Cars Trucks Tips Guides

Today nearly all the motoring news about cars is connected with carbon gas emissions and its effect on the environment through global warming, the high cost of fuel, gas guzzling vehicles and Road Tax (or V.E.D. as in the UK).

Nobody is sure as to how long this so called fuel crisis will last. No oil company or government has yet to say that oil reserves are low, yet we all know they will not last forever.

With both China and India now emerging as huge developing countries their powerhouse economies are putting unprecedented demands on the power supplies of the world.

No matter what form of power is required by China and India their demand on oil reserves continues to climb, prior to 10-15 years ago their oil requirements were to say the least negligible in world consumption terms.

It must also be remembered that the present fuel/oil crisis is not simply a matter of oil shortage but the lack of the refining capacity for the crude product. One could also ask why is there a shortage of refineries, with all the so called brainy people who work for the oil companies, why did they not foresee there would be a refining capacity shortage with the extra demands of China and India? Perhaps like me you are an outright sceptic on this matter and thought that the oil companies estimated, correctly as it proves, that they could make even more money out of this situation.

Well that has got all the doom and gloom done with, let us now all look forwards to a much brighter scenario.

As stated earlier the big so called gas guzzling vehicles are now out of vogue (we are told). These big 4X4s (nicknamed Chelsea Tractors in the UK) were originally designed as suitable for rough terrain travel, e.g. farmland, and their gearing for this work did not allow for high mpg.

It is a similar situation for the big large engine capacity cars, these were bought to provide comfort and style for those who could afford them and their mpg was never a big selling point.

Optimists are forever looking for the positive angle on any situation and within this oil crisis there is at least one.

In the UK motor traders are mostly refusing to take in as part exchange any of the big 4X4s and other gas guzzlers because these traders fear they will not be able to sell them on and when they do the trade-in price is well below the recommended book price, their thinking is, who would want to buy a gas guzzler with fuel prices so high. Also in the UK, this year saw the introduction of a Banded/Green Road Tax system, the more exhaust gas emissions from your vehicle the higher the cost of your Road Tax. By 2010 those high emitting vehicles will be paying up to 410 pounds sterling (approx $760) for their annual Road Tax.

Throughout this article all the negatives of owning a 4X4 or gas guzzler have been highlighted. Now for the surprise, because of what you might call a unique situation you will never again get a better opportunity to buy a big quality vehicle again. Why buy one you ask? Simple, take advantage of a Water to gas fuel conversion system which helps the environment by reducing global warming through reduced carbon gas emissions and also greatly increase your fuel economy thereby putting the cost of ownership of a big quality vehicle on a par with a small vehicle.

Bill is now retired but as a keen motorist has driven on most continents of the world and has a keen interest in environmental issues, these account for only a couple of his many varied interests. For further info on the Water4gas fuel conversion system please visit..http://www.the-car-hub.co.uk/

Automotive technology is one of those love or hate factors in cars. Technophobes will shy away from advanced systems like traction control, navigation systems or low-emission hybrid engine systems. Technophiles will lap up every new development, but often find themselves out of pocket for redundant technologies in years, or even months, down the track. This is why we have compiled a list of the best high tech luxury cars, whether you fear or love technological advancement.

The Audi TT Roadster Quatro has a 250 horsepower 6 cylinder engine, and Audi’s all wheel drive has been tweaked and improved for this model. Racing car-like features of the car include control systems to transfer torque; in normal driving, up to 85% of the torque is distributed to the front wheels, however under extreme maneuvering or heavy acceleration, 100% can be transferred either to the front or the rear. This Audi does it better than any other competing models, and even better than other Audis do. If you are looking for top notch handling from your luxury car, Audi will be your first choice.

For those concerned about the environment, a car’s engine is one area for technological advancement that the driver should not even be aware of. BMW says that its new range of engines produce fewer emissions, yet deliver more power than ever before. The BMW 335i sedan costs $39,675, and is much less expensive than other hybrids on the market at this price. The engine is a 300hp six, and the 335i is available in coupe, convertible and sedan.

Luxury in high tech cars is done by nobody better than Mercedes vehicles. The 2006 Mercedes Benz S-class is one of the best examples of luxurious high tech safety features, with keyless Go standard on the 2006 model, along with sumptuous touches like heated steering wheels and an electronic trunk closer. An option on these Mercedes vehicles is the Hands Free Communication system. The 2006 S-class is powered by a 241 hp 6 cylinder engine, and has a nimble feel given its size. The safetuy features are also extremely technologically advanced, and all of these things combined give this Mercedes car a great resale value.

The Mercedes car SLR McLaren, as you might expect from a car with a racing driver’s name, is extremely advanced in the handling and drive aspects. The advanced design and supercar performance make it an exotic car, with explosive acceleration that is still smooth, not jerky. The body is made of technologically advanced carbon fiber, the same material that Formula One racecars are built from. The body is extremely light, yet the high tech material gives an excellent level of occupant protection. The bi-xenon HID headlights are only the icing on the cake for this Mercedes vehicle.

The Lexus LS 600 has managed to solve one of the most complained-about driving tasks worldwide, with its option for a parallel parking package. Have a robot parallel park you, and for all of those spatially challenged men and women out there, passers-by will not even know that it isn’t you! The all-wheel drive technology is an excellent feature, regardless of the fact that you would not take this car off the road. The fuel efficiency technology is also a focus of the Lexus - the makers say that it produces the torque of a V12, with the fuel economy of a V8.

Whether you love technology or hate it, it is here to stay, and will only become more complicated as time goes on. For the technophobes, look for options like those on the Mercedes Benz mentioned, that give you a little luxury without taking away control, like heated steering wheels and electronic trunk closers. They are a nice, gentle introduction to the brave new world of the electronic future!

As one of the world’s most exciting and prestigious brand, Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong offers luxury passenger cars and commercial vehicles extensive choice of Vito, Sprinter, Viano, Actros, Axor and Atego to the customers in Hong Kong and Macau.

If the thought of a massive machine doesn’t sound like entertainment, safety is probably a big issue for you when working around car lifts. You can do many different things when working around this equipment to keep yourself safe. Maintenance is also important. Sometimes, adding additional car lift parts to an existing lift will make it safer and easier to work with.

Maintenance Tips For Car Lifts

With hydraulic-style lifts, regular maintenance will keep them safe and working properly. One of the most common things to check is the system’s fluid level. If it is low, top it up with the recommended oil and not the oil you drained from the car last week. The cylinders and pistons often collect dirt and debris, so make sure this area stays clean. Check to ensure all moving parts are oiled and greased according to the owner manual.

The hoses can easily spring a leak. By checking them frequently, you will avoid having them leak while the lift is up in the air with a car on it. If the unthinkable does happen, stay as far back as you can and lower the vehicle. From there, get the right car lift parts, fix it, and check everything over before using it again. You also want to have the platform and controls inspected on a regular basis to prevent them from going haywire while you are underneath.

Working With The Lift

Another common mistake is loading lifts incorrectly. Many people either put too much weight on them or have the weight unevenly distributed. This is mostly a matter of making sure the vehicle is centered on the platform and being aware of the size and weight the unit is rated for.

When you raise the vehicle, make sure it is locked, the power is off, and that it is not over the recommended height. If you forgot to put the emergency brake on in the vehicle, you may want to lower it and put it on so the vehicle can’t roll off. Lastly, make sure you know where the controls are and how they work in case of an emergency. Watch any pressure gauges and the machine’s movement as it rises and lowers. As a general rule, anything that doesn’t look right (uneven movement or high/low fluid pressure) is a sign that something isn’t right and you will need to fix it before using it again.

Additional Car Lift Parts

Some of the car lifts out there are designed poorly when it comes to safety. This doesn’t mean you are stuck with a scary piece of equipment. With single post auto lifts, for example, you can add bolt-on safety legs with multi-positions to increase the level of safety for single post models and make the machine easier to use.

Because of the height and weight involved with car lifts, safety rules need to be practiced at all times. To reduce accidents, make sure to maintenance the equipment regularly and don’t be afraid to add on additional car lift parts to increase their safety level. Many times, these practices will not only make them safe, but easier to use as well.

Christine O’Kelly is an author for SVI International, a provider and producer of car lift parts and car lifts for home and commercial use with more than 28 years experience. They also provide lift systems for buses and heavy-duty trucks.