Beldames’ Saloon

Drive by any car lot in the United States and ask to see the latest hybrid car models. Don’t be stupefied if eight out of ten tell you that they can’t seem to keep them on the lotthat they’re just selling too fast! There is reasoning behind the hype: consumers believe in one (or all) of three things, that they’re going to be getting a better deal once gas prices hit $2.50 a gallon, that they’re not sacrificing performance and that they’re helping the environment.

Let’s first take a look at how these cars are put together. First, we have to understand the concept of “hybrid”. A hybrid car might be defined as any vehicle that uses two or more sources of energy to propel itself. Seems simple enough. Hybrid machinery is all around us in the form of diesel-electric, such as city buses, and nuclear-electric, such as those used on many US submarines. So, the idea and the technology have been around awhileit’s just now that another energy scare like that of the 1970s, that we start becoming resourceful and a little ingenious. Hybrid power is on the up-rise (and in-demand) only because the two different types of propulsion possibilities (gasoline/diesel and electric) standing alone have proven an ineffective means to get both power and efficiency in one package. But, working together, there is promise.

A hybrid car, in modern terminology, is usually referring to any car that has a combination of an electric and a gasoline (or diesel) motors. These cars use kinetic energy (referred to as regenerative breaking), absorbed by your breaks when you slow down to a stop, to recharge batteries that in turn push the electric motor. All of this is combined into one finely tuned schematicthe result being power to the transmission and propulsion power (i.e. wheel movement).

All hybrids contain a gasoline engine, an electric engine, a generator (mostly on series hybrids), fuel storage container, batteries and a transmission.

There are basically two different types of hybrid engines. The first is a parallel hybrid. This sort of hybrid actually contains both a gasoline and electric motor that both operate independently to propel the car forward. It’s designed to have two power sources working with one goal in mind. In many ways, they are still “connected”.

The second hybrid is often referred to as a series hybrid. In a series hybrid, the gas or diesel powered engine doesn’t connect to the transmission directly, meaning that it doesn’t actually propel the car by itself. It actually works indirectly, powering a generator, which in turn (controlled by computer monitoring systems) either feeds power to the batteries or directly feeds power to an electric motor that connects to the transmission.

As stated above, hybrid buyers are looking for the combination (and compromise) of power and energy that these cars seem to provide. Many gas-powered cars have a lot of horsepower. This is useful for modern driving experiences. No one wants to be doing the minimum 45 mph on the interstate and stopping to “refuel,” as with purely electric motors. Plus, there’s no need to feel like you should have placed your slow-moving reflective magnet on the trunk. However, many gas-powered cars are truly “wasteful” resources because out of those 175 horses, you’ll only have to use less than half that power for everyday driving. We don’t even have to get into the harmful environmental factors of pure gasoline engines. We are just now starting to see the results of our apathetic attitudes on this subject.

The engines in hybrid automobiles are usually much smaller (except in some brand new V-6 models). While this reduces fuel consumption, it means that for the extra “power” that drivers are looking for has to come from somewhere else. That’s where the electric motor and batteries come into play. In some models, sensors detect that the car is in need of extra energy for going up hill, for example. That’s when the “hybrid” half of the engine kicks in. It will do a dandy job of giving the engine that extra oomph or boost that it needs, without using any more gasoline.

Newer hybrid models do a lot of extra tricks so that your car gets as many miles to the gallon as possible. For example, when you’re stopped at a traffic light, another sensor will trigger the gasoline engine to idle down to a complete stop, while the car stays “running” solely on its electric power. Did I mention ingenious?

Since the idea behind the hybrid powered car is reduced fuel consumption without the loss of speed or power, many cars are being designed to move through the streets with the utmost in aerodynamic form; meaning that a hybrid will create less “drag,” simply due to its body structure. Many also use much lighter building materials, reducing weight and pull. Some models even have wheel covers and no mirrors (replaced with cameras and navigation equipment), which saves an enormous amount of energy.

Hybrids don’t seem to be a fad or some social experiment. Consumers and car enthusiasts alike are enjoying what they’re seeing in the market. Everyday it seems a better designed, lighter; more fuel-efficient and powerful hybrid enters. Recently released models are even beating their gas-powered counterparts. One boasts a 255 hp engine with other capabilities such as being able to shut down half the cylinders (without notice) while in motion to conserve fuel and energy.

Hybrid-engineered cars cost a bit more too. Usually the price difference is around 3,000 bucks. And, it may take a few years (depending on gas prices) for you to actually make the savings in fuel worthwhile. However, it’s still better for the environment, and that lingers (and makes it worthwhile) in some consumers’ minds.

And, if you are still one to wholeheartedly grip the stick of your V-8 without budging, you might take into mind that newer hybrid models are gaining on those petal-to-the-metal peelers of yesteryear. Hybrid models are inching nearer to (and even beating!) gas powered cars in 0 to 60 mph road tests.

So, when you decide that a new car might be a viable option in the near future, don’t expect to see too many hybrids in dealers’ lots. You may have to do some across-the-state driving to find a choice. Do some preliminary searching on the Internet and find out what model may benefit you and your lifestyle the most. Keep in mind all that we’ve mentioned and perhapsin the futureyou’ll have no other choice than a hybrid, which at this time seems to be by far the best choice around.

Michael Walker is a freelance author providing tips and hints on engine related topics such as JDM engines, used engines and engine swapping. His articles are a valuable source of information for the auto enthusiast.

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Words matter, they really do. In some cases the wrong words or phrases can summon up a whole host of thoughts or feelings, negative or positive. Marketing professionals spend millions of dollars per year testing products with consumers to see just how well they are received. The automotive industry is no exception with vehicles living or dying based on name only. Beyond specific model names, there are other “killer” terms that must be avoided at all costs. Let’s take a look at current accepted automotive vernacular and those terms or words that are resoundingly rejected.

Crossover - A rather vague term, a crossover vehicle defies easy description. One of the earlier crossover models was Chrysler’s Pacifica - a tall wagon, while the all new Dodge Caliper also is given that designation. Sometimes the designation hides what a vehicle really is: a hatchback. Ask anyone who drove one of these cars during the 1970s and 1980s and you will quickly learn why it is one term avoided by automakers at all costs!

Retro - Suggesting something old made new, this term has been attributed to a particular breed of vehicle that borrows styling cues from an earlier model. Current examples include the Ford Thunderbird and Ford Mustang. While retro is positively received by some, automakers are now using a different term - heritage - to describe this category of vehicles. Chevrolet, for one, has named its new compact vehicle the HHR [heritage high roof] specifically to invoke the heritage name.

Ragtop - Oh, this old term for a convertible has certainly died a nasty death. Rags are nothing more then spent clothe at least in the eyes of most motorists. Substitute the term “cabriolet” and you have the preferred name for a vehicle whose roof retracts.

Wagon - Drop the word “station” from station wagon and you have a word that describes the Dodge Magnum. Unlike previous generation vehicles that were used to drop Dad off at the railroad station to catch a ride to work, the Magnum puts the sport into what many have long considered to be the bane of suburbia: family wagons.

SUV - Owners of Ford’s Explorer, the Jeep Cherokee, and the Chevy Blazer have long been accustomed to calling their rides sport utility vehicles. Some manufacturers, including BMW, have adjusted the term SUV to SAV - sport activity vehicle — suggesting that their vehicles have a more refined use than their more prosaic competitors.

Green - No longer just a color, the term “green” is used to describe eco-friendly vehicles such as gas-electric hybrids. These vehicles still pollute, but their share of fuel consumption is much lower as are its overall negative impact on the environment. No word yet just how all of the dead batteries will be recycled when the time comes.

So, no matter how you slice it a favored term with one generation may be avoided at all costs for another one. Usually, you are still talking about the same thing, but by using terms that evoke a positive response you are much more likely to look at that product favorably. Clearly, this “wordsmithing” is something automotive marketers are keen to emphasize with consumers.

Copyright 2006 - Matt Keegan is a freelance auto writer covering new and future models. Your cabriolet or heritage model can benefit from quality parts and accessories including those manufactured by Westin, Bullett, and by Lund.

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I have many friends that brag about their amazing car history to anyone who will listen. They rant and rave about all of the great memories they have made with their car and they cannot stop talking about all of the great road trips their trusty car has taken them on. I’ll be honest, I got a little jealous after hearing a few of their stories, so I decided to share a little car history of my own.

I love my car, I really do. I love it more than most everything I own and use. A few family photographs and notes from cherished friends are about all that top the love I have for my car. So I guess you could say my car history began the day I bought my beauty. September 5, 1999. Oh, I’ll never forget that day. I’ll never forget the way I felt as I test drove the car that would one day be the main character in my personal car history story. I drove her, I liked her, so I brought her home. (With a little help from mom and dad of course).

She wasn’t in the driveway for more than one hour when I realized that I couldn’t begin a true car history with a car that didn’t have a name! So I named her. Princess Bug. I know, it sounds silly now, but at the time it felt perfect. The perfect name for the perfect car to enjoy year after year of perfect car history with. Right? Wrong. It is a good thing that I loved my Princess Bug from the start because it wasn’t three months after purchasing her that she was in the shop for the first time. Nothing too major was wrong with her, but she still costed me more than I had planned on.

Other than a few annoying trips to the shop for repairs, the car history that Princess Bug has given me is filled with wonderful and cherished memories. I remember when me and three friends piled into Princess Bug and were determined to drive from our hometown in Indiana all the way to Hollywood and back in just a week. Some people say that ignorance is bliss, but since that roadtrip I’ve always said that ignorance is foolish. We never made it even close to Hollywood but our travels through Missouri and Illinois were pleasant enough to ease the sting of not seeing good ole Cali.

Princess Bug has given me a car history filled with many things to remember I guess. But if you’re anything like I was before I started making a history with my car, you’re really not that interested in what I have to say. You’ve been intrigued and now you can’t wait to begin a car history with a special vehicle all your own. Just don’t forget to name her!

Martin Stoleman has become a self-proclaimed expert in making a special car history with his car. See www.carhistorytimes.info to learn more.

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UK Parking Control Ltd (UKPC) provides parking enforcement services for a wide variety of clients. They range from SME’s to major retailing names and from hospitals and universities to residential premises both large and small. The objective is to provide clients with an effective parking solution that is appropriate to each individual situation.

As a parking enforcement agency, UK Parking Control Ltd is a leader in the use of new technology and innovative methods of managing parking. It recognises that there is more to operating a car park than issuing parking permits and parking tickets. We offer Automatic Number Plate Recognition, Warden Patrol services, Self Ticketing Systems and Car Park Management as part of its extensive range of services. Tailored parking solutions can be provided for any location where parking problems may occur. That is the secret of successful parking control and management as the UKPC’s many satisfied clients can confirm.

Another of the hallmarks of UKPC’s approach to parking control management is its professionalism. It’s front-line parking personnel/wardens are fully trained and the company is a member of the British Parking Association. Geographically, UKPC operates throughout England, Scotland and Ireland. Why not contact us now and let us help you sort out your parking control issues now.

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Automobiles are sizeable investments. As a car becomes older,
its maintenance becomes increasingly important. There are many
tools that every auto owner should have. Auto shops can
sometimes charge exurbanite amounts for a simple fix that could
have been done at home for much cheaper. Having the proper tools
and knowledge will allow any auto owner to save money, learn
more about their automobile, and maintain their car.

1. Every auto owner should have a jack and jack stands. When
working on a car, more often than not, the car must be elevated.
Simple procedures like rotating tires can be done at home with
the help of a Jack. Additionally, all car owners should have a
jack in their car with them wherever they go. In the unfortunate
event of a flat tire, having a jack and a spare tire can lead to
a simple tire replacement. In a garage, having a powerful jack
and strong jack stands makes it possible for an auto owner to
reach every point underneath the car and thus solve problems
more efficiently.

2. One of the most important car maintenance practices is the
oil change. To maintain an automobile, the oil should be changed
once every 3,000 miles. Quintessential to a successful oil
change is having an Oil Wrench that takes the oil filter off and
allows the oil to be changed expediently. Without an oil wrench,
an auto owner may be forced to take their car to an auto shop
and overpay for a simple oil change.

3. Often when dealing with parts of the engine, or the
hard-to-reach spots under the hood, proper tools are required. A
3/8-inch Socket Set can allow an automobile owner to loosen and
subsequently tighten a wide variety of bolts. Different
extensions allow the auto owner to obtain the best angles for
torque and therefore make auto jobs quite a bit easier.

4. When changing oil, having a funnel, some rags, and a bucket
is very helpful. Once again, the oil change is one of the most
important maintenances for a car, and it can be done easily by
anyone. However, many people do not have the proper tools or
knowledge for a successful oil change. Having a funnel can also
be useful when refilling any other fluids in one’s car. The
funnel serves to make sure that fluids do not get over filled,
which can lead to significant problems.

5. Finally, every auto owner should have a pair of solid vice
grips. Some times a part will just not come loose. Other times,
a car part may not seem to be tight enough despite one’s best
efforts. Vice grips can hold a wide variety of car parts and
allow the user to obtain more leverage for either tightening or
loosening a part. When encountering a part that will simply not
come loose, many auto owners will give up and take their car to
a shop. Having vice grips can help one to avoid this problem.

Unfortunately, there is no car in existence that doesn’t require
constant maintenance. However, with the right tools, anyone can
fix minor problems and maintain his or her automobile without
the assistance of an auto mechanic. The right tools can lead to
a longer last vehicle, and large cost savings.

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The growth of the counterfeits parts industry is causing problems for motorists, suppliers, manufacturers, and governments from around the world. Just how bad is the problem? For starters, the manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit car parts is a multi billion dollar per year business. Car owners from the Kia to the Camaro and from the Geo to the Golf, and every make and model in between are all susceptible to getting hooked with fake parts. This doesn’t have to happen and I am going to share with you how you can avoid being deceived by purveyors of bogus car parts.

Read the labels. Fake parts purveyors are getting very crafty in copying logos and other important information off of product boxes. Check for typographical errors or odd sounding language on the boxes. Most counterfeiters are smart when it comes to crime, but pretty dumb when it comes to understanding the proper use of English terms, grammar, and spelling. For example, brand names spelled wrong such as Monrow for Monroe. One more point: packaging may be “correct” but sized wrong; be suspicious of any part sold to you in a package that isn’t sized according to the product it holds.

Check the part. If the texture of a part seems odd, it could be a fake. For example, that Hella headlight may not be what it appears to be especially if the element inside looks cheap or broken, or if too much plastic was used in the development of the casing.

Know your supplier. Purchasing your parts from a reliable supplier isn’t a 100% guarantee that the parts received are genuine. Still, if they back up what they sell with a guarantee you won’t get stuck should a counterfeit part get passed through them to and on to you.

Buy OEM or better. Only purchase parts that meet or exceed stringent original manufacturer requirements. Prices 70, 80, or 90% lower than retail rates should raise a warning flag. Stick with the name brands; there is a reason why products from Bosch, Covercraft, Denso, Flowmaster, Injen, K&N, and others sell so well: they are trusted names associated with well known brands. Avoid generic or no name brands.

If you think that you have been sold bogus parts, inform the local police as well as the parts supplier of the problem. If you buy from an overseas company, the chances of you receiving a refund from them are slim. When purchasing online only purchase through those retailers who have an established track record and are reachable through a toll free number. You may save money in the short run with bogus parts, but you will lose in the long run with Volkswagen or other parts that are defective or even dangerous.

Copyright 2005 — Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for Auto Parts Canada, a wholesaler of fine

Volkswagen parts and Volkswagen accessories for your Volkswagen truck, van, SUV, or passenger car.

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“It’s your space.” That is what the Rover claims their car to
be.

The Rover is a car with a considered purpose in life. The
company says that if you sit inside and switch off from the
frantic pace of the present world, you could find yourself in a
personal cocoon of peace of pleasure. That is the Rover’s
purpose. To achieve this purpose, they come fully-fitted with
luxury leather interiors and wood-style facades as part of their
high standards. To add to the high quality ambience, air
conditioning and alloy wheels have been supplemented. Rover
professes that with these, it will become apparent to passengers
how the Rover could become ‘your space’. Along that line, it is
a four-wheel drive vehicle and part of their list of models are
the Defender, Freelander, Discovery and Range Rover.

Land Rover Parts and Range Rover Parts offers Rover parts
focused on reliability, quality, great designs and affordable
price. With the Rover tradition of designing efficient and
innovative cars, Land Rover parts and Range Rover Parts has in
its stock the widest array as well high standard Rover parts,
performance parts, and replacement parts. Check out Land Rover
Parts and Range Range Rover Parts’ impressive
array of highly durable and reliable Rover parts to match the
equally impressive performance of your Rover. Included in their
long list of these parts are the Rover clutch parts.

Rover clutches are very useful in devices with two rotating
shafts. In such devices, one of the shafts is typically driven
by a motor or a pulley, and then the other one is driving
another device. The Rover clutch connects these two shafts so as
they can be locked together and so they could spin at the same
speed, or also so they could be decoupled and then spin at
different speeds. In your Rover, the clutch is essential because
the engine spins all the time and the car wheels do not. So that
the car could stop without killing your engine, the wheels of
your Rover need to be disconnected from the engine for that time
being. This part allows us to smoothly engage a spinning engine
to a non-spinning transmission by controlling the slippage
between them. The Rover clutches has been specifically crafted
so as to keep up and reinforce the Rover’s purpose of space,
luxury, and comfort.

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