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Guides For Improving Fuel Economy

Improving your car’s fuel economy can save you about $200 up to $1,500 in fuel costs every year, according to fueleconomy.gov. Not only that, improving fuel economy or just by saving gas contributes to reduce the carbon monoxide and other harmful exhaust emissions entering the air, conserve the country’s resources on non-renewable fuel, and can also extend your car’s gas mileage. In regards with this, vehicle owners should follow these effective guides on how to improve their fuel economy.

Firstly, you should buy the lowest grade of gasoline that is appropriate for your car, unless you own a vehicle that requires premium gasoline on its fuel tank. Using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil for your vehicle model also improve gas mileage by about 1 to 2 percent. In addition, you can also improve fuel economy by keeping your tires inflated by following the required tire pressure by the manufacturer. Furthermore, one simple way to improve gas mileage is to tighten up your fuel gas cap or replace it if it is damaged. Because fuel like gasoline is a volatile substance, it can evaporate from your vehicle’s fuel tank and gradually waste a large amount of fuel. Always make sure to tighten your vehicle’s gas cap like Jeep fuel tank cap when refueling before leaving the station.

When driving, make sure to drive more efficiently and consistently by avoiding speeding, rapid acceleration, and braking. These actions lower your gas mileage and pose more risk for vehicle accidents. Remove excess weight on your car by leaving unnecessary stuff that you wont be needing when heading on the road. Research shows that every 100 lbs of excess weight in your car can lower your mileage by about 2 percent. Avoiding excessive idling is also an effective way to increase fuel economy as well as using cruise control when driving on highways if your car is equipped with one. The use of cruise control can help you maintain your speed and improve fuel economy.

Keeping your car healthy is indeed one of the best ways to improve fuel economy. Checking your car for maintenance not only improves fuel economy but it also ensures your driving safety when hitting the road for a nice drift. You should keep an eye on your engine’s air filters regularly. The air filter functions to trap dirt particles that can cause damage to engine cylinders, walls, and pistons. Driving with a clogged or dirty air filter restricts the air to enter the engine and reduces fuel economy as well as vehicle performance. You should replace the air filter at once when it gets dirty.

Another way to improve your fuel economy and gas mileage is by carefully planning your trips and errands. This will not only save fuel but also save time and money. Lastly, if you are planning to purchase a new vehicle, it is recommended that you get a more fuel efficient vehicle model that gets better miles per gallon (mpg) rating.

For more about your Jeep parts needs like


Replacing VW Ceramic Brake Pads, Removing Calipers

Bringing your VW car to a mechanic will give you less hustle in labor. Replacing your deteriorated brake part may be very labor intensive. But for car owners who want to save money for an auto repair, doing it yourself is the answer, regardless of the labor and time it will incur you.

A guide, like this, for replacing your VW ceramic brake pads and removing calipers will help.

First, you will need materials such as wrenches, jack, jack stands, wire brush, screwdriver or pry bar, pliers or vise grips, hammer, large C-clamp, high-temperature lubricant, latex gloves, and of course, new brake pads.

Gather together all those mentioned tools and supplies before you begin. Allow plenty of time to do the job so you don not have to hurry and cram. Safety is important whenever you are working around machinery. So, beware of hot objects, sharp instruments and hazardous materials. Though economizing in terms of money is your goal, do not substitute tools unless you are sure you will not compromise either your safety or the performance of your vehicle. Say for instance, never work on a vehicle that is only supported by a jack. Use jack stands to support the vehicle while you are working. Work on a solid and level surface. Never jack a car up on dirt or grass. Do one wheel at a time so you can use the other wheel as a reference in case you get confused. Check for any fluid leaks or cracked brake lines. If there is any, replace them as necessary.

Brake linings contain asbestos. Avoid creating or breathing dust when changing the linings or cleaning the parts. Use water to wash down the brakes before starting and wear gloves to avoid prolonged contact with your skin. Any contact of these materials to your skin may have bad effects.

To finally start, remove about half the brake fluid from the master cylinder and put it into a sealed container. Dispose it off properly. Do not reuse old brake fluid. Always use fresh brake fluid from a sealed container. Brake fluid messes up with paint so do not get it on your vehicles finish. If you do, wash it off with plenty of water. After all, brake fluid is water soluble.

Using a lug wrench, crack the wheel lugs. You need to loose one or two turns. Do not remove them completely. Jack one side of the vehicle up and support it with a jack stand. Do the same for the opposite side. Remove the lugs and then take the wheels off.

You might ask yourself how to remove the calipers. Listed are the steps on how to.
For the floating caliper, remove the two caliper guide pins or bolts. Look at the locations and positions of any bushings or guides so that they can be reinstalled properly. Rock the caliper back and forth to push the piston back enough to slide the caliper off. The floating caliper is now ready to be removed. By using a large C-clamp, push on the inboard pad to move the piston back into the caliper. Do it slow and steady. If you did not remove half the brake fluid, make an appointment to have your vehicle repainted.

Another type is the sliding caliper.

A support key or retaining clip holds the caliper to the caliper bridge. Remove the retaining bolt or screw holding the key. Then, drive the key out with an appropriate tool. Note the position of any springs or clips before you remove them. The retainers will simply lift off. Observe and note the position of the retainers before you remove them. After this, the sliding caliper is now ready to be removed. Through the use of a large C-clamp, push on the inboard pad to move the piston back into the caliper. Do it slow and steady. If you did not remove half the brake fluid, make an appointment to have your vehicle repainted.

The sliding caliper can also be removed by separating the pads from the caliper. The inner pad must be clipped to the piston. The outer pad may be pinned, clipped or pressed tightly on the caliper. Some pads may remain on the adapter or anchor when the caliper is already removed.

Clean the caliper mounting surfaces with a wire brush and remove all the rust and dirt. The sliding surfaces must be as clean as possible for proper brake operation. You need to wet down the area with water to prevent dust from sticking. Allow parts to dry.

Fixed Caliper, on the other hand, can be removed by removing the caliper mounting bolts only if the pads will not come out the back of the caliper. Push back the piston before removing the old pads. Again, if half the brake fluid was not removed, make an appointment to have your vehicle repainted.

Check the rotor or disc for scores, rusting or pitting. It is recommended that the rotors be resurfaced to remove any imperfections and true up the braking surface to prevent brake pulsations. Then, remove the pads from the calipers and remove any pins or retainers. Push pads back and pull them out.

You are done replacing your VW ceramic brake pads and removing calipers. Labor intensive, but money saving.

For more about your vdubpartsdirect.com/vw_brakepads.html”title=”VW ceramic brake pads VW ceramic brake pads needs like, visit your trusted online source.

Benjamin Hudson works as a supervisor at one of the top engineering firms in the business district of Louisiana. He is also a freelance journalist and has passion for anything automotive.


Those Mobile Phone Wielding Drivers

A taxi driver in Singapore recently drove his taxi headfirst into a rather deluxe condominium swimming pool! At the subsequent court case the driver was fully exonerated from any blame on the grounds that it was raining heavily at the time of the incident and (would you believe it?) that no barriers were in place around the pool. If anybody was to ponder over this scenario it would not be hard to conjure up a few chinks and cracks in the stories armor. Well, swimming pools do not normally reside directly in front of condominium entrances as those living there tend not to favor passerby’s peering in! Oh, and who would design it such that drunken residents, returning home from a night on the town, are faced with an assault course before being allowed to their apartment and to bed? I would also question the lack of lighting around the driveway, the speed that the taxi was taking and his knowledge of the area. But going no further; the driver was so obviously doing what millions of other people are doing right now – he was concentrating away on his cell phone, weaving and ducking around plant pots and over grass verges and was not able to fully apply himself to staying on the driveway! A point to back-up this reasoning is that Singaporean taxi-drivers always ring the customers upon arrival at the pick-up point. So this driver was without doubt struggling to call his future passengers to come down, whilst paying little attention to the large sign that said “swimming pool ahead”!

Mobile Phone usage by drivers on the move has increased world-wide. Many officials, governments, safety bodies, other drivers and pedestrians are becoming seriously worried about this modern phenomenon. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the USA conducted a survey and came up with some startling and very shocking data! The results showed that 1.2 million people or 8% of drivers in the States were using handheld or hands free cell phones during daylight hours in 2004; a 50% increase since 2002 and a 100% rise in four years. Mr. Ray Tyson, a spokesperson for NHTSA shared his views with us: while we don’t have hard evidence that there’s been an increase in the number of crashes, we know that talking on the phone can degrade driver performance”. Thanks Ray for the enlightenment but why did you restrict the survey to daylight hours only, do you expect mobile phone wielding drivers to always tell the truth and why don’t you have any hard evidence? Ray clearly reduced his statement to casual observation status rather than committing himself or the NHTSA by shouting out loudly to the world that the situation was reaching disastrous proportions ………..etc!

Over in Japan recent statistics shine another bad light on the situation. The Japanese Police produced some hard evidence (maybe they should contact RAY) of 1140 car accidents that occurred in Japan during a three month period in 1996! All of these accidents occurred due to drivers being distracted by their mobile phones in one way or another. In fact the police went a little bit further: 9 people died of these accidents! 45% of these accidents happened while drivers attempted to answer their ringing phones. 28% while drivers tried to combine driving with dialing, 18% while the drivers were talking and the remaining 11% due to other causes like scrambling under the seat to retrieve a dropped phone having just swerved out of the path of an oncoming camper van on cruise control!

Oh! And heading back to the Americas some objective Scientific Research from some body in Toronto shows that the risk of being involved in a traffic accident increases fourfold if a mobile phone is used whilst driving! Thanks for that, maybe these scientists were spent some time with Ray!

Zooming across the Atlantic, over the Middle East, China and to Taiwan! A country that manufactures and has its hand in the production of many electronic devices currently being used in the world today! As a pedestrian crossing any road in Taiwan is similar to putting ones head in the mouth of a lion, it is a dangerous event that most achieve by closing ones eyes and with a rapidly beating heart just taking the plunge – crossing the road that is! Recently this style of heart racing adventure has just gotten a little bit better: drivers manically wielding cell phones have dramatically increased the heart in mouth adventure of trying to get to the other side! It is still similar to putting ones head into a lion’s mouth, but a lion that has only just finished chomping to death its keeper, that is being prodded by a child with a stick between the bars and has been forced to listen to a mobile phone users checking out is new ring tones!

There has never been a co-coordinated system of traffic flow in Taiwan; a total lack of respect for traffic lights and pedestrians exist and weaving drivers on betel nut (a chewy nut that causes hyper activity when chewed and drowsiness in-between chomps) just adds to the general fun! Most pedestrians hug walls and sneak along with eyes working overtime as potentially hazardous drivers are logged and tracked by a well-developed brain radar system brought on by a desire for survival. Only last week a bus zoomed by with a cargo of terrified children peering helplessly and desperately out of the windows; the driver was happily conversing on his mobile whilst weaving an unstoppable course through various red lights at well over the moral speed limit! Another recent incident which in retrospect is quite hilarious was when two moped drivers approached each other across an intersection. Their speeds were not great and the whole scenario played out as if in slow motion; each was concentrating on their respective conversations, each was weaving drunkenly forwards in fits and starts and as if pre-ordained they collided head on. A tangled heap resulted but without serious injury or damage. But what is even more hilarious is that both individuals picked themselves up, brushed themselves off and without acknowledging each other or scrambling to shift blame they both reached around for the cell phones. And without pause they continued their conversations – why let a mere traffic accident get in the way of a call? Who knows, maybe they were talking to each before they crashed and afterwards were busy obtaining each others insurance details – all over the phone!

Even worse than being a pedestrian these days is to find oneself sitting in the back of a taxi with driver who feels the urge to converse not with you but with his mobile! Suddenly from being a normal driver who bores his passengers to tears with stories of his economic plight or Liverpool’s recent football score, emerges a maniac of WW11 convoy evasion tactical ability! The driver suddenly decides that any action of the foot on the gas peddle must be immediately followed by one on the brake and passengers find themselves alternately with their heads embedded into the seat in front or their bodies lying twisted and mangled against the rear window! From a driver, who although was naturally aggressive in his driving managed with skill to avoid others, emerges a monster. A massive monster who will play head on “who will brake first” games with a speeding tank, who will assume that spaces the size of a shopping trolley will mysteriously expand if he gets enough speed up and who considers that all other drivers are mere figments of his imagination!

Indeed the mobile phone driving syndrome situation is far worse than authorities, governments, Ray, the Japanese Police and the bored or underpaid scientist’s state. This maybe due to the fact that most of the above mentioned bodies and groups tend to use their very own mobile phones whilst driving to work every day so ……….can’t make too much noise now can they!

One country is stepping up its efforts to clamp down on this new menace! The UK! As of 2005 drivers caught using mobile phones will be immediately fined 60 pounds and have three penalty points on their driving licenses! In fact Ms Janet Anderson, MP for Rose and Darwin ( a couple of houses in England connected by a single lane dirt track) clapped her hands in delight upon receiving a report that hands-free kits (once heralded as a safe alternative) were nearly as dangerous as actual hand-held phones! She went on a bit further to say that, “it must be made crystal clear to drivers who insist on behaving in this way that they endanger the safety of the public generally and their own safety too”! Yippee!

Still in the UK - recent tests at the Transport Research Laboratory have shown that drivers on mobiles have a slower reaction time and stopping time than those under the influence of alcohol! It does not really take a team of highly paid scientists and many pounds later to figure that one out: it is blatantly obvious that a driver under the influence will be applying every ounce of his available concentration on his driving, albeit slightly misguided, whilst a driver on his mobile will not be concentrating at all! But the findings of this year long study did place in writing some much needed data and statistics that can now be used and wielded by those trying to clamp down on the menace! At last some hard evidence!

Hopefully the future will change people’s attitudes regarding mobile phone usage! Hopefully normal people will not feel the urge to be in contact 24/7, will not suffer withdrawal symptoms should they be disconnected for a nanosecond and be able to not answer a ringing phone – in fact it would be superb if people could actually switch mobile phones off sometimes!

But this is way, way, way into the future! As far away as us conversing with aliens from the planet “zong” in the “xzihngty” galaxy about them trying to eat us for breakfast! In the meantime it will be up to governments and the introduction of new laws to clamp down on the menace and thus make drivers think twice before answering or making calls whilst on the move!

Maybe the answer is not to punish drivers through penalty points on their license or the threat of paltry monetary fines:

“You have been found guilty by this court of talking on a cell phone whilst driving. You will from this day forth not be allowed to own, borrow, use or even look at a mobile phone, PDF or portable communication device for a period of ten years. Additionally you will complete three months of community service upon completion of which you will attend counseling in “how to survive on this planet without being in constant touch”. Upon completion of this course you will then attend a four week course titled, “how to use a phone that is connected to a land line”. Take him away boys!

The only crisis left to solve would then be to clamp down on those drivers who insist on doing a full make-over in the rear-view mirror whilst doing 60MPH through a built up area! To put a halt to business men who assume that drivers’ seats are wonderful places to shave, rinse and swallow! To convince short sighted people that, “cleaning ones specs” by removing them and whilst navigating a hair bend in icy conditions is not really sensible. Oh, and that various forms of sexual attention might be pleasurable at the time but not when subsequently wrapped around a lamppost or underneath an HGV still doing 60MPH down the freeway!

When these drivers have had their shaving kits and make up bags confiscated and are safely tucked away behind bars then it might be safe for the average pedestrian to step foot outside once again and with confidence, without fear of being mowed down by cars driven by self-engrossed and selfish drivers who assume that the conversation they are currently having is more important than life!

About The Author
Ieuan Dolby - Author and Webmaster of Seamania. As a Chief Engineer in the Merchant Navy he has sailed the world for fifteen years. Now living in Taiwan he writes about cultures across the globe and life as he sees it.
seadolby.com” target=”_new seadolby.com


Help Finding That Jaguar Spare

Finding a Jaguar spare, especially at a rock bottom price, is a valuable find to say the least. The brand Jaguar has long been associated with high end vehicles. It stands to reason that spare parts for these same vehicles would not be cheap.

Like most parts that may be needed for any repair job, Jaguar spares can be found amongst the trashed cars, trucks, and other vehicles in the local breaker or junk yard. A keen eye can spot the treasures – whether they are still attached to the remnants of a Jaguar or in a pile of parts from all sorts of cars.

Finding a Jaguar spare in a pile of rubbish is not as easy (or as clean) as buying the part new from a local parts store or the dealership. After wiping off the grime from your own body after the search and then putting some effort into cleaning the part you found, you will be pleasantly surprised to discover that the sweat equity was more than worth the savings you netted.

Digging through the junk piles is only one of the economical ways to find a Jaguar spare. The internet is covered with sites offering parts – some could even be local to you. If at all possible, avoid shipping automobile parts long distances. Because of the weight of there items, the shipping costs will often negate any savings you may have had.

It may be that you are looking for a unique Jaguar spare or a part for a unique Jaguar. Either way, the internet is probably the best answer you will find. Even if you don’t find the part right away, you can register on some of the car forums available for free. This will allow you to connect with other Jaguar lovers and ultimately could lead you right to the part you need.

Kathryn Lang is a freelance writer covering the motoring industry. She has written various articles on 247spares.co.uk/jaguar Jaguar parts and legalstreets.com/jaguar/ Jaguar cars in general.


What To Look For When Purchasing An ATV Tire

If you are in the market for purchasing tires for your all terrain vehicle (ATV), there are several factors for consideration. There are a great variety of tires on the market and it is quite easy to become overwhelmed at the sheer number of choices available from different brands. In order to find the best tires for your specific ATV that meets your needs, consider these three points:

1.) Tread:

When it comes to tires, the most important attribute is the tread. Different tires have different types of tread that make the ATV appropriate for navigating different types of terrain. If using the improper tires, accidents are more prone to occur, so ensure you seriously contemplate the uses of your ATV in order to find the appropriate tire tread.

For individuals planning on spending time in the mud, it is strongly recommended that you purchase mud tires. These tires have a unique tread that is angled from the inside to the outside. The tread itself is quite large, usually measuring about one inch high, and allows the ATV to better grip muddy ground, so the vehicle is less likely to become stuck. Mud tires also work well on different types of terrain, but the tread is more prone to become worn quicker if driven on hard surfaces, including concrete, asphalt, or hard packed dirt. Furthermore, due to the tire tread, the ride is not nearly as smooth as with other tires.

Generally speaking, most ATV owners choose trail or all terrain tires. These tires are most likely to handle all types of terrain while allowing the rider a stable and smooth ride. However, these tires are not designed for one specific type of terrain and are not used for muddy environments due to their tread. However, these tires offer the most stability, so they are the safest and should be chosen if the ATV rider will mainly stay on hard trails.

If you plan to spend exorbitant amounts of time in the sand, choose a sand tread for your ATV tire. These tires have a unique tread that uses a scoop to funnel the sand beneath the tires so that the ATV does not become stuck. Keep in mind that sand tires cannot be used for any other purpose except sand, as they have minimal stability on other terrains and will rapidly wear on hard surfaces.

The final option for tire tread is the knobby racing tires designed to take high speeds on flat, hard surfaces. These tires should only be used for racing, as they are inappropriate for any other type of riding due to their lack of stability and flat top tread.

2.) Size

Tire size is measured three ways: width, height, and height of the sidewall. All of these sizes should be taken into account depending on your wants for a ride. Tires with too small or too great a diameter should be avoided, as the ATV is under the most pressure, so there is a greater potential for damaging the vehicle. Furthermore, narrow tires tend to sink in mud, but may provide you more stability on hard packed ground. Finally, the height of the sidewall should depend on the type of terrain over which you plan to ride, as short sidewall tires have a greater ground clearance, but are less flexible.

3.) Shape

It may seem strange to look at the shape of the tire, but there are two options: round or flat. Generally, sport ATVs come with flat tires, while utility ATVs come with round tires. The difference is the stability and the speed. Usually, ATV owners choose round tires, since the ride tends to be softer and the shape tends to perform better in muddy terrain.

About The Author
Mike Barus specializes in ATV’s atv-tires-i.com” target=”_new atv-tires-i.com.


New Car PA Philadelphia Buying Tips

If you’re considering buying a new car in Philadelphia, PA, there are a few things you need to keep in mind to get the best possible deal on it.

First of all, we talk to a lot of people about their cars—people who bought new cars, used cars, accepted cars as gifts from their parents, leased cars, etc. All but one of those people regret something about every car they’ve ever owned. A lot of them feel burdened by the payments. Most of them feel like the salesman they dealt with pulled a fast one on them somehow. Some don’t like the car and some hate the color. Before you go any farther in your search for a new car, please take a minute to consider this—Have you ever regretted anything about one of your cars? Is there a lesson from that you can keep in mind as you look for a new car?

We don’t mean to preach, but everyone we know (ourselves included, unfortunately) has made car mistakes. They’re a nice thing to avoid.

A word of warning that will probably never pertain to you: As you’re sitting in the cars you’re interested in, take a minute to open the glove compartment and look in the owners manual. See what the manufacturer’s policy on lemon law cars is. Lemon vehicles are rare, but fighting with the manufacturer if you have one is one of life’s more unpleasant events. So see what your manufacturer’s policy on this is, and keep it in mind. If you think the car you buy is a lemon, do not delay acting on your fears. Lemon law coverage only lasts for a very short time; as frustrating as it is, you don’t want to make it worse by finding out you’ve put off doing something for too long.

Before you buy your next car, please do some research. Go to the library and see what Consumer Reports says about the models you’re interested in, and what other car magazines have to say. Go to epinions.com and see what real people think about the car. This is the most helpful site we’ve found because there’s information about every car we’ve ever looked up, and because it’s genuinely helpful. (We don’t get anything for this recommendation.)

Another important step is to decide how much money you can, or want to spend on your next car. If you have to make payments, now is a better time to decide how much you want those payments to be than when you’ve got some slimey salesman pawing you. Do you know how much a car will cost you every month if you pay $20,000 for it, and pay 5% interest? How about a $15,000 car? A $30,000 car? Salesmen will tell you they can get your payment down by extending the term of your loan, but is that what you really want to do? I’m paying $294 a month for a car I bought 18 months ago, and frankly, that’s too much for me. I wish I had bought a cheaper car.

And a related tip: a common trick salesmen use is to ask how much you want your monthly payment to be. Don’t fall for this. They’ll hit any number you say, but hide how much you’re actually paying for the car. You want to get the price of the car down as low as you can, then work on the monthly payments later.

A lot of people don’t realize that you can negotiate the interest rate you pay for your car loan.

Quick tip: Unless the dealer is offering an amazingly low rate (under 2%), we strongly recommend you get your car loan through a bank, credit union, online lender or some place other than the dealer. Most people pay more for their loan through dealers than from any place else.

When the lender says they can get you a loan for, say, 8%, be quiet for a long moment. Act startled. Then ask if they can do any better. Lenders can always do better, so never accept their first offer.

The same thing is true with insurance companies. Thanks to the internet, people have more insurance options than ever before, at lower prices than ever before. Shop around online for insurance before you buy your next car, and make sure you know how much it’s going to cost to insure each of the cars you’re interested in. Two similar cars may cost much different amounts to insure.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Buying a new car in Philadelphia, PA—or anywhere else, for that matter—can be fun. We love the smell of a new car as much as anyone. But there are dozens of pitfalls to avoid. Be careful, try to enjoy this and good luck!

For more information on the best carbuyingforidiots.com New Car PA Philadelphia try visiting Car Buying For Idiots located at carbuyingforidiots.com CarBuyingForIdiots.com where you will find valuable information on buying cars, carbuyingforidiots.com buying used cars and other information..


How Fast can Truck Washes wash Trucks?

If you are considering starting a truck wash business then you are going to need to calculate how many trucks you can wash an hour during peak periods to figure out if the entrepreneurial building of such a project makes sense. So how many trucks per hour or day can a truck wash clean? Well I understand some robotic truck washes claim 8-13 minutes so it is possible, only unlikely. As, there would be time when there were no trucks to wash if you cleaned them that fast there might never even be a line?

There are a couple of Little Sister Truck Washes in CA, which wash 200 trucks a day on certain days, but not consistently. Most good truck washes have lines, so a steady stream on I-10, I-95, I-40, I-70 or I-80 is indeed possible indeed.

But realistically speaking most truck washes will average 40 trucks per day to 70 trucks per day. Even so that is a pretty good haul for a days work and depending on the price point is not too shabby. There of course the super stars of truck washing and the efficiency of large chain truck washes who have better average rates on a 10-12 hour day.

Even some other truck washes, which are literally open 24/7 to handle the traffic and the volume of business. Skeleton crews in the middle of the night, but they are washing trucks through out. Perhaps you will consider this when putting together your business plan for your future truck wash business.

“Lance Winslow” - Online WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/ Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance in the Online Think Tank and solve the problems of the World; WorldThinkTank.net www.WorldThinkTank.net/


The Land Where Land Rovers Rule

Do you know the land where the Land Rover vehicle roam and rule over all?

Well, it has just been recently found out that among all other 4 x 4 and sport utility vehicles in the whole land of automobiles, three of the vehicle units made and created by the Land Rover brand have been considered and were proven to be the cream of the crop. These three units are the Land Rover Discovery 3, the Land Rover Range Rover, and the Land Rover Range Rover Sport.

This is basically according to a recent article published in the Planet 4 x 4 magazine. The magazine did further say that the Land Rover is the king of all vehicles made for the off road. Furthermore, this crowning glory of Land Rover is all part of the magazine’s inaugural awards which are given out by the magazine each year. This is sure proof that the Land Rover brand made sure that their vehicles would have the very best Land Rover body parts would be used to make the vehicles so much so that it can not only perform well but it would also last through rugged and rough terrain.

According to the magazine, the top three spots belonged to the three Land Rover vehicles: the Land Rover Range Rover TDV8, the Land Rover Discovery TDV6, and the Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged. The Range Rover TDV8 also took home the Best Off Roader award. As per the Land Rover TDV6 Discovery 3, this one was able to grab the Large Off Roader category while the Large SUV award was given to the Range Rover Sport Supercharged. The latter also took home the Manufacturer of 2006 honor.

Of course, if you are thinking that Land Rover took home the top awards mainly because it was the only contingent in the mentioned awards, well you should think again. You see, the brand had to contend with other large and well known auto manufacturers like Nissan, BMW, Lexus, and Audi.

“We think this is the most credible test of its kind ever undertaken by a 4×4 magazine, and Land Rover’s success can’t be underestimated,” says the editor of Planet 4 x 4, Alan Kidd.

Carol Mitchel is an executive assistant in one of the leading automotive magazine in Los Angeles, California. She is a certified car lover and loves extreme sports. You can visit


Rail Road Crossing Warning Concept

Should Rail Road Crossings have additional bright red lights, which shine into a car, which is in the unsafe zone prior to a train crossing? Each year so many people needlessly die at railroad crossings. This happens for many reasons; some crossings have no crossing gates, the gates malfunction, a car stalls or a driver attempts to beat a train and guess or calculates the speed and distance.

There is a high death rate in accidents when trains hit cars the difference in kinetic energy, weight and size is no contest for the motorist. It costs millions to outfit and maintain these railroad crossings. Is there a way for another type of warning system one, which shines into the car, which would work even if the power is out, no matter what; a fail safe system? I believe there is using electromagnetic induction technology to charge a capacitor instead of the lights working off a power source or battery, which could age and then fail.

Currently there are some nifty micro-flashlights being used which you can buy which use a similar technique and are available thanks to the Everlite Flashlight technology research lab. These smaller flashlights work by shaking them for about thirty seconds and shine for about 6 minutes and they shine quite bright since they use a very bright LED light. Here is a link to this home use flashlight:

demo.physics.uiuc.edu/LectDemo/scripts/demo_descript.idc?DemoID=1138

modernoutpost.com/gear/details/ee_shakelight.html

If such units are made a little more robust with a red light pointed at “kill zone” often nick-named by traffic officers, then we could reduce deaths. I appreciate you looking into this and thanks for thinking here.

“Lance Winslow” - Online WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/ Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance in the Online Think Tank and solve the problems of the World; WorldThinkTank.net www.WorldThinkTank.net/


Used Motor Home For Sale: A Buyer’s Checklist

Do you want to buy a used motor home for sale? Many first (and second and third) time RV buyers do this in order to save money on their RV purchase. But, if you really want the deal to be a good one, you should take the time to check out any used motor home for sale that you are seriously considering purchasing. Not only is it important that it has all of the features and amenities that you are looking for, it should also be in good condition for a RV of its type, age, and mileage. Every used motor home for sale has a history, and that history could be a good one of care and maintenance, or a poor one of neglect and abuse. So, it is vital that you check out any used motor home for sale before you buy it.

First, it is always a good idea to get an overall understanding of the used motor home market and what a “good” price is and what “low” mileage is. You can also find out about the financing and purchasing options available for a used motor home for sale.

Here is a checklist for every motor home you look at:

1. Does it have the owner’s manual? These are not only expensive to replace, they can also give you important information about maintenance and specifications on your motor home.

2. Get out for a test drive in any used motor home for sale that you are considering buying. Listen for unusual sounds and see if the controls are all in working order.

3. Check out the exterior. Peeling or faded paint is an indication that it was not stored properly. Dents, scratches or mismatched paint may indicate an accident. Check for broken parts on doors, railings, etc.

4. Have a mechanic check under the hood and give it a full inspection.

5. The interior should not show excessive wear and tear and the appliances, plumbing and electrical systems should be in good working order.

6. Have a service professional check out the generator and heating and cooling systems.

Eriani Doyel writes articles about Motor Homes. For more information about finding a alsmotorhome.com/ used motor home for sale visit alsmotorhome.com.