Fast Cars Gear

Archive for August, 2009

Car Deer Collisions In The United States

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates there are approximately 1.5 million auto deer collisions per year resulting in damage losses of around 1.5 billion USD which works out to an average cost of 1000 per accident. State Farm Insurance Agency also supports these statistics and goes on to report that in the year 2004 there were 150 human deaths in the United States that were directly linked to car deer accidents.

The bear is often considered to be one of the most dangerous animals in North America. As a combined group polar bears black bears and grizzly bears are responsible for 5 to 10 human fatalities per year in North America. Comparing this statistic with the 150 human deaths caused in 2004 by auto deer collisions one might come to the conclusion that the most dangerous animal in North America is in fact the White Tail Deer.

An insurance study conducted by State Farm Insurance in 2004 and 2005 indicates the ten states with the most deer hits per year are as follows:

1. Pennsylvania
2. Michigan
3. Illinois
4. Ohio
5. Georgia
6. Minnesota
7. Virginia
8. Indiana
9. Texas
10. Wisconsin

Statistically most car deer accidents occur between the months of October and December which also coincides with the deer’s mating season. It has also been noted that more accidents occur during the night or anytime between dusk and dawn. This is attributed to the fact that deer are a very nocturnal animal and spend most of their time foraging at night.

With all this information it’s clear that drivers must take every possible precaution when driving. The following list reviews the top ten ways to keep yourself safe and minimize your chances of a car deer collision when driving:

1. When at all possible avoid driving between dusk and dawn.

2. Try to avoid rural roads and poorly lit areas.

3. Be particularly vigilant when driving through areas with high foliage or low hanging branches on the roadside. If there are two people in the car ask your passenger for help watching the sides of the road.

4. Reduce your speed and dont overdrive your lights. The most common remark people make after they’ve been in a car deer collision is that the animal “came out of nowhere.

5. If you see one deer on the side of the road and you’re fortunate enough not to hit it be sure to slow down because where there is one deer there will often be others.

6. Always wear your seatbelt.

7. Use high beam headlights as much as possible to light the sides of the roadway.

8. Do not ride motorcycles in areas with high deer populations. Riding a motorcycles leaves you much more vulnerable to serious injury in an accident than does driving a car.

9. Finally if a collision with a deer is eminent brake and hold the wheel straight. Too often drivers swerve trying to avoid the animal and drive off the road or into the path of another car. These accidents can often be more serious than hitting the deer would have been.

10. If you do hit a deer stay in your car until help arrives. If the deer is still alive it may be stunned and could become very aggressive if aroused.

If you drive a great deal in the United States especially in areas with high deer population you are at risk of hitting a deer. However with these guidelines in mind and a good dose of common sense you can reduce that risk and keep yourself and your passengers safe.

About the writer:  Ellen Bell works for Home Products n’ More a company dedicated to providing high quality products for your home garden and auto. Home Products n’ More offers an electronic deer whistle and a deer whistle for cars to reduce the risk of a car deer collision. Visit us at http://www.deerwhistle.com/

Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle

Harley Davidson has been considered as the iconic American bile for ages and owning this bike is luxury for some and sheer passion for alot of others.
Harley Davidson Motor Company based in Milwaukee Wisconsin in USA is the manufacturer of these fine motorcycles.

The Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle happens to be the proud member of the Harley Davidson Motorcycles family and came into existence in the year 1958.

The Sportsters bikes were inaccurately based on the then popular Kmodel racer. The first ever Harley Davidson Sportster was pretty lightweight relatively narrow and stripped down and had earned a good amount fanfare among the sports bike enthusiasts.

Many bike lovers believe that the Harley Davidson Sportster gradually evolved to become the Harley’s cruiser bike model.

There is a group of people who also like to call this beautiful bike as the semisports bike now that is an interesting way to name a bike!

Today’s evolved Sportster resembles the XLCH Sportster bike model that was created in the year 1958 but amusing enough every single part of the Sportster is different when compared to the XLCH Sportster of 1958.

The batteries and battery boxes engines carburetors and air cleaners exhaust mufflers brakes and rotors rotors cables and charges gas tank oil tank swing arm rear shocks wheels forks frames everything is different but surprisingly the resemblance is austere.

One has to bear in mind that Harley Davidson bikes have always been considered as or rather was intended to be the chopper style bikes. In fact it was Harley Davidson bike that has given a rise to the new whole new cult of custom created bikes.

People often find this fact as contradictory but then if you have ever owned a Harley Davidson or have been an avid admirer of any model of Harleys you would know what it means to be believe in evolution but not revolution.
It is this characteristic of the Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle that has made the bike what it is today a truly retro yet stateoftheart bike till this date.

It is for this fact that the Harley Davidson motorcycle company which is the oldest motorcycle manufacturing company has retained its popularity and credibility as the one of the most renowned motorcycle companies in the world.

The Sportster Motorcycle too lives up to the standards set by the earlier models of Harley Davidson’s motorcycle company. By this yardstick the Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle is a realtime example of the evolving work or let’s say a work in progress. Have you ever seen two Sportsters that looked exactly the same?

Believe me one doesn’t have to be a Harley Davidson motorcycle fanatic to be able to answer this. Any layman who knows a little bit about Harleys will answer the question. You will never find two Sportsters that look same it is again for the reason that the like any other Harley Davidson bike the Harley Davidson Sportster Motorcycle too is full of possibilities when it comes to the additions and modifications.

This is especially true for the basic XLH 883 and XLH 1200 models. The type and number of modifications that you can do to your Harleys Sportster can be limited only by your own creativity and imagination.

Whether it’s engine performance safety accessories comfort and convenience accessories appearance accessories the possibilities are many.

It is the final touches that you give to your Sportster that lends the personality to your Sportster.
No wonder that even today a wellmaintained and welltreated Sportster is capable of fetching you a 100 of the original cost price as the resale value.

About the writer:  Martin Davies enjoys writing about motorcyles and in particular the Harley Davidson Sportster and often blogs on all topics related with Harley Davidson Motorcycles.

Ford Performance Chips For More Power And Better Fuel Consumption

Performance chips for cars are gaining widespread popularity because of their efficiency and costeffectiveness. They are basically meant to improve the performance of your vehicle by increasing horsepower and torque. As a result there is an increased gas mileage and better fuel utilization is realized. Ford performance chips are available for almost all its models including Mustang Courier E150 Edge Ranger Explorer F150 Thunderbird etc. All you have to do is replace your old computer chip in the ECU with a new one and see how helpful it turns out to be in the long run.

People often look for ways to tweak their engine performance in order to save power and increase its life. However most of these techniques simply do not work or are very difficult to follow. Furthermore not all cars and trucks allow modifications of the engine. Instead of completely upgrading your engine why not simply replace your factory installed chip with a new and more powerful one which will help your engine realize maximum performance gain. These chips are very easy to install. In fact the new programmers available for the latest car makes and models make it even easier to modify your car for its longterm repair and maintenance.

Ford performance chips are programmed to change the valve timing fuel injection system and boost control of your vehicle. As a result of these minor modifications and tricks your engine becomes capable of producing more power and torque and consequently realizing a smoother and more enjoyable ride. You will also be able to notice a considerable change in speed and the way your car accelerates. This is also known as fine tuning and it should be done to increase the longevity of your car and the way it performs. It is a known fact that when the engine is performing well it requires less fuel. And this can allow you to save a lot of money on gas and diesel.

By installing aftermarket performance chips you can experience the full potential of your engine. Some manufacturers also provide power programmers which are even easier to use and can be made more optimized by using some tips and tricks. These programmers are very small parts customdesigned for your vehicle. All you have to do is connect this programmer with the diagnosis system enter some information regarding your car specifications and leave the rest on the powerful programmer. These simple steps can be performed at home by following the instructions that come with performance chips and power programmers.

So if you are looking for improved fuel economy and better engine performance for your Mustang Expedition or Taurus then do check out wonderful Ford performance chips. These super chips are designed by some of the topnotch manufacturers of aftermarket car parts and are therefore very reliable. Do keep in mind that these performance chips are custommade for specific car makes and models. The next time you decide to strengthen your vehicle do consider installing a new chip for optimized performance and better fuel utilization. These chips are affordable and totally dependable.

Performance chips are the best option for people who want maximum performance gains without having to take their car to the mechanic. Furthermore these chips are very costeffective as they efficiently fine tune your engine which runs smoothly for a long time to come. With increased power and torque you can enjoy a softer and more pleasurable ride. This is one of the most reliable upgrade options available for your car which can be easily installed at home. Getting more power out of your Ford was never this easy!

About the writer:  Ford performance chips