Fast Cars Gear

Archive for September, 2010

Conserve Energy With Fuel-efficient Vehicles

Conserve Energy with FuelEfficient Vehicles

Today prospective car buyers do not only look for performance and aesthetics in the vehicle they intend to buy. They specifically want a fuelefficient engine that will allow them to save on gas especially with todays unpredictable fuel prices. Finding a vehicle with such quality is not difficult thanks to modern vehicles that are equipped with advanced engines and supporting parts. Aside from allowing the vehicle to accelerate better than before these modern components also enable the vehicle to be more energy efficient. Better road performance with minimal energy or fuel consumption is the idea behind the vehicles being produced these days. Rising fuel prices make these energysaving automobiles even more relevant.

Still more and more vehicle manufacturers nowadays are designing engines that run on alternative energy sources. Proof of this is the limited number of solarpowered vehicles that have been introduced to the market. Solar panels usually installed on the roof convert the suns energy into electrical energy that runs the various vehicle components. Aside from the solarpowered driving machines hybrid vehicles are also becoming increasingly popular now. These are equipped with an engine that uses two or more different power sources. With these new inventions and innovations being presented to the world at large consumers now have great choices if they want to take an active part in energy conservation.

Vehicles that use alternative energy sources are still costly and not everyone can afford to buy one. Nevertheless even the common car owner can save energy in his car by practicing some helpful energy saving tips. One is to keep the engine welltuned. Start by having a regular checkup of your underthehood components. In doing so defective parts can be found and the appropriate replacements sourced as soon as possible. Another tip is to replace air filters on a regular basis. Clogged air filters are unable to supply the required amount of oxygen to the combustion chambers; hence fuel burn is not as efficient. Impurities are also more likely of getting inside the engine if air filters are dirty. Moreover keeping your engine parts welloiled with the manufacturers recommended motor oil is another means to more efficient engine performance. Observing these tips ensures a car owner with a more energyefficient vehicle.

About the writer:  Vehicles that use alternative energy sources are still costly and not everyone can afford to buy one. Nevertheless even the common car owner can save energy in his car by practicing some helpful energy saving tips.

Pimp My Ride Vs Top Gear: Kings Of Car Culture

Ever since Henry Ford spawned the internal combustion engine petrol heads from around the world have worshiped the automobile.

Car culture expresses itself in many forms; there are a plethora of magazines which cover all manner of car topics such racing offroading and classic cars; while on TV two of the most influential shows currently on our screens are Top Gear and Pimp My Ride.

Top Gear is a long running awardwinning BBC show about cars and has been running since 1977. In recent years it has become more quirky and humorous and as such attracts a wide following with some 8 million weekly viewers in the UK and an estimated 350 million viewers worldwide. But perhaps Top Gear’s greatest achievement is its wide appeal; a large proportion of its viewers are not car enthusiasts. The show is presented by the oftsaid arrogant Jeremy Clarkson Richard Hammond nicknamed The Hamster by his copresenters James May a well spoken longhaired hippy type and The Stig a mysterious racing driver whose identity is unknown to the public and who never speaks or removes his helmet.

The American show ‘Pimp My Ride’ which is produced by MTV has also met widespread global acclaim. Presented by rapper Xzibit the idea behind the show is to take old beatenup cars and give them a complete custom overhaul. Though mechanical faults are repaired to allow the car to run the “pimping” of the vehicle is largely cosmetic; the bodywork is given a brand new paint job often including flashy features such as “go faster stripes” and hot rod flames. There is also substantial customisation of the car interiors which is normally tailored to fit the particular interests or hobbies of the owner; for example a tenpin bowler had a special ball washer installed in this trunk and a surfer got a clothesdryer fitted in the back of his van.

The show has been very successful both in the US and worldwide and has spawned dozens of subsidiaries around the world for example in the UK presented by hiphop DJ Tim Westwood Italy Germany Brazil and there is even an Arabic version that translates as “Spoil you Car”!

Both Top Gear and Pimp My Ride are important parts of media car culture which continue to inspire petrolheads around the world and in addition to online car communities motoring blogs and internet forums these shows are an important part of a multibillion pound automotive industry.

About the writer:  Elisha Burberry is an online freelance journalist and keen traveller and watersports enthusiast. Originally from Scotland she now resides in London.

How To Buy A Pre Owned Car

You are already making a wise decision by deciding to buy a pre owned vehicle the problem is you just don’t know how to buy a pre owned car and save thousands of dollars on your car purchase. Here are some sure fire ways to save you money on your next pre owned car:

• Before shopping for a pre owned car think about your driving habits your needs and your budget
• Learn about car models options and prices by reading newspaper ads both display and classified
• If you finance the cost of the car consider how much you can put down your monthly payment the length of the loan and the annual percentage rate. Make sure you understand all aspects of the loan agreement before you sign any documents including the exact price; the amount you’re financing; the finance charge; and the total sales price
• The Federal Trade Commission requires dealers to post a Buyers Guide in every pre owned car they offer for sale. Private sellers don’t have to use the Buyers Guide. The Guide tells you: whether the vehicle is sold “as is” or with a warranty; percentage of the repair costs a dealer will pay under the warranty; that spoken promises are difficult to enforce; to get all promises in writing; to keep the Buyers Guide for reference after the sale; the major mechanical and electrical systems on the car including some of the major problems you should look out for; and to ask to have the car inspected by an independent mechanic before you buy
• Examine the car using an inspection checklist. You can find these on Internet sites that deal with used cars
• Test drive the car under varied road conditionson hills highways and in stopandgo traffic
• Ask for the car ‘s maintenance record from the owner dealer or repair shop
• Hire a mechanic to inspect the car for mechanical soundness as well as safety
• Talk to the previous owner especially if the present owner is unfamiliar with the car’s history.

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