Archive for the ‘Vehicles’ Category
Thursday, March 13th, 2008 |
Some vehicle owners think that after they have treated their vehicle’s surface and underside with simple wax or even costly corrosion-inhibiting and car fabric protection products, the rust problem is solved. This is not true. Underside panels are very vulnerable too. It’s them that you need rustproofing for.
Whether you live inland or on the coast, in the hills or on a plain, in a huge city or a town, whether you own a new or a used vehicle; corrosion is always a very serious problem. All vehicles are subject to at least one of the following rust provoking factors; rain, snow, salty or humid air, rocksalt, sleet, home garage mould, atmospheric or man-made chemicals, washing detergents - all of which speeds up the corrosion of your vehicle radically!
As my friend Jonathan from KROWN rust checking centre explains, rust prevention is basically the process of applying rust-inhibiting materials, sealers and persistent waxes to all corrosion-risky areas on the underside, topside and inside of the vehicle’s body. This is quite similar (although not identical) to undercoating which treats only the underside of the vehicle. The essence: rust proofing is something that every vehicle deserves and needs!
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Thursday, March 13th, 2008 |
After approving a motion to buy a Dodge Charger police car last month, the Silver Lake Town Council heard from Dave Cox of Kerlin Ford Tuesday.Cox told the council that he was disappointed that they did not decide to purchase a Ford vehicle from the Kerlin dealership. He said it was upsetting that the town did not choose to buy locally.After Cox’s presentation, the board said they would take the issue under advisement and make a decision at a later date.In other business, the council:n Approved a motion to spend $1,200 to hire Bob Murphy to conduct a community survey to help the town receive low- to middle-income federal grants.n Opened bids for the town’s trash collection and approved a motion to have Stafford Solid Waste pick up the town’s trash for $31,416 per year. Other bidders were Veolia at $52,800 per year and Waste Management at $61,564 per year.n Looked at three possible layouts for the town’s new Web site from The Green Banana. After choosing their favorite layout with one change, they learned that the site will be up by the beginning of April. The site’s address is www.townofsilverlake.comn Approved a motion to pay G&G Tree Trimming Service $1,100 to cut down and remove a dead tree in town.n Tabled two motions. The first motion was a request to replace a bumper and paint the town’s small Ford truck. The motion will be revisited next month when snow and sand are no longer needed for the roads. The second motion pertained to the employee Health Savings Accounts. Council members will decide how much money to put in the accounts next month.n Approved a motion to give one month’s sewer credit to resident John Wolfe at the request of the sewer department. Because of the location of his sewer pit, the sewer department believes that he has lost more than a month’s sewer service over the years. Wolfe is close to the lake, and many times water in his sewer pit will prevent town workers from restoring his sewer service for a few days at a time.n Approved a motion to spend $12,736 on phase monitors and surge protectors for the pumps in the town’s well houses. Last month a three-phase pump in the north well house burnt out after something caused it to switch to one phase for an extended period of time. The monitors and surge protectors will prevent the same thing from happening in the future.”Protection is always better than failure,” said Josh Naibauer, water superintendent.n Signed a permit application to close Ind. 14 for Silver Lake Days in June.n Approved Ordinance 03-01-07, which codifies all the town’s ordinances into one book. The binder that contains all the ordinances is available in the town offices.n Approved a motion to give a water and sewage adjustment to Shannon Hyden, who had a water leak.n Heard that the town received a letter from Brenda Wadkins requesting documents.n Set an executive session for 5:30 p.m. March 27 at the town hall. The meeting will be to discuss annexation litigation with Vern Landis, the town’s attorney.n Heard that Town Superintendent Phil Shalley plans to hand in his letter of resignation April 8.Silver Lake Town Council members are Gale Owens, president; Ronald Jones and Linda Baker. Clerk-Treasurer is Angie Glass.Used Ford trucks for sale at TrucksJunction.com
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Friday, December 28th, 2007 |
At least 14.2 million motor vehicles were recalled in the United States in 2007, up more than 25 percent from 2006.
Automakers recalled 11.2 million vehicles last year, far fewer than the 30.8 million recalls in 2004, signaling newer cars and trucks are improving reliability, the Detroit News reported Thursday.
Preliminary figures from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration show Ford Motor Co. led in recalls, recalling 5.5 million vehicles this year, but about 4.8 million were 2004 and earlier model vehicles. Most of the recalls were for 1992 to 2004 models with a defective switch that deactivates the cruise control.
General Motors Corp. recalled 537,000 vehicles as of Dec. 21, a major improvement from the 1.37 million in 2006.
Honda Motor Co. recalled 547,000 vehicles, down from 1.19 million.
Volkswagen of America recalled 1.5 million vehicles, up from 950,000 in 2006.
Chrysler and Toyota had far fewer recalls in 2007 and Ford had 41 vehicle late model nameplates ranked highest for reliability by Consumer Reports magazine.
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Thursday, December 27th, 2007 |
Ask someone on the street what consumer item they think is recycled more than any other in the U.S. and they’re likely to guess “newspapers” or “soda bottles.” Most people probably wouldn’t say “cars” — but that is, in fact, the answer.
Roughly 85 percent of each Ford Motor Company vehicle is recyclable. What’s more, Ford is working with Chrysler and GM through the United States Council for Automotive Research (USCAR) and its Vehicle Recycling Partnership to raise that number to as close to 100 percent as possible.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more than 95 percent of all end-of-life vehicles in the U.S. are processed for recycling. That’s compared to 52 percent of all paper and 31 percent of all plastic soft drink bottles.
“The U.S. automakers have long taken a proactive stance in vehicle recycling,” says Don Walkowicz, executive director, USCAR. “They continue to work side by side with government and private industry to optimally recycle all vehicles, regardless of age, content or origin.”
The EPA calls recycling one of the best environmental success stories of the late 20th century, reporting that the practice diverted more than 72 million tons of material away from landfills and incinerators in 2003, up from 34 million tons in 1990 — doubling in just 10 years.
The agency cites several key benefits of recycling, including:
Protects and expands U.S. manufacturing jobs and increases U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace
Reduces the need for landfilling and incineration
Saves energy and prevents pollution caused by the extraction and processing of virgin materials and the manufacture of products using virgin materials
Decreases emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change
Conserves natural resources such as timber, water and minerals
Helps sustain the environment for future generations
Re-use is a big part of the recycling story. Auto recyclers supply more than a third of all ferrous scrap to the U.S. scrap processing industry. When manufacturers use scrap iron and steel instead of virgin ore, they reduce air and water pollution by more than half during the manufacturing process.
For example, steel food cans contain up to 30 percent recycled steel, while household appliances and car bodies are made with about 25 percent recycled steel.
“Ford has been implementing recycled content on our vehicles for several years,” says Ford’s Dan Adsit, manager, Recycling Planning. “In addition to using significant amounts of recycled metals, we include nonmetallic recycled content in vehicle parts such as battery trays, splash shields, engine fan shrouds and carpet.”
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Wednesday, December 19th, 2007 |
An international jury comprising as many as 58 specialist journalists from 22 European countries has picked the Fiat 500 for the Car of the Year 2008 award.
Fiat’s compact car bagged the award raking in as many as 385 votes, more than Mazda 2’s 325 votes and the Ford Mondeo’s 202 votes. An auto industry report said that this was the second time that an A-segment model has won the most prestigious award in the world car industry.
Pointing out that the first such laurel went to the Fiat Pandain in 2004, it added that the record has pushed up the total Fiat Group wins to 12. While the Fiat 124 won in 1967, Fiat 128 won in 1970, Fiat 127 in 1972, Lancia Delta in 1980, Fiat Uno in 1984, Fiat Tipo in 1989, Fiat Punto in 1995, Fiat Bravo/Brava in 1996, Alfa 156 in 1998, Alfa 147 in 2001, Fiat Panda in 2004 and now the Fiat 500 for 2008. The award ceremony for Car of the Year 2008, organised by the German magazine Stern, will take place in Berlin on 28 January 2008.
The Fiat 500 model was unveiled at the start of July 2007. Customers poured into the showrooms and more than 105,000 orders were taken in just four months in Italy and France. The report added that the rest of Europe is also all for it with a total of 6,300 orders already placed in Germany after the car went on sale just a few weeks ago.
Auto analysts certify that this is the first time that a car barely 3.55 metres long has been awarded a 5-star crash safety rating by Euro NCAP and also the first time a car in this segment has seven airbags fitted as standard, with the advanced ESP available on all models. Another first is the fact that a model has been launched with the entire range of power units, i.e., 1.2 69 bhp, 1.3 MultiJet 75 bhp with DPF and 1.4 16v 100 bhp, Euro 5 emission standards.
A broad range has also brought to Fiat 500 brownie points. Customers can also choose from 15 interiors including the prestigious Cordura and Frau Leather, nine types of road wheel, and 19 sticker treatments, for a total of more than 500,000 variations.
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Tuesday, December 18th, 2007 |
Honda and Toyota offered U.S. consumers the highest average fuel efficiency of 2007 model year vehicles, the government reported Wednesday.
The average fuel economy for 2007 vehicles was 20.2 miles per gallon, the same as 2006 vehicles, the Environmental Protection Agency said in an annual report that used new testing procedures.
For individual vehicles, the test results are included on window stickers in dealer lots. The agency said the overall results marked an increase compared with 2004 vehicles, which averaged 19.3 mpg.
Honda Motor Co. had the highest fuel economy of any manufacturer with 22.9 mpg, a slight decrease compared with its 2006 lineup.
Toyota Motor Corp. posted a 22.8 mpg average for its 2007 vehicles compared with 22.4 mpg the previous year. Toyota’s average was helped by the gas-electric Prius hybrid, which had the highest combined fuel economy of any passenger car with 46.2 mpg.
South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Co., which includes Kia vehicles, improved to 22.7 mpg for 2007 vehicles, followed by Volkswagen AG with 21.4 mpg. Nissan Motor Co. showed the largest gain of any automaker during the past year, improving 0.6 mpg to 20.6 mpg.
General Motors Corp. led domestic automakers with 19.4 mpg, followed by Ford Motor Co. with 18.7 mpg. For the third straight year, Ford’s Escape hybrid had the highest fuel efficiency of any light truck with 29.7 mpg.
DaimlerChrysler AG, which recently completed the sale of a controlling stake in Chrysler to private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, was the lowest rated with 18.3 mpg, a mark that has been unchanged the past three years.
The figures were calculated for the first time based on test methods devised to better reflect driving habits and provide a more realistic estimate. The new tests led to a 6 percent decrease in fuel economy averages compared to past estimates using old testing criteria, EPA said.
Among vehicle type, passenger cars averaged 23.4 mpg in 2007 - unchanged from 2006. SUVs averaged 18.1 mpg, an increase of 0.3 mpg, and pickups were unchanged at 16.2 mpg.
EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson said the findings were evidence that “automakers are answering President Bush’s call to improve fuel economy and decrease our nation’s dependency on foreign oil.”
But the figures underscored complaints in Congress that the auto industry has failed to rapidly ramp up production of vehicles that can get more miles on a gallon of gas. The Senate approved legislation in June that would require automakers to build more efficient vehicles; the measure is pending in Congress.
With more consumers driving larger vehicles than a generation ago, overall fuel efficiency has made little progress. The current fleet is less efficient than the new vehicles produced in 1981, for example, and well below the peak of 22 mpg in 1987.
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Thursday, December 13th, 2007 |
General Motors (GM) is among the greatest car manufacturers and one of the most famous brands of cars out its manufacturing lineup includes the Chevrolet, popularly called “Chevy.” This company is known for its quality cars. Accessories like key chains do not take back seat in terms of quality and innovation. With different designs, these key chains are known as style icons. You can get cable style or revolving key chains, if you are a person, who constantly wants to swirl the key chain in the air.
The manufacturer of this car began way back in 1911 by a company called “Chevrolet” founded by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant, which was later merged into GM Motors. The performance of cars is boosted by making changes in the air-intake mechanism (using different air filters) and engine modifications (changes to the cam, valve springs, boosting power by using fuel pressure regulators, use of turbo-charged engines, boost controllers and intercoolers, etc). Similarly, the craze for the key chains was increased by introducing different colors, patterns, designs and many more attractive things to a key chain.
In the olden days, key chains did not have much attraction among people. However, the usage and purpose of them is served by the youth of this generation. Many businessmen gift them to their existing customers and the potential customers also, along with their original product. Those items have the name of the company or bran
d imbibed on them on one side, and image of God or any message on the other. This has become a trend.
The Chevrolet key chains are quite interesting and multipurpose. The exchange of the Locket type key chains between the lovers with each other’s photograph can be a great idea, as this can accommodate the picture. If you have friends, who are mechanics or work with tools, give them a thoughtful present of a key chain with toolkit. Though the tools may not be used for bigger tasks, they can still used in minor tasks. Moreover, they would love it, as they can relate them to their work.
To purchase these key chains, you need not go to a showroom or a car dealer but can approach the nearest gift center. Another place to search these unique and classic key chains is the Internet. Most of the auction sites or shopping site would have a collection of them. One advantage of shopping the key chains over the Internet is you can sit in the comforts of your home and search as many sites as you want. There is no physical strain or loss of time. However, there are few disadvantages also.
You should not buy from every site available. Try the websites that are popular, and trustworthy, as few websites swindle the customers’ money or credit card information, and don’t deliver the goods. One tip for shoppers on the Internet is to look for logos near the bottom of the page.
As a Chevrolet car owner, you are sure to be considered, a person of classy and high taste. With Chevrolet key chain, you would be a proud owner, who is envied by many.
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Friday, December 7th, 2007 |
Toyota unveiled its second-generation 2008 Sequoia full-size SUV earlier this year — which features a new body, a new interior, a new chassis, and an available new 5.7L V8 engine coupled to a six-speed transmission earlier this year — and today released pricing information.
A new platform provides exterior dimensions that are competitive with other vehicles in the Sequoia’s class. Inside, efficient packaging gives the new Sequoia a roomier cabin and more luggage space.
The large V8 engine provides 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, which is ULEV-II compliant, uses four valves per cylinder and Dual Variable Valve Timing. The exhaust system, constructed of stainless steel, uses a valve in the main muffler to alter exhaust flow, reduce exhaust noise and improve performance.
As a result, the 2008 Sequoia capacity of 10,000 lbs. In addition to the available 5.7L V8 engine, the 4.7L iForce V8 continues to be offered as standard.
An electronically controlled five-speed automatic ECT (Electronically Controlled Transmission) is mated to the standard 4.7L V8, while a new six-speed ECT automatic is part of the powertrain package when the available with the 5.7L V8.
The truck’s new platform features independent suspension at both front and rear, improving ride comfort and handling.
Sequoia is equipped with Toyota’s STAR Safety System, which includes VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), and TRAC (Traction Control) (2WD models) or A-TRAC (Active-Traction Control) (4WD models), ABS (antilock braking) with EBD (electronic brake force distribution) and Brake Assist.
The eight-seater comes standard with front, side, and curtain airbags, including a curtain system that extends from the front seat to the back of the third-row seat.
Standard equipment and options
The 2008 Sequoia is available in three grades – SR5, Limited and Platinum.
The list of standard items on the SR5 and Limited grades, includes the 276 hp 4.7L V8 engine and automatic transmission, engine immobilizer with alarm, direct tire pressure monitoring system, seating for eight passengers, eight-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, four-way manually adjustable front passenger’s seat, fold-flat feature for second- and third-row seats, auto tri-zone air conditioning, power windows, locks, back window, keyless entry, AM/FM/CD eight-speaker audio system with a mini-plug for iPod compatibility, rear wiper and defogger, tilt/telescope steering wheel, cruise control, spare tire and mud guards.
To that, the Limited grade adds front and rear parking sonar, fog lamps, heated leather-trimmed seats, 10-way-adjustable driver’s seat, leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear shift knob, Optitron gauges, multi-information display, electrochromatic rear-view mirror, roof rack, running boards and JBL Synthesis audio system with Bluetooth capability.
The Platinum grade includes all of the above, and also adds the 5.7L V8 engine and six-speed transmission, 20-inch diamond cut-finish alloy wheels, rear load-leveling air suspension, power seat memory package, heated and air-conditioned front seats (driver and first-row passenger), second-row heated seats, rear spoiler, power back door, sunroof, headlamp cleaner, and navigation system with a backup camera.
A wide range of options is available on the SR5 and Limited Grades, including the 5.7L V8 engine and six-speed transmission, four-wheel drive, a towing package, rear-seat entertainment system, heated leather-trimmed seat packages, load-leveling rear air suspension, sunroof, 20-inch alloy wheels, power back door, and more. Laser cruise control is an option exclusive to the Platinum grade.
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Friday, December 7th, 2007 |
Being without a competitive SUV in the market was a situation Holden could not continue with in the Australian market.
The Australian GM outpost must have looked on enviously at sales lost to models like Honda’s CR-V, Toyota’s RAV4, and others.
Now, by tapping into GM’s ownership of Daewoo in Korea, Holden can source as many light to medium-weight SUVs as it likes, with the recently introduced Captiva.
It’s a broad-based range of vehicles which eventually has the potential to furnish five to seven seat models with a spread of four cylinder petrol and diesel engines as well as a 3.2-litre version of Holden’s own ‘World’ engine: the Alloytech V6.
Initially we’re only getting the V6, but with the Captiva SX’s entry price at $43,990, the handsome Australianstyled five-door sits right in the territory of many similarlyequipped but mere fourcylinder Japanese offerings, most of which have neither the carrying capacity nor the urge of the new Holden.
Speaking of Territory, the Captiva is not as large as the big Ford SUV, and is not a direct competitor per se.
However I’d predict there’ll be quite a few potential Territory owners on the Captiva’s hit list, with a view for the Holden to offer a cheaper, only slightly smaller option to the albeit very well placed Ford.
We have three Captiva models in New Zealand: the SX, LX and MaXX models, the latter of which is a slightly more sharply-styled sporty five-seater version with a tag of $53,490.
For our road test, the LX was made available and from the get-go, the new Korean-sourced Holden displays remarkable refinement.
The engine’s quiet, there’s no wind noise, not a lot of road clamour and the stock fivespeed automatic transmission is as subtle a ratio-changer as you’ll find anywhere.
It’s also surprisingly quick, with an easy sub 9.5 second zero-to-100kmh being just a matter of squeezing the throttle.
The five-speed auto can be used manually for dirt work, but it’s so intuitive in its operation that most will leave the shift-lever in ‘D’ and have done with it.
The Captiva’s Holden team penned lines make it something of a slightly scaled down BMW X5 from the front and side, with a nicely contrived stance and nice, wheel-arch filling alloys (on all models).
The hatch opens opens completely or as the upper glass only, while once open, it reveals how neatly the third row of seats sits in the floor.
Even when occupied, there’s room for plenty of soft baggage, and when folded away, the boot area is positively cavernous.
The $49,990 LX is a seven-seater that takes leather, some extra lamps and side vents, seven-spoke alloys, climate control, heated mirrors, eight-speaker 6-CD in-dash stereo, some extra dash and console stowage and a trip computer over the $43,990 SX.
But all Captivas take cruise, air-con, traction and stability control and five-speed automatic as standard, so you’ll not seem underdone if you can’t stretch to the LX and MaXX models.
Interior space is very well utilised, though inevitably third-row occupation is for those of smaller frames or for shorter distances.
Up front, there’s a well laid-out dash, a fine multiadjustable driving position and evidence that GM Daewoo has learned much about the texture and interface of cabin plastics.
The monocoque Captiva rides and handles very well, with a pleasingly incisive turn-in feel and a generally very car-like driving demeanour.
Offroad, the new Holden is as good as most other soft-roaders as they call them.
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Friday, December 7th, 2007 |
Audi’s Q7 is quite a box of tricks.
It has adaptive cruise control or ACC, which is a tad more reliable than the compensation scheme with which it shares its initials, for up hill and down dale, the car’s radar system will keep the new Q7 well away from the vehicle in front.
Then there’s the Audi’s side assist set-up, which monitors the Q7’s rear blind spots.
Two radar sensors in the rear bumper watch the area behind and next to the Q7 and warn the driver of vehicles approaching from behind that may be hidden by its rear quarters.
The new Audi can be set to a range of five height presets and while it does not have the low range systems and lockable diffs of the Cayenne and Touareg, it uses instead a quattro system with full-time four-wheel drive and a 40:60 front:rear torque-split for normal conditions.
It uses an automatically torsen centre diff to send up to 85 per cent to the rear, and up to 65 per cent to the front if there’s a loss of traction.
It’s quite adept at groping about in sand and dirt and perhaps more importantly would appear to be the right kind of system for those who ski and tow a bit.
Should you feel like getting more serious the Q7’s stability control offers a downhill protocol which uses the ABS system to help brake the car’s wheels to keep it stable and all-square in steep, low-friction off-road situations.
When shingle roads are encountered, the quattro set-up can be sensed doling out torque to the axle with best purchase.
If the surface is gravel, and with few holes and obstacles on it, the car handles best in ‘dynamic’ chassis mode and feels almost sporting, with a pleasingly rearward bias to its power delivery as the all-wheel-drive system responds to the chassis’ sensors’ observations.
The Q7’s refreshingly precise reactions to driver input – not just for an SUV – make for great confidence on backroads where it obeys every move of the wheel and feels amazingly communicative for something that weighs two-and-a-half-tonnes-plus with a driver and passenger.
The Q7 can take seven easily, though rearmost passengers might need to hunch a little under the tapered roofline, but all seven places are grown-up.
With the rear seats in use, the wide, high-opening hatch area has 775 litres of loadspace which grows to 2035 litres when they’re folded flat.
The Q7’s load lip can be made more accessible for heavier or more awkward cargoes by lowering the suspension by way of a button in the hatch area.
Audi’s familiar 171kW, 500Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel and 257kW, 440Nm 4.2-litre V8 petrol engines are available in the first Q7s in New Zealand and brand new 206kW, 360Nm 3.6-litre V6 petrol unit will arrive later.
While the V8 is a sonorous and effective option, the V6 turbodiesel makes a great fist of hauling along the Q7’s not inconsiderable bulk and would appear to be the engine of choice, though the 4.0-litre V8 turbodiesel is also hugely impressive.
On its own, the Q7 doesn’t look as large as more square-rigged contemporaries, like Range Rovers, Cayennes and Touaregs, but when parked among them you get to see how big it really is.
By being slightly lower slung and possessed of a styling signature that smacks of a heavily-inflated AllRoad rather than a two-box truck, the Q7 is pleasantly lacking in brashness, but it still has a lot of presence.
Though it may be a little late coming to the party, its easy going nature, clever driving aids and genuinely useful format will ensure it sells well in a crowded market segment.
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