Posts Tagged ‘automobiles’

How Our Cars Are More Wired than Ever Before

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

Today’s infotainment systems are more advanced than ever before. Thanks to modern technology we can actually receive incoming tweets and text messages via voice while we are driving. This technology is useful because it lets drivers concentrate on the road and keep their hands on the wheel.

Whether we like it or not; our society is becoming more wired than ever before. Many of us use or smart phones on a daily basis in order to place calls, organize our daily plans and communicate with our friends and co-workers via text and e-mail messages. Most modern infotainment systems have integrated smart phone use with their car’s infotainment system and allowing is to make calls using Bluetooth technology.

Music and entertainment while on the road is also a big part when it comes to infotainment systems; just about everybody owns an Ipod nowadays and consumers want the ability to bring their tunes along. Some systems allow you to tag songs and play them by album or favorites.

One of the most advanced and popular infotainment systems on the market is Ford’s SYNC system. One of the newest addition to the Sync system just added for 2012 is on-demand NPR news. This feature allows the user to create playlists featuring their favorite NPR programs. Programs can also be accessed via category such as politics or news. SYNC is currently the most affordable system on the market; pricing starts at just $295.

There is an epidemic of distracted driving behaviors; mainly drivers who text while behind the wheel. Ford Motor has recognized that this distraction can be dangerous and has integrated texting capabilities with Sync. The system will read the text messages over the car’s audio speakers.

Ford has added the Applink feature to 10 of its best selling models. Applink allows the user to utilize smart phone apps such as Pandora internet radio and Stitcher radio by using voice commands. This system goes beyond Sync because it allows the user to integrate smart phone apps into their car’s entertainment system.

Ford isn’t the only company with a comprehensive entertainment system; Toyota is also following suit with their Entune system. Entune has the ability to provide passengers with sport scores, news and navigation all via voice command. We can expect many more companies to integrate internet connectivity and bluetooth technology in their cars. Our world is becoming more wired than ever and that technology will extend to our cars.

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The Perfect Zombie Survival Car

Monday, January 30th, 2012

There is nothing like having the right tools for the right job and the same can be said of car. If you are in the city, then an electric car or hybrid is a great option. If you are looking to save money, then a used vehicle is the way to go. If you are a lumberjack, you probably want a diesel truck. What about if you are escaping a zombie apocalypse? What kind of vehicle would you need?

You need something big and tough. You need a ride that can easily plow over a street full of zombies with no problem. An SUV or even a truck is your best option. An SUV has the advantage of being completely enclosed, so can reach your supplies without having to go outside. Remember, 4×4 is a must.

You might think a huge SUV like a Hummer would be best, but be careful. A Hummer is large but it also gets bad gas mileage, and in a post zombie apocalypse world, fuel will be scarce and you have to carry your fuel with you, so a hybrid SUV is probably the best option.

Jack it up with large, wide, off road tires that can roll over burned out barricades with no fear of rolling over. It may look like a monster truck, but you are fighting monsters now. Be sure to carry spare tires! You never know when you will hit a police spike in the road.

Top mounted auxiliary lights are great for spotting those night creepers way in advance. Also include a hi-beam that you can mount on your window and plug into your cigarette lighter to search nearby woods.

If you can get a wench then do so. You never know when you will need to pull an abandoned car off the road. Place the wench on the back if possible, you might need your front to ram things or attach a plow. Also add a trailer hitch. You might not ever use a trailer but the extra storage it gives you could save your life.

Ham radios and antenna will give you long range capabilities with other survivors and include a GPS system so you know where to go. A crash bar can be useful for protecting your front and some vehicles like Jeeps have options for body armor and even a snow plow, perfect for smashing through a wall or barricade.

Plenty of options exist still, luggage racks for carrying extra supplies, gun racks to place your weapons, a fog lights can all be useful additions. There is no guaranteeing your survival when such events occur but at least you will know it isn’t because you aren’t prepared.

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Do You Know Your Car Safety Features?

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

Car safety has become an increasingly import issue over the last few years. Crash test ratings are a major selling point for cars as well as safety features like side impact crunch zones and side airbags. While driving can still be a very dangerous thing to do, it may be safer then you realize.

A recent study shows that 2010 had the lowest traffic fatality rate in the history of recorded fatality rates. To put the numbers in perspective, more people died of poisoning then the from auto crashes. Yep, you read it right, 41,000 people were poisoned while 37,261 were killed in car wrecks. In fact, more people also died of the flu and pneumonia as well. That being said, it is important for you to be aware of what different kind of safety features are available and how they function. Here are some options. Check out buying a used car for a deal you will love.

Anti-Lock Breaks – ABS is a function that keeps a car’s wheels from locking up during a panic break. In short, the theory is that if the wheels lock, you start to skid and lose control. ABS helps keep the wheels from locking, thus allowing to you control your car as you hit the breaks. This comes standard for four wheels on most new cars. Trucks and SUV’s usually have the option for two or four wheel.

Electronic Stability Control – ESC is a fairly new invention that is proving to be one of the better car safety inventions. ESC was created to help drivers keep control of their vehicles during intense maneuvers and spin outs. The technology monitors tires speeds and applies braking force to one or more tires as needed. ESC has been incredibly helpful in lowering the number of traffic fatalities and is standard on most new cars. That being said, many new trucks still lack ESC.

Air Bags – Air bags have been around for some time now and everyone knows about front airbags but you may not know about side air bags. They are making an appearance in many new car models as well. They protect from side impacts and either deploy downward from the roof or up and out from the seat back. The latter have proven effective in protecting the neck and back. There are also roll over air bags, that deploy when sensor detect a roll over. They deploy from the roof as well and remain open longer than normal air bags.

By law, all cars made after 2006 have advanced air bag systems. These systems are designed to function in such a way that balances the passenger protection with the force the bad is deployed at. It is particularly useful in situations where small adults or children may be sitting in a seat.

While safe driving can never be stressed enough it is good to know these features can great reduce the odds of injury or death in the event of an accident. Look for them when buying a new or used car.

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Yet Another Museum for Italy

Monday, January 9th, 2012

The reputation and proud history of Ferrari is rivaled by few, and now Ferrari is paying tribute to their legacy by opening the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena. The Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari will open on March 10, a little over a month after Enzo’s February 18th birthday. While the museum will not open until March, the town will most certainly honor his memory will before then. The creator of the famed cars was born in Modena in 1898 and died in 1988.

The first exhibit will be titled “The Origins of the Myth,” and presumably covers the early days of the automakers inspiration. The museum itself is a piece of history, being built around the preserved, original home and workshop of Enzo. The roof of the museum is a beautiful aluminum yellow “bonnet.” Yellow is the official color of Modena and the color that Enzo chose as the background of the famous Prancing Horse Ferrari logo.The exhibition is dedicated to telling the life story of the man behind the car and covers his work and life as a race driver and engineer, all placed within the context of his heyday in the 1900′s. During that time he was biggest name in motorsports and won numerous races on the professional level.

His original home already hosts a multimedia display chronicling his life. Ferrari’s motto was “if you can dream it, you can do it” and his life reflected his saying. To Enzo, the automobile was more than just a car, it was a work of art that strived for perfection. He used the races as a testing ground for new designs and technologies to further his quest for the perfect car. Need to study up on used cars? At researching used cars we can help.

Of course the heart of the museum will be the cars on display. Collected from the most prestigious collections and museums, they will be presented as works of art. Additionally each vehicle will have showcases complete with original documents, designs and memorabilia, often from Enzo’s own collection. As if Modena didn’t have enough history and culture already, the museum will be a welcomed addition to their downtown district. The museum is situated near where the cities first industrial complexes where built.

Ferrari wanted a building that lived up to its reputation and achieved just that. Designed by the famous Future Systems of London, the 54,000 square foot facility will also host a conference room, archives, a gift store and of course coffee shop. No plans to open a Ferrari dealership there currently exist. All in all, the museum is a fitting and beautiful tribute to the man who gave us one of the most beautiful cars ever made.

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Pining Away

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

The Boy Scouts are famous for many great traditions but one of the most fun ones is the annual Pinewood Derby. Primarily a Boy Scott event, the derby is an event where boys take solid blocks of pine wood and carve them into cars and race them.

The Pinewood Derby was created in 1953 by Cubmaster Don Murphy from Pack 280c in Manhattan Beach. Murphy had a son who was too young participate in the annual Soap Box Derby races and he suggested they make and race little wooden cars instead. The first event was a success and soon the event began to spread. For a great deal check out used vehicles today.

Living up to its name, the scout is given a solid block of pine wood, 4 wheels and 4 nails for axles and told to make a car. The car must use all 9 pieces, weigh under a certain amount (usually 5 oz.) and fit on the regulation sized track. The rest is up to the scout.

The main purpose is for the scout to spend time with his father or grandfather, creating the car. The car can be whittled with a knife, saw a rotary tool or any other shaping tool. The wheels are attached by driving the nails, to use as axles, through the tire hub and into the wood.

There are no set rules for the design but there are some common things to keep in mind when making yours. One is design. A car built for speed is sleek and aerodynamic. Endless sanding and polishing go into the body to make sure that there is as little wind resistance as possible.

The cars weight is arguably the most important factor. The car should weigh the maximum amount of weight, which is usually 5 ounces. But that is just the beginning. Grooves and holes are carved out to add weight. Lead fishing weights are melted and poured into the groove to add weight. It is a heavily debated process, as some insist weight should go in the very front, some in the middle, some on top or on bottom. Each person has their own opinion.

Next are the wheels. They need to be on tight but not too tight as to prevent turning. On the opposite side they need to be loose enough to spin, but not wobbly. You have to polish the nail axles to make them slick and add lubrication to ensure the spin properly. The tires also need to have some polish as well, to make them slicker, but not too slick, because they need to grip the tracks. Many people sand the inner and outer edges of the tires down to make them more narrow and reduce friction, but just like the weights, everyone has their own method of doing it. Come to trade in a car for a great deal.

Colors schemes are whatever you want them to be. Some are futuristic, some simple, some mimic real race cars and some you have no idea what they are. This is all just for the basic race, not even getting into the best in show and most artistic designs.

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Hot Wheels

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Since the automobile was invented, it probably only took a day before toy cars were produced. Every boy, and even most girls, own at least one toy car. While there are many brands and varieties, easily the most famous and recognizable name is Hot Wheels by Mattel. And if every little boy has a toy car, that one is a Hot Wheels. Try used cars Charlotte for a huge selection you love.

Before 1967 Matchbox and Corgi had been the dominating die cast metal car toys for sale, but all of that changed when Hot Wheels was introduced by Mattel. Since then they have become highly collectible, with people traveling all over the country in search of them and spending thousands to get them. One particularly rare car known as the Beach Bomb Back Loader recently went for $70,000 dollars. Who knew your favorite childhood toy could be worth so much?

Mattel released the first set of sixteen different cars, often called the “sweet sixteen” in 1968. it was an immediate hit. Boys everywhere loved them. The cars looked cool and ran faster than their Matchbox counterparts due to a better wheel and axle assembly. Not only that, but Hot Wheels were designed to run, powered by gravity, on Hot Wheels tracks.

Entire sets and themes of tracks were released. Loops, jumps, obstacle courses and numerous other accessories were created for kids to use with their Hot Wheels. Kids would put one end of the track on a table or elevated place, put the cars on the tracks, and gravity would do the rest. One of the more famous sets is the 1970 Mongoose & Snake Drag Race Set that has sold for $500 in good condition.

Mattel credits much of their success to the meticulous detail that they give to each model and its production. The original Hot Wheels were all produced by actual car designers who had worked for the auto industry before coming to Mattel. Not only that, Mattel uses the actual blueprints that the car makers use to build their cars. Mattel has deals with General Motor, Ford, Chrysler, Ferrari, Mazda and even Toyota have all licensed Hot Wheels to make models of their cars. The car makers send their blue prints to Mattel, who study them intensively and create accurate 1:64 scale replicas of the cars. They then ship the blueprints back to the car makers.

In addition to recreating real life cars, Mattel also designs their own cars as well. Two of the more famous include the Twin Mill and Splittin’ Image, designed by the Hot Wheels legendary designer Ira Gifford. They have also come out with multiple series sets, some of the more notable of which are the Sizzlers, Treasure Hunt, and Pearl Driver series. Whatever the case may be, these little toy cars have become as iconic as the cars they were modeled after and in many cases more so.

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Matchbox Musings

Sunday, December 11th, 2011

Every kid in America has owned a Matchbox car or Hot Wheels car, usually both. The Matchbox name started as a brand name for the British owned die-cast toy manufacturer Lesney Products. Before Matchbox car there biggest sales success was a replica of Queen Elizabeth’s II coronation coach which sold a million models.

They Matchbox car as we know it was created in 1953 by Jack Odell. His daughter could only take toys to school that could fit into a matchbox. So it was he set out to design a car that could do just that and it wasn’t before long that the Matchbox cars came into existence. Their clever packaging and affordability made them an instant hit with kids everywhere. They were so popular that the term “Matchbox” became a catch phrase for all small cars of a similar type even to this day. Come to used cars in San Jose for a great selection of cars you will love.

An odd combination of Leslie and Rodeny made up the name Lesney, two of the founders of the company. In the 1950′s British die cast toys were very popular, namely Dinky, Corgi and Matchbox. They each had their own niche markets and most of their products were successful. Among toy collectors this period is known as the “Golden Era” of British die cast toys.

The very first series of cars was called the 1-75. As time went by, Lesney attempted to expand their markets new series of cars. One of these was the Models of Yesteryear, a remake of classics from the early age of automobiles. Other additions were the Major Packs, large scale construction vehicles, and the King Sized series, which was a larger scale truck and tractor set. In 1968 Matchbox was at the top of its game and nobody else came close. That is until Mattel invented the Hot Wheels, with their revolutionary low friction, high speed “race” wheels. The Hot Wheels were painted bright, metallic colors and had fancy mag wheels on slick designs. It was a nightmare for Matchbox as their U.S. market collapsed.

Matchbox scrambled to come up with their own answer to Hot Wheels and created the “Superfast” series also sold with tracks and accessories. While these car were in production, Matchbox redesigned their cars and retooled their machines to match the scale and width of Hot Wheels. By the early 1970′s they were back in business challenging the Hot Wheels supremacy

England was suffering from financial difficulties during the 1980′s and so Matchbox was sold to Universal Toys. In 1992 Universal was bought out by Tyco Toys, who continued to produce the cars. In 1997 disaster struck and Mattel bought out Tyco. There had always been a fierce competition between collectors of each brand and Matchbox fans feared Mattel would change the way they were made. However, Mattel had no intention of changing things and continues to produce Matchbox cars the way they have always been done. Much to collectors delight.

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Jacked Up

Monday, December 5th, 2011

(We now resume with part 2 of our excellence in writing series…”to fix a flat”…)

Remember when you jack the car up to leave room to fit the new tire in. Then comes the hardest part: The removal of the nuts. There are a couple of different lug wrenches but they all work the same. One has one socket, another one has four. The four way wrench is the best, because you may not know what sized socket you need plus the 4 way provides great leverage when taking of the nuts.

Most cars have five lug nuts. Place the socket onto a lug nut and turn it counter clock wise. This is by far the most difficult part. The nuts can be on really tight and it can take a good bit of strength to loosen them. If they were put on by an electric wrench they can be very difficult to turn. Other factors, such as cold weather, can make them tighter as well. Check out used cars in Des Moines for a great deal today.

Loosen the first nut but do not unscrew it all the way. This is so you don’t put too much pressure on the other nuts. Loosen it just enough to release some pressure so that it turns easily. Now move to the opposite screw across from the one you just did. Loosen it like the other. Then move across to another one and loosen it. Keep going back and forth loosening them all until they are all done. Now you can finish unscrewing them all the way.

Remove all the nuts, but make sure you don’t lose them. They can roll away easily and you need them all for the spare. Pull the flat tire off and set it somewhere to the side for now. Take the spare tire and line it up with the screws. The holes should be facing inwards, not outwards. Slide the spare onto the screws.

Now you will put the nuts back on the same way you took them off. Screw one on till there is a slight bit of pressure on the tire. Then place the nut across from it on and turn until there is pressure as well, then the next across from it. Keep going until all the nuts are on but not tight. Now you can tighten them.

Tighten them as much as you can with the wrench and go back over them again to make sure they are on good. You definitely don’t want them coming loose while driving. Once you are sure they are tight enough. Make sure nothing is under the car and release the handle on the jack or crank it in the opposite direction to lower it. Check out Baltimore used cars for a great deal today.

Place all the equipment and the spare tire back in the trunk and close it. Get in the car. Don’t forget to turn off your hazards and remember to RELEASE the emergency break as well. Once you start the car you will probably want to drive to some place you can wash your hands. Otherwise, you are good to go.

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New Camaro Built to Please

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

If you love Camaro’s then we have a treat for you. The Camaro has always been a symbol of the American auto industry. We have been hearing about the new Camaro ZL1 for some time now and finally we get a look at some of the spec. Thanks to a dealer’s guide that got leaked onto the internet by Camaro5.com, we a glimpse into this machine. GM has confirmed that the details are legitimate.

For starters, the new Camaro will sport a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that boasts an impressive 580 HP and a 556 lb-ft torque. This now makes it officially the most powerful Camaro to date. The transmission will come in standard manual or upgraded to an automatic. The automatic will be a Hydra-Matic six-speed while the standard is Tremec six-speed.

The new Camaro is both wider and longer then it’s current rival, the Shelby Mustang GT500 giving it more control on tight turns. The dimensions are similar to the Camaro SS but it weighs 250 pounds more. Given the power of the engine this should pose no problem what-so-ever.

As for colors it will have the option for nine different schemes that include, Black, Ashen Gray, Imperial Blue Metallic, Inferno Orange Metallic, Rally Yellow, Silver Ice Metallic, Summit White, Victory Red and the all new Crystal Red Tintcoat. Sorry, no neon or beige available. If you want a little more flare you can get stripes, a powered sun roof and a “Mohawk” carbon fiber hood insert.

The ZL1 will use the same Magnetic Ride Control that the Cadillac CTS-V and Corvette uses but it will also boast the Performance Track Management. This feature allows you five different driving modes ranging from wet surfaces to a all out racing.

In order to keep your feet on the ground it will have Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G:2 tires that can mounted on your choice of two 20 -inch forged alloy wheels. One is a 10-spoke low-gloss finish or a 5-spoke option with a polished high-gloss clear coat. Check the huge selection of used cars at used cars for sale in Chicago for a great deal.

The interior is chop full of creature comforts. It features heated leather high-performance seats with suede microfiber inserts that will make your Lazy Boy jealous. Each seat will have six-way power controls as well, so you should be able to settle in at any position. Other features are alloy covered pedal s, a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a rear camera display and an auxiliary gauge boost readout. Of course, you will want to rock out while driving this bad boy, so to help you a long it will come standard with a premium 9 speaker audio system.

If you are wondering if you can afford it then start saving as it is expected to go in the low $50,000 range.

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Chrysler Nets Turn Around?

Wednesday, November 9th, 2011

It’s no secret that auto manufactures and the United Auto Workers Union have not gotten a long well in the past. In fact, it took the automakers years to win a two-tier pay structure out of the unions hands. Now, all of that could be reversed.

Chrysler’s CEO, Sergio Marchionne, recently stated that he would like to see all the workers on the same pay scale. The current contract with the UAW expires in 2015 and his statements have caused some controversy.

The UAW has long wanted to get rid of the two-tier system and it has caused much disruption among their member’s ranks. The measure was narrowly passed in 2007 as a means to help the auto industry weather what was going to obviously be a tough financial time.

Despite everything, Detroit has found ways to improve productivity while decreasing the number of employees. Major manufacturing plants only require about half the staff they once did, sometimes losing over two thousand employees in one plant. Hours are down as well, with some jobs needing less than 20 hours a week. The UAW sees all of this and has serious concerns about where the industry is heading.

New hires, which constitute about 13% of Chrysler’s work force, make around $25 per hour. Chrysler’s veteran force of 26,000 strong, each make nearly double that amount. Before the last agreement was ratified in 2007, veteran employees were making around $76 an hour, including benefit costs. The cost of labor was taking its’ toll on the automakers and the union knew that something had to give, so they passed the two tier system.

Things have started changing. For the first time in months, Chrysler posted a profit this quarter of nearly $212 million. Reduced labor costs are one of the main reasons the profits were brought about. The UAW, however, looks at this money and claims that Chrysler can afford to do more for the workers. Simply put, when going into contract talks with auto manufactures, the UAW knew more money was more or less not going to happen, so they pushed for smaller gains like signing bonuses and funds to help offset inflation. In then the workers had to settle for what UAW President Bob King calls not “making a living,” three dollar raise for new hires.

“This economic disparity between people on the line is not something that can go on indefinitely,” Marchionne himself stated during a press conference. That being said, everyone knows the two-tier system won’t go away without some major concessions from the UAW. The question everyone is asking is, what will Marchionne ask for in return?

No one really knows, but speculation ranges from decreased benefits for veteran employees to more of a profit sharing based wage system. This would allow employees to make more money when times are good, but help the company save money during down times.

The unions will be reluctant to do this, and it remains to be seen if they will, but at least it seems like there is room for some common ground.

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