Tuesday 30 December 2008

What Makes a BMW Special?

By: Cyril Joseph

BMW is well known for its technology and design. The style and reliability of these BMW cars make them stand out from the rest. So what exactly makes BMW cars some of the most efficient and stylish on the planet?

The more efficient fuel injector:

You may be aware that horsepower and emissions are both influenced by the fuel injector. The horsepower of any vehicle should be maximized while emissions are minimized. In order to achieve this condition, a rapid burn of fuel is required. This is where the BMW technology excels. They have made a small needle-like valve that injects the fuel forcefully under great pressure into the intake port. The fuel is atomized together with oxygen in the air permitting the fuel to burn quickly and deliver the needed power for your BMW car. The fuel injection system contributes to the great horsepower available in BMW cars.

The BMW ignition coil

BMW engines work on the same principle of other conventional spark ignition engines. However, the spark produced by the spark plugs of a BMW requires a high-voltage electrical charge. This high voltage electrical charge is made available to the spark plugs with the help of the ignition coil. The high voltage spark plugs are used in BMWs to improve the starting performance (the engine can start instantly in any weather condition). The ignition coil operates on the induction principle. It takes power from the accumulator and transforms it into thousands of volts. This high voltage is indispensable for maximum efficiency of the spark plug. This type of ignition coil is the specialty of BMW technology.

The BMW thermostat

The thermostat used in a BMW is another significant part. This device is capable of both measuring and regulating the engine temperature of the car. In order to control the temperature the thermostat will constantly monitor the temperature changes in the Engine. This mechanism works to prevent engine damage due to overheating.

The BMW oxygen sensor

The BMW part that monitors the exhaust condition of the vehicle is the ‘Oxygen’ sensor. This measuring device provides data regarding the quality of the exhaust mix enabling the fuel injection computer to modify the air to fuel ratio to optimize performance. Necessary adjustments are made to ensure the efficient burning of fuel. The better the fuel burns the higher the performance of your BMW car.

All these BMW parts make them one of the most efficient cars in the planet.

Article Source: http://www.articlecafe.com


From brakes to engine performance parts, you can find all the BMW parts at allabovemotorwerks.com. With lots of experience in the European car parts, they can pick the exact BMW part that is needed for you. With lots of stock available, you do not have to wait for the parts to arrive.

The New Ford Ka


The New Ford Car is marketed as small car with big ideas, fun-loving and spontaneous, the Ford Ka lives for the moment. Ford is particularly good at making cars that leave a grin on your face at the end of a journey. And the new Ka does exactly that.


The old model has successfully kept at bay all of its rivals, and has consistently remained the UK's top-selling sub-mini car. When it was launched 12 years' ago, the original Ka had only four rivals, and the sector accounted for just 4 per cent of the UK market.


The new Ford KA is an excellent runner, starts first time, ideal 1st car, cheap to run, low tax, and low insurance group. The new Ka will also be offered with a 1.2-litre petrol engine with 67bhp, which Ford claims has cut fuel consumption by 21 per cent compared to the previous 1.3-litre Ka.

The new Ford Ka is receiving excellent reviews from the media and was recently previewed on BBC's Top Gear showing itself as a real winner.

There is a new 1.2-litre 68bhp petrol engine which Ford claims has cut fuel consumption by 21 per cent compared to the previous 1.3-litre Ka. This also puts the Ka into group B road tax banding, which means you pay only £35 a year. Insurance groups start from a first time driver friendly group 1.

The new Ford Ka is to keep the compact structure characteristic of the older version of the model and, the producer hopes, is likewise going to become as popular among users as the previous version. In the course of 12-year production of the older Ford Ka 1.4 billion cars were produced. And that statistic says a lot about how practical the little Ka is for people who spend their money on a motor.

For now though, you can choose from two engines - a 68bhp 1.2-litre petrol and a 74bhp 1.3-litre diesel. A 1.4-litre petrol is on the cards too, and a Fiat-developed two-cylinder 900cc unit could even appear. Expect to pay from £7k for a Ka when it hits the streets in early 2009.

The New Ford Ka comes in four trim levels - Studio, Style, Style+ and Zetec - with the option of a Bluetooth-enabled connectivity kit, six-speaker CD system and heated windscreen and heated seats. It looks different too - the interior, and in particular the clock, is funky and well made.

The new Ka is practical too, with generous interior space and comfortable accommodation for four adults and their belongings. The high seating position, carefully placed controls and excellent visibility make the Ka a pleasure to drive for drivers of all ages.
Folding the rear seats flat is also easy once the headrests are lowered, thanks to a simple pull lever.
The dashboard layout and use of bright interior colours brightens things up, and the cavernous glove box is great, as it doesn't compromise legroom at all.
Production of the new Ford Ka commences in the autumn of 2008, and the vehicle will go on sale in most major European markets in late 2008/early 2009.

The result is a more sophisticated and grown up small car that looks more substantial but still retains the cheeky fun that is essential to the brand.


Buying cars on-line requires much more reassurance than other on-line purchases. http://www.motorparks.co.uk/

Saturday 22 November 2008

James Bond at Aston Martin Brentwood




Celebrated the launch of the latest James Bond film ‘Quantum of Solace’
by holding an exclusive premier screening at the Odeon Cinema, The Meadows in Chelmsford.

It was a fantastic evening with over 200 customers and guests attending, the event was well orchestrated and the help of the Manager’s and staff at The Meadows was a major contribution to the success of the evening.

Some typical comments received by guests attending the event:
“As usual a superb event – well planned and beautifully executed!”

“I just wanted to thank you and the team at Grange Motors for the very kind hospitality bestowed upon us on what was a very enjoyable and special evening at the cinema and the chic bar beforehand in Chelmsford. My wife and I really enjoyed being part of the whole "Aston" experience and the little touches (the popcorn and water) were a real treat”

“I would like to thank you and all at Aston Martin for the kind hospitality. It was a truly enjoyable evening. It is not often you see so many Astons in one place even when visiting the dealership. Please pass on my appreciation to all concerned”.

The New Volvo XC60



The new Volvo XC60 is a car with a split personality - Down below, the unmistakable, capable XC muscles are pumped up, and creating a strong athletic body that is mated with high ground clearance and large wheels. Up above, the flowing lines create the sporty charisma of a coupe. Additionally by Volvo’s sensible standards, the XC60 is agile and fun to drive. And that’s the thing about Volvo’s XC60: it’s such an easy car to drive, and no doubt destined to be a painless car to own. The car’s cabin is light, airy and spacious, while the boot is wide, flat and accommodating. Both diesels achieve 199g/km CO2 rating with the standard manual gearbox, rising to 219g/km if you opt for an automatic. A front-wheel-drive-only 163bhp D5 will appear in 2009, promising low 170g/km CO2 emissions.

As you would expect from Volvo, the XC60 is cram-packed with safety features including a whiplash protection system, side impact protection system, roll stability control, dynamic stability and traction control, inflatable curtain, hill descent control, collision warning with brake support, active bi-xenon lights, and patented front, side, and rear structures.

With the new system joining Volvo's already massive arsenal of safety equipment the Swedish firm is calling the new XC60 the safest-ever car, (of course Volvos have always been great cars to have a crash in, if you must have a crash.) A variety of intelligent safety systems are another important part of the new Volvo XC60. The major news is City Safety. According to Volvo's statistics, 75% of collisions happen at speeds of 30kph (19mph) or less. City Safety is a unique system that can help the driver avoid or reduce the effects of the type of low-speed impacts that are common in city traffic and traffic tailbacks.

The XC60 will actually reduces the risk of accidents, If the driver isn't paying attention or if the vehicle in front stops suddenly and if City Safe determines an accident is about to happen, it will actually apply the brakes, slowing the car. Volvo says that if the difference between the vehicles is less than 9 mph, City Safe could help the driver avoid an accident altogether.

This is a rather nifty safety feature when you take into account that rear-end collisions make up 29 per cent of all reported car accidents. In more than half, the driver does not break at all. As a result of this feature, Volvo believes that the new XC60 is their safest car to date.

Volvo Cars is engaged in a dialogue with insurance companies in Europe, Canada and the United States about the possibility of offering lower premiums on cars fitted with City Safety. So a XC60 could be safer for your wallet also.

Three engines are available, a turbocharged 285hp T6 engine will be the performance choice followed by two 2.4L I5 diesels, one rated at 163hp and the other at 185hp. AWD (All Wheel Drive) is standard throughout the range but Volvo have committed to launching a front wheel drive diesel model capable of a 170g/km of CO2 by 2009.

Volvo is good at interiors and the XC60 is arguably the best yet. The characteristic slim centre stack in front of the gearlever is a fresh design, angled slightly towards the driver with a new integrated monitor screen layout. The XC60 is well priced, comfortable, neatly styled inside and out and comes with innovative safety equipment that makes it a very desirable family vehicle.

www.motorparks.co.uk

Thursday 23 October 2008

Buying a Car for a Christmas Present

Want a Christmas present with ultimate wow factor for that someone special in your life? There can’t be many better jaw dropping presents being opened this Christmas day than having your loved one unwrap a car. Just imagine how their face would look and how amazing they would feel.

It can be hard knowing what sort of car to get. Of course your budget might not stretch to their all time favourite car. If you ask too many questions of the subject it might blow the whole surprise. Maybe you just need to start watching more Top Gear (on Dave if necessary) and spend more time chatting about cars on the road as you are travelling about. This way you get a feel for the types of car you loved one likes, and the colours and car specifications that they are interested in. It’s also worth finding out about the dealerships return policies, keeping the receipt of the car that you buy, just in case you read the signs wrong.

Christmas time is usually quiet on the car front and to meet their sales target they are prepared to make deals, if it means that they will sell the car. So brush up on your bartering and knock them down and get yourself a good deal, and maybe get them to throw in some extras too such as a free service, a free tank of fuel or 6 months road tax. Remember what your mother used to say - if you don’t ask you don’t get. Some dealerships are offering fantastic finance deals. Shop around to research the best deals, there are even some 0% deals to be had on selected cars.

Once you have chosen and brought your wow factor Christmas present, you need to wrap it, or at least you need to wrap the keys. It would be pretty tricky to wrap a car, even a small one. If you did manage to wrap the car, you would have to keep it in a garage so that the wintery elements didn’t spoil the wrapping paper. The problem just gets bigger and bigger.

The easiest thing to do is to leave the car at your friends or family members until the night before, and then have them sneakily bring it round to your house on Christmas Eve, and park it across the road for the night. They could also pop in for a sherry and a mince pie. If this isn’t an option, ask the dealer to hold on to it and bring it round to you on a pre-decided date. Meanwhile wrap the keys up in a small box and let your loved one open the key on Christmas morning.

Make sure that the keys are wrapped up in an easy to spot wrapping so you know when they are about to unwrap the keys, and have your camera ready to capture the moment and prepare yourself for a showering of uncontrollable emotion and kisses.

www.motorparks.co.uk

Driving in Winter Weather Conditions

During the winter months the roads and driving conditions change to very treacherous environment. Drivers need to be more alert and extra vigilant to avert the possible dangers that may lie ahead.

In particular, take care when driving near schools and homes, where children may be walking and cycling, and around pubs and clubs at closing time, where drunken pedestrians may be about. Of course there are more ‘Merry’ people this time of year as friends celebrate Christmas and attend Christmas parties. These types of road user are very vulnerable as they are both hard to spot in the dark and may act unpredictably.

Not only is it the long nights that reduce driving visibility but also the bad weather that we get in the winter. In heavy rain we should reduce our speed and to keep a good double car length distance between you and the car in front because a wet road surface doubles the stopping distance of our vehicle. In rain, fog lights are a hazard for the motorists behind you, so do not use them. Heavy rain will reduce visibility particularly from vehicle spray. Always use your dipped headlights and reduce your speed.

In cold frosty weather it is important to clear any snow and ice from the windscreen. It sounds obvious but some motorists do try to drive their vehicle when only a small portion of the window has been defrosted and cleared of all obstruction. A spokesperson for Churchill car insurance, said “Motorists should ensure they are prepared for all eventualities in icy conditions. If drivers are having problems with frozen windscreens, it would be advisable to think about purchasing a windscreen cover, or a few bottles of de-icer.” Never drive your car if you cannot see out of the windows.

The onset of wintery weather will also mean your tyres need to be up to scratch. Are the pressures correct for harsh winter temperatures?

It is also important to clean your lights regularly as winter conditions can cover them in grime and dirt which will reduce their effectiveness on the road.

Check weather forecasts and travel information, and if possible tell someone when you expect to arrive. Make sure you’re equipped with warm clothing, mobile phone, food, a torch and spade in case you get stuck.

Do take care when driving this winter and keep your selves and others sharing the roads with you safe.


http://www.motorparks.co.uk/

How to Pimp your Ride for Halloween

Halloween is a fun time of year where lots of people enjoy dressing up as creepy ghoulish characters. Not only do people dress up but some even dress up their dogs in purposely bought pet Halloween outfits, no wonder then that this article is about pimping your ride Halloween style.

To keep your vehicle within the boundaries of the law, nothing should be added to the car that would impair vision, detract the driver’s attention or that would make your vehicle not road worthy.

Spooks for the parcel shelf
To make a spook for your parcel shelf you will need some kitchen towel tissue, PVA glue mixed with water (50% equal parts), a black marker pens and a potato and cocktail sticks to make a mould.

Stick the cocktail sticks into the potato to resemble arms. Drench a sheet of kitchen towel in the PVA mixture and then drape it on the mould and arrange it to look ghost like. Allow the paper towel to hang down to create a flat ‘stand’ for the ghost so that it will stand on the parcel shelf.

Allow the ghost to dry and then draw on eyes and a mouth.

Ghost for the Arial
You will need a polystyrene ball (any size you fancy) you can get these from good craft shops, some plain net curtaining or some white Muslim material, some clear thread or fishing line, and a marker pen.
With a pencil push a hole in the bottom of the polystyrene ball, and push it on to the Ariel, put some double sided sticky tape in the hole if it isn’t a snug fit.
Put the ball into the centre of the material and cover the ball up as though you were wrapping it. Tie some invisible threat around the material to keep it all tightly gathered around the ‘neck’ of the ghost.
With a needle threaded with some of the invisible thread, secure the threat to some of the material that hangs down from the ghost’s neck on the right, this is going to form a ghostly arm. Next put a stitch in the top of the ghosts head and draw the threat up to make the ghost look as if its arm is up. When it is at the right elevation, sew a few more stitched on the ghosts head on top of one another to secure it.
Now bring the thread down to the other ‘arm’ and in a similar way make a stitch in the arm and draw it up. Again secure with a couple of stitches on top of one another.
Draw evil eyes and a mouth on the ghost.

Spooky windows
Cut out pictures of witches on broomsticks and Jack-o-lanterns from old newspapers and blue tack them to the inside of the back seat side windows. Using Christmas window spray, spray the window and the newspaper. Leave to dry a little and then remove the newspaper to reveal a spooky Halloween scene.

Mummy bandages flapping out of the window.
Get a few assorted lengths of old bandages and tie them together at one end in a large knot. Let them hang out of the back seat side windows to flap about like mummy’s bandages.

A zombie arm trapped in the boot
You will need some old newspapers, PVA glue, poster paint, thin card, a length of cord and a sleeve from an old shirt.
Roll up some newspapers and stick together with sticky tape to form an arm shape with a hand and fingers. Cover in a couple of layers of newspaper and PVA glue.
Cut out finger nail shapes from some thin card, and stick them to the Zombie arm.
When the Zombie arm is completely dry, paint with poster paints.
Take your old shirt sleeve and rip the cuff off it and add a couple of rips going up the sleeve. Glue the top of the sleeve to the zombie arm. With scissors, make a hole through the top of the Zombie arm and push the cord through.
Use the cord to tie the arm securely in the boot of your car but allow the arm to dangle out as if a zombie was trapped in the boot.

Of course to make you feel really spooky you need to buy yourself a CD of spooky Halloween tracks. Go on, pimp your ride this Halloween.

www.halloweenmania.co.uk www.motorparks.co.uk

Friday 17 October 2008

Monday 13 October 2008

Car Tea Cosy Knitting Pattern


Are you looking for an unusual Christmas Present for a petrol head friend or relative? Well check out this free knitting pattern. This car knitting pattern was designed by Susan at http://www.teacosyfolk.co.uk/ for http://www.motorparks.co.uk/

This has to be the maddest tea cosy around, oh and by the way, the Registration plate reads ‘T42’.

If you not one of the world biggest Fans of knitting, you can buy the 'Ready Knitted' tea cosy at http://www.teacosyfolk.co.uk/



Leagal Stuff...
This pattern is provided for you to knit your chosen tea cosy. This pattern should not be reproduced or sold and the design remains the property of its creator.



To make the Car Tea Cosy you will need...
5.5 mm, UK size 5 or US size 9 knitting needles.
3.25 mm, UK size 10 or US size 3 Knitting needles.
50g Red Double knitting wool, (or the main colour of the car)
25g grey or silver double knitting wool,
and scraps of black, yellow, white and orange double knitting wool and some stuffing.

Divide the Red ball of wool into two balls so that the yarn can be used as double thickness but knitted up as a single strand.

The Back
Using size 5.5mm knitting needles and double thickness Main car colour yarn cast on 28 stitches and work 2 rows in straight garter stitch (Knit each row).

Work a further 22 rows of Stocking Stitch (one row knit, one row purl) **

Leave the stitches on a spare needle until later. The Front
Work as given for the back to **

Shaping the top...
Using the main car colour wool as a double yarn proceed to knit across the tea cosy front and then tea cosy back as Follows...

Shaping the top Row 1: *K5, K2 tog* repeat to end

Next and every alternate row Purl.

Row 3: *K4, K2 tog* repeat to end.
Row 5: *K3, K2 tog* repeat to end.
Row 7: *K2, K2 tog* repeat to end.
Row 9: *K1, K2 tog* repeat to end.
Row 11: *K2 tog* repeat to end.

Thread the end of the yarn through the remaining stitches and through the loop of the yarn itself and draw up the knitting tightly and Finnish off.

With the front and back right sides together, sew approximately 9.5cm from the finishing off point, down the side seam towards the cast on edge.

At the bottom of each side seam, sew about 3cm upwards. The holes are left for the teapot handle and spout.


Car Bonnet or Hood
With 5.0 mm, UK size 6 or US size 8 Knitting needles and Double thickness knitting wool in the main car colour cast on 40 stitches.

Work two rows of Stocking stitch and then as follows

Row 1: K9, Inc in next 2 stitches, K18, Inc in next 2 stitches, K9.

Next and every alternate row Purl.

Row 3: K10, Inc in next 2 stitches, K20, Inc in next 2 stitches, K10.
Row 5: K11, Inc in next 2 stitches, K22, Inc in next 2 stitches, K11.
Row 7: K12, Inc in next 2 stitches, K24, Inc in next 2 stitches, K12.
Row 9: K13, Inc in next 2 stitches, K26, Inc in next 2 stitches, K13.
Row 11: K14, Inc in next 2 stitches, K28, Inc in next 2 stitches, K14.
Row 13: K15, Inc in next 2 stitches, K30, Inc in next 2 stitches, K15.

Purl a row and cast off.

Sew the row ends together flat so that the seam lies in the centre at the bottom. Sew the cast on edges to complete the car bonnet or hood shape. Sew into place at the centre front of the main tea cosy and lightly stuff.



Headlights (make 4)
With 3.25 mm, UK size 10 or US size 3 Knitting needles and white (single strand of double knitting wool) cast on 12 stitches.

Knit 1 row
Next row: *P2 tog* to end

Break the wool and thread the wool through the remaining stitches and draw up. Sew the row ends together so that it forms a circle.

Sew the headlights in place on the bonnet with 2 headlights on each side.



Radiator Grill
With 3.25 mm, UK size 10 or US size 3 Knitting needles and pail grey (single strand of double knitting wool) cast on 12 stitches.

Knit 2 rows.

Row 3 and 4: *K1, P1* to end

Knit 2 rows
Cast off.

Sew the radiator grill in place on the front of the bonnet between the headlights.



Car Boot or Trunk
With 5.0 mm, UK size 6 or US size 8 Knitting needles and Double thickness knitting wool in the main car colour cast on 40 stitches.
Row 1: K9, Inc in next 2 stitches, K18, Inc in next 2 stitches, K9.

Next and every alternate row Purl.

Row 3: K10, Inc in next 2 stitches, K20, Inc in next 2 stitches, K10.
Row 5: K11, Inc in next 2 stitches, K22, Inc in next 2 stitches, K11.
Row 7: K12, Inc in next 2 stitches, K24, Inc in next 2 stitches, K12.

Purl a row and cast off.

Sew the row ends together flat so that the seam lies in the centre at the bottom. Sew the cast on edges to complete the car boot shape. Sew into place at the centre back of the main tea cosy and lightly stuff.



Car Registration Plate
With 3.25 mm, UK size 10 or US size 3 Knitting needles and yellow (single strand of double knitting wool) cast on 12 stitches and knit 4 rows and cast off. Embroider on the numbers with black wool. ‘T42’ makes a great registration plate. Sew into place on the middle of the car boot.



Exhaust Pipe
With 3.25 mm, UK size 10 or US size 3 Knitting needles and black (single strand of double knitting wool) cast on 14 stitches

Work 10 rows of stocking stitch and cast off.

Roll up the knitting (short ways) and over sew the row ends on to the roll. Sew into place on the left, underside of the car boot. Allow a little of the exhaust pipe to stick out from the boot.



Windows (make 2)
With 3.25 mm, UK size 10 or US size 3 Knitting needles and grey (single strand of double knitting wool) cast on 30 stitches and stocking stitch 10 rows.

Shape the top of the window

Row 1: K2 tog, K8, K2 tog, K6, K2 tog, K8, K2 tog
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: K2 tog, Knit to last 2 stitches K2 tog.
Cast off.

Sew the front window to the middle front of the main tea cosy so that the bottom of the window rests on the top of the bonnet. Similarly sew the back window in the middle back of the tea cosy so that the bottom of the window rests on the boot of the car.



Wheels (make 4)
With 3.25 mm, UK size 10 or US size 3 Knitting needles and black (single strand of double knitting wool) cast on 6 stitches.

Row 1: *Inc in next stitch* to end

Next and every following alternate row Purl

Row 3: *K1, Inc in next stitch* to end
Row 5: *K2, Inc in next stitch* to end
Row 7: *K3, Inc in next stitch* to end

Row 8: Knit
Knit 3 more rows
Row 12: Purl

Row 13: *K3, K2 tog* to end
Row 14: Purl
Row 15: *K2, K2 tog* to end

Change to grey wool and continue
Row 16: Purl
Row 17: *K1, K2 tog* to end
Row 18: Purl
Row 19: * K2 tog* to end

Break the wool and tread it through the remaining stitches and draw it up. Sew the row ends together and flatten so that if forms a circle with a black backside and a black front with a grey wheel trim at the centre. Sew the 4 wheels in place on the ‘car’ where the bonnet or the boot joins the main tea cosy.

www.motorparks.co.uk

The New Ford Focus


Book a Test Drive and test out the New Ford Fiesta for yourself. Book your test drive today at http://www.motorparks.co.uk/

Car Specifications

Make: Ford
Model: Fiesta
Engine Size: 1.25
Colour: Green
Mileage: 10
Fuel: Petrol
Doorplan: hatchback 3door
Transmission: Manual
Date First Registered: 01/10/2008
In stock
Air Conditioning
Alloy Wheels
Central Locking
Front fog lights
Power Fold Mirrors

Cash price
£8,695.00
Less Deposit / Part Exchange
£869.50
Amount of Credit
£7,825.50
Followed by 59 monthly payments of
£162.16
Followed by a Final Payment of
£162.12
9.9% APR (Typical)
Total Amount Payable
£10,599.06
Credit Charges
£1,904.06
This financial calculation is merely an illustration and does not constitute an offer of credit. To find out more about this calculation and what specific financial offers are available for this vehicle please contact your local branch.
Document fee will be charged.
Enquire about finance now



Your Loyalty Deserves Rewarding
FREE 6 Months visual health check
10% Discount off all Ford Parts
10% Discount off all labour charges
£20 Discount off MOTs and free re-test, including family membersTerms and conditions apply - please ask for more details.

VAUXHALL CORSA DESIGN 3 door HATCHBACK
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£8,700

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£8,700

VAUXHALL CORSA DESIGN 5 door HATCH (2008)
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£8,600

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£8,500

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£8,500

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Swindon Motor Park Seat and Citroen
£8,499

Ford Fiesta The New Ford Fiesta 3 door Hatchback (2008)
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£8,695

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£8,695

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£8,695

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£8,695

Hydrogen Car Kit Review

By Nick Earl

The use of a hydrogen car kit as a means of reproducing the amazing power of hydrogen as a cheap fuel alternative has become widely popular recently, with many different people selling guides, kits and commercial setups. Though nothing new, this technology has really started to take off just within the last few months.

Although this is a viable form of technology that clearly works, it is clear that many people do not believe that this technology actually works. If one scours the internet they will surely find many people saying that this idea of hydrogen conversion is a scam. Without going to far into it, these views are probably related to the fact that the technology was suppressed for many years by oil companies and others.

The basic theory behind how one is able to convert their car to run on water is as follows; water obviously contains hydrogen, if an electric current is passed through water in the right way, then it will allow the hydrogen and oxygen present in the water to be broken up into separate atoms. In the case of the hydrogen fuel cell kits, this charge comes from the cars battery. This is of course a very basic description, but just to give you an idea.

The question that probably led you to researching this topic and thus reading this article right now is most likely : does it work? Well, without just saying yes it does work, consider the fact that many billion dollar companies are using and integrating this technology into their current and future developments. What does that tell you? Well the fact is, companies like this do not invest money without thoroughly researching the technology first. This and the fact that many our already happily saving fuel with their converted engines tells the story.

If one is considering converting their car to run on water by doing it themselves and investing in a guide bought off the internet, and then buying the cheap parts needed to cheaply put together the hydrogen car kit themselves, then their are two main guides available online that are the best choice for the task at hand. The two guides are, the original Water4Gas, and the more recent, but cheaper, Run Your Car On Water.

Water4Gas as mentioned was the original guide for converting your car to run on water, and has been around since late 2007. This guide is the most detailed guide on the market, and includes many extras as a "bonus" when you purchase it. The upside of this particular guide is that it is the most detailed and includes pictures and very matter of fact instructions with no time wasting, secondly, the bonuses included have some very useful information about how to get a government rebate when you convert your car to hydrogen. The downside of this guide is the price.

Run Your Car On Water is a more basic guide, that tells you each step by step process that you will need to follow in order to install a hydrogen car kit in your own car. This guide is half the price of Water4Gas, has less bonuses, but for many is probably the best choice out of the two, simply because it gets the job done and is less of an initial investment.

So why should you convert your existing car to run on water with the use of a hydrogen car kit? Well for one, obviously as you know you will be saving vast amounts of money on gas in the future, its estimated that for most vehicle types, you can recoup your investment after the first 4-6 weeks. After that you are simply saving up to 50% of your fuel costs. Apart from that, there is the positive environmental aspect, and the fact that oil is not going to drop in price, makes this a great way to prepare for the future.

So to to begin saving money on fuel, plus all the other associated benefits, get over to this hydrogen car kit review site. It was really helpful for me in choosing the right kit to get my car running using water, and if you are serious about doing it I recommend getting the best guide, as there are some pretty bad ones out there. You can also see more information at my friend Jack's website at http://www.squidoo.com/buyhydrogencarkit


Tips to Save on Car Insurance

By: Daniel Dalton

Car insurance can be a confusing subject, especially if you have never held a policy before. Even experienced drivers often find themselves struggling to make sense of the fine print that comes with each auto insurance quote option. Between deductibles, co-pays, taxes and special provisions, it can be difficult to determine where your best chance of saving money may be hiding. Making matters even more confusing is the fact that most insurance companies calculate their own rates and premiums based on complex algorithms that take hundreds of factors into account. Thankfully, there are some simple trends you can use to guarantee lower rates across the board when obtaining auto insurance quotes.
The most important determining factor for car insurance rates is your driving history. Drivers who have been involved in frequent collisions or damage will inevitably see higher rates than those with spotless paperwork. One fender-bender should not be seen as a death sentence for your bank account, however – most such incidents lose their punitive value over time, and by law all driving records renew every seven years. That means if you stay within the speed limit and avoid moving violations of any kind, you will see your rates improving within a couple years.

Many drivers are surprised to learn that credit scores make a significant difference as well. This makes sense when you consider that insurance companies are essentially betting on your overall responsibility, especially your ability to meet those annual payments. Good credit can translate readily into discounts of 20 percent or more – no small amount when you consider how many insurance policies represent car owners' single biggest expense each year.

Insurance companies also tend to factor neighborhoods into auto insurance quotes, and with good reason. It is a simple statistical fact that cars tend to be damaged and stolen more often in high-crime areas, and most insurance companies require protection in the face of such elevated numbers. Moving to a better area can have an instantaneous effect on your premiums, even if everything else about your life remains essentially the same.

Of course the car is an essential component of auto insurance quote calculations as well. Newer cars and more expensive cars will cost more to insure and maintain over time, while older makes and models tend to represent far less expense. There is some truth as well to the oft-cited legend that your car's color and amenities can affect the final tally. This is hardly prejudice or small-mindedness on the part of insurance carriers – red sports really do get into more accidents than gold minivans.

The best way to save on car insurance and receive the best possible auto insurance quotes is to do your homework and seek estimates from as many carriers as possible. Once you have all the data at your fingertips, you may be able to negotiate more favorable rates from your carrier of choice. One final note – if you don't yet have home insurance or life insurance, you may be able to get superior rates by combining multiple policies under one roof.


Daniel Dalton has been a writer for many years. His experience spans a large variety of major industries including insurance plans. As a journalist , Daniel is well-known and is considered one of the top writers in the region. His work can be found from small newspapers to national publications. Daniel recently resides in Boston, Massachusetts.




http://www.motorparks.co.uk/

Thursday 2 October 2008

7 Common Causes of Car Tyre Wear




by James Todman

Check car tyres regularly for any signs of wear. This is important as they are the only point of contact between a car and the road. Any deterioration of the tread or damage to the sidewalls may be risking an accident.

The basic legal requirements for car tyres are:

a) Tread Depth must be a minimum of 1.6mm. This applies to the entire circumference of the tyre. A bald patch on a tyre, where the tread depth is below the minimum requirement, is against the law. Check a tyre after a skid or emergency braking as this is when bald patches can occur.

b) Tyres must be inflated to the correct pressure. Consult the vehicle manufacturer's handbook to find the recommended pressure. Not only is this a legal requirement, it improves the vehicle's handling and reduces fuel consumption.

c) All four car tyres must be compatible and in good condition. If a car tyre needs replacing it will need to be in the same condition as the others otherwise all four will need to be changed.

Factors that can affect the rate of car tyre wear include:

1. Make of Car Tyres

Every car tyre is designed differently to meet specific criteria. Long life tyres are made from a harder rubber compound. This can increase the noise when driving. A softer tyre compound will be quieter but will wear out faster. A car tyre specialist such as Merityre can offer advice on the different types of car tyre.

2. Position of Car Tyre

Front tyres wear out faster than back tyres, especially if the car is front wheel drive. The extra wear is caused by the movement through steering. On a four wheel drive vehicle the front car tyres should exceed 20,000 miles. This is half the expected life of the back tyres.

3. Weight of Vehicle

The heavier the vehicle the faster the car tyres wear.

4. Tyre Pressure

A car tyre that is inflated below its recommended pressure will wear faster because of its higher operating temperature and the extra flexing of the rubber. Over inflation can also increase wear due to the decreased size of the contact area between the tyre and the road.

5. Speed

Driving at high speeds increases the car tyre temperature and accelerates the wear.

6. Car Tyre Alignment

Incorrect alignment of car tyres causes uneven and increased wear.

7. Driving Style

Aggressive cornering, accelerating and braking excessively are all causes of car tyre wear.

One factor that is unavoidable is time. Tyres deteriorate naturally over time due to the effects of the weather. Car tyres on vehicles kept outside will degrade faster than those kept in a garage. Cracking due to sunlight exposure usually becomes evident on car tyres that are five years or older. When this happens, as with any signs of wear, replace the car tyre immediately.


James Todman is the Web Editor for UK Article Marketing. Merityre.co.uk are one of the leading independent car tyre dealers in the UK. Visit their website for free vouchers, including 10% off your next MOT, free wheel alignment check and free locking wheel nuts.




http://www.motorparks.co.uk/

How to Buy The Best Car


How to Buy The Best Car by Dave19 Dave19
What You Need To Know Before buying The Best Car
Planning to buy a car? Then you need to know some basic facts. Often you might not be knowing all the details related to car purchase; in such a scenario you need to take the help of experts or professional companies.
One such expert who can help you to buy a car is BuyYourCar.co.uk. The company is a web based and deals in automobile which mainly consists of new cars and used cars. Buy your car is the first online car retail website in the United Kingdom. The company also offers new as well as used cars, dealer deals, contract hire and car lease. Auto finance and insurance is also offered by BuyYourCar.co.uk. The company has started associating themselves in the automotive industry since its launch in the year 2003. So they can offer their buyers the best possible price for type or brand of cars.
There are many things that strike the mind of a car buyer. Firstly it is the price of the car, secondly it’s the safety parameters and then it’s the fuel efficiency.
Price has always been a key factor among every car buyers. Some buyer demands style, power and luxury all in one car. There are plenty of cars like Ford, Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen and many more. These cars come fully loaded with all kinds of creature comforts like air-conditioner, audio systems, leather seats, tinted or laminated glasses, anti-lock brakes and many more.
These cars are fairly more expensive and people who want to buy such cars are willing to pay the extra cash for all the extra stuff. If the buyer is very much conscious about the price of the vehicle then he must choose the car which belongs to the economy segment or class. In such a class of cars, there are no creature comforts. These are simply basic automobile and are only used for the transportation from one pint to the other point.
In this class of automobiles, the cars are also highly fuel efficient, since the cars have a very small or a low cubic capacity motor that burns less fuel. So from the buyer’s point of view, that’s a bonus. A prime example of such car was the German made Volkswagen Beetle, nicknamed as the bug. It was the world’s first people’s car.

Sometimes buying a used car also makes a lot of sense than buying an all new car. There are number of cars which are not very old but still costs much less than an all new one, thereby making the deal sweeter than honey. But used cars do also come with a drawback of its own. So before going for a used car, a through evaluation of the car needs to be done. In such a case an expert guidance is highly recommended. Such an expert is BuyYourCar.co.uk. They offer the best deal to their customer in a used car and also provide the best insurance and finance schemes too.

Wednesday 1 October 2008

Edge On Motorcycling- The BMW HP2 Sport


by: Kevin Crockett

The BWM HP2 Sport is the latest iteration of the Bavarian Motor Company's foray into producing performance driven motorcycles. The quiet, staid, and lets just admit it boring motorcycles that came out of BMW in years past is history.

The HP line is BMW's new high performance, cutting edge line up. It's the motorcycle equivalent of their M line of performance cars.

The HP2 Sport is the third motorcycle in the HP line following the releases of the HP2 Enduro and the HP2 Megamoto.

The HP-2 Sport is based on the R1200S but is out and out designed for sports riders who are looking for a machine that has performance as well as endurance.

The HP2 Sport keeps some of the concepts that BMW motorcycles have become known for such as the BMW Motorrad Telelever front suspension and the EVO Paralever rear suspension. Other components have been newly developed or highly modified for use in the motorcycle.

The HP-2 Sport is powered by a twin Boxer motor that has a capacity of 1170 cc. The engine's cylinder heads were completely redesigned which allows the engine to rev as high as 9500 rpm. The engine has a 101 mm bore and a 73 mm stroke and produces a maximum of 130 hp at 8,750 rpm and 85 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm.

The bike has a close ratio six speed gear box, with first and second gear having higher ratios. This puts the gear increments closer to each other and results in less of a rev drop when progressing up through the gears.

The bike also has a gear shift assistant which allows the rider to shift gears without using the clutch. It works by sensing when the gear lever is activated. If it senses gear lever activation without the use of the clutch, it electronically reduces power to the engine which puts the engine in a low load state and makes it possible to shift without the clutch. If the rider uses the clutch, the system becomes inactive.

The riding position of the HP-2 sport can be described as relaxed. BMW has extensive experience with endurance racing and knows that for racers to be fast over a long period staying power is more important than a full racer's tuck.

The dashboard was developed by 2D Systems, which also provides analytic recording systems to Moto GP racing.

The dashboard has two modes and is switched by two controls on the left handlebar. In road mode, typical information such as speed, rpm, time, and distance are displayed. In race mode data such as top speed, circuit times, number of gearshifts and rpm is shown.

The HP2 Sport will push BMW further into the world of performance motorcycling.


http://www.motorparks.co.uk/

Mazda BT-50 gets facelift

By Kittipong Unparsert

Mazda has given its BT-50 pickup truck a minor change and announced that the new model will help it achieve a total pickup truck sales of 12,700 in 2008, up from 11,000 units in 2007.

Produced at the AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT) plant in Rayong, the BT-50 is also exported to 130 global markets from Thailand. The facelifted BT-50 maintains its sporty appeal, with the new design adding a more dynamic and robust look.

There is a new front pentagonal grille, along with new front bumpers, multi-reflector headlights and turning lights. Meanwhile, the rear lights are larger and come with chrome trim. The side profile is highlighted by a new wheel fender kit, as well as 15-inch or 16-inch 5-spoke wheels. There are 11 colours to choose from as well.

Mazda Sales Thailand Co Ltd marketing director Sureethip La-ongthong says that the company will focus on two-wheel-drive pickup models this year. As much as 97 per cent of Mazda pickup truck sales are made up of two-wheel-drive models, while the remaining 3 per cent are four-wheel-drive models for fleet customers.

"Previously the ratio between two- and four-wheel-drive models was 85/15, but presently the popularity of thr four-wheel-drive models have grown," she daid.

Sureethip said the company will emphasize on the 4x2 2.5-liter and 3.0-liter models, with prices starting at Bt489,000 foi the standard cab and Bt541,000 for the Freestyle cab. The 4x2 Hi Racer starts at Bt602,900 and the 4-door model at Bt612,900.

Mazda is also planning to spend Bt20 million for a countrywide roadshow to 12 provinces from March to June. Caravans of the BT-50 and Mazda3 will be shown along with special activities including special stunt shows, concerts, games and prizes. Sureethip said the automobile market should finish the year at 650,000 units, and Mazda plans to sell 16,000 units, which is approximately 2.5 per cent of the market.


http://www.motorparks.co.uk/

Avoid Highway Robbery by Using The New Crude--WATER


by: Leslie Lackman





HERE'S THE BAD NEWS.

Engines waste gasoline! Up to 80% of the high-priced gas that you pump doesn't get you anywhere because it goes UNBURNED to the catalytic converter. That means you are getting 0 MPG (zero, zilch, nada) from most of the over-priced gasoline you pump into your tank.

WHY DO COMBUSTION ENGINES WASTE SO MUCH GAS?

That's what they are designed to do--WASTE GAS--because every second of every day, everywhere in the world, every single gas and diesel engine on the planet puts money into the deep, deep, DEEP pockets of Big Oil.

Automotive and fuel technology has been deliberately held back, and people have been kept in the dark about AMAZING inventions and discoveries, in order to sell us lots of gasoline. Sorry, but that's how it is.

For example, the gas could be preheated and better formulated for better combustion--but it's not. The fuel vapor droplets could be smaller for efficient combustion--but they're not. The pre-set computer-controlled air-to-fuel ratio could be more economical--but it's not. The exhaust could be reprocessed to contribute to mileage (there are patents on that)--but it's not. Cars could be using a better carburetor design--but they're not because the patent for a 100 MPG carburetor was bought and buried years ago. Cars could be running completely on water fuel--but they're not because those patents were also bought and then buried along with the inventor (however, the patents ran out recently!). Even the hybrids that Big Auto is selling at luxury car prices don't optimize gasoline combustion and consumption.

HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS.

You can do something about it, ONE CAR AT A TIME, starting with YOUR car.

How? By using ENERGY from WATER.

If that sounds impossible, or crazy, or delusional, I understand. This is something that none of our trusted sources of information--TV, radio, teachers, movies, professors, magazines, dad, scientists, books, Sesame Street--have told us about. Why? See the bad news, above.

I mentioned amazing inventions and discoveries. Many of them have very sophisticated technical patents on them. But the kind of water energy system I am talking about, the one that is affordable and do-able by ME and YOU in OUR cars (not by buying a Big Auto hybrid with a luxury car pricetag), is a do-it-yourself technology, specifically designed for beginners with basic tools and very limited budgets. A working system can be built at home for $20 to $200 worth of parts and installed in your car, truck, or SUV on a weekend. It's a 90-year-old technology that has been revived and developed into a simple, affordable, SAFE system based on low-cost hardware.

It works like this: The main component of the low-cost water energy system is an electrolyzer-a container of water with electrodes in it. The electrolyzer takes a tiny bit of electricity from your car. The electricity "splits" water into hydroxyl gas and feeds it immediately to the engine cylinders. The improved air/fuel mix gets very efficient combustion.

SPINNING WHEELS, NOT HEADS

Remember the bad news at the top? Remember I said that wasted fuel can be as much as 80%? In other words, even though you have paid $3.50 or more per gallon, you are only getting performance from as little as 20%--two gallons out of every ten--of the gas you pay good money for! It puts a whole new complexion on the phrase "highway robbery."

Our heads are spinning from rising gas prices. Now imagine instead that ALL your gasoline is working for you--it's actually turning your wheels and not just being turned into carbon deposits on your engine or exhaust from the catalytic converter. What would it be like for ALL that gasoline to be giving you mileage? It would be a WHOLE LOT MORE ECONOMICAL, that's what! That's what happens when you add the energy from water.

SEEING THE SEA OF ENERGY

Wondering how much energy is in water?

One gallon of water converts to approximately 1,833 gallons of combustible gas. One observer noted that a gallon of water in his water energy system lasted for about 2,700 miles.

"Energy from water" is hard to believe because we are misled by the appearance of water when it's liquied. It looks so, well, WET and noncombustible. But if we could SEE the sea of energy in the water--zillions of hydrogen and oxygen atoms ready to break out and be combustible gas under the right conditions--it would be easy to conceive that, indeed, water can be "burned" in an engine, thus taking advantage of a new "crude"--plain water.

Why aren't scientists telling us about this? Why doesn't it make big headlines? More bad news. Some of them just don't know about it, and some are paid to tell us about anything BUT this. Also, scientists are sometimes far behind empirical evidence from experimenters and inventors. Sometimes a true scientist makes an amazing discovery and is suddenly way ahead of everyone. What happens then? He or she has to fight all the other scientists that are way behind or too vested in the old paradigm. So who are the true scientists around here? A TRUE scientist could be anyone, including a scientist.

THE LAW OF CONSERVATION

Here is something to ponder from Patrick J. Kelly of http://www.PanaceaUniversity.org. He has a delightful way of tilting one's mind out of its box:

"The Law of Conservation of Energy is undoubtedly correct when it shows that more energy cannot be taken out of any system than is put into that system. However, that does not mean that WE cannot get more energy out of a system than WE put into it. A crude example is a solar panel in sunlight. We get electrical power out of the panel but we do not put the sunlight into the panel-the sunlight arrives on its own. This example is simple as we can see the sunlight reaching the solar panel.

"If, instead of the solar panel, we had a device which absorbs some of the energy that Quantum Mechanics observes and then gives out, say, electrical power, would that be so different? Most people say "yes!--it is impossible!" but this reaction is based on the fact that we cannot see this sea of energy. Should we say that a TV set cannot possibly work because we cannot see a television transmission signal?"

BUT ISN'T IT DANGEROUS?

We have been living and driving with danger for decades--it's called GASOLINE! Cars and trucks are planet-polluting bombs on wheels! But we are accustomed to it, right? And for the most part, we don't blow ourselves up.

But in the water energy system, I know, you think we're talking about tanks of compressed hydrogen in the car, but that's not how it is done! Here's the beauty of it:

Hydrogen is already compressed in plain water!

All we do in a water for fuel system is UNCOMPRESS and USE it--immediately, on-demand, in the engine! No hydrogen bombs on board. Just a container of distilled water! And the exhaust is--WATER! You split water, you burn it, you get fantastic mileage, you get a little water left over.

GREEN TECHNOLOGY

You can't get much greener than this unless you go for an engine designed to run completely on water, like the one that was designed and proven by Stanley Meyers when he drove across the United States on approximately 28 gallons of water. (You can see interviews with him on YouTube.) You can't get much more affordable, either. And because this is GREEN technology, and you will not be causing any damage to the car or the engine (far from it), your warranty will most likely be intact AND the government will owe you money for going green!

INSTALL WATER ENERGY SYSTEM, DROP JAW

You could pay someone to install your water for gas system. There are hundreds of people around the world who are constructing and installing water energy systems, as well as driving "watercars" themselves. These people save gas, save money, get much better mileage, and enjoy smoother-running engines and greatly reduced emissions. And that's why they are happy to do the same for you so you can save gas, save money, get much better mileage, and enjoy a smoother-running engine and reduced emissions.

Or you could do it yourself, in which case you would first get instructions, which are available on line. Then you would make a parts list and buy the parts from hardware and electronics stores. Third, you would construct the components of the water energy system, put them all together, and install the system, making all the necessary adjustments to it. You would now be the proud owner of a Water Hybrid Vehicle. And last, after picking up your jaw from the floor, where it has dropped in astonishment at your engine's mileage and performance, you would become an advocate of water energy, as I have.

BETTER COMBUSTION FOR THE MIND

To really grasp the implications and possibilities here, we must first clean the carbon deposits out of our minds. Using waterfuel is an approach to our cars and fuel that requires more participation from us. The whole water energy system consists of physical components PLUS your mind and attitudes about fuel consumption. To really optimize your waterfuel system, you will also be using fuel warmer, some Kiker wires to improve the spark, Xylene to add to your gasoline, a low-friction synthetic motor oil, a couple bottles of fuel treatment to clean carbon deposits from old unburned fuel out of your engine, a MAP sensor enhancer to keep the car computer from over-correcting the fuel mix back to over-rich, tires that are always fully inflated, and a real-time mileage tracker so that you won't have to use an entire tank of gas to know what mileage you are getting.

Perhaps the most important thing is this:

Trust yourself.

When you use an "alternative" fuel-efficiency system, you are an experimenter who is going against the herd and chances are, you are going to get some flack. Don't be fooled by self-appointed "experts" who don't have hands-on experience and say it can't be done. When they laugh or frown or condescend and say, "It's scientifically impossible," well, first of all, you know they are not "true scientists" (so why are they acting like they know what "scientifically" means?). Ask them if they have ever tried it themselves. You will find they have not. Further discussion might be fruitless, but you can try. Tell them to just wait and see. See for yourself. Don't wait ten years for big industry to do it because they don't want to GIVE you anything--they are only thinking about what they can GET from you while they continue making empty promises.

WHAT CAN A WATER ENERGY SYSTEM REALLY DO FOR ME?

Well…

How much will gas cost the next time you fill your tank?

A water energy system won't lower the price of ALL gasoline.

It will lower the price of YOURS. But don't just take my word for it.

Leslie Lackman is an advocate of the application of free, unlimited energies--mind, water, life force--to cars, health, wellness, and performance. http://water4gas-4heroes.eoltt.com/

Thursday 25 September 2008

Buying A New Car


By: Jalapeno Jones


Save On That Vehicle

It usually happens at the most inopportune time - the car breaks down or dies altogether at a critical moment. You are in a panic to buy something, anything, to get your life back on track and moving according to schedule again. But don't let yourself feel pressured to purchase the first decent deal you come across. If necessary, get a rental car for a few days so you can think clearly without being clouded by the inconvenience of being without a vehicle.

Sometimes it makes sense to go ahead and pay to have a vehicle repaired. If the car is paid for and there is no damage to the frame, it may even be wise to go as far as having the engine replaced or rebuilt. This avoid that high payment for a new car, along with the greater insurance coverage demanded by the institution loaning you the money for the car. Only liability is required on a car that has been paid off.

If you are certain only a new or a newer used car will do, get online or go to the library to get a copy of Edmond's online or book guide to determine the dealership's invoice pricing and market value of any car you might consider buying. Then research car insurance. It is easier to rate and cover a driver over 25 who has had not tickets in the last three years, has a stable work history, and a good credit report.

To get the best possible financing, get pre-approved for a car loan. When you go car shopping with financing already in place you are in a much stronger negotiating position. This also means you had the chance to look for the best terms among loans.

Armed with information on vehicle values, knowledge of insurance charges on the types of vehicles you prefer, and pre-approval on a car loan it is time to go shopping. But you don't have to leave home to do that.

Many dealerships have an internet sales representative that will answer your inquiry quickly via email. Even if they are not set up with a dedicated internet rep they no doubt have a fax machine. Call and get that fax number then send over your written specifications and ask them what their best price would be. When the dealerships reply with their offer contact the two next lowest bids and tell them you have an offer lower than theirs and see if they will make you a better deal. With a written quote you have solid information with which to bargain. Get the best deal possible.

Author BioAllied Debt ConsolidationJalapeno Jones http://www.outtadebt.com/

Donating Your Car To Charity

By: Greg Reynolds

Donating a car to charity is not that difficult. However, you need to be aware of the new tax regulations before you donate your car to a non-profit organization. The IRS provides some general rules of thumb on car donations:

Starting in 2005, if the claimed value of your donated car exceeds $500 and the item is sold by the charitable organization, your tax deduction is limited to the amount of money the charitable organization actually receives from selling the vehicle.

The charitable organization must provide you (the donor) with a written acknowledgement within thirty days of the sale, specifically stating the net amount they received for selling your donated car.

As an example, let's say you make a car donation to a non-profit charity, and the fair market value of that car is $5,000. The charity then sells the car without "significant use" or "material improvement", for a total sale price of $2,500. Your deduction is limited to $2,500, not the $5,000 fair market value.

This is substantially different than earlier years when you could deduct the entire estimated fair market value instead of the amount that the car donation actually raised for the charity.

Another caveat is that many non-profit organizations use a third-party administrative service to handle the pick-up and auction sale or your car donation. The resulting administrative fees are often 20% or more of what the car sells for at auction.

Your tax deduction is correspondingly lowered by the amount of third-party fees because the net amount the charity receives has been reduced. In the example above, your car donation deduction would be reduced from $2,500 to $2,000.

There are a few exceptions to these car donation tax deduction rules of thumb that are recognized by the IRS.

Car Donations: "Significant Use" & "Material Improvements"

If the charity significantly uses or materially improves the vehicle, they must certify that in the form of an acknowledgement to the donor (within 30 days of the contribution). In the case of significant use or material improvement, the donor may usually deduct the vehicle's market value ($4,000 in the example above).

To be considered "significant use", an organization must use the vehicle to substantially further its regularly conducted activities. The recipient organization's use of the vehicle:

1 - Must not be insignificant
2 - Must not be intended at the time of the donation

Significance also depends on the frequency and duration of use by the non-profit organization.

"Material improvement" includes major repairs or other improvements that significantly increase the vehicle's value. Cleaning the vehicle, minor repairs, and routine maintenance are not material improvements.

Make sure you don't get misled by a car donation sales pitch saying you can claim higher tax deductions than the IRS allows.

For more information, see IRS Publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property ( PDF 101K) at www.irs.gov

Author BioGreg Reynolds writes about fundraisers and fundraising events for schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations. Signup for the free monthly newsletter at www.fundraiserhelp.com and get free samples from top suppliers.

http://www.motorparks.co.uk/

Monday 22 September 2008

Used Car Parts: Tips to Cut Down Recurring Maintenance Costs


By: Adam Boulton

For used car parts like engines, transmissions and suspension, junk yards are of great use, which may be cost associated. Used car parts have color codes but junkyards do not. Used mirror, grills, quarter panel, window motors, head lights, tail lights and fenders are the most significant parts to be taken care of when we opt for used car parts.

The sheet metal that runs from the rear most part to the rear doors on either side of the car is the rear quarter panel. The rear quarter panel is the outer skin and the inner panels are vital to avoid strong vibration and feeble construction at the back of the car. The quarter panel is the most important part of the car. It is attached on both sides of the vehicle that contains the lock pillar. The front quarter panel runs from the front area of the cover to the front of the door. The rear quarter panel runs from the rear most area around the back to the rear door which consists of an outer skin and inner panels.

The absolute front of the car are the grills, which send air into the radiator and engine body and which also gives a unique and noticeable look to the car. They are manufactured in different colors and finishes. Grills made of plastic or metals are called stock grill insert, body color insert or column billet. Since new grills are highly expensive, it is always advisable to opt for used grills. Grills transform a simple automobile into a great looking machine and accentuate it.

Window motors and window regulators are the most frequently used parts of the car and these are liable for greater wear and tear, leading to breakage and inconvenience. So, for a reliable window regulator and motor, the quality of the material and design are important. Since they are mostly pre-assembled, direct placements for easier and quicker installation, they come with per item warranty.

Headlight is the beam of light produced and distributed by the headlamp. Headlamps are electrically operated, positioned in pairs on each side of the car. High beams maximize vision distance, casting their light straight ahead but producing too much glare whereas low beams have control of upward light and provide safe forward visibility.

“Optic reflectors” distribute the light in the desired pattern and are designed into the reflector itself –made of compression molded or injection molded plastic. Enormous rigid tolerances should be followed in design and producing of complex reflector headlamps. Sealed beam headlamps are modular. The entire module should be replaced when the filament burns out. The reflector made of awfully thick vaporized aluminum deposited on a glass may become non-functional if water enters the headlamps or if a high watt bulb is used. In such cases they should be replaced since reflectors cannot be restored effectively.



Adam Boulton is an expert in automobile related matters. He has contributed several informative articles on topics such as used cars and auto loan to webguides - http://www.getbestcars.com/ and http://www.autoloanguide.info/

Hot Tips Before You Buy a Used Car


By: Ronald W. Firquain

While used cars are lower in price, you have to think about maintenance costs of an older auto. Once you have found which finance option would be more suitable and have begun looking for your choice of model, then you need to concentrate on remaining safe during the purchase. Whether you are buying from a dealer or privately should come with a complete service history. While the majority are sold online only come with the sellers mobile number you should also get their land line number. Interest rate differs in both the types and difference arises in case of offering loan.The first step is to find a reliable dealer. Boston Dealers are instituting programs to train their employees of the art of dealing with customers and how to satisfy their needs.

The used cars that are sold here might come from the excess of government vehicles, recovery or confiscation. Another prospect of finding through vehicle auctions. But for this you need to be patient, as you need to go through all of the details to find what you are looking for and buy cheap used vehicles online. A vast number of websites feature used vehicles for sale. This is yet another good way of finding good deals for used automobiles.

But, when you look around make sure you find a local dealership that has an extensive assortment of genuine certified used automobiles. Certified used vehicles give buyers supplementary benefits that they usually only get when they buy a new automobile. Along with the warranty that is given, there are other benefits to attaining certified used vehicle. Warranty needs to meet outstandingly high standards by the manufacturer of the automobile.

The biggest benefit that comes into mind is that you are getting a used auto that has been meticulously examined and has been found to be so good in condition that they have received an extended warranty. No matter what the reason is behind selling, you need to be conscious that there are numerous used automobiles on the market with more being added every day. Used car that previously had been involved in any accident should be dubious and should not be priced too much because may not function well and may be involved again at possible vehicle incidences in the future. The majority that are advertised are totally legitimate and you can get a bargain, however there are some unscrupulous individuals that will pull the wool over your eyes.

The first thing used cars salesmen do when they get a new used automobile on the lot is to deep clean it and make it shine. Research the Prices of making an offer, you should research the average price value. There are other places too like the car supermarkets where you can get a good deal. You can also get all the accessories, which come with the stereo system, air conditioning, and all the standard basic features. You also get a wide choice to choose from various models that are on display here. If you are determined in getting the best deals, you can get them from the auctions. One of the best options for searching is the internet that helps you to understand how the market works. If you are looking out for buying cheaper then used car can be a good option.

However if you are willing to settle for something similar to what you have in mind, you are sure to have a wider choice. This is why it is better to follow these tips for buying used. All things in life come with its bad side; and so do used vehicles. The main reason people prefer buying used today is that it is available at a lower investment; lower depreciation and its financing rates have considerably reduced. The best way to find listings is to visit a used car search website that is constantly updating its database and removing defunct entries from its database. Another problem with using search engines like Google for finding used cars is that the used car dealers might not have the cars available at all. Finding used cars online is no longer a complicated task. Now you should have some necessary information about the precautionary measures and the buying procedures before buying. Another bonus to going with a dealership is that all the used autos listed in the search and on the website should have had data check.

Ronald Firquain is a writer, marketer, entrepreneur, webmaster and has 18 years of computer knowledge. car tips

Thursday 18 September 2008

Motor Park Audi A4



Owning a car from the A4 range sets you apart from the rest. Each model's looks, performance and safety features have been fine-tuned to meet the expectations of the discerning driver. Choose from a range of ten petrol and diesel engines that deliver the performance, reliability and economy to match your driving requirements, however demanding. The A4 range pushes the limits.

MotorParks.co.uk

Enterprise Car Rental - Revolutionizing the Industry


By Leroy C. Calstard

Enterprise Car Rental is a company that is well known in the car rental industry. They have been around a long time but joined the car rental game a bit late. Even so, they have grown and offer a unique product that has proven successful over the years. They credit their success to listening to what their customers want and it has worked. Here's a brief history of Enterprise Car Rental and how they became an industry leader.

Early Beginnings

Enterprise Car Rental actually didn't start out as a rental company at all. Jack Taylor owned a car leasing company in St. Louis, Missouri called Executive Leasing Company. He started the leasing business because he thought that people would be as interested in leasing a car as they would with purchasing one. His idea worked but he found that his customers wanted a car to use while their's was in the shop. Taylor soon started Executive Car Rental in 1962. The business grew and soon Taylor wanted to expand the rental business.

The Enterprise Name

In 1969 Taylor expanded outside of St Louis but needed a unique name since "Executive" was used widely in the car business. Taylor decided to name the business after an aircraft carrier he served on in World War II and so the name Enterprise was born.

Keeping Cars for Locals

In the 1960's most of the rental companies had moved from the city to the airport. Most of the travelers needed a car when they arrived and so the airport was a convenient location. However John Taylor saw the market for hometown rental offices that provide rentals to locals who need a car. With this thinking, John Taylor focused on this market and opened up locations outside the airport and in cities without an airport. His idea worked and his business expanded.

In 1974 a branch manager in Orlando, Florida came up with the idea of a drop off and pick up car service for customers. This was again revolutionary for the industry. Most of the other car rental companies remained at the airport where this wasn't needed. This service proved to be popular with their target customer who needs a local rental.

Enterprise Car Today

Enterprise Car Rental continues to grow and still listens to what customers want. They continue to open in-town locations and serve cities that aren't served by an airport. Their pick up and drop off service is still available and touted in the marketing. You can see why this company has grown in popularity and has become a big player in the rental car industry.


Leroy Calstard is writing mainly for alicante-spain.com, a web page on finding rental cars in Torrevieja, tips on car rental in spain and many different issues. You might come across his writings on car rental in torrevieja at http://www.alicante-spain.com/


The Importance of Fitting a Dog Guard in your Car

By Susan Roberts

Do you have a dog, does the dog travel in the car, and does your car have a properly fitting dog guard or dog bars?

Isn’t it cute when you see a car travelling along on a hot sunny day with the windows down and a dogs head poking out from the window? Dogs look to be having great pleasure from forcing their faces into the stream of oncoming air rushing by the car.

Some pet owners think that it is ‘unfair’ to put their dog in the back of the car because there aren’t any comfy seats or because the dog whimpers as it is travelling. However, not containing your pet in a vehicle could prove to be fatal for you and your dog.

A properly fitted dog guard works to protect the occupants of the car in two ways. Whilst the dog is restrained in the hatchback part of the car, the dog is not roaming around the car blocking the drivers view or distracting the driver’s attention. As you can probably imagine a small dog could quite easily jump onto the driver’s knee whilst the car is in motion. A larger breed of dog could jolt the drivers elbow and consequently cause an accident. Larger dogs also very easily impair the driver’s field of vision.

Dog guards are also effective at saving life in the event of a road traffic accident. A loose dog sitting on the back seat can be very mobile in a car collision. The dog can fly forward and smash through the windscreen in a similar way to a person if they are not wearing their seat belt. This of course could be fatal for the dog.

As the dog is flung forward, the animal can clatter into the headrests of the front seats, and can kill the two passengers that are sitting there.

Some pet owners think that they can get around this by teaching the dog to wear a conventional seat belt. This may prevent the dog from being flung forward and injuring the passengers in the front seats, however the seat belt can cause internal damage to the dog.

A dog is much more likely to survive a car crash if it properly restrained in the hatchback part of the car, penned in by a properly fitting dog guard. This is because during a crash the dog will be flung into the guard, and although this might bruise the dog and might even break some bones, but the dog in most cases would recover.

Getting the correct dog guard for your make and model of car is very important to ensure that the safety bars perform during an accident or collision. An ill-fitting dog guard could be as dangerous as the car not having this safety feature fitted at all. Most of the manufacturers offer a range of accessories for their cars including fully-fitted dog bars to suit your model of car perfectly. Talk to your car dealer for details about the type of dog guard your car requires, they will also be happy to show you how to fit the bars correctly into your car.

http://www.motorparks.co.uk/

Wednesday 17 September 2008

New Car Stereo VS Old Car Stereo


By Victor Epand

People usually like to spend their leisure time in accordance with their choices. One of the most common pass times is listening to music. Thanks to the advancement in technology, one can now listen to his or her favorite music while driving the car. The car stereo system has made this dream come true.

A car stereo is a sound system that is fixed inside an automobile. Nowadays we do not have to buy and install a car stereo; most of the time it is pre-built inside a car. It includes a number of equipment like amplifiers, speakers, and CD or cassette player. The features include specially designed in built items to go with the design and components of the car.

The demand for car stereos is rising so much that manufacturers of home audio system are investing in this field. This resulted in tough competition that compelled the makers to update the technology and provide similar features at a much cheaper rate.

Before buying the audio system, one should consider some points. It is important to see whether the car stereo fits in the car or not. Car stereos are bought for great sounds, so checking the sound quality before buying is also a good idea.

People used to put their battery operated music system inside the car for the listening experience; however, it was before the invention of car stereo. The drawback was the inability to cope with the high temperature and the shake inside the car. The first car stereo speaker that came to the market was a radio fitted in the dashboard with two speakers in the front door.

Motorola was the first to bring this kind of car stereo to market. The battery of the old car stereo was not of superior quality and could not be played for longer hours. It could only play audiocassettes. Moreover, the sound quality was not up to the mark. The longevity of this old car stereo was poor too. Compared to new car stereo the old car stereo was quite big in size.

Other than the looks of the car stereo, the products are always valued for sound quality. The new car stereo has a DVD player and pop up display LCD screens. The LCD screens can be either slide out or folded, though that depends on the head unit. Nowadays, new car stereos can fit in traffic signal messages and has a memory card with huge space. Some of the new car stereos include MP3 players, CD system, etc.

An MP3 car stereo is a kind of stereo that can play audio CDs, MP3 files, etc. and that too for longer hours. One of the distinguishing features of this stereo is programmable track memory. The memory also comes with digital anti skip facility and digital standard headphones. In addition, they are endowed with AM/FM tuners where one can store FM and AM stations.

Loud car stereos are quite a craze among the young generation and can play music above 140 decibels. However, this kind of stereos can cause hearing problems. In fact, loud music inside the car can make one unaware of the surroundings that may cause severe accidents.

CD car stereos have become an essential car necessity. This new kind of car stereo is provided with radio. It is helpful in many ways because it allows the user to access or go through the latest updated news, information regarding travel, etc. They can also play MP3.

Presently, car stereos are not only entertainment equipment but, to some extent, they have become a status symbol also.


Victor Epand is an expert consultant for used DVDs, used movies, and used car stereos. You can find the best marketplace for used DVDs, used movies, and used car stereos at these sites for used DVDs and used movies.