HIT THE ROAD

STEPS IN SELLING YOUR CAR - phase II (advertising)

2008-06-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

Now that you have done the phase I, let us go to the next stage. LOL. Now you have made your car looking great as well as running well, its time now to advertise it for sale. Well, you just need to choose the best media that will advertise better your car.

4. Where to Advertise Your Car

Yes, advertisement! With it, you can target a wide range of audience or buyers. You will be able to let other people know that are far from you that your car is for sale. Traditionally, people that sell cars advertise it in the classified ads of newspapers. Although kind of expensive nevertheless the result is good. Now online classified ads are becoming popular because of the technology we have now. It is predominantly effective for hard-to-find collector cars. Aside from it, it reaches a geographically wider area of buyers. Let me give you the main markets for advertising used cars:

· On-line classified ads such as those on Edmunds.com

· classified ads on daily newspapers

· Weekly "shoppers" and giveaway newspapers

· Bulletin boards at your office, a local supermarket or a college campus

· Word of mouth — like telling your friends, old acquaintances and family that you have a car for sale

· Put a "For Sale" sign in the car window

When it comes to advertising the thing that will come to play is your creativity. The most unusual place you put your ads the most result you will get. But do not think about skywriting…it is too expensive, you know. But if you opt to choose the expensive classified ad, just be sure that you are always present to take phone calls from possible buyers. Usually most of the callers (possible buyers in that case) would not leave a message for a return call. Just be polite in answering their call. The first step in getting buyers to come and see the car is by putting a good impression on them. A better suggestion is, you give your mobile phone number in the advertisement so you can answer any call wherever you may be.

5. Create Ads That Sell

Your eagerness to sell your car can be seen with the signs “FOR SALE” you created or those that you put in the classified ad in the paper. You show it through some abbreviations and phrases. And here are some of those:

· Must Sell! : This may sometimes mean that the seller is leaving town and needs to dump the car at a fire sale price.

· OBO "or best offer": it points out that you are willing to entertain offers below the stated price. This also means you are eager to sell the car.

· Asking price: This means that you are open to negotiation, but it is one notch below OBO on the eagerness scale.

· Firm: you are most interested in getting your price. It means that you not hurrying up to sell the car — simply put it this way, the word is used to rebuff attempts to negotiate.

Remember: Little words convey a lot. Like those given to you. Reflect on what you are telling people when you phrase your ad. By the way, your ad should also include the year, make, model and trim level of the car you are selling along with the mileage, color, condition and popular options.

Now those, two steps are all about how you would send your message (which is, that you are selling your beloved car) to the people. This phase is really crucial for here (in the advertisement) the buyers will depend on whether they will look at it personally or take your advertisement for granted. So go now, find the best options to advertise your car…the one that you think will make way for you to sell it.

STEPS IN SELLING YOUR CAR - phase I

2008-06-07T23:50:00.000-07:00

Do you want a new car and tired of riding the same old vehicle? You want to feel a ride that is a lot more different from your car? Well, there is only one thing you can do with it. It is to sell it. Oh my, good bye old car. And you can buy a new one from the money you got from it…maybe you just need to add some money. It would depend on the model of your car...if its selling cost is lesser than the price of the car you are dreaming of.

Let me give you some tips on how to sell your used car (with the help of Philip Reed, a Senior Consumer Advice Editor…in his article in www.edmunds.com). There are actually ten steps that you need to think about and these will help you analyze on where, how, and when to sell your car. But let me give you the 3 steps first so you can take it one at a time (and you would not be pressured too since you are too excited to have a new one…LOL). These steps will have to do with the groundwork and preparations in selling cars. Here are the steps:

1. Know the Market

Look closely at your car…. Do you think your car is easy to sell? Do you think it qualifies as a hot commodity? Or do you think you need to drop your price and look for other possibilities to sell it? Well, there are things you can do about it. To answer those questions, there are few rules you have to recount.

§ For people who need basic and inexpensive transportation, family sedans are their option (this vehicle is boring for others).

§ Newer or older models of SUVs are very popular at present, considering the fact that they move quickly too.

§ Speaking of seasonal sales, these have something to do with convertibles and sports car. Sales are high during sunny weathers but slow on fall and winter months… I guess you know the reason…LOL.

§ Never undervalue trucks and vans used for works. They are steady sellers and command competitive prices.

§ With collector cars… selling may take time and are difficult to set a price. But they have unexpected values, so if you find the right buyer… your pocket will be too happy for it. LOL.

You know what you should do? Check the online classified ads to see what kind and type of cars people are looking for. There sites in the Internet that lets us search for a particular criteria. For example, select the year and trim level of your car and see how many similar cars are presently on the market. Give more attention to their condition, mileage, geographic location and selling price so you can list your car at a price that will sell it quickly.

2. Price Your Car Competitively

In pricing you should always follow your intuition for there are always several exceptions to the rules of pricing. Always make sure that you put a wiggle room or allowance in your asking price like asking for slightly…just slightly more money than you are actual selling price. Like pricing it with $500 more than your selling price. If you get it at that price, it would be great. However, lowering it at your actual selling price would not be a great loss.

Actually there is a lot of psychology in setting prices. If you have not noticed used car dealers prices often end in “995” like $12,995 but that car basically costs $13,000. See how creative they are? A thing that does not sell in $20 will be sold at $19.95. But for you, (so as not to look like a car dealer) you may take a very simple approach at a round figure like $12,750 or $12,500.

3. Give Your Car “Curb Appeal”

People make up their mind to buy cars based on their first look at the car even for just a few minutes checking it. So when people come to look at your car, make sure it already has the “curb appeal”. So therefore, before you advertise your car for sale, ensure that it looks clean and attractive as realistically as possible. Not just taking it to the car wash. So here are some things you have to do:

§ It should be waxed, washed and detailed.

§ It should be mechanically sound and free from scratches, dings and dents.

§ Selling it “as is” is a NO. Think about of having low-cost repairs to it.

§ Throw out all the trash inside it. When they go for test-drive, they should feel like it’s a very cozy room.

§ Clean the tires with a tire gloss product and wipe the wheel covers to remove dust.

§ Mirrored surfaces and windows should be cleaned inside and out.

§ Ashtrays should be emptied and clean the dashboard.

§ Make sure you are ready with its maintenance records to show your prospective buyers.

§ Make sure it has undergone servicing like oil change before putting it up for sale.

§ You can motivate your buyers with a report about its condition coming from a mechanic that checked your car.

§ Or you may also order a Carfax report to prove to the buyer that its title is clean and the odometer reading is accurate.

So what you should do now is take these first three steps slowly and surely. And if you already complied with these three steps, you may then take the next steps. Good luck for the preparations you will make!

GADGETS THAT YOU MAY NEED FOR YOUR CAR..II

2008-06-06T21:23:00.000-07:00

My cousin’s wedding was good. All the members of our clan are there. It was good to see them after a long time. Anyway, here are the additional three from my latest post...

5. Flex-Fix Extendable Bike Rack

If you are the type of person that do not just ride vehicles but also bikes, this is the right one for you. It is a very creative device. It is actually a drawer that can be pulled out from the rear bumper of the Opel/Vaxhall Corsa. When not in use, it can be easily and smartly folded back to its special compartment. On this contraption are two-wheel-mount bike racks, an extra rear license plate, and additional brake lights. There are two major benefits of this device. One is convenient loading because the bicycles are not needed to be lifted high and the second is it is always available because it is an integral part of the vehicle. It is also capable of transporting loads of 40 kilograms and is suitable for standard bicycle tire sizes of 18 − 28 inches. Adding to that, the steel parts are therefore not only galvanized but are also primed via cataphoresis and protected by a resilient topcoat to withstand years of abuse from grit and road salt.

This FlexFix system will soon be seen in Opel Antara crossover. So this means that this thing from Europe is coming to U.S. with the Opel Antara. So we are looking forward now to this product.

ModooFree Bluetooth Parking Sensor

There is no need to problem of holding your cell phone while driving. This is one of the first Bluetooth parking sensors. It acts as a handsfree car kit that lets drivers to answer calls with their hands on the steering wheel. You can answer a call within the 10 meter range. Its mirror has a built-in external high sensitivity microphone while displaying the incoming phone number (12 digit caller ID). It has a loudspeaker. When reversing the mirror senses the distance from the right, left and rear. It indicates the distance with LCD digits and also by four successive warning signals or beep. It is a wirless device the uses the Bluetooth technology. It also features digital noise cancellation system, automatic reconnection, and integrated buttons for answering/ending calls and adjusting volumes. It uses simple operation and to set it up is so easy.

Tweel – Michelin’s Airless Tires

No air pressure? Amazing! For almost a hundred years, we are used to tires with air enclosed in rubber, which is called the pneumatic tire. But now here is the Tweel Airless Tire. It is a flexible spoke/wheel design that replaces the need for air pressure and deforms to absorb shocks. The name is a combination of tire and wheel for the reason that it does not the traditional wheel hub assembly. It is an unyielding inner hub mounted to the axle and is surrounded by polyurethane spokes arranged in a pattern of wedges. Across its spokes stretches a shear band and it is the one that touches the road. What replace the air pressure of the usual tire is the tension of the shear band on the spokes and also the potency of the spokes themselves. A tread is then attached to the shear band. LOL. It looks like a bicycle wheel, isn’t it?

With one of these gadgets or contraptions, it is certain that you will give your vehicle a more exciting appearance. Your comrades will sure envy you for having one of this. But, you should also look at your vehicle first if it does suits the appearance of it. Just make sure that it would perfectly uplift the appearance of your car (not to degrade). These are just few of the many gadgets and devices that are deluging the auto world.

GADGETS YOU MAY NEED FOR YOUR CAR

2008-06-05T21:12:00.000-07:00

In this day and age, there are numerous car gadgets that are flooding the market. A number of companies are designing and working on electronic products to keep everyone in a car entertained and make cars a worthy place to stay and to look at. You may get dizzy picking up the one that fits your car and the one that suits your taste. Some helps in ensuring the safety of the driver, some are for styling purposes, some are for entertainment, some for communication functions and some are for the purpose of additional stuffs in the car…LOL. They differ in purpose, so I have come up with a list that might help you if you are need of such things. Thanks to TechBlog for helping me with this.

Alert Driver Bracelet

This good for those that usual sleeps while driving…LOL. This immense discovery makes sleepy drivers stay on the road by communicating with an RFID tag placed in the car. This device vibrates basing on the reaction time if the driver is experiencing fatigue. Sounds good, right? It is bendable to fit a driver’s wrist so that it can stay in position and will not fall off. For me, it looks like a wristwatch but does a different job.

Shotgun turret

“HAMMER” unmanned weapons system and H2X-40 turret for law enforcement/military use by “More Industries”. It is composed of a high-tech stainless steel 12-gage shotgun equipped for remote safety, aiming and actuation. It has features like electro-mechanical actuation, modular mounting system, weatherproof control module, remote aiming systems, and mechanical soldier activated safety interlock. Looks like this one fits to place with lots of terrorists…LOL. But if ever the situation calls for it, then you must have this one. This can be mounted on a regular vehicle especially on the roof of an SUV. This is important when a door or a gate needs to be breached, expose a hidden device, destroy a roadside bomb and more. Useful, but it should be used only on the said purposes.

Drive-e-mocion

This is a special car LED sign that displays messages and emocions like smileys and frowning places that is useful for drivers to communicate with other drivers. It is located at the rear car window and it attaches itself with a use of a power suction cup. Its remote control for the front of the car fixes to the front windscreen or optionally can be stowed in a front compartment (its fixing bracket can be removed). Pressing the buttons to make messages is very simple with the remote control fixed to the front screen. It is powered by 4 AA batteries that last for about 4 month’s depending on usage.

TruScene Camera

The ground-breaking TruScene Vehicle Accident Camera is an in-vehicle accident monitor. It is an exceptional device that allows Fleet owners and insurance companies to view accidents to find out liability easily and without argument that will:

· Dramatically reduce fleet self insurance pay outs

· Simplify insurance claims for your company

· Clarify who's to blame, reducing knock for knock settlements

· Provide legally accepted 'hard evidence'

· Protect your staff from false accident allegations

· Improve driver awareness and confidence

This one is good if you have experienced hit-and-run accident. It is hooked to the rear view mirror and films whatever is seen in front. If a sudden shake or bump is detected by it, it saves that 30 seconds into its internal memory so you can see the incident and those that happened after that.

Its complete name is TruScene TS-1L. It is a compact and self contained VOSA compliant camera unit. It is mounted on the inside of the windscreen and includes a drop-down LCD screen that also act as a viewfinder and playback the 30 second clips. It is power-driven by the vehicle’s battery and connected through the ignition. Aside from that, it also uses Global Positioning System (GPS) to register the exact location of a recorded incident, its time and date.

I have to cut first this list, I will give you the three other more in my next entry. My time is already running short for I have to go to a relative’s wedding. Jenny and the kids are already dressed up and I m the only one they are waiting for. I not yet dressed up. So till the next entry….

Night View system of Toyota Crown Hybrid – Beneficial for Drivers and Pedestrians

2008-06-04T01:07:00.000-07:00

Traffic death rates are greater at night than during the day. According to the National Safety Council it is three times higher. Until now many of us are ignorant of night driving hazards or do not know any effective ways to deal with them.

The question here is - Why is night driving so dangerous? One evident answer is darkness. Taking a high percentage of a driver’s reaction depends on vision. That took as high as ninety percent. But our vision is severely limited at night. Depth perception, color recognition, and peripheral vision are compromised after sundown. Adding to the factors are age and fatigue.

For me, I have some difficulties in driving at night. Sometimes I get easily blinded by the lights of oncoming vehicles. Often I cannot see at gloomy areas, even when I m not driving. Maybe these have to do with my eyes. But this is not the case of every driver. For drivers who want safety and a very comfortable ride…I have news for you.

But you need not to worry! The "Crown Hybrid" released in May 2008 by Toyota Motor Corp is equipped with the "Night View" system that shows the view of the road ahead at night.

In the earlier model of it, the sight of the road ahead is showed on the windshield. It is overlapped with the view right in front of the car. But the difference with the latest model is that it makes sure the view is seen clearer in front of the car by showing the view of the road ahead on the LCD meters, although the driver have to look back and forth between the front view and the meters.

This most recent Crown Hybrid utilizes a pattern recognition that identifies pedestrians. In it several sets of image data on the shapes of pedestrians have been readied then the shape of the image shot by the system is compared with the data. Yellow frames are displayed around the pedestrian as well as the entire image on the screen if the system found out that a pedestrian is nearby. This yellow frame in the LCD meter that encloses the image helps the driver know that a pedestrian is present.

By the way, the resolution of the LCD meter is 1280 x 480 dots and the size of the image indicated by the Night View system is 614 x 346 dots. However, this Night View system’s activation is affected by vehicle speed, brightness and weather. Therefore you should not drive at a very high speed if you want to make use of this system. According to Toyota, the mandatory vehicle speed is 15-60km/h for it is tricky to recognize pedestrians with the current processing circuit with speeds that exceeds 60km/h. this would not work too if it is too dark to turn on the low-beam light same with when the wipers operates in rain lowers the recognition accuracy.

Now due to a lot of demands, Toyota plans to consider including a feature identifying animals and bicycles aside from pedestrians. And for now, the cost of LCD meters has increased even if technically-wise it has developed. It is more expensive now than the existing meters as what a demonstrator from the company said. Toyota plans to trim down the price by increasing the number of models with an LCD meter and by providing greater variation in sizes.

So for those who are still thinking of what to car to buy, this may be the right one for you. You need not to worry of your safety with this. I m sure it has all the basic safety features that you can also see in other cars plus this Night View system that Toyota boasts of. Drivers are not the only one that will benefit from this but also the pedestrians.

So as soon the sun goes down you can observe driving safety with this system in the Crown Hybrid of Toyota. Remember that twilight is one of the most difficult times to drive, because your eyes are constantly changing to adapt to the growing darkness.

So enjoy your ride with the Crown Hybrid and have the benefits of using its Night View system!

DRIVING WHILE YAKKING - Cell Phones as Distraction to Driving

2008-06-03T23:24:00.000-07:00

Right at this moment that I m making this entry, 10 million U.S. drivers are chatting on a handheld cell phones. It’s a fact that comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

It is a problem. Yes! And you know why it is considered as a problem in driving? These gadgets are known to be distractions that lead to a driver’s inattention to driving. They were verified by the NHTSA as a causative factor in as many as 25 percent of all police-reported traffic accidents. Thinking of those that are not reported… this number would be higher. This issue stirred the world, making numerous countries to ban the use of handheld phones while driving as well with U.S. cities and many municipalities including California, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Washington D.C.

There were points given by wireless-phone proponents at the center of many legislative attempts over whether “drive while yakking” or DWY is unsafe. They say that talking on a cell phone is less distracting or just the same effect as changing a radio station, eating and controlling kids’ passengers. Of course, these three are not regulated. Because many states have already passed laws that ban distracted driving, they assert that prohibiting the use of handheld cell phones is like fining or stopping the technology instead of the behavior.

As you search in the internet, you can find studies about cell phone use and its supposed dangers. For example, a study in Japan pointed out that dialing or answering a call are related to majority of the cell phone-related crashes. A NHTSA study in 1997 suggested that holding a conversation is the culprit. Other studies also said that there is lesser percentage of accidents and losses with regards to phones than what is believed.

There were two studies conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) on the result of the bans on handheld cell phone use in New York and Washington D.C. and found out that there was a high result to the initial cooperation with 2.5 percent reduced handheld phone use. But, with just a year using the said gadget resumed and in New York the level goes back as before the ban is implemented.

We know that this gadget offers us a lot of benefits. Like firstly you can communicate with your family and friends, you can conduct business on the road, and you even can let your boss know that you are running late. Road problems? You do not need to worry for you can call for medical help or roadside assistance. Reporting problems like a drunk driver, a stranded motorist and an obstacle on the road is just easy with it. But, facts has it that handheld cell phones pose a dangerous risk since it is a distraction from driving.

So for that reasons, here are some suggestions that will keep you safe with a handheld cell phone while driving.

Get to know your phone and its features — if you can dial a number with one key instead of seven or 10, you're better off.
Position your phone within easy reach — bending over to reach for it takes your eyes of the road and can cause you to swerve.
Suspend calls in heavy traffic or in bad weather — you need to focus even more under hazardous conditions.
Do not take notes or look up phone numbers while driving .
Keep conversations short. Inform the person you're calling that you are in a car, and hang up as soon as possible.
If possible, place calls when you are not moving. Pull over where possible.
Ask a passenger to help. Have someone else make or take the call.
Do not engage in stressful or emotional conversations

You may think that using a hands-free phone cannot necessarily mean that it can solve the problem. Users of it have their both hands on the wheel with headphone or earphone. Some of these devices have common volume problems and can be a source of distraction.

IIHS also reported that it is four times more dangerous when taking on phones, whether handheld or hands-free. A research also of the NHTSA researched whether hand held phones make difference. It found out that drivers actually prefer hands-free and voice-dialing options than holding a phone. Drivers also found these setups easier to use.

Now there are quite a few hands-free choices that seem more right, eliminating the need for a headphone by running voice calls through your car's speakers. In addition, there are lots of cell phones and vehicles are equipped with Bluetooth technology. Even though it is located anywhere inside a vehicle, you can still receive calls. You can hear the calls the calls through your car speaker and voice is transmitted through a built-in microphone. Bluetooth-enabled cars also equipped with voice recognition technology, enabling you to make or receive phone calls without touching anything inside your car. If Bluetooth is not available, you can get the same service with Verizon Wireless and the OnStar in-car communications system.

However, even with cell phones being used as hands-free there is still the risk of getting into an accident. They say that talking on the phone is the more hazardous distraction especially emotional conversations that greatly elevate the risk. So whether you use hands-free or handheld phone, there is an increased DWY risk.

NHTSA's impending study on wireless phone interfaces would make it clear whether hands-free driving is safer or not. Meanwhile, the agency stands for banning hand-held cell phones is not rightful. And still in states or localities where cell phones are banned, compliance has always been the big problem.

Yes we cannot deny the fact that wireless technology is wonderful. It doesn't mean you have to use it everywhere just because it appears to be everywhere. Using it may be the cause for you to miss the most important call of your life. Who knows?

source: www.edmunds.com

ALL ABOUT TIRES…

2008-05-30T02:44:00.000-07:00

Maybe it was several days ago (I hope my memory serves me well) when my wife came to me with a serious face. I though she was to quarrel me or reprimand of something I did wrong. But to my surprise, none of the two that I mentioned happened… But she told me that maybe it is already the time to buy new tires for our car. She said that it is already old and there are already signs of wear.

It was the first time that my wife acted that way…being so concerned about our car and the most wonderful of that was when she told me that I should buy a new set of tires for her to stop worrying of what would happen to me when I’m on the road. Guys! She really loves me. (To my wife Jenny, thank you). So I said yes, I will buy new tires for our car.

It is usually my habit to consult first the Internet of the things I’m going to buy. Whether it is a home fixture, kids stuff and especially my car needs. So I did again research on what to consider in buying tires. Actually it is too confusing to buy new tires. With lots of brands and products out there in the market you could really think well of what is the best.

In buying tires, you need to know the right size, type and tread so that you will get the right tires. For the size, in case you do not know… consult your car’s manual or the label inside the glove box or on the door post. Overheating and overloading of the tire may happen if you put to your car an undersized tire and an oversized will rub parts of your car. For the type, performance tires are needed by performance cars, pickups and SUVs need light truck tire. It is so simple. And for tread, for normal driving you need standard highway treads. If you are in an area where there is heavy and frequent snowfall, you need snow tires. The mud and snow tires are all season tires that give good traction in snow, slush, rain, and mud.

So if you already have your new tires still you have to consider other things like the tire registration. Your new tires should be registered so that you can be reached if a safety defect is found. Ask for it to your tire dealer and they will be the one to send it back to the manufacturer. But there are other cases that the dealer will be the one to register the tires for you. When it came to it that you receive a defect notification letter, go to your dealer for inspection or free replacement of the tire. Its wonderful but it is too tiring…LOL

So there, you already have your tires. But it does not mean that you just have to put it to your car and then you would not mind about it anymore. Maintenance and proper driving is what you need to keep your tires always in good shape and for you to avoid investing again for new tires…LOL.. And of course for safety purposes too. You have to maintain your tires proper air pressure. You have to check pressure every week for routine driving. Also check pressure before taking any long trips. Lastly, measure the pressure when the tires are cold.

Keep your tires at the recommended inflation pressure. (This inflation is the only good inflation I know…LOL) In case you are ignorant about it (LOL) you can find it in your owner's manual or on the label either in the glove box or near the door latch on the driver's side. The maximum inflation pressure is shown on the side of the tire. Tires last longer and will less likely to fail if the recommended air pressure is followed. Also the car will use less fuel. Under inflation or overloading may lead to…OH my God!.. serious injury. So we should be cautious about these things…really.

In checking the tire pressure, ensure that there is enough tread on the tire to operate safely and that the tires are wearing normally. To know that it is wearing normally, look at the grooves. They should be visible and deep enough to at least touch the top of Lincoln's head on a penny. If you see already the treadwear warning bars across the tire, it's time to replace that tire. Remember that bald tires are unsafe. You could have mis-aligned wheels, worn shock absorbers, or other potential problems if some spots on the tire seem to be wearing faster than others. Make sure also your wheels are balanced and aligned properly. If possible, avoid "jack rabbit" starts and stops and fast, tire screeching turns. And take note, never overload your car. Your car and tires are designed to operate safely only up to their load limits.

Vehicle Designs that Protect Pedestrians

2008-05-29T23:58:00.000-07:00

You often would see accidents involving both cars colliding. It is very that you see a pedestrian being hit by a car. But figures showed that it is that strange. In the United States, roughly 64,000 pedestrians are injured in vehicle collisions each year. Take note of it friends! And did you know that pedestrian accidents comprise almost 11 percent of vehicle deaths year on year? It was based from the records of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

BUT NOW, these numbers are declining. It is good news. It is due to vehicle designs have changed to lessen injuries when a car and pedestrian collide. Nice, isn’t it? Just lately, there are noteworthy improvements in vehicle occupant safety. Another good thing is that, some automakers are now focusing on the people outside the vehicle and they are the pedestrians. In foreign countries, there are now directives that call for such design especially in Europe.

Engineers and researchers spend many time examining and analyzing real-world crash data by the use of computer simulations of crashes. Aside from it, actual crash testing are performed with full dummies and test devices in order to design vehicles that bring less injury to pedestrians in times of collision. These dummies and test devices used are called “impactors” that correspond to portions of dummies’ bodies (like a leg or head). Mostly, pedestrians are struck by the front of the vehicles as revealed by records. However, there are factors that make every situation different. These factors include the type of vehicle, its speed and the height of the pedestrian. The result is a lot of situation, making the study of these accidents exigent.

In an instance of collision where a pedestrian crossing the street is suddenly struck by an SUV with its bumper and the front edge of the hood, a greater impact is given to the body. But if it is with increased speed the pedestrian will likely be thrown up over the hood. But it is not that simple according to Douglas Longhitano, who is a senior engineer at Honda R&D Americas, Inc. He said:

"When someone is crossing the street as they are hit, their body will move forward or backward depending on the way their leg is positioned, since they are usually in a walking stride, not standing still. If the driver hits the brakes, the person typically ends up on the ground in front of the vehicle, but if the driver doesn't brake, the person continues to hit an exterior mirror and land on the driver or passenger side of the vehicle."

By the way, Longhitano has been doing safety research and because of that he received the U.S. Government Award for Engineering Excellence because of his work in pedestrian protection in 2007.

With these situations in the study, as an answer to it auto makers had started dealing with pedestrian accidents by paying much attention on apparent vehicle features that could cause damage and examples to it are projected hood enhancements that are now implanted to the grille or sometimes are intended to give way in case of impact. Exterior mirrors are also samples of it. They are now mounted on springs. Even indented door handles has aided in minimizing pedestrian injury.

There are slight changes to the front end of vehicles nowadays that consumers do not notice. Designs of vehicles are focusing on it like the fenders, hood and windshield wipers unusual connection to the vehicle. Their performance power is maintained except that they simply disintegrate to the vehicle when a pedestrian strike to the. These features are offered in vehicles from Acura, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo. There are also other auto components that have these slight design changes like the hood design and engine compartments. Braces supporting the hood that crush when impacted like by a person’s head are widely offered in most vehicles now sold in the U.S. There are these plastic covers too that lessen the impact while increasing the space between the hood and the cover.

For vehicles in Europe and Asia (where there are huge numbers of pedestrian collision and there are government laws that regulates them), their bumpers are made with broader crush space and with different supports for the plastic cover thus reducing leg injury. This is the challenge to U.S. engineers now. But the disadvantage of the “softer” bumpers of vehicles in Europe and Asia is that they do not perform well in the 5-mph bumper test carried out by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to repair costs. And this is the reason why those vehicles are not used (or maybe applicable) in the U.S.

Another concern regarding the bumper design for U.S. vehicles is about the front airbags sensor that can be found in the bumper. Max Gates, spokesman for the Chrysler Group said:

"Because of the sensor location, it can be difficult to address pedestrian safety and still have the sensors effectively trigger the front airbags, particularly in low-speed collisions."

Adding high-density foam at the rear the plastic bumper cover, which is a method used on all Toyotas is another way to protect pedestrian. This one performs well in the IIHS bumper test.

And now, surely there are advancements in this field that are still on the making that will protect pedestrians. However, the best way to prevent less pedestrian accidents and injuries is by being a cautious driver even if you are not that experienced yet. Being careful may also apply to pedestrians. Thanks to Tara Baukus Mello for the information.

10 MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURES and TIPS for CAR LOVERS

2008-05-28T20:23:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of the ten most important things, features and tips that you should consider in buying and getting a car. Safety is initially what we are looking in cars, right? So I hope you will be able to learn from this.

1. High crash test scores: you know why this is important? For the reason that this where our safety lies. These rate how a given vehicle scores in various collision scenarios. Tests for frontal and side impacts are conducted by the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the frontal testing is conducted by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). If you are planning to buy a new car, you should look for a four-or-five-star crash testing rating for both front and side impacts form NHTSA. Also consider a minimum of acceptable rating from IIHS.

2. Stability control: These are kind of systems that utilize multiple electronic sensors in order to monitor the driver's projected path and the direction where the car is heading. If the two begin to diverge, the system's computer will actuate individual brakes and/or reduce engine power to restore control. However, you should not rely much to these systems because it cannot overcome the laws of physics and thus cannot help to avoid all types of accidents.

3. Navigation system: These are somewhat electronic atlases. They do not only provide detailed maps down to the street level. Amazing isn’t it? What’s more is that they can provide point-to-point driving directions. The latest systems can also pinpoint gas stations (if you run off gas), ATMs (if you run short money) as well as restaurants (if your stomach grows hungry) and hotels (if you feel sleepy) these systems uses DVD-ROM technology which allows all information to be stored on one CD, while older CD-ROM systems require multiple discs to cover the entire country.

4. Side-impact airbags: You know what? Side impact collisions are oftentimes worst that all kinds of collision. These usually involve one car plowing headlong into the side of another, as when some dimwit runs a red light or stop sign. Side-impact airbags help absorb the blow and protect the occupants from contact with hard surfaces. It is a great help because side-impact collision has only the thickness of the car's door for protection, while frontal collision the car's crumple zone can help absorb some of the crash's force.

5. Rear parking sensors: When you hear a beeping sound that increases in frequency your car is getting closer and closer to anything behind it. This is what a rear parking sensor does, releasing an audible warning. . There is also a kind of it that provides visual warning aside from the audible warning. This technology is sometimes called park assist. It is invaluable for keeping both the bumper and small children safe.

6. Side curtain airbags: You should not misconstrue this with side-impact bags. This safety device can also be called curtain airbags. It chiefly protects the torso. It is also designed to protect the precious noggins of the occupants and it oftentimes broadens to the rear seat.

Antilock Braking System (ABS): This is another safety feature of cars prevents a vehicle's wheels from locking up by automatically and rapidly "pumping" the brakes. You can get two main benefits from it. First, is the shorter stopping distance on slippery surfaces and second is the maintenance of steering control. A locked-up wheel or wheels will slither so it can’t be steered. If that happened, you can’t steer around on a possible collision. ABS has been around for a long time but many drivers are still not aware of what it feels like when it kicks in. Most of the systems make noise and vibrate the brake pedal. So it is recommended that you should educate and be acquainted about the “feel” of ABS before it is needed. A better way is to attend a driving school and get some professional instruction.
Consider not buying an SUV: It is not bad to own an SUV but based from the evidences, we can conclude that due to their center of gravity they are likely to roll over than other family vehicles. But if you badly need a vehicle for off-road driving or has a heavy hauling or towing ability, you should consider buying a minivan or station wagon. These vehicles are safer and generally less expensive and are easier on fuel.
Good tires: I m sure everyone knows this one – ensuring that you’ve got a good set of tires in your vehicle. Keep in mind, the tires are factually "where the rubber meets the road" and they are important in terms of driving safety. If you're getting a used vehicle and the tires are worn, ask the seller to replace them or reduce the price by a couple hundred bucks so you can put a good set of tires to it. Also maintain the alignment of your wheels and check the pressure of your tire once a month, if necessary.
Cargo netting or cargo cage: This is for station wagon or other vehicles with an open cargo area in the rear. This can prevent a kid's toy or heavy luggage from making a visitation upside your head during a sudden stop.

Well guys, if you follow those tips and have those features in your car you are among those lucky individuals to achieve the highest possible safety for you and your car.

DROWSY DRIVING… how to identify it, tips to overcome it, a study and a law about it.

2008-05-27T19:12:00.000-07:00

This is a follow up to my previous post. With this post are how to detect a drowsy driver and a law that talks about drowsy driving and some tips that could help us all drivers. So people….Read on!

According to the Maggie’s Law (passed in New Jersey in 2003 and was named after a 20-year-old college student who is a victim of drowsy driving) a sleep-deprived driver meet the criteria as reckless driver. If caught in such situation, he can be convicted of vehicular homicide and serve some time in jail. Damage of driving drowsy are now getting much attention although some states do not such law yet.

But how would you know if a driver is drowsy? Dr. Charlie Klauer, a NHTSA study project manager and a senior research associate at Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, revealed that 20 percent of crashes and 12 percent of the near-crashes were results of drowsy driving. Eyes closed for a long time (longer than a blink) and if heads bobbed forward and bolted back upright are signs of a drowsy driver. Also added to it are drivers who do not move at all, staring directly ahead instead of reacting to oncoming traffic or looking at the rearview and sideview mirrors. Actually, I was surprised to see that according to the study cases like this occur during daytime when roads are crowded and busy instead at night. But those that happened at night are more serious and fatal because roads are too wide.

Among the groups studied, the 18 to 20 age group bracket was found to be more involved in fatigue-related accidents due to being experienced in driving and irregular sleep habits. However according to AAA Foundation, it is not the age that is the cause but the work schedule. Those people that work at a non-standard hour like those that work at night are likely to meet a sleep-related accident by 6 times.

Legal, over the counter treatments for allergies, colds, and flu can cause sleepiness while driving. Dr. Joel Zive warned consumers to read their medication labels for a warning that can cause drowsiness. Antihistamines like Dipenhydramine (in Benadryl), Chlorpheniramine (in Clor-trimeton), and Brompheniramine (in Diamatine) can cause drowsiness. But second-generation antihistamines like Fexofenadine (in Allegra), Loratadine (in Claritin and Alavert) and Cetirizine (in Zyrtec) are non-sedating and do not cause impairment under normal circumstance, Dr. Zive said.

So to avoid falling asleep at the wheel, AAA Foundation and the University of Iowa gave ten (10) things to do.

1. Stop driving if you feel sleepy. Caffeinated drink will help, while in a stop.

2. Use the time to nap for it took for the caffeine 30 minutes to enter the bloodstream and take effect.

3. Get a lot of sleep the night before driving ( at least 6 hours but more is better)

4. If you are to drive at night, do not work all day.

5. Drive at times when you are usually awake ( stay overnight at a hotel or motel than driving straight)

6. Avoid driving during the sleepy times of a day. (take a nap during midafternoon, sleep between midnight and dawn or maybe just stop and rest)

7. Carbohydrate-laden foods can make you sleepy so avoid them instead eat those that are rich in protein.

8. Avoid medications containing antihistamines unti you reached your destination.

9. Keep an wake passenger in the front seat to talk to you during long trips (Car stereo in high volume can’t make you awake)

10. Even if you do not need a gas refill, take break every two hours or every 100-120 miles. If possible, get out of the car and take some deep breaths and do some stretching (to relieve cramping and stress). Also set a limit of 300-400 miles of driving per day.

It was also found out in 2004 in an AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety survey that nine out of ten North American police officers had stopped a driver who they thought was drunk but turned out to be drowsy instead. And also Johns Hopkins Medical Center says drivers should be aware of the following warning signs:

Ø You could not remember the last few miles you have traveled

Ø You hit a rumble strip or drift from your lane

Ø You keep pulling your car back into the lane

Ø Your thoughts are wandering and disconnected to your driving

Ø You yawn repeatedly ( almost every minute)

Ø You cannot focus or keep eyes open and your head up

Ø You tailgate or miss traffic signs

If you happen to feel these ways, then you might be sleepy or drowsy… if you do not know. LOL. These are reminders for you to avoid fatal accidents. You know, life is wonderful. You surely would not want to waste it with just a click of your fingers and being not aware of things. We all know that our safety is our first concern. So consider putting things to your mind always.

SLEEPY DRIVERS… Dangerous Ones

2008-05-23T18:47:00.000-07:00

The other day, my best comrade Clyde told me that he will treat me out for some drinks. He had some commission from his work. Well, good for him. He was not good in that field before – sales talk – but now he learned to love it and he did do well in it.

The night he promised came. So we went to a popular night-out place several blocks away from us. By the way, he lives far from our place by almost two cities away from us. So he had to come driving his….. Oh my God! The latest model of range Rover! He has gone too far. He fetched me up at our house at around eight in the evening and we headed straight to the said place.

He ordered something to eat first and some bottles of beer. I saw in his eyes the joy and contentment of what he has right now. He said he is very happy with how things are coming his way. He has a blissful family, with lovely and caring wife (Geena) and two lovely daughters who are in the top of their classes. Last month, they have just moved in to their new house- a very big two-storey modern house. He has a stable job with lots of commissions. And he just had a new car aside from the old one that he had when he first got his job and is now being used by his wife. He said, he could not ask for more. He is very much contented and he wanted to share his blessings and happiness. So I said, “Cheers!”

Consequently he ordered another set of beers. Then another set. Beers keep coming set by set. I had 5 beers that night, if my memory serves me right. LOL. When I told him that I’m already drunk that is the time that he asked for our bill, paid and went straight out of the place. He offered to take me home but I said no. Our house is just a few blocks away from that place so I decided just to walk to breathe fresher air after a nerve-racking and strenuous day. So he drove home then.

When I arrived home, I went straight to the bathroom and brushed my teeth and headed straight to our bed with Jenny never noticing me that I’m home already. When I was about to be in deep slumber, my phone rang. It was Clyde! He told me that he almost has met an accident at the highway. He had fallen asleep while driving and almost bumped on a huge post. He was very thankful to the man who’s following him in the highway. He was awakened by the deafening horn of the car of the said man. Thanks that nothing happened to him. I think what Evelyn Kanter wrote in her article is all true.

Really, a tired driver is a precarious driver. So beware!...LOL. If you suspect a driver is tired and drowsy, let him pull over and take some rest. In the article, it is said that sleepiness slows reaction time, decreases awareness, impairs judgment and increases aggressiveness. Warnings to it are like to those warnings about driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. So what happened to Clyde is like he was drugged or drowsy…but it’s true that he is drowsy and drunk that time. Just like driving drunk or drugged, drowsy driving can result to make mistakes behind the wheel – that can injure or kill the driver, passengers and even pedestrians.

There are 100,000 police-reported passenger vehicle crashes every year according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and drowsiness or fatigue is the chief source of it. According to statistics, there are at least 1,500 people died and 71,000 injured. But there are still more unreported cases that are the similar to those mentioned above.

source: www.edmunds.com

INSIDE YOUR CARS: THE WORST PLACE DURING TORNADOES

2008-05-22T18:34:00.000-07:00

Do you know where is the worst place you could ever be when tornado or even some of severe storms occur?

You might not agree with it, but it is “INSIDE YOUR CARS.” Rick Smith, a warning coordination meteorologist in weather service in Oklahoma said that vehicles of any size really don’t fare well in a tornado. He added that vehicles can be thrown and tossed by the wind. The reason why it can be easily thrown is that vehicles are not anchored or secured to the ground. Wind can easily get underneath them. He also added that winds of less than 100 mph can flip a car.

Last May 10, a tornado swept over Missouri, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Alabama. At least 26 people died when it passed the said places. In Missouri and Oklahoma, 23 people died and one third of them died in cars. “It is like taking a handful of Matchbox cars and rolling them across the kitchen floor,” said Sgt. Dan Bracker of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. He saw how distressing and devastating it was because he was the one who surveyed the extent of damage in and around Seneca, near Oklahoma – the hardest hit area. Among those killed were family and they are Rick Rountree, his wife, his 13-year-old, and his mother-in-law. They were in a van on their way to a family friend’s wedding when the 170 mph packed twister stuck. Rountree’s brother-in-law said that they were already on the road when the warnings came.

So far, there are about 100 people that died in United States’ twisters this year. It is the worst toll in a decade, according to the National Weather Service. But the danger is not over yet. Tornado season normally hits the highest point in the spring and early summer and also in late fall. This is the most active tornado season on record in the U.S.

The death toll in Missouri, Oklahoma, Georgia and Alabama rose to 26 when Tyler Casey died at a hospital. Casey is a firefighter who was caught in a tornado while trying to warn people to seek shelter. There is also a person who died in a carbon monoxide poisoning case.

Based from the records of the nation Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, 49 of the 705 deaths (that is about 7 percent - are accredited to tornadoes from 1997 to 2007) were people who were in vehicles when the tornado swept. The tornado that struck Seneca and surrounding Newtown County was moving at 50 mph to 60 mph said Andy Foster.

Now, the number of people on the road during tornadoes has increased. What is alarming is that it increases every year since 1996, when the movie “Twister” came out, which depicts meteorologists chasing tornadoes. Val Castor, one of the many who brought dramatic video of tornadoes to local TV stations in Oklahoma said that driving during harsh weather is tremendously dangerous for the inexperienced because they don’t know where a tornado will form or what direction it will go.

Smith advised people to avoid driving every time harsh storms are forecasted and look for shelter in a truck stop, restaurant or other permanent structure if caught on the road during a twister. He further added that as last option, motorists should get out of their cars and find a low-lying place such as culvert or a ditch where they can duck and cover. Overpasses should be avoided, weather experts said. It is because a strong wind can become more powerful as it squeezes through it. “Paying attention to the weather and not being caught in that situation is really your best bet,” Smith added.

Warnings against staying in cars during these situations were impelled by a tornado that struck Wichita Falls, Texas in 1979 that left 42 people dead. Among those, 25 are vehicle-related. The toll this year is the highest in a decade since 130 people were killed in 1998. The highest number of tornado-related deaths came in 1953 with 519 people left lifeless.

As reported, there were already 858 tornadoes in US although there may have been double sightings. Harold Brooks of the National Severe Storms Laboratory expects the number of confirmed tornadoes through mid-May of this year would end up to 650-to-700 range. Here is the toll: 16 people died in Missouri, 7 in Picher, 2 more in Georgia (where forecasters said at least 6 tornadoes touched down) and 1 also in Alabama. So for everyone, take the warnings seriously and avoid staying in cars instead go inside a strong and permanent structure to avoid fatal destructions.

source: www.iht.com/biz

Auto Pulse Survey’s 7 Categories part II

2008-05-21T01:00:00.000-07:00

You know what? I did not notice what Sid was eating chocolates while jumping in our bed yesterday. I was surprised to see lots of chocolates stains in our mattress. Jenny was so angry with and told me that all I did was to write in this blog. But that is alright. We are okay now. I kissed her said sorry that I did not noticed Sid’s craziness doing anything with his chocolates. LOL….

Also I began being much attentive to my car of how I will rate it too. But for me, I would rate it as the most safe, high performing, high quality and etc….LOL. I love my car.

Anyway here’s the continuation of what I’ve promised… the fifth to seventh categories. By the way, it is in order.

ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY

This category is also called GREEN. This includes fuel economy, emissions and “recyclability.” Toyota again leads in this race with a wide margin of 23 percent. It is followed by Honda with only 26 percent rating against the 49 percent of Toyota. This is maybe because of Toyota being the leader in hybrid technology and its best-selling Prius hybrid. For everyone’s information, Prius achieved the best real-world fuel economy of 44mpg. It also has released a hybrid version of the Camry and Highlander SUV and more to come based from what Toyota has announced. But some of its V8-powered SUVs are less environmental friendly. This is where the reality comes in against perception.

Honda maybe ranked second because it also shares with Toyota as being the leader in hybrid cars with the first hybrid released in U.S., which is the two-seat Insight. There are also hybrid editions of Civic and Accord aside from their most efficient gasoline engines that also got a high ranking in fuel economy tests. Ford’s 16 percent ratings may be drawn from its Escape Hybrid, which was the first hybrid SUV and William Clay Ford Jr.’s public focus on environmental issues. Both getting 11 percent share of the scores are Chevrolet and GMC.

DESIGN or STYLE

For me, I think this category sometimes mislead people. Good design does not mean good performance. Good design does not mean its environmental friendly. But good design means high value. It may say it can also mean safety. It is what I believe.

But in this category the luxury brands dominate. It follows right? Luxury may mean a good and extravagant style… so it is only but fair. The surveyors said that it is maintained by the prestige associated with those brands. Yeah, maybe. Mercedes-Benz and Lexus tied in this category with both getting 24 percent rating. They hold a thin margin over Cadillac (23 percent). What made these three enter this list? Mercedes-Benz is known for its clever elegance, Lexus is popular for its smooth plainness and Cadillac is respected for its contemporary sharp-edged treatment. BMW came fourth with 20 percent and for the first time, Jaguar entered in the top five in this survey right in this category. It gained 18 percent rating. It made its way in the list maybe because of its design heritage as its current product line.

Car buyers rated design and styling low among purchase considerations. But do not underestimate the sales of these very beautiful cars that exude the finest styling.

TECHNOLOGY/INNOVATION

This was the last considerations for car buyers. Toyota (30 percent) again leads in this field. It follows that they produce hybrid cars, and then they have high technologies that make their cars. Lexus came second with (29 percent) due to its first luxury SUV hybrid and the performance-oriented GS Hybrid. It also might received more points because of its highly publicized self-parking system. The 20 percent of Cadillac that puts it to the third spot could be a result of its tech-loaded models and those greatly promoted technologies as the OnStar driver-assistance system, Northstar V8, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system, and MagneRide continuously variable suspension system. BMW’s 17 percent rating might have been the result of its complex iDrive system and other advance automotive control system.

So now, I have completed already the seven categories. You may have now the idea of what car to buy. But for me, nobody can dictate me with what I want to buy. If what car or anything I see is good for me and for my family then I do not think twice anymore. As long as it will do its service well and will give me satisfaction.

Auto Pulse Survey’s 7 Categories part I

2008-05-20T23:59:00.000-07:00

I do not know… I just enjoy writing about this survey. Maybe because I was just trying to help some people out there who wants to buy a car. This will surely guide them in their choice of car top buy.

Here is what I’ve promised before, a more specific discussion of the categories included in the Auto Pulse survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. The first four of the seven categories are presented here in the order of importance to new-car buyers. LOL…. Because of my limited time. I still have to fetch Jenny and Audrey who bought some stuffs here in our house.

SAFETY

Volvo clearly leads in this category with 77 percent due to their reputation for safety with its various technical innovations and consistent marketing theme as its foundation. Volvo cars were the first mass-production cars that offer laminated windshield, three-point front seatbelts, rear seat belts, child-proof door locks, antilock brakes, and side air bags. Volvo really deserves it! Much more now that Volvo offer many of today’s latest and most advanced safety systems like blind-spot detection and collision warning systems. However, in their predicted reliability ratings for new cars and from testing, Volvo only got average scores and percentage.

Other brands follows Volvo in terms of safety like the Honda that scored high in crash-test and consistently doing good in accident avoidance performances. Mercedes-Benz also following the leads of Volvo and usually performs well. Subaru have scored high maybe because of the perceived benefits of all-wheel drive. Now here is the top five in safety category (in percent): Volvo 77, Toyota 21, Subaru 18, Ford 17, and Honda 17.

QUALITY

You can take to mean quality in thousands of ways. It can be reliability, interior fit and finish, or perhaps the design of controls and gauges. The top three in this category have shown consistency in their testing. They are the Toyota, Honda and Lexus. In the latest reliability test Toyota slipped from first place to fifth and Honda was the one that triumphed. Toyota’s score has gone down because of the low reliability for Camry V6 and Tundra. However, it still made its way in our survey to rank first.

The reliability of Mercedes-Benz is consistently poor for several years now being the 33^rd out 36 though the craftsmanship of its interior is also consistently superb. It goes the same with the Chevy’s reliability score that is also below average being on the 30^th spot. In fairness to the GM vehicles, their interiors have improved in recent years

Toyota topped the list with 33 percent. It is followed by Honda’s 24 percent, Lexus with 23 percent, then Mercedes-Benz with 19 percent, and Chevrolet’s 17 percent.

VALUE

The term “value” may mean what you get for your money, and to the expected trade-in value. Honda ranked first (30 percent) in this category because it scored well in their testing and their cars are competitively priced and is also well equipped. Saturn ranked second (24 percent) because of its much publicized no-haggle pricing policy plus the well designed and generously outfitted cars in the names of Aura, Outlook and Vue. Kia came fourth (23 percent) due to its line of low-cost models with many facilities and the 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty. Lastly for the fifth rank is Ford (20 percent).

PERFORMANCE

BMW (28 percent) and Porsche (25 percent) are expected to lead this category. They both gained high scores in performance in Consumers Reports’ testing. BMW’s tagline” ultimate driving machine” helped them aside from being standard for sports sedan. Chevy’s (21 percent) can owe its scores to Corvette also to the wide selection of V8-powered cars, trucks, and SUVs. Toyota and Honda with both 20 percent ratings completed the top 5 in this category. Although they are not really popular for dominant or ultra-sporty cars. Power and efficiency made them enter the list.

So there’s the first four of the seven categories. I’ll give you the last three maybe later or tomorrow cause Sid is now messing my room. He has been jumping in our bed for few minutes now. I have to tend to my son first…LOL… and drive down the store to fetch Jenny and Audrey.. Oh my…I think they’re waiting for us now…

2008 Car Brand Perceptions Survey Results

2008-05-19T21:41:00.000-07:00

Billions and billions of money are spent by automakers just to promote their line up of cars and make people aware that their brand does exists and that they offer the best features a vehicle has. Nevertheless, marketing, advertising and promotion do not shape consumer perception without a clear connection to those vehicles in the showroom.

From my latest entry in this blog, I have written (which is based from another article written by Jim Mateja in cars.com) that car perception lags reality. Actually, I have second thoughts with that. I have in my mind. “What people perceive about this certain car is based from what they experienced and what they hear”. Actually perception is a very vague term and one person’s perception to a thing differs to others. They may be right and they may be wrong.

Let me refresh your minds: Toyota and Honda ranked first and second respectively in the recent Auto Pulse survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. These two Japanese automakers had a very big margin among other automakers, based from the survey. They have consistently performed well in their series of testing and have been in the top of their reliability ratings over the years.

The survey focused on how consumers rank car brands and they perceive about it in seven important areas. These areas are safety, quality, value, performance, environmental friendliness, design, and technological innovation. The survey also looked at among the seven factors if what is most important to the consumers when buying a vehicle.

This survey was conducted from December 6 to 10, 2007. It was carried out in a random, nationwide telephone survey. They contacted 2,037 adults but collected 1,720 adults whose household owns at least one car. The overall brand perception is an index calculated as how many times a particular vehicle make is mentioned as an example across all seven categories, divided by the total unaided mentions. By the way of this approach, the awareness level is compensated. It made sure every brand has an equal chance of leading a category not just the best-selling or the most well-known brands. Category scores reflect the number of times that the particular make was mentioned as an exemplar of the particular attribute, again adjusted for awareness.

I will give you the scores of the five best and five worst in brand perception. Their scores are rounded to the nearest percent. ConsumersReports.org noted that these scores do not reflect the qualities of the brand’s vehicle but it only shows the strength of the overall brand in the eyes of car buyers. A more detailed discussion of this will be in my next article. Now here is the table:

Overall brand perception
BEST		WORST
Brand	Score	Brand	Score
Toyota	189	Buick	25
Honda	146	Mercury	22
Ford	112	Mitsubishi	21
Chevrolet	110	Audi	14
GMC	102	Acura	8

Congratulations to Toyota for being the best in brand perception and better luck next time for Buick being the worst. Now here are some of the findings from the survey. For car consumers (new-car shoppers in that case) the most important category is safety with 63 percent and it was followed by quality with 58 percent. Environmental friendliness is considered more important than styling, that 63 percent against 23 percent. The least important to car buyers is the technology and innovation category gaining 15 percent. Toyota and Honda is in the top five in six of the seven categories. They are not in the top five ranks in styling or design. The only U.S. brands that ranked in the top five in three categories are the Chevy and Ford. While Volvo leads the list of the safest brand giving a 57 percent margin over Toyota, the second in the said category. BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz that has cutting edge safety technology did not show up in the top five list in safety category. Toyota (49 percent) and Honda (26 percent) are perceived by consumers to be top ranks as environmental friendliest brand. Ford followed with 16 percent.

So analyze these information so you will have now the idea of what to buy. As for me, I’ll base my decision from this and ask other experts in cars. LOL

Car Perception Lags Reality?

2008-05-16T21:21:00.000-07:00

Toyota and Honda brands are the best!

This is what consumers perceive according to Consumer Report’s (CR) 2008 Brand Perception Survey. They have surveyed 1,720 adults who owns at least one car. These two Japanese auto brands ranked first and second when it comes to safety, quality, value, performance, environmental friendliness, design and technical innovation. But there is a wide margin between the two. Ford, Chevy and GMC ranked third, fourth and fifth respectively in the said survey.

But John Bulcroft, who is a former Audi and Porsche marketing executive and now with The Advisory Group that deals with consumers perceptions said that perceptions should not be confused with reality. He conducted a survey with Toyota consumers and resulted that they were unsatisfied with it. He also said that perception covers up reality and it is what happening to Toyota. He further added that it takes a long time to build a perception of quality but only so short for it to drop and it is so fast. It happened that way because of word of mouth and blogs. CR noted that in the seven categories they’ve surveyed on, Toyota ranked first in quality. But in a recent study about predicted reliability and long-term performance it goes down to number five.

So what so does this mean, before buying cars we do not have to base solely from the perception of others. Although it still be considered as a factor. Maybe we can ask experts of our friends, skilled mechanics and other trusted people who own a car that you like to buy. In this way, you avoid yourself from regrets and dissatisfaction. Thanks to Jim Mateja of cars.com for sharing this news….All I can do is share this too to others. Maybe it can serve as a warning. I’ll tackle more about the survey next time.

Old but Looking New…..

2008-05-15T19:44:00.000-07:00

I own this car that was passed on to me by my father for 5 years now. Imagine, how many years now it is with us. It was with my father for four years and was passed on to me. So all in all, it has been with our family for nine years now. Amazing right?

We just had it repaired and if parts of it got damaged we buy replacements for it. We do not settle to low quality parts but only the best the long lasting parts. And look at the result, it is still running good. But I’m a bit worried about how it looks. Although its style may still be good for these times.

But keeping cars looking good whether it’s an old model or one of those highly modern models is a hard-hitting job. Just thinking of the work it entails, makes me quiver. Imagine those dents, dings and cracked glasses are only some of those that make a vehicle old-looking.

But! Do you want to have a new-looking car even though it has been with you for almost five years or even eight or nine years? You do not need to worry guys. The advanced technology now offers us the solution to those problems about your car. Fixes can be easier and less expensive now. It is more convenient now with mobile repair units. You can repair those damage either on site of your home or work.

Sanding, filler or painting can fix those many types of door dents or dings. It can preserve the original look of your car. Technicians use specially designed tools that allows them to access to the problem and even massage it out. A technology is also available if it needs paint touch-ups. It can match your vehicle and also mend scratches, minor chips, and blemishes on most surfaces. However, there are factors to consider making it successful.

1. The dent’s location must be considered. Dents on the edges of your car’s door, trunk or hood needs another process to mend it. This process cannot do it on edges.

2. Damage is extreme if the scrape of the paint goes across several panels. This means the paint may crack as the dent is removed.

The dents and dings do not only bring damage to cars, they also reduce the value of it. It is said the seventy percent of all glass damage is repairable. Yes it is true. With the constantly improved resin it can be mended. And not only that, it can also make the glass strong. Star breaks, combination breaks, bulls-eyes and cracks of many lengths are repairable using this technology that utilizes resins.

Just be sure to choose the best facility or automotive repair shop before having any repair goes to process. Putting the estimates and warranties in writing is also good. Ask for recommendations and ask in town where is the best shop where you can have your car damage repaired. Ask the too if what will happen if you are not okay or you are dissatisfied with job.

It is so simple, right? You do not have to exert much effort and much money for your car’s beautification. So, for me I will put all those tips in my mind.

source: http://carcare.org/Articles/like_new.shtml

Internet TV Inside our Cars

2008-05-14T23:40:00.000-07:00

Anywhere you go, you will see a television. When you go to a convenience store you will see a television. When you go to airports, you will see people watching television at the departure area. When you go to a supermarket you will see again a television. But people do not get fed up of seeing television anywhere they go. They get entertained by it. They learn from it.

Now television has invaded cars!

You can catch now any television show while inside the car. You can be sure to catch any show that you are always even at the heart of a traffic jam. You do not need to hurry up in going home to catch House, Desperate Housewives..LOL, Lost, One Tree Hill, Grey’s Anatomy, Supernatural and other top rating American television shows. You can also catch the latest news on this device. You will know what is happening around the world brought right in front of you.

USTelemetics has developed a system that uses WiMax wirless internet to provide us with television channels into our cars while driving. But hey! If you are the driver do not let your eyes stick to the television monitor…LOL. You might meet an accident. Just do not let this device distract you.

As Sirius gamble on satellite technology the USTelemetics would like its new Voyager entertainment system to operate over the internet and provide passengers with streaming television. Aside from it, there are features like diagnostic information, the usual GPS and safety features too.

So expect that devices like this will soon to follow and invade our cars. This is one way of bringing high-tech entertainment inside the cars. So passengers especially children would not get bored while traveling. Maybe next thing you will know that you can now download any data and you can do streaming music in cars.

source: http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/05/in-car-live-tv.html#more

STEERING WHEEL that Directs

2008-05-14T22:09:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt lost while driving? Like you do not more where to go, either turn right or left and having second thoughts of going in a straight direction. Have you ever been driving and taken a wrong direction and blamed it on your steering wheel? As if you are a fool shouting and yelling over it. LOL. I do have the problem like this and for people with the same craziness like this, read on.

Not anymore, because Japanese technology company Takara is offering you a solution to it. It has produced a technologically advanced steering wheel that gives you directions. The CSW steering wheel with Navigon 7100 GPS system is a joint venture of Takara (CSW steering wheel) and Navigon (Navigon 7100). This is what they are being proud of. They have produced this product with the hope of giving directions straight from the steering wheel so to lessen the driver’s distraction. Also it has the purpose to display key navigation elements and allow easy control of the navigation drive. It has a portable navigation integration that allows for key safety and navigation instruction through a 2-way communication between Navigon 7100 and the CSW steering wheel.

What does this thing can do us (drivers)? This device is pretty much a computer that talks to the sensor in your vehicle. It can give warning. It can caution a driver about certain portion of your car like if your door is left open, low tire pressure, and many more. Isn’t it very nice? The Navigon 7100 that is integrated to it can access vehicle information like gyro, speed and etc. However, right now there is no auto manufacturer that adapts this kind of technology. This product gives as the idea what will be the products in the future (twenty years from now).

So what we can do right now is just hope that a car maker will soon settle in using this steering wheel. I think this can help me with my driving problem…LOL… that I usually get lost of my track.

source:
http://www.navigadget.com/index.php/2008/04/08/csw-steering-wheel-with-driving-instructions/

Road Trip Essentials

2008-05-13T21:14:00.000-07:00

You know what? We postponed our out of town trip. We rescheduled it for next week. We thought that it will be okay for us to plan about it only a day ahead of our scheduled trip. But it turned out that it is not. We have overlooked some things that we really need to bring. We haven’t shop yet for Audrey’s baby seat….which I talked about in my previous entry here.

We have realized that it is not easy to plan for an out of town trip. It is so hard to think of what you are going to need. You have to consider a lot of things. What if something happened to us? So we should bring anything that will help us in case of emergency. What are we going to eat there? We have listed all the foods and beverages that will make our stay there enjoyable. Aside from that, how are we going to cook that in the most convenient and easiest way? Are we going to bring a handy gas stove or what? For our children…. We have to bring Sid’s toy water gun, his jacket and clothes, his vitamins and for Audrey, we have to bring her milk, her feeding bottles, her toys and some things that will make it easier for her in our trip. But, I think with what we have listed…. I think we just have to bring our house there…LOL. All the things that we have listed would not be accommodated inside the car. I said to Jenny, “I think we just need to bring what are important…those that are very important.” With the help of what I have researched, I have listed all those essential things that we need to prepare ourselves anything on the road. I will share it with you too….

For our safety…

· Bring your Proof of insurance ( in case of accidents)

· Windshield washer fluid (in case you run out of it, you have extra fluid. Dust and any other elements may make your windshield sullied during your long trip…so you have to bring a reserved windshield washer fluid)

· Cell phone: But just a warning! Do not call or text any one when you are driving. This might be the cause of a spoiled trip due to accident.)

· Batteries: Leaving the batteries in the car too long may result to something like when Lindsay Bjerregaard and Alex Braun had a trip and a green stuff came out of it and burned their hands.

· Flashlight: A good one to bring that would not mess up inside your car is a LED keychain flashlight.

· First-aid kit (in case of minor injuries)

· Spare tire (in case a tire run flat)

· Car jack (for repairs)

· Jumper cables

Of course, the main purpose of your trip is for your family and for you too to enjoy. So for your entertainment you have to bring….

· MP3 player or CDs (those that you and your family enjoys most)

· Camera (to take shoots of your activities for souvenirs)

· Portable DVD player (reminder! Do not watch while driving)

· Reading materials (if you feel like reading while in a very cool and relaxing ambiance)

· Charger/power inverter: If your car doesn't come with its own power outlets, one of these will let you plug in small household electronics. Just check to make sure the voltage is compatible with the inverter

· Drinks/snacks: Ice creams are not advisable for it melts easily or any food that melts easily

· Candy/gum: To ease motion sickness

· Cooler: to prevent spilling of the melting ice

For convenience..to make you at ease..or at home. You can bring….

· Map/GPS: It can help you locate the nearest gas station, restaurant or convenience store

· Pillow: to sleep at ease

· Blanket: in case it is cold out there

· Change for tolls: to avoid the delay of your trip

· Sunglasses: for your eyes protection if the sun rays are to blinding

· Coat

· Bleach pen

· Change of clothes

· Trash bags: so the trashes won’t scatter

As for us, all we have to worry is what our kids need for our trip. At least I have now the idea of what to bring for us (me and Jenny). After we have finished making our list and packing them, all we need to worry is what to do there to enjoy and to relax.

source: www.cars.com

Choosing a Baby Seat

2008-05-10T21:47:00.000-07:00

Just this morning, my wife Jenny and I planned for an out of town trip the next day together with our children. Maybe it would take us hours before we will arrive to the place where she told me that is nice to spend some time off from the busy world. So we listed the things we needed to bring and buy. We had on our list hotdogs, marshmallows, some sodas, some chips, breads, pasta, foods for Sid and Audrey and their milk. It seems everything is ready by then. We just need to pack our things (clothes and other paraphernalia…LOL).

Then something came to my mind, I said “Wait! We need to check our car.” So what I did is have an entire check of the car. If there’s anything we need to repair or replace before we head of to the place Jenny wants to go. I found nothing. Everything is in the right place and condition. I had it checked-up by a mechanic in our neighborhood. We are safe in that case. But whoa! “Wait a minute’ my mind tells me. Audrey has no car seat. I knew that it is best and baby’s are in their safest place inside the car when they are in a baby seat. That’s it! We do not have yet a baby seat for Audrey. Oh my! All I have been thinking is our safety (me, Jenny and Sid) but not Audrey.

So I talked to Jenny that we need to get a baby seat for Audrey. We could not afford to let anything happen to Audrey so Jenny did not hesitate to nod. So what I did is searched the net for some tips of choosing the proper baby seat.

Actually there is no perfect thing here on earth, even people are not perfect. So there is no perfect baby seats, experts said. deciding for a baby seat is a huge task for parents. As Kerry Chausmer said, “If you find a seat you feel comfortable using, the one you know you can use correctly every time and that fits your child – then that is the seat for you.” By the way, Chausmer is the safety certification manager of Safe Kids, a global network of organizations dedicated in preventing accidental childhood injury.

When parents want to buy a child seat, they can choose between infant-only or convertible seats. The infant-only seats are rear-facing seats that have a 20-pound weight limit. These are usually made up of a base that stays in a car and a seat that one can click in and out of the base. While the convertible seats can work as both rear and forward facing seats and can carry children who weigh up to 40 pounds. These two kinds of baby seats are safe for infants but those that weigh less than 20 pounds are more secure in infant-only seats for it has smaller seats. Convenience is the only difference between the two. However, that will have to depend on your family needs too. If you have many cars, you will probably choose the infant-only seat. But you have to buy more bases to install to each cars so each time you have to travel you will juts click in the infant-only seat or if your baby needs to be transferred to one of your car simply click it out of the base and click it in to the base of it in one of your cars. But the more you move the seat, the higher the chance it will get wrong. And when your baby exceeds 20 pounds you will need to buy a new seat. Experts recommend the rear-facing (convertible seats) as long as they can bear it. Also parents should buy a baby seat before the baby’s birth so they will have all the time in the world to get acquainted with it and also installation considerations will have to be a factor in its service.

Oh, I guess it is not too late for us to buy the seat. Anyway, it is for Audrey’s safety. I think we might settle with the convertible seat. In addition here is some of the experts’ advice in choosing a baby seat.

o A seat that meets all federal motor vehicle standards

o A seat that is easy to use and has understandable directions

o A seat whose attachments are compatible with your car's backseat

So, for your expectant parents and already parents who need a baby seat for your precious child, take note of the advices and the tips. It will be of great help.

source: www.cars.com

Paint Turning Pink for Our Safety

2008-05-09T22:36:00.000-07:00

In my older posts, I wrote about cars that change their colors in different vantage point. We need not wonder anymore for the new technologies we have right now nothing is impossible anymore…LOL. To my surprise, I’ve come across this article about a paint (or varnish I think)…some kind of intelligent paint that warns people.

Yes, it is an intelligent paint that warns drivers like me. It turns to dark pink when the temperatures drop. So from now on, when temperatures drop we do not have to guess (since it is very tricky to guess) about the condition of the roads outside. This paint could help us for it could give drivers clear icy warnings by turning themselves pink.

By the way, to make it straight- it is a varnish developed by researchers at French Company Eurovia that operates mainly in Europe and North America. It is a subsidiary of the VINCI Group that is a world leader in construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure.

“Improving road safety is a national priority in France. Infrastructure can be modified to help bring down the number of road accidents. Eurovia designs and provides an entire range of products, processes and techniques that significantly reduce the risk and impact of road accidents.”

Their offering for providing safety has a lot of extensive categories and one of which is providing visual warnings by means of road legibility by introducing appropriate road marking and road signs, developing of road markings and equipment that have high visibility at night and in rainy weather and use of colored surfacing like Viacolor and Agrevia.

Aside from the two colored surfacing, has now this varnish ( still under testing period) that can be applied to road surfaces to caution drivers of the situation of the road or condition. Although it still in its testing phase, researchers said that it can help to prevent ice-related vehicular accidents.

The varnish is actually made of polymer having a thermochromic pigment…. From the word itself it means it is related to temperature. It is the first time that this kind of varnish is used tone road temperatures. The same coating is also used to make bath thermometers and frozen food packaging that reacts to temperature change. It was tested last winter by the maker of it on different roads in France. They painted squares on the roads and observed how the varnish turned from normally transparent to dark pink when the temperature dropped below 1degree Celsius. But when it goes back to 2 degrees Celsius it goes back to being colorless. The tests have showed positive effects however the group (researchers) still has to work to optimize the final product. They have to improve the visibility of the coating and to make it lasts all the way through the summer when it is much exposed to ultraviolet rays. They still have to work on its UV stability and its accuracy.

The two most important challenges are improving the night visibility of the coating and ensuring it lasts throughout the summer months, when it would be exposed to higher levels of ultraviolet rays from the sun.

The advantage of this scheme said the project leader of it in the person of Thomas Devanne, is that the information is readily available in real time. You’ll see it when and where it is needed or it warns drivers as soon as the road becomes hazardous. He further added that it can be used anywhere that becomes icy in winter- it can be in roads, highways or even pavements to warn pedestrians to be careful in walking through icy lanes.

What a nice innovation to make our roads a safer one to travel on…right? Aside from the safety devices we have in our cars, we can count on this to make ourselves safe from accidents. I hope it would not turn as failure for I can see that it can really help us. Not just in France but also here in the US.

source: http://technology.newscientist.com/channel/tech/motoring-tech

Blue LEDs for Sleepy Drivers

2008-05-08T21:19:00.000-07:00

Light emitting diodes or commonly called as LEDs are usually used in the electronics world. They are said to be the real unsung heroes in that field for they are employed in dozens of varied works and are found in all kinds off devices. I think, anywhere you go you would see these things. From the remote controls you use for your TVs (transmits information), to your digital clock (they are those that forms the numbers), to your watches and NOW, they are being used in a research for increasing the alertness of night drivers by means of resetting their body clocks.

Yup, it’s true that LEDs are soon to rule the automotive industry…LOL. Actually this thing comes in different colors. But Blue LEDs are the one considered for this study. Scientists from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York headed by Mariana Figueiro suggested that drivers could take 30-minute “baths” in blue light at truck stops or gas stations to prevent them from falling asleep while driving. This they said can reduce accidents caused by sleepy drivers. Statistics on a recent report of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration showed that almost 30% of all critical accidents in the US involved large trucks and these happen at night. Bathing however in the said light can increase their alertness by resetting their body clocks. Ohhhh….Just like making the night into a day…LOL.

It is still in its testing stage. They are testing this blue light (LEDs) that gives off illumination at particular wavelengths that influence the brain that it is morning…thus resetting the body clock. They added another suggestion that cars and trucks could be fitted with these blue LEDs. They planned to use a driving simulator with varied light spectra of 450 and 470 nanometres (nm) and intensities of 2.5, 5 and 7.5 lux to see which combination of light frequencies and intensities work best while not making the view of the road unclear. An option to do this is to create goggles with blue LEDs to be worn by drivers before hitting the road. A similar device that produces an opposite result as to their plans with the blue LEDs for drivers was already designed by Figueiro to be used by people with Alzheimer’s with that will alter their circadian rhythms to lessen their night alertness and help them to sleep at night.

Figueiro further added that the use of light in increasing alertness is well known already. So that finding she said could also be applicable for transportation applications. It’s a matter of putting that understanding into practical application. And what’s good is that the results demonstrated a positive effect on the brain activity of test subjects. After 45 minutes of exposure to the said light, a boost in brain activity showed with 300 milliseconds response that is a gauge of alertness. The used test box emits diffuse light at 470 nm with an intensity of 40 lux when measured at the eye (I hope I will be able to figure out these numbers…LOL).

Speaking of losing alertness, auto makers nowadays have already incorporated to their produced vehicles systems that caution or wake sleepy drivers by using the measures of eye movements, blink rates or small-steering movements however preventing drowsiness is the most effective one. Changing the body clock is probable said Jim Horne of the sleep research center but altering it by eight hours will need at least 10 days. But only a few people can do this.

Let’s just hope that these blue LEDs will have true positive effects to night drivers. If it is true, then it will be worry-less now to travel at night just by having these blue LEDs. You’ll feel safer to travel. Then, gas stations can now put up booths with blue lights to help prevent accidents. Hope the bidding for the funding of this research can help for the realization of this study.

source: http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/safety/

FOR NOCTURNAL DRIVERS

2008-05-07T01:47:00.000-07:00

Are you a nocturnal driver? Like you can’t go out and drive in the morning because the sun rays irritate your eyes or its rays are too blinding for you. And when driving at night, you can’t see directly because the coming car’s light is also blinding. Or there are things you can't see far ahead the road? Worry no more guys… here’s the Tag Heuer pair of glasses that is labeled as “NIGHT VISION”…yeah!

Ooops! These are not night vision worn by secret operatives in films with surveillance and spying scenes. But these are – low-light glasses. These have been optimized for driving at night. These glasses corrects low –light and short-sightedness situations that frequently happens during driving at night. These were originally developed for 24 Hours of Le Mans but it was Tag Heuer that got it. It will be offered in wide and panorama styles.

TAG HEUER EYEWEAR INTRODUCES NIGHT VISION: THE DRIVERS ESSENTIAL

(Boonton, NJ...March 2008) - A revolution that can be appreciated on the track as well as on the road - TAG Heuer "Avant-Garde" Eyewear has developed innovative glasses exclusively for drivers. Aptly named "Night Vision," these glasses correct the low-light short-sightedness that everyone endures from twilight to sunrise. "Night Vision" eyeglasses optimize precision and enhance perception of contrasts for more comfort while driving at night. Featuring "TAG Heuer Reflex-type" flexible temples, they are adjustable and fit comfortably under motorcycle and racing helmets.

Originally inspired by and developed for the internationally renowned 24 Hours of LeMans sports car endurance race, TAG Heuer Eyewear plans to market their purpose-made "Night Vision" eyeglasses via real racecar drivers. You'll see them on Formula One racer Sebastien Bourdais and Indianapolis 500 driver Sarah Fisher. These innovative glasses will be available to the public in early 2008.

The titanium Night Vision frames are available in both Wide and Panorama, with anti-slip elastomere arms. Their pale yellow lenses offer constant clear, sharp vision with a very high light transmission rate in order to contrast dark blue and green surroundings without changing color perception. The special ophthalmic lenses offer an anti-reflective treatment, which reduces glare and offers more accurate sight. A driver's essential: these glasses are designed to maximize performance from dusk to dawn.

TAG Heuer - maker of high-end sports watches and chronographs since 1860 - has been applying the same standards for design and quality found in their timepieces to the creation of exceptional eyewear since 2002. All TAG Heuer Eyewear lenses are shatter-resistant, ultra-light and provide 100% UV-A and UV-B protection.

I would recommend this to my pal Kirztin Miller at http://myparkinglot.wordpress.com (she has lots of things to say about cars too, that’s why we clicked) – I met her before…which I can’t remember anymore. She said she loves driving at night. If I’ll wear this too… this would make me look more handsome…LOL. This does not only make you safe at night but it also makes you look appealing…LOL…you and your car would harmonize in terms of appeal and stylishness if you wear this. LOL…. For more info about the product you can visit www.tagheuer.com/eyewear.

Young Drivers Follow Their Parents Driving Habits

2008-05-07T00:45:00.000-07:00

Whoa!!!!! Parents are not good role models especially in driving? What? Is this true?

I may protest about it but there is a study showing that it is really true. I must say that their children are good followers too! LOL! They just follow what their parents are doing inside the car. Good thing they never saw anything scandalous inside that they might follow. LOL!

In fairness to parents with children driving, there are also those things that these young drivers do that are not followed after their acts. They might have seen it from others. Right proud parents? They might have seen it from movies… who knows….

Here’s the survey… the Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. had 2,200 teens and parents surveyed. They found out that these teens look at their parents as their role models especially in their driving habits. And the finding……THEY ARE NOT DOING A VERY GOOD JOB.

Here’s the statistics… More than 80 percent of these young drivers that are surveyed said that they give attention to what their mom and dad do. 50 percent of the parents proudly answered that they drive at or below the speed limit but what is shocking……. The teens said “NO” they speed 80 percent of the time. More than 50 percent of the teens said that rather than paying much attention on their driving…… their parents argue with each other, read the paper for the latest news, yell at other drivers, chat on their latest cell phones, send text messages to their comrades, read email, fail to wear their seat belts and most of all……LOL…is drink while driving.

Anne McCartt, the senior vice president for research at Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said they found that parents with traffic abuses and violations or those that have been in crashes are possible to have teen drivers with violations and crashes too. They stressed that parents really matter when it comes to learning good driving habits. BUT sadly, its not good driving habits they are learning… sort of bad.

Let us bear in mind that one-third of teen deaths are caused by accidents in the road. This should alarm us all. So, parents should think now. As a saying goes, “Practice what you Preach.” In my case, Sid can’t drive yet. But I should practice now good driving (but I’m always doing it….LOL) cause children have better retentive memory. Maybe when he reached 16 and starts to drive, by then he’ll remember how I used to drive our car.

source: http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/pop_culture/

Lavender Scented Tire !!!

2008-05-06T21:13:00.000-07:00

I saw this latest product in the net and remember what happened last Sunday when I checked the entirety of our car (from the hood, under the hood, the windshield, the interior, the cargo carrier, to underneath it). I was so damn busy trying to be an expert mechanic…LOL. My wife, Jenny, said she called me for a snack. But I did not even heard her calling because of the attention I m giving much underneath our car. So what Jenny did was she brought the lemonade juice she made and some bread in a tray near me. She stooped down to tell me that she had brought me snacks but suddenly she said “Oh!!! I hate smell of the tire!” That is when I noticed she had brought me snacks. I asked, “What?” Then she answered, “I just hate the smell of your car’s tire! It just makes me feel like vomiting.” So I got out underneath our car and accompanied her to a chair near the garage. She got a little bit dizzy so I her took a rest for a while. My wife is a sickly woman… she is very sensitive to things she smelled and ate.

Getting back to this auto thing I saw in the net, I think I need to buy this so that my wife would not feel that anymore. Maybe Jenny would not feel anything when she smell the aroma of this tire. Yes! AROMA! The sweet aroma of lavender. A tire with a lavender scent! Imagine it!

Kumho has decided to bring out something that is so unique to wheelwear. The Ecsta DX Aroma is Kumho’s Grand Touring All-Season tire design is laid down to set the trend for fashion-conscious drivers who enjoy products that will set their sedans and coupes apart from everyone else’s. Aside from letting loose an enthralling scent that changes the rubber smell with a delicate scent of lavender, it is also designed to provide a comfortable ride and low noise while blending good wear with dry, wet and year-round traction, even in light snow.

How did this happen? What did they do? Simply they employ a special mixing technology (which is some kind of very high-tech) to mix the synthetic oil that gives off the smell of lavender into the rubber compound. The oils are said to be heat-resistant and enhance the unions of rubber chains and maximize the viscoelasticity of the rubber compound (what is this?). I do not have any idea of what are those but anyway those are said to help in reducing braking distance on wet or dry roads. The Ecsta DX Aroma compound also has silica to develop all-weather performance and wet traction.

Whoa! What a distinctive compound! That compound is made and molded to a stylish directional tread design having a continuous center rib to make it steadily in contact with the road for added highway stability. There are also tread blocks that gives even stiffness to maintain comfort of the ride throughout its lifetime. Aside from it, the tread blocks provide an optimized pitch sequence ending in variable pitch lengths to help lessen noise. The four wide circumferential and lots of sweeping intermediate grooves aid in sending away water to reduce the danger of hydroplaning. The construction of the tire has high-tensile steel belts and a jointless nylon cap ply to boost the comfort and duarbilty of the ride. On the other side, the undertread lessens unnecessary heat buildup for an unfailing performance. Wait! Here’s more! The scent of the lavender can last to more or less one year and is very noticeable after normal driving when the tire is warm.

Well, I do not have anything against the choice of scent. It is better than the rubber smell. Then maybe Kumho would just try to experiment and come out with other scents. Like Vanilla…or apple scent…or even try the scent of perfumes like Drakkar….LOL.

source: www.gizmodo.com

AMAZING EXHAUSTJACK

2008-05-06T01:32:00.000-07:00

Hey people of the earth!!!! I’ve seen this amazing thing that can help us (auto lovers) if some parts of our car underneath it gets defective. LOL. Or even when changing tires that run flat. LOL. With it you do not have sweat much! LOL. Yes! You do not need to carry always at the back of your car a super heavy car jack. You don’t have to put much and much of effort to raise up a car.

Do it simply and hassle-free. You just have to fasten the hose of this remarkable thing to the exhaust pipe of your car. And you what is gonna happen next? You’ll be amaze because it inflates a balloon that can actually raise up a three-ton vehicle 18 inches…. Whoa!!!! Yes, 18 inches you read it right. And another, it can hold it up there for as long 45 minutes.

Very useful right and convenient, right? You can change a tire with it. Or when someone get stranded in the mud or in snow…you can use this. You do not have to get that very weighty delicate traditional car jack.

However there are few issues to needed to be answered like if it’s possible to over-inflate it just like other balloons and if this balloon holds. And what if the batteries dead too? The engine cannot run and inflate of course the balloon. It’s not like the old car jack that you need muscle power. No batteries needed. LOL. Well, let’s just hope that makers of this and experts too study this product well to make it more reliable. And I hope to have them too. LOL. Isn’t it cool?

Source: http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/car_gadgets/

The Younger Generation Sets the Buying Tone for Cars

2008-05-05T18:37:00.000-07:00

They say that old people serve as role models to everyone…. BUT not anymore especially when it comes to buying cars. Guess who influences much the people in buying cars? You maybe right ain your guess and you may be wrong. The exact answer is – Car’s cool factors nowadays depend on the younger generation. Yes! The teens! They greatly influence our decision in buying cars.

We all know that these teens do not have the money to buy the new car they want. However, they can convince us parents or any older buyers what to buy and get. According to Rob Callender, that for years now teens have the complaint that they would not buy their father’s Oldsmobile or any old cars in that case and by the time the Olds offers a new line up for the younger ones it was already too late for it went out of business. By the way Callender is the spokesperson for TRU, a Northbrook, Illinois-based subsidiary of Research International USA that dedicates themselves in the buying behavior and trends of teens and 20-somethings.

This is the reason why several auto manufacturers are designing and some even created new cars for the new generation. Like Toyota created the Scion division and its fresh-looking vehicles to shun the youth from call of not the same cars their old ones used to drive. Callender said that the younger generation set the buying tone. They do not have the money the buy such good cars but significantly can manipulate us to buy these new cars. If they like this specific car for instance, the old will like it too. But if like us (old ones…but I don not consider myself too old…LOL) like the car, they might not. A 35-year-old will likely to buy a car that a teen or 20-something likes than a 60-year-old likes. Think of that?

Society before and maybe still now dictates that adults set as example for kids or teens to follow but now when it comes to buying cars, theses teens set the example for adults. This is the reason why auto manufacturers continue to focus on the youth market.

As for me, I have nothing against it. Actually it works. The teens serve as the gauge of the auto manufacturers in making cars for they are the ones who easily cope up with the ever changing world of automotive and technology itself. For me, I will consult Sid (my son) when the time he come of age (16 or 18) what car I should for him or four family. By that time, he will be very knowledgeable in terms of cars.

It is now time for us to trust our youth. You are asking about cars? Consult them. They may not be expert on it but their views really count. We do not need to worry…. Auto makers have put their trust on them already with coming out cars that depends on the taste of this group of people.

Teen Drivers Common Mistake – Part 2

2008-05-02T19:01:00.000-07:00

Now, here’s just what I’ve promised. Here’s number 6 to 10 of the common mistakes teen drivers commit. These are also the reasons why some teen drivers end up in accidents. Although these happen sometimes, these are also some of the things pointed out that often leads to fatal accidents. These things should always be considered by teen drivers and parents also.

Mostly, accidents happen because of impulsive teenage drivers that make the road as a race track and their cars as a sports car. LOL. One plain reason for this is that these teenagers have lesser driving experience and are prone to commit traffic violations and worse it may even lead to vehicular accidents. This will surely guide them and also the parents. Starting with…..

6. Following too closely

One clear and sure step to prevent accident is to keep a safe following distance. At 60 mph, a car needs 120 to 140 feet to reach a full stop with SUVs requiring extra 5 to 10 feet for that. Many teens fail to do this. In a study, teen drivers left almost two-tenths of a second less following distance. That is even at 40 mph is 10 feet less stopping distance. Tsifrin said it is the high school attitude of showing off that they want to drive aggressively.

7. Driving unbuckled

A survey in 2003 by the NHTSA showed that about 21 percent of young drivers do not wear seat belts regularly. Tsifrin have this term called “the hubris of youth” – the lack of usage on many young driver’s sense of invisibility. Thanks to the new features on cars today that reminds, chimes or flashes warning if seat belts are not worn yet and secured.

8. Not being able to handle emergencies

This is true- knowing how to avoid an accident comes with driving experience. Speeding and distracted driving only make things worse, Tsifirn said, for they compound the lack of experience by putting drivers at higher risk of encountering an emergency situation in the first place.

9. Driving drowsy

NHTSA said that fatigue and sleep deprivation has a lot to do with crashes. Three-fourths of teens in the State Farm/CHOP survey said that they have observed their friends driving while fatigued. NHTSA estimated that there are 100,000 reported crashes and 1,500 deaths each year. Drowsy driving great affects the “good kids.” Those teenagers that are straight-A students with some extra curricular activities.

10. Choosing the wrong car and not maintaining it

Tight budget and high style often leads to choose larger machines and flamboyant accessories than safety features. A beginner or teen driver will want a nice and good-looking cars rather than a safer choice. If they have spent all their money in it, that may mean having not to maintain it. Meaning, compromising the safety for car’s good look and performance.

So these are the common mistakes teen drivers often do. So for parents, I hope this will help you and your teenager from preventing injuries and even death. Help your teenager achieve a safer ride. Just always be there to them. And for you teenage guys and gals, enjoying your teenage is not bad as long as it is not pulling you away from safety.

Maybe I can recommend to parents to sit and talk these over with their teenager. In this case, they will be able to know what their children are doing and how they will approach them. In the case of the children, they will be able to open up to their parents what they feel about their driving, how they drive, and anything that is related to it. This will make a better relationship between them. It’s not easy and good to lose someone you love just because of an accident. The idea of losing someone is too heavy for someone to carry. So before anything happens, consider these things and try to make solutions to it. Actually this can be applicable to all ages, young or old.

Teen Drivers Common Mistake – Part I

2008-05-01T22:55:00.000-07:00

Young people are often getting into unruly situations. It is because they do not have yet that sense of responsibility for their actions. Maybe there are those that may be matured enough for their age but mostly are still unripe for serious situations. Like for instance, when it comes to driving these group of people (young ones) are at greater risk for accidents than those that are older than them. It was according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that younger people getting into accidents are four times greater than the statistics of old people getting into vehicular accidents.

According to an article by Kelsey Mays in cars.com, there are a lot of factors that contribute to these situations. These common mistakes young drivers make were cited by Gary Tsifrin, who is the founder of Oakland, California-based DriversEd.com.

This will be a big help for young drivers and also the parents. For the young drivers, they will be more aware to what to do when driving. They will be able to know what is best thing to do to achieve safety. And for parents like me, they will also be aware of the wrong doings during driver so for them to guide their children more. Now, here are the common mistakes young drivers make during driving.

1. Being distracted behind the wheel

These distractions, serious in that case, are caused by cell phones, foods and text messaging. In January, a survey conducted by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance found out that 89 percent of teen drivers are said to be observed by other teens ( maybe those passengers ) talking on their cell phones while driving and half of that admitted. Also 53 percent are observed to be using handheld devices like iPods and text messaging phones while driving.

It is but pragmatic that any form of distraction increases the risk of accident. It is 80 percent that distraction contributed to collision according to the 2006 study conducted by Virginia Tech to 241 Washington, D.C. drivers.

2. Taking too many risks

“Risky behavior,” this was term coined by Tsifrin for actions like ignoring traffic signals, school zones and changing lanes. He said that risky behavior is deliberate while distracted driving is often the cause of ignorance. "Taking on too many risks is an active thing," he said. "It's very conspicuous." Actually teenage minds are prone to risk-taking. A study found out that teen brains display twice as much activity in the impulse area where impulsive actions are triggered.

3. Speeding

Most drivers seldom speed, but teens do. They speed because they do not have a good sense of how a car’s speed affects their response time. A study by the National institutes of Health in Washington, D.C. found out that teens drive an average of 1.3 mph faster than all other drivers. Almost one-third of all serious crashes in 2005 are teenagers that speed.

4. Overcrowding the car

Teens usually overcrowd their cars with five or six occupying the cabin where only 4 or 5 should be in there. The NIH found out that when accompanied by a male passengers in the front seat, teen drivers of both gender tends to speed more and leave shorter following distances breaking the speed limit by 15 mph or more. But girl drivers speed up too with a front passenger who is a girl. Teenage boys drive less aggressive with girls riding in front. An IIHS study showed that driving alone is better than driving with two passengers because it doubles the risks of meeting fatal accidents. With three or more it will tripled.

5. Driving under the influence

Teens that drink and drive are less likely to carry out safe practices like using seat belts. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 74 percent of teens killed after drinking and driving are unrestrained It is a big problem and they are too young to drink so they are less likely to call their parents to pick them up for they are drunk. But it is not alcohol the only influence. Marijuana too. A study found out that after a low dose of marijuana worsens reaction time by 0.9 seconds when driving at 59 mph in test conditions. That is an extra 78 feet of travel. With both alcohol and marijuana, it turned to 1.6 seconds and that is 139 feet. Oh no… that’s worse.

So there it goes, the five things that I thought does contribute much to accidents for teen drivers. I we hope we could do something about it. As for now, these five are only what I can give you. I am still researching for the others. So… till the second part.

guys CLEAR BRA for you....

2008-04-28T21:48:00.000-07:00

Early this morning, my son Sid and daughter Audrey played in our garage. Something happened that made my head aches. Sid told me the story. He said, they were running here and there. Sid was acting as a mechanic. I think he’s acting like me because he usually saw me doing anything to our car just to check it and maintain its good condition. He run around the car carrying tools in his hand with others placed in his pockets. Sid let Audrey act as his assistant. He commands her to get the tools and return it to the box.

Sid would go under the car and acts like he is repairing the underneath of it. While Audrey is curiously watching her brother does anything under the car. Then Sid would also climb and step on the hood playing like doing anything to the windshield and the wiper. He placed all the tools he asked to Audrey on the hood. Then after, I just heard a loud noise. It seems that my tools have fallen from the hood. I run hurriedly to see what happened. Sid was about to go down when the tools in his hands slipped and hit the hood.

Oh my God! Our car had scratches in its hood. Jenny ran after to get the children. She warned me not to be angry with Sid. What I did was, I took a walk to relieve my anger. I went to a friend and told him of what happened. He told me that I should have put a “Clear Bra” on my car.

What first came into my mind is…. What?! A Clear Bra?! What is that? My friend told me that when he first heard of it his idea was the latest design of bras like the Victoria Secret. He said that it is one of the street names for 3M’s Paint Protection Film. It was made to protect the leading edges of military helicopters from debris. Now it is developed and repackaged for OEM and aftermarket automotive applications.

From the name itself (Clear Bra), you can say that it is almost invisible. It is “always-on” alternative to bulky and often problematic vinyl-end protectors. To spot this thing, you have to move closer to the vehicle and look hard on it. With vinyl bras, it shields the car from stone chips, insects, small scratches, and the wear-and-tear san-blasting effect for your everyday driving for so many years.

This paint-protection film is utilized instead or removing and reinstalling a bra after every encounter with a harsh weather. This is semi-permanent and is similar to a window tint. It can be in your car for about seven years and you know what is amazing about this? It needs no special maintenance. If the film wears out, something bad happened to it or if the need arises, it can be replaced. You can wax it along with the rest of your car. It can reduce bug and sap satins and with it is so easy to remove stains. BUT… it is less reflective than paint and has a dull look under certain light condition. At least these are the only negative aspects of it.

The film I available in 8- or 14-mil thickness in bulk roll form, for cut-to-fit applications on hoods, fenders, bumpers, mirrors, rocker panels, and lights and or in precut customized application kits for many cars and trucks. Installing this film is quite easy but you have to be skilled with these pre-cut kits. However, it is best recommended to have it installed by a professional for the best result.

After my friend told me about this, somehow the anger in me subsided. I think I should have put that one my car. I felt sorry for my son too. I am happy that I did not hurt him for what have happened to the car. All I did was to think that it is better that way, that it is not my son who got hurt.

source: clear bra by Neil G. Chirico (http://www.motortrend.com/features/car_care)

CAR - a rightful gift for your woman

2008-04-25T19:28:00.000-07:00

Just this morning, I woke with light feeling in my heart. I’ve felt that it seems it’s gonna be a fruitful day for me (which is actually true!). First thing I saw in the morning was my wife’s face. She’s still sleeping. So what I did was just to stare at her face. I said to myself, what a precious gift I have. A gift with a beautiful face and a kind heart. Right at that moment, I felt so proud and thankful because of my lovely wife. I started touching her cheek and she moved a little breathe a little deeper.

I began thinking of how would I show my appreciation to her. I remember, we’ve talked days before that if she’d be given the chance to have a car she would be very happy. But she told me that it’s also fine with her of not having one. It is our family that she’s thinking. So right now, I’m thinking of giving her a gift. A car! Yes, the one that she can call her own. Since our 7^th year anniversary is just a few weeks from now so maybe a car is the right gift for her. I still have savings for that anyway. The car for Sid can wait until he has reached the proper age for him to drive. But now, I’m going to buy Jenny the car that is just for her.

However, how will I surprise her? And how will I know what she likes in a car? As usual, I consulted my computer and searched the internet. I’ve read a lot of articles concerning my situation. Here’s what I’ve learned and I wanna share it with you.

Nowadays, women have become powerful in the world of automotive (which before is a man’s world). You can see them in everything like advertising campaigns or if in any case have influence in car designs and in dealing cars.

Automakers recognize the influences of women in the industry so they made ways to respond to this situation. According to the chief marketing office manager for global trends and futuring of Ford, Sheryl Connelly, “Women want the same things as men, but they want more”. She gave an example that women want too performance, package and design, but aside from it they still want safety and lots of features. Therefore, they are taking these as things to consider in their company.

Michael Albano of GM’s global design group also said that their company concentrates to details in trim, fabric, colors and compartments, shapes and positioning of controls. They knew, and of course us, that storage is a major concern for women for it’s where they put their groceries, handbags, toys of their kids, foldable seats or built-in car booster seats. They also knew that women desire for fantastic designs however it should get along with safety and efficiency that’s why they are very meticulous in their vehicle’s proportion and stance that includes the wheel-to-body relationship. Actually, their top design engineers are women, which with other guy engineers design the Cadillac CTS that was named as 2008’s Motor Trend Car of the Year. Not only that, they have other women workers for their power train, electrical systems, control systems and vibrations that show passion for cars. They made the CTS not only appealing to women, but to both gender.

Now, I have some cars in my mind now with the help of my research. I am choosing between two amazing cars to give to Jenny. One is the 2008 Cadillac CTS that has a roomy cabin, hand-stitched gray and white leather, chrome and wood accents and a huge skylight with sheer retractable roof. It runs smoothly with its superb suspension and handling is superbly tight. It has a wonderful infotainment system with push-button tabs, terrific graphics and easy to learn features. It also has a sleek look that everyone looks for.

Another is the 2008 Ford Taurus X, which is a luxury CUV that has seven seats with lots and lots of features. It has a better gas mileage, which I think is important nowadays. Its designers say that it is super appealing to women for it gives a car gender-bending attributes. It has comfortable seats that make it inch more likable than Cadillac CTS. It has a wide stance and there lots of cup holders and nesting places for digital media. It also has a five-star NHTSA front and side crash test ratings with which we can say that you are safe on it. With it, your ride is smooth and less bumpy. It offers a stylish trim, chrome accents, appealing textured plastics and cozy leather seats. It has a Ford SYNC technology and a DVD Family Entertainment Center.

Whew….. What else could we ask for with these two fantastic vehicles! I m sure whichever I choose between the two Jenny would surely love it. And she would love me more because of it. LOL. So with it, I could show her how much I really appreciate it.

THE BEST CAR FOR MYS SON SID

2008-04-24T18:20:00.000-07:00

Thinking about Sid, He is hastily growing now. It seems just like yesterday when I was just carrying him and letting him drink his milk and cuddling him. But now, he does not want anymore to be treated as a little kid. He said, he’s grown up now and sooner he’s gonna marry our neighbors daughter, Renee. LOL. How amazing how advanced kid s are now.

Yeah, maybe he’s right. Actually he’s right. Sooner he’ll be turning into a teen and will soon have his own decisions in life. Sooner or later he’ll be going his own ways. Just like what I’ve written in my last entry. I am imagining myself, at an old age and sitting at a rocking when Sid arrived after a tennis game. He’s complaining of our old car. He’s complaining of its design, the sound of it, and the damaged parts. Whew…..

I know that for him owning a car will teach him many things especially when it comes to responsibility. Like when it comes to budgeting for the gasoline and other operational expenses of his car and of course, driving it cautiously to avoid accidents and repair costs. It will also make his perspective in life bigger in scope, making his high school and college educational life wider like off-site classes and internships, if ever there is.

Aaron Gold’s Your Guide to Cars gave us some ten amazing cars that truly fit teeners. Those are cars that suit the lifestyle and taste of the teens. However, I only choose to feature one car that I will be suitable for my son, Sid. I also like it. Hope I can borrow it to my son and hope I can still drive by that time…LOL. However, this car will be old by then. Many cars will come that will provide more features that will certainly be good for teen drivers. But for now, maybe this entry may provide parents hints of what car to buy for their kid… I mean teen.

Well, among the ten cars given I like most the Ford Focus. Aside from its affordability it also satisfied my eyes with its attractiveness and is pleasurable to ride. It offers the ground-breaking SYNC system that allows drivers to control their high tech iPods and cellphones through voice commands. By this way, they need not touch those gadgets to operate or even look at them so their eyes can stay on the road thus avoiding vehicular accidents. As standards to cars, the Focus also comes with airbags and anti-lock brakes that provide more safety to passengers and to drivers. The muscular two-door coupes are surely a match to Sid’s active lifestyle. It offers a big humungous back seat and trunk space as the four-door version. It is fantastic for first timer’s car owners.

What is more amazing that it was the redesigned model for 2008. It can be differentiated from other Ford Focus’s that are created before it. Its distinctiveness lies on its design from inside to out, a new line up of model and new two-door coupe. It had some alterations to the suspension and steering of the old Focus.

So there it goes, I hope I have given you some hints on choosing the right car for your teen. It is just right to give them the freedom of owning cars with proper guidance from us, parents.

source:http://cars.about.com

CHOOSING THE BEST CAR FOR YOUR TEEN IS NEVER EASY

2008-04-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

Time is running so fast that I could not notice that I’m growing old. Sooner or later, I’m going to weaken and grow white hairs. That would be the day that I’m preparing for now. As early as now, I’m thinking of things that would and might happen in the future.

I am imagining myself in the near future like I am sitting on a rocking chair near the window watching all the new cars passing by while my wife Jenny is in the kitchen waiting for the water to boil. My daughter, Audrey is doing her school work near me and Sid just arrived from a tennis game and complaining of our old car he used to go to the tennis court….LOL. He’s complaining of the old and dull design, the cranky sound and the minute-by-minute failing engine parts…LOL. ( I have to say to him, that we should be thankful to his grandfather for our car…LOL)

I know that someday our car would be somehow left behind in terms of design, parts and everything. Some parts that are ground-breaking would not match our car anymore. Maybe. But I know, that we have to go with the flow of time. We have to keep up with the latest technology. Not for me, at least for my children for that time I and my wife would maybe just spend more time at home together.

So with that, I’ve searched for cars that would fit my son and daughters lifestyle. There are lots of cars to choose from but only few match their being teenagers. Well, I’m planning to give Sid his own car in the next few years or maybe soon. So here are some tips on how to choose your teenager son’s car as recommended too by eHow cars editors.

1. Safety is the most important thing to take into consideration. Since they are just teenagers they do not have much experience yet with driving. With it, there is a high risk for them of meeting accidents. Know the car with the best safety ratings. Ask experts and professionals related to cars about this or maybe try to do a research of the Consumer Reports of the car that offers the highest possible safety for your teens.

2. Research is the second thing to consider. You should be well informed of the car that you are looking for. Know what you’re looking for, like what make of car do you prefer, the features the car offers and mostly know your budget for it. Make sure to have these information before going to a deal.

3. Practicality is the best. As recommended by the Department of Transportation, mid-sized vehicle are best for juvenile drivers. Your child may want a ostentatious sports car or sleek SUV but it is a big NO for them. With sports cars your child is inclined to run it to the maximum speed while the SUV usually roll over in an accident.

4. Compromise with the latest model and the affordability of it. So, choose the most up-to-date model that you can afford. They may have the best safety features like side and curtain airbags and action brakes. The more safety features the better.

5. Make sure of the history of the vehicle you have chosen. Research the car accident’s and maintenance records. Verify also its condition from the VIN online and through this you can be sure if it’s clean. Knowing the car’s condition and value is also important.

Whew…. I have to do much to choose the correct car for Sid. Now, I can be confident in choosing my child’s car. With these tips, certainly I will be able to choose the right car for Sid. So, the only problem now is my budget for it. I will have to save now for my child’s car. I wonder how much it would cost me to buy his car……LOL. I have to work hard now… I guess I should do my tasks now. Next time, I’ll give you those cars that are best for your teeners.

BREATHALYZER…. Tester for drivers that regularly drinks

2008-04-16T21:22:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking these few days of what happened to Mr. Monroe. He was a nice man although sometimes a bit aggressive. He’s still in the hospital trying to recover from had happed to him days ago. His case is drunk driving…

Often I saw news of the same fate. Others are fatal and some are disastrous. Happy are those who survived after such severe accident, as I may say. Just like what happened to Mr. Monroe. I sometimes drive our car after some happy nights of drinking with friends. Good thing too that I have not been caught by cops of drunk driving!!! I don’t even thought of the danger it may cause to me. Anyways, it’s just me. No Sid, no Audrey and no Jenny in my side that will be harmed. BUT…No…No…No… I still love my life. My family needs me. So I’m more cautious now of driving with beers ingested in my stomach. Less speed and make myself more aware of what’s happening in the road. No sleeping of course by spanking myself if I feel that “sleepy” is trying to invade my body…LOLz.

Just a while ago, I try to find something that will help me in my driving after a few blissful hours of drinking because for me it is inevitable. I cannot refuse my comrade’s request of having a nice talk after drinking. It is the only time that we catch up with our lost times. Reminiscing about the good old days, talking about what’s new in our lives, talking about the latest in the world, most up-to-date news on cars, and sometimes those naughty things we did. No need to mention about that…LOLz.

So as I’ve written above, I searched for that thing or whatever it is that will help me cope up with this situation. It’s just me that I can help myself. I found what I just needed. There’s this gadget called breathalyzer but one poplar brand is the ALCOHAWK PERSONAL BREATHALYZER. It is a gadget that can make you monitor yourself. Of course, after drinking you may not be in a very suitable situation to get behind the wheel. I think it’s good for me. Because sometimes I’m not too sure of myself that I can still drive my car home. So with this, I can test myself or let others do it for me… maybe I can ask the help of the police…LOLz. No way with the last choice. It can be too risky… I may be put into trouble with it. It is so convenient using this gadget for a quick check. For it can be just placed in your glove compartment.

Alcohawk makes use of an oxide semiconductor sensor to analyze a three-second breath sample and you can see the results instantly via a digital display. This gadget determines the blood alcohol content (BAC) in percentage increases from 0.00 to 0.04% with 0.08 as the legal limit. If your BAC is higher than the 0.04%, it can be said that is already dangerous for you to drink or it can even be lethal then driving should be out of your options to get home. There is also a matching warning beeps and indicator light that goes with the reading but it depends on your exact alcohol level. It is now approved by the DOT/NHTSA as a high grade breathalyzer.

It has a sleek design and is comfortable and easy to use. It is a little bigger than a deck of cards and includes everything you need when conducting breathalyzer test. In its pack included are a one-9 volts battery that will endure up to 300 tests, a hardshell carrying case, a wrist strap and zipper bag and 5 washable and reusable mouthpieces. Its body material is shock resistant and is in gloss finished mold plastic. It weighs 130 grams with the battery in it.

So, drivers like me who drink and drive can use this to know whether that you’re still good to drive or not. It’s better to be sure about your safety especially if you have passengers. We only have one life, so better take care of it and prevent bad things happening to it.

BRAKE-SHIFT INTERLOCK

2008-04-15T01:27:00.000-07:00

I remember one Sunday morning when we (me and my wife Jenny) cleaning and preparing our small house for the arrival of her parents. Our kids were left unattended playing. They run from here to there, with Sid playing his toy car and Audrey just following his brother wherever he goes.

Jenny and were so damn busy that we haven’t noticed Sid had already opened the car. We were putting on new curtains when we noticed Sid playing as a driver in our car with Audrey as a front passenger. Jenny shouted loud upon seeing the two. I was also shocked so I hurriedly run to get the two out of the car. Jenny scolded the two until the two run to their room crying. Thank God that Sid did not move anything except the steering wheel. If only he moved the gear-shift… we don’t know right now if what could have happened to our two little ones.

This thing happens usually. Not only to us but to other families. So to my fellow parents, look after your children especially when they play inside the car. This usually happens when children are playing driver while their car is parked while the parents are not aware of it. Then the child shifted the gear-shift from park to neutral. The car moved down their garage and rolled down hills and even into the traffic and ends up … often disastrous having injuries and damaging properties. Sometimes fatal.

Good news!!! According to the news by the Associated Press and the Detroit News, 19 car manufacturers have made a deal with the U.S. government to install something to the gear-shift that will prevent such happenings. It is known as “ brake-shift interlock.” These 19 automakers made public a voluntary agreement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) making 2010 as a deadline for adding the safety equipment.

This was due to a case won over DaimlerChrysler who was asked to pay for the damages of toddler who was killed when she was run over by a 1991 Dodge minivan. Lawyers have argued that it could have been prevented if there’s a brake-shift interlock system. Brake interlocks need the brake to be depressed before the transmission can be moved to out of park. The agreement comprises vehicles having automatic transmission and has a total of vehicle weight rating of up to 10,000 pounds for the U.S. market. An estimated 20 percent of vehicles sold do not have the said system.

Participating to this agreement is Aston Martin, BMW Group, Ferrari, Ford, DaimelrChrysler, General Motors, Mitsubishi Motor, Honda, Hyundai Motor American, Isuzu Motors America, Kia Motors America, MAserati, Mazda Nissan, Subaro, Porsche, Suzuki, Toyoat and Volkswagen.

The Big Three U.S. auto makers have released the status of the said system in their line up of cars. GM says that more than 95 percent of its vehicles already have this interlocks, Ford at 90 percent and Chrysler with 94 percent compliance.

Many already knew this, but for those who have no idea of it, here’s a simple tip to detect if it has an interlock system. To know whether your car already has this system or not is by putting your foot on the brake pedal before you can shift out of park

Bubble + Alloy = Bubbloy for Car’s Crumple Zones

2008-04-12T02:07:00.000-07:00

When I and my son, Sid we’re driving down the streets of our neighborhood just a couple of days ago we happen to passed by our neighbor’s car that crushed into another neighbor’s sturdy fence. It seems that it had a lot of damage. You ca see the great impact it had just by merely gazing at it. Of course, the fence just had little damage because it was huge.

I and my son stopped for a while and I had a chat with some old neighbors who were gathering around the scene. They said that, Mr. Monroe is a bit drunk and was driving too fast and didn’t see that a lady was crossing the street so he just did bumped the colossal fence. Good thing, Mr. Monroe who drives that car during the accident is pretty safe from death. He received fractures in his skull, right knee and arms and some bruises. By the way, he is a very aggressive man who is in his mid-40s. He is now recuperating in the hospital nearby from what he has got from this accident.

I remember about an article that featured a new invention…. It is called “Bubbloy”. It looks like it rooted from the word bubble right? Maybe it’s because of its appearance that seems like having bubbles. Bubbloy is the latest invention from the California Institute of Technology or Caltech. This is the invention of Johnson’s duo enterprising grad students. By the way, the first invention from CalTech was a liquid metal from Bill Johnson’s materials science lad that is presently used to make golf clubs and tennis rockets.

“Bubbloy” - liquid metal foam…. Yes you read it right. It sounds and looks very impossible with these three different things in different state of matter. Well, metal and foam belongs to one state. This new matter is a bulk metallic glass…. Another fascinating word right?... it has the rigidity of metal at the same time the springiness of a trampoline. Now, you may say that I’m joking with it. But no! It’s true. Chris Veazey, one of the invetor, said that you can squish it and stamp on it but later the metal will spring back. Veazey was the one who gave this matter its tentative name that is a combination of bubble and alloy.

Greg Welsh, who is the co-inventor of Veazey further added that it was concretized through a process that foams the alloy so that tiny bubbles form. Their preliminary results demonstrated that if the bubbles almost had a contact with each other, the substance will be above all springy. Veazey recommends that is primarily useful for the crumple zone of a car. You know the one that does the work of softening the blow by absorbing the impact’s force. He said that it is far safer than the structures in the crumple are made of usual metals.

“Bubbloy” is consisted of palladium, nickel, copper, and phosphorus. The combination of these three is called alloy if you don not know…LOL. HOWEVER, this alloy is the on e of the best bulk metallic glasses around. Veazey and Welsh’s part here is the figuring out of how to get that alloy to foam. There have been other conversions to foam with metals like titanium and aluminum but this “Bubbloy” excels in the strength-to-weight ratio. With its preliminary castings showed that it is light enough that it floats in water but relatively strong and elastic.

So, time will come that this matter will be the main material to be used in car’s crumple zone. Maybe this will minimize tragic car accidents like the one that happened to Mr. Monroe. It will prevent from having another Mr. Monroe… with fractures and bruises. But, car manufactures still have to study its reliability. Now, maybe it have to undergo certain study to make it more stiffer.

Now…WATER AS GAS

2008-04-10T19:16:00.000-07:00

I really can’t believe anymore of what we have right now. Things are getting better and better as time passes by. Things are more incredible now. Innovations and advancements are done to them. This we owe to our technologies today.

Here it is, do you want your car to run on water like the one on the picture? Believe it or not, it’s possible now.

Hey don’t get too serious, I’m just kidding about the picture above. Its just a prelude to a more serious thing that we’ll tackle. What I’m trying to say is using water instead of gasoline in running your car. There are water powered cars and there are also those that are converted to use water as its gas now.

Water Powered Cars or otherwise known as Oxygen Powered Cars use 100 percent water fuel. People behind the creation of these cars did this possible by splitting water components by electrolysis and creating hydrogen/oxygen gas. By doing this, it has contributed a lot in saving our planet Earth with its aggravating condition. Aside from it, it also has many advantages to us people. Let me share to you the seven advantages of water as gas to you given in jay120’s article.

This water as gas enhances your gas mileage amazingly by up to 35 percent. It could be either you are in your busy city streets or on highways. This would really save a lot for you in your monthly budget and much more to your annual budget. It is estimated every year you can save up to $897.40. If there are more people using this water as gas in your family, the savings considerably increase. The more drivers in one group the more savings you can have.
You’ll be more earth-friendly with it. There will be less emission that can contribute to the worsening condition of global warming. It can add more oxygen to the atmosphere thus less polluting to our environment. You’ll be a part of the crusaders in saving our environment.
Using this alternative will improve your car’s engine power and performance. YES! For using gas the more the engine gets beaten-up, thus making it inefficient in its performance.
This water as gas get rids of carbon deposits thus preventing carbon build up in the future.
It also lessens the waste heat emitted to our environment and trims down the operating temperature of the engine.
The water has a better result on the combustion cycle inside the engine. A cooler and smoother engine operation and gearshift is expected from it.
Your engine can benefit from it more by having a longer life also with the pistons, rings and valves.

This maybe just a temporary procedure that can prevent wars because of oil, environment depletion, and sky rocketing prices of oils or fuels. But this can also be permanent in my view because who would want that those problems reoccur. Others say that this can be potentially dangerous. But this is what we have now to prevent problems stated above. This is but the best solution that I can think of and also the government.

Well, for those thinking of converting their cars on using water as gas there are now groups doing this conversion. Maybe you can try searching it in the internet. When will be the time that we’ll consider contributing in saving our environment and stopping the problems regarding oils? So in this little way we’ll be able to save it and save also our self from many expenses. But it is for you to decide to whether convert your car to using water as gas. Just leave your comment here and maybe I can recommend to you some sites that offer those services. However, many auto manufacturers are investing on it now by producing alike cars. Like the first Internal Combustion engine that runs on hydrogen from water by BMW. Hyundai is in the process of making it while Japan is endorsing this. This just one of the things that is making a buzz in the automotive world now.

MUSIC INSIDE CARS AFFECTS HEARING

2008-04-10T00:56:00.000-07:00

For now folks, let us be concern with our health…LOL. Yes, you read it right. HEALTH. But it is related to CARS. How these two things became related? Read on.

Now, we have this fast emergence of high-tech entertainment gadgets for cars. Like for audio systems in cars, more and more gadgets are getting out and being patronized by auto buffs. There are the manufacturers pairing their cars’ audio system with portable audio systems like iPods and MP3 players like the Mercedes-Benz that has a glove-box-mounted iPod-docking station with audio controls mounted to the steering wheel. Another is a High Definition (HD) Radio systems like the one in BMW cars that are able to receive digital signals broadcast from stations by using the HD Radio Technology.

Now, if you have all these up-to-the-minute audio gadgets I m sure you will flaunt to your comrades. Driving with funky and hip music on, while you are singing together with the song. Your friends at the back are also enjoying the high speed of your car while almost like dancing to the tune of the music that is being played inside your LOUDLY. That you and your friends can hardly hear each other and just do sign languages. Do you imagine that scene?

Well, that is bad to our health! Lengthened listening to music that is over 85 decibels loud. Simply, it is about the level of busy street traffic or a sound of a vacuum cleaner. What could be the result of it? Not good, you can have a permanent noise-induced hearing loss. With 85 decibels, it would take 8 hours to harm your hearing but if it goes higher to 110 decibels for a minute and a half your hearing will be in great danger.

You and me talking normally is about 60 decibels. Surprising isn’t it? Whispering is 20 decibels, sitting on the front row of Red Hot Chillipeppers concert is 110 decibels, while listening to a large orchestra is 98 decibels. One thing I also came to know is that when Audrey cries it is about 110 decibels. Ohhh, hope I don’t get deaf by it. What’s shocking is that car stereos can explode music at 140 decibels and above. It is alarming because we people are not conscious that the music we are hearing is too loud for our ears and is harmful to it already. It is due to the fact that our ears adjust to sounds over time. So we should be a little more conscious with the things we are hearing if we do not want to lose our sense of hearing.

Noise-induced hearing loss by the way is ranked second in the most common form of sensorineural hearing deficit. It ranked after presbycusis. Whew! It is difficult to pronounce and spell. Anyway, this deficit is said to be hundred percent preventable by avoiding extreme noise and by using hearing protections like earmuffs and earplugs.

Not only that, a study also found that out listening to loud music in cars can decrease reaction time and decision-making ability. Ohhh, how sad but it is true. It cuts off the crucial fraction of a second to avoid an accident. So a bigger chance for those who loves earsplitting music to meet vehicular accidents while driving.

I am now joining those concerned citizens…LOL… who call for lower volume music in cars to avoid hearing defects. It is not bad to equip your car with all these latest gadgets. It is good. However, we should be more concern now with our self, our health, our hearing. Play lowered-volume music and enjoy a safer trip.

LOCO OVER car LOGOS

2008-04-02T21:21:00.000-07:00

Cars have an identity too. It starts with the logos. Car logos are symbols or even text that stand for the identity of a particular car. Diverse brands and models of cars now proliferate in the auto market. These logos help you distinguish one car brand from another. They stand for a certain company or auto maker. With the logos, the companies gain product recognition in the said market. They are mere mirrors of the individuality of the company.

From what I can see, logos are simply designed that really call the customers attention. It should have muscular look. There are also logos that use vibrant and attractive colors to catch more attentions. Actually, there are three types of logos. The symbol logo, text logo, and combination logo. The first one uses symbols to represent the brand. Citroen, Mercedes, Ferrari, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Renault, Porsche, Subaru and Koenigsegg use this kind of logo. For the text logo, the initials or the name itself of the company is written on it with style. Text logos are use by Fiat, Mazda, Toyota, Ford, Volkswagen, and Volvo. The third is the combination of the two. Symbols and text are combined to make a more attractive logo such as the Alfa Romeo, Audi, Maserati, Skoda, Lamborghini, Panoz, Cizeta, Lotus, Rover and BMW. These logos may come in different colors, shapes, and sizes. Now, these logos can even be found anywhere like in shirts, caps, bags and other accessories.

Now, let me give you some car logos that are new to you especially for me. Get familiar with it. Who knows, maybe you might own a car with one of the logos featured here in my blog.

ABARTH – the logo of it is shield shape. It signifies victory. The green and red bars are recently added to represent the Italian foundation of these cars. The reason why there is a scorpion on it is unknown.

ALFA ROMEO- Shows the coat of arms of Milan. It is also related to the crusades that’s why there’s a cross. A snake on the right is eating a certain figure that may be a child or a Saracen.

ASTON MARTIN- the history of this logo is still unknown

AUDI- You may not be too familiar with this logo so I still include it in my list. There are four rings in it that represents the companies of the Auto-Union consortium of 1932 namely the DKW, Horch, Wanderer, and Audi. Audi is a Latin word for Hear. The name disappeared after World War II but was later revived in year 1965.

BUICK- It rooted from the coat of arms of the Buick family with Scottish origin. In it three shields colored red, blue and silver. Each shield has a white diagonal line from the upper left to the lower right part of each shield. It is the latest revision of the logo. The shields represent the three Buick models in production at that time, which are the LeSabre, Invicta and Electra.

CITROEN - the only thing I’ve got about this is that the two chevrons are meant to represent gear teeth for the reason that the founder of this, who is Andre Citroen started in the business by building gear wheels.

CIZETA - The logo shows a wolf’s head, which is a Tiberian she-wolf that fed Romulus and Remus. These two are the orphaned children of Mars, who founded Rome. The colors blue and yellow are the colors of Modena, Italy, where the company is founded before moving to its present location. The name is the founders initial when said in Italian.

FIAT - This was what the designer saw against the sky while driving past the factory one night during a power outage. The spaces were the light he saw between the letters he saw.

KOENIGSEGG – the phantom symbol on it is a mark of respect to the Swedish air force squadron that operates outside the airbase where the factory of this company is located.

LANCIA – same with the Aston Martin, there are no facts about this logo.

LOTUS - The letters above are the initials of its founder, who is Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman. Lotus name’s history is unknown. The background is green due to the British Racing Green. During hs days, green is the color of British cars. The yellow signifies the hope that lies ahead for the company.

MORGAN – The only thing known about the Morgan Motor Company’s logo is that the wings are inspired by Captain Ball, who said that to drive a Morgan three-wheeler is the nearest thing to flying on the ground.

PAGANI - Another logo with unknown history.

PANOZ - It was designed by Daniel Panoz, the company founder. Since it was an American company the colors red, white and blue are incorporated on it. There is a Yin-Yang symbol that signifies balance and symmetry. The company and the founder’s Irish root is represe

nted by the shamrock in the center.

SCION - Also with unknown history

SEAT - Also with unknown history

SKODA - It shows a winged arrow that gives the impression of speed.

SMART - Aside from the name which are written in all lowercase, it also features a letter C for compact and a yellow arrow head signifying forward thinking.

SPYKER - The logo shows a spoke wheel with a horizontal propeller across it because the company has built aircraft engines for World War II.

TESLA - Another logo with unknown history. All I can see is a different kind of letter T.

VECTOR - The history is uncertain though it seems that what is shown in it is an inverted V.

VENTURI - It was in 1989 when this latest logo was chosen. In it a gerfalcon that is set on a glove that means mastery. Above it is the sun of the region Loire. What’s left of the original logo is the oval on it. The V shape on it is a tribute to France.

So there you go. Those that are not included in my list are the most visible logos everywhere. Some in my list are already familiar to you and are not. Whatever it may be I hope this one helped you.

Stinky CAR NAMES…

2008-04-01T18:25:00.000-07:00

What’s with the name? What’s with ROB, my name? Well, Rob may mean stealing or taking away something from anyone. LOL. It may also mean depriving anyone of anything. Ahhhh…. Whatever may be the case NAMES has really something to do with what it’s standing for. In my name’s case… I’m pretty sure that I do not know how did my parents got this holy name of mine. LOL.

Like us, everything has its name. The chair your sitting right now probably has its name, the shoes your wearing has its own, or even the car you bought has its name. CARS! Yes cars do have names... some may sound good and some may sound awful! LOL. The automotive world is now flooded with car names. Some are odd, some are unremarkable and some are terrifying. For me it does affect its sales or its success in the business. Who would want a car that is awfully called by its unpleasant name? LOL. Who would want to ride a car that is being laughed about because of its name? However, the degree of it depends on how the person looks at it. It’s only a car, but there is a certain degree that its name may affect the whole car. If there are best car names then there are worst car names. Well, let me relay to you the top ten worst car names in United States in Thomas Bey’s article.

10 - SUBARU BRAT

What? Brat? Bey said that “bastard” would have been a better name for it….LOL. But BRAT is just an acronym for “Bi-drive Recreational All Terrain Transporter.” Taking aside its name, it si very capable in off-road driving and is comfortable under most conditions.

9 – CADILLAC CIMARRON

The Cimarron name is a bad luck for Cadillac. It nearly killed the Cadillac. Bey said that “it still would’ve bruised GM badly.” This name was only good for Audi, BMW and Mercedes cars.

8 – DAIHATSU CHARADE

The word “charade” was mockilngly used in Pink Floyd’s “Pigs (The Different Ones)”. In the lyrics “Ha ha charade you are” it never sounded in a complimentary way. It sounds to be negative in sense. It never had big sales in U.S. due to its despicable looks, uncompetitive price and the name of course.

7 – OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE

Intriguing huh? Why worst? Well, Bey said that “it is a passionless car made for people that passionless about cars.” What? Is it that bad? It’s name is not matched well with its entirety. It is BORING… rather than awaking one’s curiosity, so it’s not intriguing. LOL.

6 - AM GENERAL HUMMER

It was first known as the HMMWW (High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle) or Humvee. Later in 1992 it was known as Hummer. Bey said that “You may not realize it, but history repeated itself in a way. Some four decades earlier, Toyota began selling BJs. At least they had the sense to rename them Land Cruisers.”

5 - DODGE DART SWINGER

It is a dull piece that can be called as transportation. Bey added that it is not a car for a proud man. It was named first as Dodge Dart… However in the last years of its existence someone got a brilliant idea of adding SWINGER to its name.

4 - RENAULT LECAR

Yes, we’re ignorant Americans who used to call the automaker “Ree-nawlt.” But thanks to decades of Pepé Le Pew cartoon reruns and the occasional Gérard Depardieu film, most of us insensitive pigs are dimly aware that “Le Car” actually means “The Car” (in its masculine form, no less). What would’ve been so wrong about calling it the 5, as it was known elsewhere? Alphanumeric car names rarely wind up on countdowns like these, and for good reason. It also would’ve kept U.S.-market cars from wearing the oversized “Le Car” decals on the doors, answering a painfully obvious question that had already been answered.

3 - FORD PROBE

After it was leaked that Ford was mull this as either the next Mustang or its outright replacement, pony car fans kicked up a stink. Ford spared the ‘Stang but whipped out their Probe anyway, to more than a few snickers. The fact that you could get one in black, purple or red only opened the door to more innuendo. That aside, these coupes weren’t the worst cars of their time, but sales never penetrated the hallowed halls of outright success. So even today one question remains: If you’re caught speeding with a Probe, are you breaking the penal code or the penile code?

2 - CHEVROLET CITATION

What’s this? An award? LOL. One of the ‘80s most crap-tacular cars, the Chevrolet Citation is presumably named after what you receive from the style police for driving one. Mind you, it didn’t have to be that way. The 1980 debut model introduced front-wheel drive to the division’s faithful, and greater efficiency than most other Chevys of the day. Citations sold well at first, then they kept all the dealers’ Mr. Goodwrenches gainfully employed through a series of recalls. It didn’t take long for owners to equate the name with being penalized for their lapse of judgment in buying one.

1 - AMC GREMLIN

Oh no! Gremlin? A monster car? I remember the movie with all these little green monsters called Gremlins. Is there a color green AMC Gremlin? If there’s one, oh I want to die now. And how in the world that they thought of giving it a name that is synonymous to problem, jinx, or blip. It was produced not beautifully, in short ugly. It was criticized on the first day of its production which is actually on April Fool’s day of 1970. Whew! What a name!!!

So there’s the list of worst car names in the United States according to Bey. I agree with some especially the top worst car name. LOL. I wouldn’t want my car to have that name. Anyway, to others they may not be the worst. It depends on the person. For some, names may not affect their choice of cars. It may be the performance or the looks that count for them.

WINDUP KEY…. For Giant Toys

2008-03-29T00:51:00.000-07:00

Although this may seem old already and maybe you have seen some of it, I’m still putting it here in my blog for the benefit of those who don’t know yet and I just enjoy looking at it. LOL.

When I saw this, memories of my childhood experiences flashed back in my mind. I remember those toys I have that don’t run whenever I don’t turn the key in its back. It looks exactly like that windup key. How long will your toy car run depends on how many turns you made with the key at its back.

Looking at it brings out the child in me….LOL. It’s like I’m driving a gigantic toy car. And it seems like it does not need battery anymore to make it run. Its key should be turned for many times so it can run.

This is already an old idea; however they put a new twist on it. I think, car owners that have sense of humor are the once that will likely have it for their car. But for serious people, I think it will just give them a big frown. This windup key is good to look at on your mini-car. Just look at the picture, it seems like a very big toy car.

Maybe if you’re the kind of person that really like attention, they this windup key can help you get attention from others. You can make fun with your car with this Windup Key that can available either a stationary or moving version. It is like your not using battery because of this key. LOL.

The moving key is being run by a 12-volt power from your car’s electrical system. You can pick up your own color that best jives with your car’s paint or even have it in fancy chrome. For only $100, you’ll surely enjoy your ride as well as others. Your car will be a sure head-turner.

JUST LIKE TOYS

2008-03-26T23:21:00.000-07:00

When I was just a child, I have a large collection of matchbox toys. I have varied matchbox toys of different designs, different types and sizes too. My father used to bring me home these toys after his 6 months of long-work away from us. I was very happy receiving those toy cars. I have a complete set of police cars, with patrol car, with fire truck, and others. I also have some race cars. I used to make race lanes for them and I have my favorite one that I usually make as the winner… LOL. I also have some luxury cars. Those that I dreamt that someday I’ll be riding soon. From then on, I also became familiar with BMW, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz for I have toy cars with their designs and name on it. Now, those toy cars are still displayed on our family’s toy cabinet. I’m going to get them and let my son Sid have it too.

Lately, while I was looking for new and hot concept designs I came across on one of it. It made me remember my matchbox toys. It made me remember the days where I used to play with those toys on our floor... with sounds like zooooommmmm!!!! and broooommmm!!!. Now this concept car design that I saw is similar to those race car toys I have. I mean, the design is akin to my toy car’s design.

It is the design concept of Ken Okuyama. Ken Okuyama is the Ex-Pininfarina head. It is the K.07 which is a pre-production roadster revealed to public at the Geneva Motor Show. Another design which is built on the same structural design as the K.07 is the coupe K.08 version. You know what? I really love their design. It seems so nice to drive it around the city with your loved one on your side. In my case, its my dear Jenny…LOL.
It’s like you’re being too proud of your ride and at the same you’re being proud too to show the world your dearly beloved beside you.

The K.07 is constructed from aerospace dry carbon, pounded aluminum panels without paint and refined alloy. It is very light than other designs having only 750kg. You know what its design is called? It’s called Spartan design. Sounds like from the 300 movie directed by Zack Snyder. LOL. Well, it’s true! Its design is based from the Ariel Atom. It is also powered by a 2.0-liter powerplant from Toyota.

Meanwhile, the K.08 Coupe that is consisted of glass windows, with roof and fenders that are fixed is powered by a rear-mounted electric engine. This engine comes with Lithium-Ion batteries piled mid-ship on three levels that makes the weight evenly distributed.

Now, if these cars will come into production and someday if I will own one, it is just like riding one of my matchbox toys. LOL.

A NEW RESTRAINT SYSTEM

2008-03-25T17:21:00.000-07:00

While everything is going ultra-modern, I think we should always look back with the way things used to be. I mean nothings wrong with being modern but sometimes the things that are very old have proven to be more reliable. Yeah… that is true.

In cars, when it comes to safety there’s nothing more we could ask for with seatbelts. Seatbelts are some kind of old-fashioned protection… but oh no, it is very dependable. In fact, almost all that survived a collision or accident wore seatbelts. Almost half of the recorded accidents show people being saved from death just by wearing seatbelt. So thanks to this very trustworthy car part. And also it is not yet getting out of scene. Not yet for there’s a revolutionary seatbelt that is soon coming.

To lessen more the fatalities which greatly decline in 1994 the Ford Motor Company is coming up soon with advanced and new-generation safety belt technologies. Ford incorporates a four-point “belt and suspenders” design to replace the usual three-point safety belt. Ford believes that seatbelts are still the most important safety technology in cars therefore they are trying hard to come up with an improve safety belt and restraint technologies in the coming days. The company’s advanced researches are being pushed by their aim of providing the needs of the aging driving population and their varying physiology by providing this improved safety technology.

Their customer researched also showed that their four-point belts are identified to be safer, comfortable and easier to use that the usual three-point belts. These were the solicited views from people of all ages after Ford had their prototype belt system tried by these people. People are asked to ride the Mustang Cobra with the model four-point safety belt system that buckles at the center of the waist of the driver. This is the product of more than 5,000 feedbacks from consumers at various U.S. and European auto shows.

Ford is now working on demonstrating this belt system to lawmakers and show its benefits to them. Although, it is not yet recognized by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208 Ford Motor Company thus far holds two patents for the said technology and more are expected to follow.

For me, this is better than the three-point belt system. Although I haven’t tried it on yet, I can see that it can really make us safe from accidents. Hope this new restraint system will soon be used by us. Hope Ford can let these lawmakers see its worth and use. I wish innerauto will have it available soon

TRANSFORMER SUV…. Soon to invade the roads

2008-03-14T00:23:00.000-07:00

Although I’m in the late 20s now, I still consider myself as a young adult. Yeah… younger than my age right now. My preferences in life are like those outgoing teeners that often rave of sporty cars, new gadgets and going to a night-out party with acquaintances and friends.

Night-out gimmicks? A little of beer and fancy talks in a nice and crowded place… I’m quite fine with it. It’s just taking a break after a long busy day. Without the computer in front of me, without thinking too deep of what to do and without thinking of what’s gonna happen next. It’s like drowning those things that keep coming into my mind with some bottle of beers. New gadgets? iPod …iPhone…ultra high-tech computers and those that make our everyday life easier. Ah… those gadgets for cars that I’m always dreaming of…LOL.

Speaking of cars or vehicles, Hummer has this new model that I’ve just added to my long list of dream vehicles. I’m sure everyone would love too to have that kind of sports utility vehicle. Although it’s still a concept car… but sooner or later it will be released in the market. I’ll just keep my fingers crossed…LOL.

What I’m talking about is the Hummer HX. Hummer HX is convertible. Yes! Convertible for it is built with the panels that are removable. It’s a sort of you can remove this part and put this part to suit the places and events you’re going to. Hummer had the demonstration of it in the showroom in Detroit at 2008 North American International Auto Show. It’s wonderful! I did not expect that there’s such thing as like it. Well, with the advanced technologies that we have now, it’s nothing but another usual thing..hehe.

You can have it the way you want it for off-road driving and you can have it fit the city roads and even highways. That concept is made to be “smaller, more fuel efficient, really bold and extremely functional”. Hummer spokesman Nick Richards said that "The HX concept is a chance to look at our vision of what a more fun, capable, youth-oriented design might look like." It has a look that is very rugged and it’s like a Transformer toy with its removable doors, sunroof glass and body panels. What’s more amazing is that it has a big skid plate underneath to protect the vital parts beneath it. Accessories like fender flares can be trouble-free removed during off-road trekking. The HX is sure to suit every lifestyle… I guess (LOL). Yes, because the design makers said that it is flexible and a surefire to draw many buyers.

A different feeling inside the ASTRA GTC

2008-03-12T19:04:00.001-07:00

During those years that I was just a teenager and just have learned how to drive, I have always imagined myself driving a super cool car with all the latest gadgets inside it. With just a click of my fingers, the car seat reclines…. and with just a word from me, the high-tech windshield does its job…LOL. Until now, there is still this “teenage thing” in me where I couldn’t help but imagine about cars. Although it’s quite different now, because I imagine about real cars that I saw from the TV or from the internet. Not anymore those that are just made up by my mind. If it’s still the same, then maybe I have a hitch in my brain… but it’s not the case! I’m normal!

Anyway… Though I have my own car, I still think of myself driving other amazingly beautiful cars. My car is a Chevrolet Corvette. It was my father’s car that is handed down to me when he couldn’t drive anymore. It was kinda’ old already so I thought of replacing it now…LOL. For so many times now, I thought of replacing it with a high-tech car. But wait! I think I’m not that rich… so for now I’m pretty fine with watching them on TV and browsing them in a computer.

Lately I saw this car, a very impressive one…the Vauxhall ASTRA GTC. It is wonderful! It’s a European car so expect something magnificent from it. I couldn’t help but to let my mind work again and envision myself driving that machine. The first thing that came to my mind is the feeling of being one with the environment…hehe. I mean in an open space. This car features a very wide one-piece windshield. It bends regally over the head of the driver almost occupying one-fourth of the car’s roof. They call it a panoramic windshield eliminating the steel on top of the windshield. It has its rear view mirror suspended right in front of you. But the dark side of it is, if ever you flip on that car your skull might get smashed up for it has no protection at all. The windshield might be the one to injure your head. You’ll have the sun rays directly shining over your head and eyes. However, you don’t have to worry for it has a power shade or electric blind as they call it that can be pulled forward to protect you against the hot rays of the sun. Another problem with it is the money that it will cost you to replace it if has been damaged. A replacement of it costs 650 Pounds compared to the 450 Pounds of a conventional Astra windshield replacement. Whew! Nonetheless, the makers pointed out that the windshield is made from thickened and heat reflective glass. But it is not so solid to resist rogue stones that it can likely get a chip or crack.

You just have to look on the brighter if you have this car. Focus on the feeling that this new windshield gives you and the added features it offers. This car is stylish which Vauxhall is known for. It also has lowered suspension, exceptional front fog lights, sports seat, sports instruments and a matt chromed center console. Cornering with it is not a problem for it has a lesser cornering roll. Its brakes are powerful too. It also features the Continuous Damping Control (CDC) with electronically controlled shock absorbers that adapts constantly to the drivers style and to the road surface. Also, it has an Interactive Driving System (IDS) that incorporates all the electronic functions. Though it has a lot of advanced features, it still employs a simple beam axle at the rear in place of multi-link layouts used by Ford and Volkswagen.

So what could you ask for more? You just have to be rich to have this car…LOL. GM’s Ion is anchored in the Astra. So, for car aficionados in US like me… I’ll wait for it and see if it has the same windshield with Astra.

CARS FOR MY BABIES

2008-03-11T22:47:00.000-07:00

Oh, I remember again that baby car seat I wrote about yesterday. By the way, it is not yet released in the market. I hope it will materialize soon so I don’t have to worry much of the safety of Sid and Audrey. Probably this would be what every parent wants in their cars- offering safety primarily for their children. So I browsed the internet and look for cars that offers the best safety for my big Sid and little Audrey.

But before that, I will give the factors to consider in choosing the car that offers the highest possible safety. You have to look for:

Deep, flat seat-bottom cushions for it is easier to level the seat and fasten it

Placement of the seatbelts and latch points. You’ll know what’s going to be a problem if you try it with child’s car seat.

The angle of the seat back cushion. Choose those with seats that has recline feature for it is more secure.

Ease of access. There should be wide door openings that would let you easily in and out bulky car seats to your car. The extra ground clearance for minivans and SUVs reduces back strain that parents like I experience when bending over to retrieve or buckle in their child. Some cars offer rear seats with fore-and-aft adjustments. It allows you to slide back if your going to tend to a baby or slide it forward for extra room a double stroller in the cargo bay.

Availability of ALR/ELR seatbelts. New cars mostly have this, a locking retractor seatbelts in the backseat …. Simple as it locks as it retracts.

I came across this article that has a list of 10 cars that are said to be easy for car seat installation. I don’t know…maybe you just have to visit your nearest car store to try it. That’s what I’m going to do too. But certainly, Jenny will be very happy to see if I bought one of it for the safety of our two little kids. Anyway, here is the list:

Chevrolet Equinox: This value-packed small SUV offers reclining back cushions and fore/aft adjustment in the second row, as well as the ability to fit three car seats across (depending on the size of your kids and their restraints, of course).

Chevrolet Malibu Maxx: A deep, flat seat bottom, wide door openings and fore/aft adjustment in the second row make the midsize Malibu wagon a good bet for families.

Dodge Magnum: The Magnum looks hip on the outside, but inside it's all about practicality with lots of second-row legroom and deep, flat seats make for easy car seat installation.

Ford Five Hundred: Magnum not big enough for you. You can get even more room in the Five Hundred, along with the biggest trunk in the sedan world (20 cubic feet). A slightly elevated ride height also makes it a good bet for parents with bad backs.

Ford Freestyle: Although down on power, the Freestyle compensates with its positively cavernous interior. You can get a roomy bench seat in the second row or opt for twin captain's chairs that offer fore/aft adjustment.

Honda Accord: With plenty of legroom in the backseat and perfectly contoured cushions, you can't go wrong with this well-rounded family sedan.

Honda Odyssey: Always a good bet for families, thanks to its deep, flat, multi adjustable seats, the latest Odyssey adds a neat feature to the mix a pop-up seat between the second-row captain's chairs, allowing you to carry three kids across in a pinch.

Scion xB: On a tight budget but still need a lot of room? The Scion xB makes an ideal starter-size minivan. This boxy wagon has a comfortably raked rear bench and more legroom than you ever thought possible in a compact car.

Toyota Camry: Like the Accord, the Camry offers lots of rear legroom and soft, flat seat cushions that can readily accept a bulky car seat. Juice box holders in the doors are a nice bonus for those with preschoolers.

Toyota Sienna: Roomy and comfortable rear seats and the availability of both seven- and eight-passenger configurations make the Sienna a good bet. Models with second-row bench seats were specifically designed to accommodate three car seats across.

I would love to have one of these cars. All of us, Me, Jenny, Sid and Audrey, will enjoy our ride together. I’ll ask Jenny if we have enough money to have one of these…(LOL).

Keepin' mah Baby Safe on the Road

2008-03-11T02:04:00.000-07:00

Early this morning my wife Jenny received an emergency call for work, so while she is out for work she left me the responsibility of being the “nanny” of our two little kids. The eldest was Sid a 6-year old boy and the youngest was Audrey 8 months old. I really don’t know how to handle them especially when little Aubrey is having her tantrums. I don’t know if she is hungry or what? She keeps on crying that I can’t make her stop.

Now, here comes Sid asking me to take him to school. By the way, Sid is now in preschool. I thought he has a school bus to pick him up. I called up Jenny to ask for the school bus driver’s contact number. When I got it, I immediately called him and ask him why he was delayed. He informed me that the school bus had a flat tire so he cannot possibly pick up Sid. Oh I see! How unfortunate! Now I have to take Sid to school or else he would cry and will just bother me the whole day. I was determined and ready to take Sid to school when little Audrey cried. Oh! I forgot! I was totally tied up with the thought of taking Sid to school that I had forgotten Audrey. I just couldn’t leave her alone at home so I bring her along with us. Good thing there is this new accessory installed in our car that made it easy for me to take Audrey with us.

It is the Nestt – An innovation of baby car seat. A car seat especially designed for babies made with a protective exterior; steel based and a hard shell feature of embedded steel safety cage for maximum side impact protection. An interior designed with an air suspension system, coupled with a removable memory foam core that envelopes the baby in cushy comfort. This accessory really amazed me with its special features! When Audrey was bored and about to cry again I tilted her seat so she can watch the views outside while I am driving. It was really effective! When we reached Sid’s school Audrey had fallen asleep. I just let her sleep and enjoy the comfort of her ride until we reached home. I didn’t had a problem hefting her because the seats can be swiveled completely facing the doors. Nestt is really amazing!

ROAD THEATER.... take a look...

2008-03-09T23:46:00.000-07:00

My friend and I went to a common friend in a nearby place. We rode his BMW X3. What happened was while we are in the middle of our conversation when my stomach begins to ache. Oh no, I said. It’s a bad day for me, I guess. I began to feel uncomfortable. So what I did was I asked permission from my friend if I could stay inside his car, because I said I was not feeling good.

I just stayed inside my friends BMW. I stayed there about three hours waiting for him. It’s because my friends were talking about business. A very important business…. That maybe I was a part of but due to my stomach aching…. I was now out of the deal. So, the whole three hours I stayed inside his car was a total disaster for me. I felt so bored. I felt so bored listening to old country music songs from my friend’s old cds. I’ve heard it for several times already. I thought he has a TV inside, but to my dismay he had none. I asked him if why he wouldn’t want to equip his car with a TV… to entertain himself and his passengers. He said, he’s waiting for a compact size TV so to save space.

And just 3 days ago, I came to know that there is now this product by Clarion. It is the VRX375USB. It is a DVD multimedia station with 3.5 inches monitor.This 1-DIN offers features like 2-Zone entertainment, iPod control and a USB port for the ultimate in in-dash performance. It can be integrated to cars with their OEM Steering Wheel control input or add a rear-view camera to make navigating parking lots easier and safer. It incorporates multimedia and convenience.

Here are some of VRX375USB features:
DVD±R/DVD±RW ready
CD-R/RW ready
MP3, WMA and iTunes® AAC (only USB) Compatible with ID3-TAG display
Official DivX® Certified product
Plays all versions of DivX® video (including DivX® 6) with standard playback of DivX® media files
Rear USB connector
18 FM/12 AM presets
iPod direct connection and control
Shock proof memory
24-bit D/A converter
Subwoofer volume control
2-Zone entertainment: Front and Rear separate source control
Z-Enhancer Plus sound customization
2-band parametric equalizer
MAGNA BASS EX dynamic bass enhancement
Built-in LPF/HPF
Built-in amplifier canceller
50W×4 Built-in MOS-FET Amplifier
Motorized sloping control panel with 3.5-inch TFT color LCD monitor
Adjustable display brightness
A/V Input with Level Control
6 ch RCA Output
OEM Steering Wheel Remote Ready
Bluetooth Interface Ready (Optional BLT370)
Detouchable control panel

So, if only my friend had this thing inside his car. I would never felt bored that time. I will tell my friends to have this thing. I will also buy this and have it to my car.

FORD REFLEX… I LIKE

2008-03-06T23:56:00.000-08:00

Ford Reflex or REL3X, as spelled on its nameplate is a concept car introduced in 2006. It is called the small car that doesn’t feel small... But what is this?A modern car with an old headlight concept that I guess you already saw in a 1980’s sci-fi flick? It’s a solar panel-powered headlight. Ah…. Let’s just forget about the headlight because it has everything new other than that. Anyway, that is still a headlight that functions well for it.

Reflex is so sexy with its small and sleek body. And here’s what you can’t forget about it! It has a reverse butterfly door. It is so unique with it. Did you know that it borrows it shape from the running shoe Nike? Yeah… You read it right. Speaking of Nike… the Reflex’s has insulation from the ground rubber taken from Nike athletic shoe outsoles. Your child will be very safe in this car for it has an integrated child seat. Aside from it, it has a baby cam with a monitor installed on the dash. Seatbelts in it are now inflatable…. The rear seatbelts specifically.

The concept version features an electric motor on the rear axle aside from its hybrid propulsion system on the front axle. The rear motor gives all wheel drive capability, improved driving dynamics and fuel economy. It stores its energy on a new generation lithium ion batteries. Aha! So it uses the same technology found in our cell phones. This makes Ford the first auto manufacturer to produce an electric car utilizing this type of battery. The headlamps and taillamps integrate solar panel. Its lighting system improves fuel economy with the Ford-patented battery–charging lighting system that uses solar power to charge the batteries. It also has a 2+1 seating with “love seat” on the center for 2 children one adult. What are more appealing are the two headrest-mounted TVs and futuristic LED instrument lighting. Wow! I really want to have this car…but it’s just a concept car.

A production version release has not yet been announced. The production version features an advanced diesel-electric hybrid engine with new generation lithium ion batteries. It delivers up to 65 mpg of fuel diesel and what?!!!! It accelerates up to 60 mph in 7 seconds? What a thing? Oh men, I really like to own this car…I can’t wait to drive it and enjoy its features.

THE SEXIEST ON THE ROAD

2008-03-05T16:57:00.000-08:00

Seksualos in Lithuanian, erotisks in Latvian and seductor in Spanish. They all mean sexy in English. It may also imply hot stuff, inviting and seductive. Sexiness can be related to anything on earth even cars. Yes, cars can be sexy too. However, it may differ in other sense.

When it comes to cars, you can say that it’s sexy if it is excitingly appealing and glamorous. The one that arouses your interest like how fast it is, what are its features and anything about a car. Whew! Super hot, as in flaming hot car. Sophisticated and curvaceous. It glides magnificently through wind. It is every man’s dream. You really wanted to own such car. A sexy car.

Now, I am giving you my top 5 list of sexiest cars. I hope everyone will agree with me of my list. Take a look at it and see if we’ve got the same choice. Feel free to post comments if you have any…um…um…um…comment?

Let me start with the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. It is a sports car that is hand-crafted. Remarkable isn’t it? It has an exhilarating performance and exceptional agility. It is the most affordable among Aston Martins’ cars. Another is, it combines conventional Aston Martin style and everyday usability. It is now one of the world’s most desirable sports cars and was just recently released.

Porsche 911 GT2 is a high-performance sports car with low fuel consumption. It is said to have the most revolutionized design in the industry today. It has a surprising 530 turbocharged horsepower. It has large air intakes at the front and the rear wing. It has a rear-wheel drive and manual six–speed gearbox. It can accelerate to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds and reaches a top track speed of 204 mph.

The black beauty, the BMW M5 is the only M5 with two turbo chargers and inter cooler. It has a top speed of 240 mph. It has now the latest innovations from BMW like the head-up display and the BMW’s EDC (Electronic Damper Control).

The New Bentley Continental GT Speed, is the first ever to top 200 mph. With it is a fusion of extraordinary power, class-leading performance and contemporary design with handcraftsmanship in true Crewe tradition. It is the most dominant production Bentley ever and the first to top 322km/h.

The most sold Audi in the world…. That is the new Audi TT Roadster. It is from the Abt, an Audi tuner.

These are the cars that really caught my attention. They’re really awesome. These are the cars that I want to drive soon. Really soon…. Maybe tomorrow or maybe later.

Chameleons on the road…..

2008-03-03T23:09:00.000-08:00

Now it’s black later it may not be black anymore. Silver is not silver anymore.

Cars are changing hues now. If you encounter a car that passed over you and it progressively changed color don't be shocked. Peter Valdes-Dapena, a staff writer of CNNMoney.Com one time experienced this with a Mary Kay cosmetic saleswoman in a Cadillac TPS. That woman’s car passed over him and saw that its color modified gradually. From pink on the edges it turned to a pearly white.

Mary Kay has been using this kind of paint on its cars for almost a decade so that means color shifting tints is not new anymore. Now this kind of color schemes in cars is entering the mainstream and converting the once dull colored-car to new and delightful one. General Motor is the one responsible in designing that kind of color to Mary Kay’s cars. If you want that kind of tint on your car, you’ll have to get a job in Mary Kay and start dealing with their line of cosmetics. That car according to General Motor’s Exterior Color and Trend Designer Chris Webb had a solid pink base coat with silver layer sprayed on top of it.

With these kind of design and if you have a black-colored car it may not appear always black. It may gleam in purple or gold on the ends of the wheel wells. Also it may show shadows of red or blue in the inward body curves also on the hood and doors that may appear different in color. Remarkable isn’t it? The secret of it is just by putting extra coatings implanted with small metal flakes. It is just by adding some innovations on the standard process of car painting in factories it will result to this sort of chameleon car. The usual process before is laying a color on the car and covering it with the clear coat to provide the color a wet-look luster and a sense of depth. Now, it can be layered with a secondary translucent paint that could be a different hue. With that second coating, there could be tiny specks of aluminum or it can be of another color or assorted colors.

ChromaFlair which is created by JDS Uniphase is also great in color shifting paints. Colorless specks are used to refract light creating colors the same way butterflies and bird feathers do. Color of it called “scorched penny” is used in the 2006 special-edition Scion xB Release Series 4.0 from Toyota. Its color changes from one viewing angle to another. From bright copper to almost black. This process is expensive but it really is wonderful.

Soon our streets will be flooded with the likes of these cars. It will be the new fad of the decade. Different advancement on car colors will soon be emerging. These are because of the high technology and great minds we have now. It is just the start…. Expect more to come.

Car innovations that will make me always stay on the road…

2008-03-01T01:02:00.000-08:00

The long wait is over! We don’t have to ride a time machine to travel to the space age and take pleasure in all the advances that the time can offer because it’s right in front of you now. Yeah! Right now at this present time. Cutting edge cars are now on the market. You’ll gonna be amazed with what’s in store for auto lovers like you. If you’re like me always going gaga over the new releases concerning cars, this is now time for us to feast on it.

These cars are stylish, powerful and sleek. They drive by themselves, have a real-time traffic condition reports and has the ultra modern gadgets. These are the luxury features that can offer us comfort. In terms of entertainment, there’s the in-car entertainment system. With it your car can become an integrated media center. It has a lot to offer.

Download CDs straight to your cars with a hard disc drive audio system or play tunes from a flash drive plugged into a USB port.
Play your MP3 player to a car with an auxiliary input jack.
Satellite radios that have an at least 120 commercial-free stations or HD radio with sound that resembles a quality CD sound on an FM station.
Flat screen TVs are also offered for those who love movies and playing video games.

Another is, car safety goes with technology revolution. They are developed to give you the utmost protection. There are cars now that offers the following:

Tire pressure warning gauges
“smart airbags” that protect front seat passengers
an anticipatory braking system or sometimes called the collision mitigation that utilizes radar that aids drivers to brake before an accident occurs
a mishmash of radar and cameras help in evading blind spots
an adaptive cruise control system systems with an innovative radar that keeps up a safe distance from the car ahead of you
a night vision technology introduced in 1999 helping you see in fog, snowstorm, heavy rain and prevents collision at night. It uses infrared sensors
hands-free Bluetooth technology that makes you dial your cell phone through voice command through a car microphone
skid control that brakes electronically upon sensing danger
lane departure warning that alerts sleepy drivers that are going out of their lane

Familiar with the Global Positioning Systems (GPS)? Well, it is more advanced now. Cars that have this can not only help you get to your home. It can also locate local restaurants and businesses, have real-time traffic reports, look up for phone numbers, recognize voice command and you know why it is cool because it can track a stolen car. So carnappers beware! You can even save the routes that you usually go through with most of it. Some GPS units at the present incorporate features like currency check rates, store JPEGs, watch DVDs, play MP3 and audio books with the car speakers, and snoop to directions in numerous languages. You’ll be easily located and contacted with an integrated GPS and phone systems. Also with the aid of the GPS and the positioning of the sun, the latest climate control system in cars regulates the temperature. This is aside from the popular heated sets.

Cars that are mid-size, compact and high speed with redefined engines became more powerful. There also cars that can do parallel parking. And who is not familiar with hybrid cars that are rolling off the assembly line. Aside from cars that have leather trim and massage seats there are cars that focus on the interior lighting of it. There are those that has lighting fixtures that has theatrical effect. Others also gauge a passenger’s body temperature to adjust the interior climate. Another simply amazing feature with today’s cars is the hot or cold cup holder and a cool box keeping food and drinks chilled. Going to the exterior of ultra modern cars of today are the thespian headlights, front grills that are larger now, sophisticated sunroof, and even larger wheels. There are cars with “self-healing” clear coat of paint making small scratches vanish. Speaking of beltline, what is it? It is the line that separates the windows to the lower body of the cars. It is becoming popular now for it gives drivers a feeling of being secure and if his car is a lower model, it gives the sense of height.

With these latest features in cars, you would never want to leave the road anymore. Time is giving you now these options. Decide from luxury, entertainment, safety, and performance the one you will prioritize. If I could just have them all in one car, I’ll make it as my home.