 and hit dealer lots shortly thereafter. (Jacob Brown)<br />
Source: Chevrolet<br />
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<center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yF1eunD3Hnk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
<br />
Senior GM designer Bryan Nesbitt explains the aggressive new styling in the all new 2013 Malibu and how the Camaro influenced it for a sportier look. Precise engineering also make it a contender for the most aerodynamic car in its class.AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-64662741751281083592011-11-23T00:50:00.000+07:002011-11-24T17:28:11.564+07:00Be a Smart Driver to Save Your Fuel.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNe1w4L1aZUBwhRXBwBAG9b3qhSy21P_r5lzFIbgUrgIFwg5nBJNytt4lYlWYlRe6jFrN50DGTFhi07IiVLBUXdXTFt8rPR0BdNOFxT_t9ow7V9QTefgnHiBn_355eRVss8twUazhwr62q/s1600/saves+fuel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNe1w4L1aZUBwhRXBwBAG9b3qhSy21P_r5lzFIbgUrgIFwg5nBJNytt4lYlWYlRe6jFrN50DGTFhi07IiVLBUXdXTFt8rPR0BdNOFxT_t9ow7V9QTefgnHiBn_355eRVss8twUazhwr62q/s200/saves+fuel.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/">AutoGearhead</a>: Maybe you think over to find how to <b>saves fuel</b>. Its easy to saves fuel with this simple tips. Your style of driving habits could be costing you at the fuel pump. Following these driving tips will help you save money on fuel.<br />
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You might enjoy your time when it at a stop light, do not rev up your engine rpm. Do not <b>drive aggressively</b> out on the highway can lower your car's gas mileage up to 33 percent. Driving aggressively around town can pull down your vehicle's fuel efficiency by 5 percent. Drive like a grownup is better. Slowly accelerate after every stop sign and stop light. Go easy on the accelerator out on the highway.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YHbxMcQGXLYJmUMVt6amsIL1rvFutTcBAPfeakUFvSGl8IWQkEyejm117VIg6ELRqbqUJLvTwQdgMfJ9VeR6H_hXiK7mHNW1JTHUpr94x_J3q5JJmJawKVGuk7jMBuBDPOsQyGrLOylI/s1600/pug+cruise+control.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="60" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YHbxMcQGXLYJmUMVt6amsIL1rvFutTcBAPfeakUFvSGl8IWQkEyejm117VIg6ELRqbqUJLvTwQdgMfJ9VeR6H_hXiK7mHNW1JTHUpr94x_J3q5JJmJawKVGuk7jMBuBDPOsQyGrLOylI/s200/pug+cruise+control.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peugeot Cruise Control Stalk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Be a <b>smooth driver</b>. Abrupt stops aren't great for your car or your car's fuel efficiency. So anticipate stops whenever you can. Letting your car coast to a stop is a good way to improve your gas mileage. Using cruise control out on the highway will help you maintain a smooth, constant speed and may boost your gas mileage. Becoming a smoother driver will help to saves fuel.<br />
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It's important to <b>follow the speed limit</b>. Speeding is a very expensive way to drive. Driving above the speed limit may get you where you want to go in less time, but it also means <span class="long_text" id="result_box" lang="en"><span style="background-color: #ebeff9;" title="boros bahan bakar"></span></span>wasteful of fuel. "Driving at excessive speeds is going to pull down your fuel efficiency," says Jim Kliesch, research associate at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and vehicle analyst.<br />
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And the faster you drive, the bigger the fuel-economy hit on your car. Driving 75 mph instead of 65 mph will lower your car's fuel economy by 10 percent. Driving 70 mph instead of 55 mph will lower your car's fuel economy by 17 percent. So stop treating speed limit signs as suggestions and slow down already. Obeying the speed limit is the safest and cheapest way to drive.<br />
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Remove <b>any excess items from your car</b> to make your car more lighter. Less weight means better mileage. Carrying an extra 100 pounds in the trunk of your car may cut your car's fuel economy by 1 percent to 2 percent. A loaded roof rack increases your car's air drag and can pull down your car's mileage by 5 percent. Avoid carrying items on your car's roof whenever possible.<br />
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Go <b>easy on the air conditioning</b>. Roll down your car's windows and let in the summer breeze. Using the gas-hogging air conditioning as sparingly as possible will give your car's fuel economy a real boost. Air conditioning can drag down your car's fuel economy by 10 percent to 20 percent. But on days when air conditioning is a must, first try cooling your car the old fashioned way, rolling down the windows, opening the vents, peeling back the sunroof. You'd be amazed how much hot air you can clear out of your car just by opening up for awhile. <br />
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Do not waste fuel with let your car's engine runs idle, its fuel economy crashes down to zero miles per gallon. The larger your engine the more gas you wind up wasting while idling your car. Get with the times. Keep in mind, that modern vehicles don't need to warm up.<br />
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In the city with high traffic, <b>avoid rush hour</b>. Not only is stop-and-go traffic stressful and annoying, it's bad for your car's gas mileage. So avoid driving at rush hour whenever you can. Stagger your work hours so you can time your weekday commuting at less busy times of the day. You can save fuel and cut down on the wear and tear on your car by choosing the shortest route to your destination and combining short trips whenever possible. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer, multistop trip of the same distance with a warm engine.<br />
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Important!!! <b>Avoid resting your foot</b> on the brake pedal or clutch pedal while driving. The slightest pressure on brake or clutch pedal could cause a drag that will require additional fuel.AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-58189256263490145772011-11-20T23:17:00.000+07:002011-12-02T18:46:36.625+07:00Review: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21jy_G1AHNAEA-bG3mVzNb9aPHu4xySc3bZ1Zgv8xhN5_KPOjw2bDWe6J7k9vNn0dDzQGOCkyLY6tGd0pxKM04ay28CRL46tP7wSuD4nGGlsQITWGT7ec71ikjYYhcqirhcX5dOMtMqBl/s1600/Peugeot-3008-Hybrid4-Front-Angle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21jy_G1AHNAEA-bG3mVzNb9aPHu4xySc3bZ1Zgv8xhN5_KPOjw2bDWe6J7k9vNn0dDzQGOCkyLY6tGd0pxKM04ay28CRL46tP7wSuD4nGGlsQITWGT7ec71ikjYYhcqirhcX5dOMtMqBl/s320/Peugeot-3008-Hybrid4-Front-Angle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/">Auto Gearhead</a>: Peugeot Citroen have been showing Hybrid4 concepts for three years now and finally the wait is over. The new Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 is here and we've driven it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINdwq0JaGbTy-5Y8SUPPiIjxtalrK7_xIxKb2Pydf-sO5PGmTHVanictpietsY-3OtTm47FdrOGzwuzHGjHEibdSc9VvZLw8cR13lkqh0b3rfuxRRnq-kaJc3o1oLWBU4KWOsaXty3MOf/s1600/Peugeot3008Hybrid4_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>UK sales start in November 2011. This is a significant car on numerous counts. It's the first series production diesel-electric hybrid on sale. It's the first time you or I have been able to buy a PSA Hybrid4 vehicle. And, if Paris is to be believed, it may yet revolutionise the way hybrid cars are put together and sold.<br />
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<b>Peugeot Hybrid4: a history lesson</b><br />
A quick recap on the PSA hybrid solution. The French have long championed diesel, and there's been much oh la la and gnashing of teeth to be heard in the corridors of Peugeot Citroen HQ as the world switched on to petrol-electric hybrids, many of them fearsomely expensive, bespoke models with knee-high emissions and sky-high price tags.<br />
PSA, with a lot of help from Bosch, has come up with what it argues is a much simpler system: Hybrid4. It takes an existing combustion-engined model - step forward 3008 - and bolts on a relatively low powered 27kW electrified rear axle. Clever electronics control the interaction between front engine and rear electric motor, with not a single physical link between the axles.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINdwq0JaGbTy-5Y8SUPPiIjxtalrK7_xIxKb2Pydf-sO5PGmTHVanictpietsY-3OtTm47FdrOGzwuzHGjHEibdSc9VvZLw8cR13lkqh0b3rfuxRRnq-kaJc3o1oLWBU4KWOsaXty3MOf/s1600/Peugeot3008Hybrid4_02.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINdwq0JaGbTy-5Y8SUPPiIjxtalrK7_xIxKb2Pydf-sO5PGmTHVanictpietsY-3OtTm47FdrOGzwuzHGjHEibdSc9VvZLw8cR13lkqh0b3rfuxRRnq-kaJc3o1oLWBU4KWOsaXty3MOf/s320/Peugeot3008Hybrid4_02.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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It means that every model in Peugeot Citroen's range can theoretically be hybridised relatively cheaply, at a premium of some £2500-£3500 over a regular cooking petrol or diesel engine. PSA is launching the diesel first (because they're French/because of its inherent 30% mpg benefit), but unleaded hybrids will follow.<br />
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<b>Does the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 work well in practice?</b><br />
First impressions are good. This really is a 'normal' hybrid car. There are no glitzy controls to scare you off, no weird-looking body panels. Your next door neighbours will be hard pushed to tell you're driving a clever-clogs sub-100g/km CO2 car. There's just that niggling doubt over a price tag of £26,995 which seems at odds with the 3008 Hybrid4's populist roots... Cheaper hybrids will follow, engineers assure us.<br />
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Step onboard and where you'd normally find the 3008's Grip Control button is a hybrid controller, letting you pick between ZEV for full electric mode (it'll run as a RWD for up to three miles if the battery is full); Auto (where everything is done for you); 4wd (where both axles are powered for better traction in slippery conditions); and Sport (where the automated manual six-speed transmission clings onto gears for longer).<br />
Turn the key to start up and the silence is golden. Progress is smooth, as we pull away in Auto mode. Peugeot has tuned the gearbox to use the electric motor's torque to smoothe off gearchanges and progress is sweeter than in regular 3008's with the jumpy automated manual. Creep forwards and you can indeed drive in EV mode up to around 30mph before the 2.0-litre HDI diesel kicks in. The transitions are smooth and there's no kangarooing to speak of. Don't like the cheap plastic paddles, though, and it's hard to tell which mode you're in as the controller has tiny lights. But initial driving impressions are good.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKn5PB9kATqy50sa183Lz9-3LLn4ZpV2aoKR0oCH8bVVTd_nM9uUrNjmmc23pWuWfrpNFskdZA4X4z5HoBHbd4awgccV0w4mGkz_BCL4wsHSxjrQIGUZUCyMM5qB_Pyg4lqyQz_ceIM5wI/s1600/Peugeot-3008-Hybrid4-Interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKn5PB9kATqy50sa183Lz9-3LLn4ZpV2aoKR0oCH8bVVTd_nM9uUrNjmmc23pWuWfrpNFskdZA4X4z5HoBHbd4awgccV0w4mGkz_BCL4wsHSxjrQIGUZUCyMM5qB_Pyg4lqyQz_ceIM5wI/s320/Peugeot-3008-Hybrid4-Interior.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>What about at higher speeds?</b><br />
The 3008 is no powerhouse; that modest rear electric motor is a fifth the power of a Prius's, remember. But you've got that stonking 2.0-litre HDI engine, which rows the chunky - 1660kg - 3008 Hybrid4 along very nicely. Regular 3008 traits remain: a lofty driving position for good visibility (bar some hefty A-pillars), storage spaces galore for family duties, a plump ride, quite agile steering and a slightly fiddly parking brake. You won't see a % power indicator in a regular or garden Pug, though. It's more Rolls-like.<br />
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We tested it in 38deg C heat with the air-con blasting away in mainly urban conditions - average speed 23mph - and gobbled diesel at a rate of 49mpg. We'd say that's quite impressive for a large five-seater that can double up as a van. The 3008's loadbay loses around 15% of its space, but you've still got 420 litres, stretching to 1501 if you drop the rear seats.<br />
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Just remember you need to pick the base car with 16in wheels if you want the magical 99g/km CO2 figure. At current tax rates, that'd mean you'd be exempt from annual road tax and London congestion charge for life. But the higher-spec Hybrid4 model we tested had 17s and 104g/km. Every digit counts nowadays.<br />
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<b>Verdict</b><br />
We admire the Hybrid4's plug-n-play nature. That you can apply this tech to any car based on the large or mid-sized PF2 or PF3 platforms in the Peugeot Citroen empire is a neat engineering trick. It's a clever way of hybridising large numbers of cars quickly, and a plug-in version with lithium ion batteries and a fourfold increase in ZEV range is coming in 2014.<br />
While we may struggle to call a £27k hybrid affordable, it's obvious PSA has elected to launch the Hybrid4 at the top of the 3008 range. Once it percolates down to smaller engines, we'd wager it'll make more sense to more buyers. (Tim Pollard-First Drives)<br />
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Engine : 1997cc four-cylinder TD, 163bhp @ 3750rpm, 221lb ft @ 1580rpm<br />
Transmission : Six-speed automated manual, four-wheel drive<br />
Performance : 8.5sec 0-62mph, 74.4mpg, 104g/km<br />
How heavy : 1660kg/steel<br />
How big (length/width/height in mm) : 4365/2113/1610<br />
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</script>AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-71840547034617917962011-11-20T20:25:00.000+07:002011-11-23T11:37:56.735+07:00Power Steering.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkN5jyRi2k5ASSoODlgBErewjhPW7LconbtukqJ-6C0tHl90omhnq_TXRhINjzEFtgMqQv9NGDitADBF3q7U7uuK2Qz_IOv6p9NgcG1WV403XZ2Q07a47R4US8uQ1nM-XIjJ_Hb8KegKa/s1600/powersteering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkN5jyRi2k5ASSoODlgBErewjhPW7LconbtukqJ-6C0tHl90omhnq_TXRhINjzEFtgMqQv9NGDitADBF3q7U7uuK2Qz_IOv6p9NgcG1WV403XZ2Q07a47R4US8uQ1nM-XIjJ_Hb8KegKa/s1600/powersteering.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rack and Pinion Type</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/">Auto Gearhead</a>: Power steering has hydraulic and electric types. Todays, hydraulic <b>power steering</b> is used on almost all <b>car models</b>. Three major components of the power steering is hydraulic vane pump, control valve and power cylinder. To increase driving comfort, most modern cars use wide tires sized and low pressure, which could increase the surface contact area of wheel-to-street. As a result, the required power steering gets heavier.<br />
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Power steering can be lowered by lowering the gear ratio steering gear. However, this way will cause rotary motion of the steering wheel when the vehicle becomes more rounded, so it can not do a sharp turn.<br />
To maintain steering and agility, at the same time make the power steering remains light, it takes a kind of steering aids. In other words, power steering, which has been widely used for large vehicles, are now also widely used for small passenger cars.AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8672225844848385149.post-17878161047163583452011-11-20T17:35:00.000+07:002011-11-20T23:39:14.533+07:00The Most Popular Car Color 2011<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBug9yHIstx3b0iigR1LtioHsxEuY9UnMUg-iwc8bjEzIMKW469Z-u9iS0WnEF3xWtgMZ74g2gC7mxuim-jh9vVx5WVrZOx1AzNuBd-4rM3DvYTshu9EaRQ_FsRdkpsuPx9tr_uVFj8sn/s1600/vw+passat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBug9yHIstx3b0iigR1LtioHsxEuY9UnMUg-iwc8bjEzIMKW469Z-u9iS0WnEF3xWtgMZ74g2gC7mxuim-jh9vVx5WVrZOx1AzNuBd-4rM3DvYTshu9EaRQ_FsRdkpsuPx9tr_uVFj8sn/s1600/vw+passat.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motor Trend Car of the Year: VW Passat</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.autogearhead.com/">AutoGearhead</a>: White is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive cone cells in the human eye in nearly equal amounts and with high brightness compared to the surroundings. Lately, white is becoming the most popular vehicle color in the world, followed by black and silver. According to car-paint supplier PPG Industries, in North America, white was first making up 20 percent of the 2011 model year cars. Silver was second at 19 percent, then black at 18 percent, gray at 15 percent, red and blue tied at 9 percent, naturals such as brown, tan and gold at 7 percent, green at 2 percent and other colors at 1 percent.<br />
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Results varied in Europe and Asia, though both continents had the same three color choices on top. PPG also conducted an online study of consumer choices regarding paint color, finding that 48 percent of car buyers make choices based on color, and 31 percent are willing to pay extra for a vehicle that expresses their personality through color. At its annual Automotive Color Trend Show, PPG will present ideas for future colors. Have any idea?.AutoGearheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04109782256817936659noreply@blogger.com0