Antique And Vintage Cars And Their Alure

Generally speaking, antique cars are those that are at least 25 years of age. The costs of insurance policies for antique cars are also very low and tend to vary between $100 and $250 per year to meet minimum legal requirements.

These cars are usually viewed at car shows because most are not driven around anymore. Vintage cars are typically exposed to such light service that they are not expected to have any valve seat problems.

Classic cars are generally considered to be high-quality vehicles from the pre-World War II era. Unrestored original antique cars are extremely hard to fine, especially the low-production ones. I've been told that these cars are hard to find and when you do find one the price is out of this world.

Many run of the mill antique cars are worth a lot less then its street rodded sister. These older cars are seldom suited to long pre-touring runs and carrying them on trailers is a costly business.

The antique cars are always very busy during the summer and is one family ride that families like to take when they are in that part of the park. Vintage and antique cars are now fetching record prices at auction.

Most antique cars are owned by private collectors who don't advertise rentals, but in fact many of them are more than willing to provide the service. Collectors of these cars are ever eager to display the vehicle they have spent time and money refurbishing.

These classic cars are exempt from Personal Property Taxation. These cars are always a head turner anywhere in the world. Antique cars are more likely to be stolen.

These vintage cars are generally prided and kept in pristine condition. They are even more damage prone than regular cars and the worst part is that their repairs are costlier too.

What is more amazing is how owner's of these antique cars maintain their priceless vehicle. Restoring and driving these cars is not a sport for paupers though. The Ford Model T Pickup truck was the truck that began the great tradition af American pickups.

The History Of Hot Rodding Power and Performance

When the hot rod was invented, one of the first steps in the process was to tear off the hood and throw it behind the barn. Easy and open access to the powerplant was required at all times. And of course there was also the need to show off the engine to everyone else on the street. It doesn't take a doctorate in psychology to figure this one out:
Since day one, hot rodders have been all about engines and going fast.

With our roots firmly planted in horsepower, Hot Rod though it was important to recognize some of the great engines in history of hot rodding.

What defines a great hot rod engine?

Here is some criteria that found the facts: First, it needs to contain American parts, Next, it must display the ingenuity and can-do attitude that was as American naturally take to be the American spirit. And Except in the rarest circumstances, it ought to be a V-8. So here are 10 of history's greatest hot rod engines. No doubt some readers will scream that we left their favorites off the list. We expect that, so if you're one of them, we apologize for the inconvenience.

(#1) Grumpy's Pro Stock Small-Block: In the 70's Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins was the reigning guru of the small-block Chevy V-8 in drag racing. Racers hung on his every word; when his hood came off in the paddock a crowd formed. But there was no heads-up pro category for the small-block in NHRA until 1972, when the Pro Stock rules were rewritten to permit small-displacement engines in short-wheelbase cars, handing them a weight break against the Chrysler Hemis then stinking up the show. Spotting his opening, Jenkins waded in with Grumpy's Toy IX, a Vega hatchback sporting a 331ci small-block.

(#2) Richard Petty's '64 Plymouth Race Hemi: Just so you know, maybe this is not the complete story of the debut of the Chrysler 426 Race Hemi at the '64 Daytona 500. Development on the 426 Hemi-the engine that turned Bill France purple was assembled in the final week of November of 1963.

(#3) The Swamp Rat's 200-Mph 392 Hemi: Chris Karamesines clocked at 204.54 mph at Alton, Illinois, in April 1960. In these days of billet Fuel Hemis, the engine in Swamp Rat VI is jaw-slackening to behold. In 1964 racers couldn't just assemble parts off the rack; ad-hoc engineering and experimenting were required. Big's 200 motor was built around a cast iron 392 Hemi block and heads.

(#4) Ford's '67 Lemans-Winning 427 V-8: The 427 had a bore of 4.23 inches and stroke of 3.78 inches, its actual displacement was 424.9 But ford decided to call it a 427.

(#5) Repco-Brabham V-8: Did you know the Oldsmobile won the Formula One World Championship? Built around a 215ci the Brabham 620 was a clever bit of blacksmithing.

(#6) Ron Main's FlatFire V-8: An original '46 Ford 59AB block with three main bearings, the motor was almost totally re-engineered by Mike Landy and the late Dick Landy of Dick Landy Industries. At almost over 700 hp the FlatHead happily zinging to 7,000 rpm's on the dyno. "The FlatHead is just a pretty little motor."

(#7) Eddie Hill's Four-Second Hemi: Eddi Hill laid down the first four-second pass in drag racing history: a 4.990, bumping the speed record to 288.55 mph in the process.

(#8) Bill Kuhlman's 200-Mph Big Block Chevy: With the juice flowing, it produced over 1,000 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm,and at 7,000 rpm it made 1,379 hp. Pretty good for a kit motor, especially in 1987.

(#9) Reher, Morrison And Shepherd's 83 Pro Stock Chevy: A fabricated sheetmetal intake manifold an a pair of 4500-Holeys completed the set up. There 605 motor took the IHRA title in 1983 along with the third consecutive NHRA championship in the same year. Simply put this was a bad motor.

(#10) Smokey Yunick's 427 Mk II Mystery Engine: The Mk II's short block used the same 4.84-inch bore spacing as the 348/409, and its 4.31-inch bore and 3.65-inch stroke were identical to those of 427ci ZII version of the 409. Smokey believed the motor was good for 600 hp or more.

Buy It, Build It, Drive It, Love It... of course there are many more great engines in our history that were not covered here. The tough get going-and the going get faster.

Volvo Cars Recommends Kids To Travel Rearward Facing

Volvo Cars, the company famed for its safety initiatives and innovations, recommends that small children should travel in rearward facing child restraints for as long as possible - at least until they are three to four years old. Older children, on the other hand, are advised to use a booster cushion until they are 140 centimeters tall and at least ten years old.

The Swedish automaker's recommendation is based on real life accidents blended with advanced research at Volvo Cars' state-of-the-art crash laboratory. Volvo is absorbed in finding new ways to reduce road injuries - this is why it is focusing on safety development. For four decades now, the automaker is studying child safety as part of its philosophy.

Volvo started researching child safety in the early 1960's. This was a time when space journeys were hot news. On the black and white TV screen you could see the astronauts lying on their backs to even out the forces during take-off and landing. Using the entire back to spread the forces was incorporated in the first child restraint prototype, which was tested in 1964. Since then, Volvo Cars has been setting the standard in child safety.

Volvo's founders Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larson said, "Cars are driven by people. The guiding principle behind everything we make at Volvo therefore, is - and must remain - safety." And the philosophy still stands up to the present time. Since its inception, the automaker has launched numerous safety milestones like Volvo park lights, three-safety belt, airbags, seatbelt with pretensioners, rearward facing child restraint, and other remarkable equipment.

"Our first rearward facing child restraint was launched back in 1972," said Lotta Jakobsson, the Child Safety Specialist at Volvo Cars Safety Centre. Volvo has also been a driving force in international cooperations such as the making of the ISOFIX standard. The latter is a standardized anchoring system that makes it easier to fit a child restraint correctly in any car equipped with the system.

In 1970, the Volvo Traffic Accident Research Team was established to study car crashes in Sweden linked to newer Volvo models. Since then, the team has studied about 2,500 traffic accidents down to the smallest detail. Based on the accident research, the team develops new safety technologies. Information from more than 36,000 accidents is stored in a statistical database. The Side-Impact Protection System (SIPS) and the Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) are direct results of this accident research.

"Our engineers identify interesting areas, develop solutions and incorporate them in the oncoming Volvo model," said Jakobsson. "When that model is out on the streets, the research of real life car crashes continues to help decide which areas to focus on in next generation. It is a continuous process."

Volvo's studies and statistical database that include more than 4,500 children revealed that a child in a rearward facing child seat is approximately 90 percent less likely to be injured in an accident compared to an unrestrained child. The studies also found that using a booster cushion, the child runs an approximately 75 percent lower risk of being injured compared to being unrestrained.

"All children must always be restrained properly. They should travel facing the rear until at least the age of three-four and use restraints for older children up to 10-12 years of age," said Jakobsson. Using a booster cushion, integrated or accessory, with the lap belt pulled tight prevents the body from riding underneath the safety belt and forward in a collision, she added.

Specialty Tools for Building Choppers

If you are building a chopper, you'll want to have the right tools on hand to get the job done right. There are some specialty tools you'll find make the build a whole lot easier. Below are some of the specialty motorcycle tools you'll want to have in your tool chest.

Chain Breaker: The master link on a motorcycle chain is installed with the intention of it being sturdy and not releasing at the wrong time. This means that breaking the chain's master link loose to remove the chain or adjust the length can be quite difficult. However, a chain breaker meant just for this purpose is not expensive and is well worth every dime you'll invest in purchasing a good one.

Chain Press Tool: Of course, one your break the chain, you'll want to re-install that chain or a new one onto the bike later. The chain press is a handy tool to make this simple and easy and avoid the "banging hammer, black and blue thumb" method.

Clutch Holding Tool and Clutch Spring Compression Tool : This pair of tools are especially handy. You will at times need to work on your bike with the clutch compressed when there isn't anyone around to hold the clutch for you. With the clutch holding tool, it isn't any problem to have the clutch held in a compressed position for you. The clutch spring compression tool is a must-have for working on your clutch. You can obtain the pair for under $100 if you shop around.

Handle Bar and Subframe Straightener: You are going to have times you need to straighten a bend in your chopper frame or handle bars. Get the job done right with a straightener tool which you can find at a reasonable price. Because this tool will have to withstand a lot of pressure, be sure to buy a quality tool with a good guarantee.

Hydraulic Brake Bleeder: If you like to work alone when doing a chopper build, you may not have someone around when you need to bleed the brake lines of any trapped air. For under $50, you can add a hydraulic brake bleeder to your tool kit and do the job alone quite easily.

Compression Tester: Engine rebuilds or troubleshooting will be easier when you have a quality compression tester on hand. A good quality compression tester for your chopper will cost $100 or more, but you'll use it for many, many years, making it a sound investment.

Flywheel Puller: This inexpensive tool is a must-have for working on choppers. You can pull flywheels with ease and without harming the part by using the right tool for the job.

Crank Case Splitter: Getting into the crank case can be impossible unless you use a crank case splitter. This won't be the least expensive tool in your collection but it will make an engine rebuild much easier, so invest in a quality crank case splitter for your chopper builds.

Fork Tools: To work efficiently on your custom chopper forks, you'll want several tools. First, a fork oil gage level is a must-have so you can check the oil levels in your forks. Fork seal drivers will make installing new fork seals much easier.

Carb Sync Gage Set: If you run a chopper with more than one carb, you'll want a sync gage set so you can tune all the carbs to perfection.

Jet Wrench: A jet wrench for adjusting your carb jets is another great addition to your took chest.

Valve Shim Adjustment Tool: Valve shim adjustment is a tedious task to say the least. With the right tool, it can be done without nearly as much frustration. The cost is low and the added efficiency is priceless.

Spoke Wrench: If you use spoked wheels, you'll want to have a spoke wrench in your tool box to adjust the spokes.

Wheel Truing Stand: To adjust the spokes so that your wheel turns perfectly requires a stand in which you can mount the tire and allow it to spin freely. A wheel truing stand will run you $100 or more but it's an investment in a quality tool that you'll use for decades to come.

Where In The World Is Volvo's Treasure Chest?

Somewhere on the ocean floor lays a treasure chest full of $50,000 worth in pirate gold and a key to a all-new Volvo XC90. And enthusiasts around the world are finding ways to search for the sunken treasure…

The Volvo Car Corporation is calling all pirates, scallywags and treasure fanatics to join The Hunt - a competition in connection with the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, which opens in theatres on May 25.

The Hunt, which has started on the 4th of this month, is the second in Volvo's partnership with Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise. This will also be the first time the competition has been open to Canadians. Last year's program was limited to residents of the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Spain and Austria. Now, the competition includes Bulgaria, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan and Thailand.

Where in the world did the Swedish automaker hide its treasure? Well, that is for participants to find out… The mystery thrills everyone… And it puffs out fumes of eagerness like the Volvo muffler. And the increasing breathtaking sensation makes the competition more intense. Tens of thousands of online treasure hunters across the globe vie to find a chest. To inspire, entertain, or even distract all would-be pirates on their quest for the treasure, Volvo offers up some other great watery mysteries from over the ages.

"Okay, okay. Maybe it is a stretch to call The Hunt one of the greatest mysteries of the deep, but it certainly has got a lot of people flummoxed," said Linda Gangeri, the national advertising manager for Volvo Cars of North America. "We thought some of our more prodigious participants might enjoy pitting their wit and skill against some age-old mysteries... but even if they solve them, the only way to get your hands on Volvo's treasure is by joining our Hunt!"

Just days after Volvo launched its latest treasure hunt, the company has revealed some spots where it did not sink the treasure. "Three-quarters of the earth's surface is under water, so finding a sunken treasure chest is not going to be easy," said Volvo's Linda Gangeri. "We want our hunt to be challenging, but we don't want participants to become discouraged, so we thought we'd help narrow the playing field by revealing places where 'X' doesn't mark the spot."

Some of the more rational sounding places where the treasures are not found include the Dead Sea, the Red Sea, the Caspian Sea, and Sea World. Even though the hunt started on 4 May, there is still time to join. Volvo is calling more participants aged 18 years and older to visit a Volvo retailer to pick up a special pirate chart then register at www.volvocars.com/thehunt any time between May 4 and May 29. The first person from each of the participating markets to finish the online hunt will compete against one another in one final online challenge June 2. To participate in the global head to head, players will be required to present an original pirate chart upon conclusion of The Hunt. Winners will only be eligible if they can produce the pirate chart.

Once registered, participants set sail on a virtual high seas adventure and receive clues as they solve a series of challenging and fun online puzzles. Enthusiasts can join The Hunt and can catch up with other participants if they correctly answer the puzzles posted online. As the contest progresses, the puzzles will become more and more hard to solve.

The first of those 22 individuals to solve the final puzzle will be named the winner and will receive a trip to the burial location to retrieve the chest filled with $50,000 in pirate gold and a key to a brand new Volvo XC90.

"Last summer, we held a treasure hunt to find a buried Volvo XC90 V8 to tie in with Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and were blown away by the success - more than 100,000 participants from around the world joined in," said Linda Gangeri, national advertising manager for Volvo Cars of North America. "This year, with more countries, more booty and all the early interest, we're really excited to set sail.' So, come join The Hunt!"

Dinan Cars Announce Parts Availability for BMW 328

Dinan Cars, an automotive company in the United States known for designing and manufacturing aftermarket performance parts for BMW vehicles, recently announced the availability of new BMW 328 Coupe and Sedan components. The company not only produces aftermarket parts for BMW vehicles but also for the MINI brand. The said company is based in Morgan Hill, California and is also known for designing and building BMW racing engines for the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype class. Its products are sold through a marketing network composed of different BMW dealerships and other independent auto shops across the United States.

The BMW 328 is under the 3 Series that was redesigned by the German car manufacturer last year. For this car model, Dinan Cars announced the availability of the Ram-Air Intake Assembly although this would only be for the sedan version. The company stated that they used the ram air effect to give the air intake assembly better access to air. The said component scoops up air from the area close to the brake duct. This is in addition to the already existing air duct. The air flow from both of these components gives the engine more air. The use of this component can improve the torque and horsepower output of an engine.

The responsiveness of the engine to the demand of the driver is also increased giving extra power when it is needed. The aftermarket part is composed of an aluminum "air scoop", a silicone hose, and an air-box duct. Tests have shown that this aftermarket performance part can increase power output by as much as 7 horsepower and 6 lb-ft of torque at 6600 revs per minute.

Another for sedan only aftermarket part that was announced to be available by Dinan Cars is the Free Flow Exhaust. The said component is designed to reduce back pressure. For performance enthusiasts, back pressure is considered a bad thing since it reduces the power output of an engine. It is generated by an exhaust system with many twists and bends. Although laws have been passed to increase back pressure to eliminate loud noise, the Free Flow Exhaust uses design technology which reduces backpressure but at the same time keeps the engine noise to a minimum level.

The exhaust part is made out of 100 percent stainless steel. This means that the component can resist corrosion for a considerably long time. The aftermarket part is also designed to fit the factory hangers and its connection with the exhaust manifold. Dinan Cars announced that this same exhaust will be available for BMW 328 coupes shortly.

Another product available from Dinan Cars is the Strut Tower Brace for both the coupe and the sedan version of the BMW 328. The strut bar is a suspension system component used to complement MacPherson struts. The said component provides better strength to the strut towers. According to Dinan Cars, the new strut tower brace they have designed will "help to maintain the structural integrity of the towers over the life of the vehicle as well as providing sharper handling by reducing flex under harder cornering conditions." This gives better ride comfort to the already smooth driving BMW 328. The aftermarket part is precision engineered to fit the strut tower reinforcements. This ensures that the aftermarket part will perfectly complement the stock components used on the coupe and sedan.

The strut tower brace is recommended by Dinan to be used with another product they have designed and produced and is now available in the market. The Stage 1 Suspension system for both coupe and sedan is composed of a Dinan Performance Springs, Koni Strut and rear shocks, and bumpstops. The suspension assembly increase road grip of the tires and also reduces body roll. The assembly also lowers the car giving it a truly performance car look.

Dinan Cars is one of the leading manufacturers of BMW aftermarket parts such as BMW belts, body kit, and other accessories. With a long standing agreement with BMW dealers which allows Dinan-modified vehicles to retain the factory warranty. Usually, the warranty that comes along with a vehicle is immediately lost after a modification has been made to the vehicle. This shows how Dinan Cars has created a name for itself in the United States auto industry.

Third World Car Smarts

After living in Central America for about a year, the habits of drivers and car owners has become less of a novelty to me. However, as I sat in a taxi heading home from the Panama International Airport yesterday watching the driver hose down his engine to cool it off, I realized that car preservation in the 3rd world has become a kind of art form.

In another such eye-opening experience in Costa Rica, I was stirred from my slumber in the distribution van for the newspaper I was working for when the whole world began to shake. When I opened my eyes, I realized it was the van that was shaking. We were at the gas station, and in an effort to squeeze one more half liter into the tank, the gas attendant was shaking the car back and forth to make the rest of the gas settle down to the bottom. What about the shocks, I wondered.

I have since seen people raise cars onto a half-ramp, positioning at such an angle that would allow for even more gas to fit into the vehicle. At that same stop in Costa Rica I was then surprised by the jet of water coming from a hose that was used to clean the vehicle, despite the lack of soap or drying materials.

When it comes to the overall maintenance of the vehicles, creativity is key. I have seen cars held together with an ever growing assortment of plastic wrap, wax paper, metal scraps, bungee cords and duct tape. Car owners with missing rear view mirrors can often be found investing in blue lights to place under the car rather than the seemingly obvious repair.

Decoration of taxis is another art. While not very religious, I prefer the Jesus statues and rosaries dangling from the review mirror – they give me a sense of security that is unmatched by the I ::heart:: Jesus bumper stickers placed strategically over large dents.

If nothing else, I have come to appreciate the transportation system at home in the United States, and if that should ever fail me, at least I have an insider's look at alternative repairs and inexpensive problem solving for vehicle owners.

Limousines for Everybody?

Since the first limousines appear, within the automotive development in the end of XIX century and beginning of XX, that they have been used for special events (as public appearances) or extraordinary people (such as nation-state presidents). Since those classic limos a lot of changes have being made in the cars, such as an introduction of several amenities as new seats, more reliable and safe technology in the cars, tv, audio devices and so on. This improvements or changes still seems to point at limousines as special, luxurious, extraordinary vehicles used for extraordinary events.

However maybe more important than the changes in the cars or the chauffeurs, are the changes in the conception of the companies who provide limousine hire services. While in the past hiring a limousine was something that only the people with high social status or finance and economical power could afford, the market is changing today requesting a re-shape of the limousine companies approach and services. Where are this changes pointing out today?

First the continuous development of a strong middle class, in many countries that we are used to call as developed or "first world", with increasing desire and economical power for better lifestyle opened the limo hire market as we never saw before. The hiring of a limousine becomes something quit ordinary for many "common people". Second, besides the enlargement of the number of possible customers, the competition between Limousine companies increase exponential in the last 10-15 years requiring continuous innovation.

We can see this changes looking at the internet sites, that many of this companies have. The focus of this re-shaping is being on increase quality and security of the chauffeurs, cars and all the limo service in general; providing easily and direct ways of contact, booking and hiring those companies services on-line; struggling for competitive prices which assure top positions in the global opening markets; improving the appeal of internet windows (sites) concerning on the one hand the importance of achieving good positions in search engines and on the other hand to obtain new customers; some of this companies are being specialize for some special events (like weddings for example) as strategy to obtain secure niche markets; the introduction of blogs, forums or simply informative pages providing access to new information about limos world.

Where are this changes pointing out tomorrow?


This re-shape of the limousine companies today shows a concern in targeting a much more vast market as 20 or 30 years ago providing good quality and security services at competitive prices (prices affordable to many persons as possible) in parallel with a more easy, direct and closest way of hiring. This shows a great movement towards global economy in general and recreational business in particular of what I call - democratization of global resources and services – which means a boom in economical business sources together with a vast and increasing number of consumers within a fast dynamic of changes in the offering – demanding social complex.

Concerning the limousines business of tomorrow we have to be aware the continuity with the features we are already saw more or less clear today (as mention above) and also the new features that will bring the new competition arenas of the limo companies. These new features and arenas are being built upon information and knowledge about the limousines services being provided in an interactive way by both professionals of the area and not specialize authors (as costumers); the companies also have to adapt their services to a more personalize demand (which includes age, events, number of costumers, taste, pre-requirements made by the costumers among others).

As a conclusion we can say that Limousine Companies are facing the ultimate challenge that is trying to provide everyone the opportunity of hiring a limo transforming the old concept of "limos as cars for the special ones" into a guideline focuse in showing that "everyone is special enought to demand the kind of quality that limousine services are offering."

The Revival of the S-Type

In 1963, British car manufacturer Jaguar announced that they will be producing a sedan to market above the slot that is currently occupied by the previously popular Mark II. The following year, the company delivered the first Jaguar S-Type fitted with Jaguar XK engines. Although originally intended to replace the Mark II in Jaguar's lineup, the strong sale of the Mark II forced the company to move the S-Type into another segment. In 1968, after only four years after its inception in the market, the Jaguar S-Type was discontinued when the bigger Jaguar XJ6 replaced it in Jaguar's lineup. After a long hiatus, the S-type was revived for the 2000 year model by the Ford Motor Company which currently owns the British marque.

The revived S-Type initially shared its platform with the now defunct Lincoln LS. The lineup of the S-Type is expanded in 2003 with the supercharged S-Type R. The R version of the Jaguar S-type is considered as the most powerful S-Type in production. The midsize luxury car with the R badge is equipped with a supercharged 4.2-liter V8 engine unit.

This V8 engine is capable of producing as much as 390 horsepower. The company claims that this power is enough to propel the S-Type R to 60 miles per hour from a standstill in just 5.3 seconds or 5.6 seconds to make it zoom from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour. Some of its most notable features when compared to the conventional S-Type are the presence of 18-in alloy wheels, and the wire-mesh grille. The "R" badging is also visible on the boot lid and both front wings of the car.

Aside from its good looks and a powerful engine, the Jaguar S-Type R is also equipped with advanced features such as the Dynamic Stability Control. This feature is also called an Electronic Stability Control and is used so as to improve the handling capabilities of a vehicle. This feature reduces the risk of a person loosing control of a vehicle by adjusting the car automatically to the demand of the road. The system basically evaluates the driver's input to the reaction of the vehicle. If the system senses that too much power is flowing into a wheel or set of wheels, it applies the brakes for that particular wheel or wheels to keep the vehicle balanced. Aside from this feature, the Jaguar S-Type R is also equipped with an active suspension system which controls the performance and reaction of the different suspension components such as Jaguar struts, shock absorber, and the like.

The supercharged R variant of the Jaguar S-Type is also equipped with an adaptive cruise control system. This feature uses laser or radar technology to maintain a preset distance between the vehicle and the vehicle in front of it. This technology automatically activates once a preset speed is achieved. When the system senses an impending collision with another vehicle or any kind of object in front of it, the system activates the brakes. This feature is already being used by high-end vehicles and the popularity of this feature has led to the development of cost-efficient laser-based adaptive cruise control systems. The safety that this feature offers to consumers is complemented by the luxurious interior that the S-Type R possesses.

Plush leather seats are standard features for the S-Type R along with a wood gear shift knob and a rear sunshade. The seats are all adjustable. The driver seat is modifiable in 16 ways and the passenger seats 12 ways. These seats complement the adequate interior space of the S-Type R. Both the front and rear seats provide ample legroom and headspace.

The Jaguar S-Type may be once again heading for the shelves as Jaguar announced that they will be replacing it with a new model to be known as the Jaguar XF. The concept model for the production XF was unveiled earlier this year at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) where the XF immediately attracted the attention of many sports car enthusiasts. Whether the XF will bring Jaguar to profitability is a question that will be answered in the near future. Ford, Jaguar's parent, is currently losing money as the British marque continues its downward slide. In spite of Jaguar's poor performance in the market, Ford Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally said that they will not sell the Jaguar brand. This means that Ford will still have a hand in the development and production of the forthcoming Jaguar XF.

Top Tips For Choosing Your Breakdown Cover

Until quite recently the choices for breakdown cover where limited to two major companies, the AA and the RAC. Even today they are the two most popular choices of motorists. However there are others creeping in, for example Green Flag from the supermarket Tesco is just one of those bringing more competition to the market.

With the average cost of breakdown cover costing around £35 and the typical cost of recovery being around £70 then it could be worthwhile taking out motor breakdown cover.

When choosing cover there are a few things you should take into account before selecting which provider to go with. For example, the average response time to reach you should be around 20 to 40 minutes so it is worthwhile checking this out.

If you go beyond anything but the very basic cover then it can get quite complicated. However typical things you can watch out for include whether the policy includes home recovery. This means that your car will be repaired should it break down while at home or near your home.

Is the cost of alternative transport included in your policy? For example, if your car cannot be fixed immediately, do you get a hire car or will the company transport you to your destination?

Does the price include the breakdown service getting in touch with friends or family members to let them know you are stranded and will be late?

Also, look out for whether the policy is vehicle based or people based. Some of the larger providers offer this type of cover. If vehicle based, then it is the car that has the cover, no matter who the driver. If it is people based, then the person who is covered could be in any vehicle when they call out the breakdown cover.

And finally, does the cover include the cost of breakdown if you are on the continent?
Once you have checked out the cover and you can make an educated choice as to which of the options best suits your circumstances.

Aftermarket Upgrades to Enhance Your Jeep's Performance

Serious off-road enthusiasts do not worry about mud or scratches on their Jeeps because they will have a lot more come the end of the week. They are modern day explorers and adventurers that want to go where no one has ever gone before. They are usually off exploring those caves or driving up that mountain to see how far they can go. When driving unpredictable terrain, the off-road enthusiast does not know the word "can't". You can't get there by car, you can't cross that creek bed, or you can't drive up that mountain. These are all heard as challenges. The off-roader now wants, no, must find a way to conquer that obstacle.

To meet these challenges the typical serious off-road Jeeper wants to enhance their Jeep by adding aftermarket performance parts that help them achieve the optimum rock-crawling, trail-thrashing ability. Specialized aftermarket trail performance components are made specifically for each model, whether it is a Wrangler, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, or Liberty. Accessories are readily available to improve engine performance, vehicle handling, ground-clearance and trail convenience.

To increase horsepower there are a multitude of aftermarket upgrades available. Hi-flow air intake systems increase the flow of air to the engine. This allows your engine to breathe easier. The air filter is designed to achieve virtual unrestricted airflow and still filter the air of dust and debris, which not only delivers added power but also helps prolong the life of the engine. Computer chips and programmer boxes are designed to improve horsepower and/or gas mileage giving you the ability to optimize the power of your Jeep. These programmers allow you to tune your Jeep to receive more rotary force (torque) or to customize your Jeep's limit to allow for faster acceleration. High performance exhaust systems are not installed just to make noise. They increase the exhaust flow of your Jeep lessening the backpressure, which helps to produce more power, and, yes your Jeep will have a deeper, meaner roar to it as well.

Suspension lift kits increase the handling and ground clearance of your Jeep. You install taller suspension components (higher lift springs and longer recoil shocks). These systems deliver lift, better articulation, better offroad handling, and allow for larger tires; all this for better off-road traction and handling.

Polyurethane mounts and bushings provide better performance and extended wear. Polyurethane transmission mounts replace worn rubber factory mounts, which can lead to hard shifting and sloppiness in the drive train. Changing these rubber factory mounts to the new polyurethane mounts will also lessen breakage when placing high levels of power demands on the system. Polyurethane bushings improve the handling and feel of your Jeep, and provide the necessary stiffness to the body and cab, while maintaining a certain resilience to ensure a firmer ride.

An on-board air system offers trailside convenience for the 4x4 enthusiast. It is a common practice for trail riders to air down their tires for maximum traction when maneuvering on rough terrain. Having on-board air makes it much easier for the Jeep driver to air back up the tires so their Jeep will perform properly on paved roads on their way back to the city from the off road excursion.

High-end performance Jeep alternaters are designed to meet the high-level demands on the electric system out on the trails. They ensure that you will have the power needed for your Jeep's system.

These specialized off-road components mentioned above are just some of the high-end parts that are available to Jeep owners for meeting the special demands from the trails. Contact your Jeep specialist at XtremeTerrain.com to learn more about these components and others that are designed to maximize the performance of your Jeep.

BMW Malaysian Sales Expected To Rise

The German car brand BMW is known the world over for its high performance vehicles and this fact has led to an increasing global market for the company. While the company is doing well in the European car market, its United States sales are questionable as of late. Increasing housing problems has led to the reduced sales for car companies in the United States last month.

In other parts of the world though, BMW is enjoying success in the auto market. In Malaysia, BMW expects that they will be posting an increase in sale for this year as compared to last year. The company is hopeful that their good start for the year will continue through the rest of the fiscal year.

BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd Managing Director Wolfgang Schlimme said that: "We have started well in 2007, with sales growing 37% quarter on quarter to hit 535 units in the first quarter." The Malaysian auto market is increasing in its size as the country's economy experiences a boost. Schlimme pointed out that that the company has been doing well in the Asian country for the past few years. "We have been growing for the last four years. Overall sales growth since 2003, when we sold 2,176 vehicles, was about 60," says Schlimme.

The company posted their best ever sales in the country by selling 3,472 vehicles in the mentioned auto market. Of that number 3,302 vehicles are of the BMW brand while the remaining 170 units are MINIs units.

With last year setting a benchmark in terms of annual sales for the German-based car manufacturer and a good start to this year, Schlimme stated that the company is once again on the right track. He also pointed out the reasons for their continuing success in the country. "We are going in the right direction and setting our priorities in terms of model line-up, availability and pricing," says Schlimme. "These are the reasons we are different from others. This has led us to continue growing in the past few years against the trend in the auto industry," he added further.

Another reason for BMW's success not only in Malaysia but around the world is their development of advanced features for their vehicles. BMW models are known to be loaded with technologically advanced features such as the night vision system and an advanced navigational system. In Malaysia, Schlimme credited their dealer network for the company's success in promoting these technologically advanced BMW vehicles. "A key decisive factor for our success here is our dealer network. At the end of the day, it is not our team in Cyberjaya but our service advisers, sales representatives and management of BMW dealers that provide first impressions and create long-lasting customer relationships for us. The biggest sales success for BMW is contributed by our dealers," says the general manager.

To date, BMW Malaysia has already a dealer network consisting of 13 dealerships. This number is set to increase as BMW is already on the latter stages of opening a new dealership located in Damansara in the country's Klang Valley. Schlimme pointed out why their dealerships are amassing great success in the country. "Our dealer network is one of our priorities in the day-to-day business. Our dealers are consistently upgrading their existing facilities, capacities and competence for customer convenience," he said. He also explained the company's involvement in the development of their dealerships. "We are in the background, supporting and making the dealers' sales and after sales capabilities as strong, competent and credible as possible. This is how it should be," he further states.

Aside from empowering dealerships across Malaysia, BMW is also exerting effort on supporting their parts distribution centers in the country. "We are enlarging our training offerings at the centre, which services 14 markets," says Schlimme. "Our group data centre provides information technology structure support to BMW organizations globally. It also serves the group's worldwide network for specific competences, for example, in the global plant logistics system," he added.

To increase their sales for the year, BMW Malaysia has added new BMW models to their lineup. New additions are the 325i Sports, 3 Series Coupe, Z4 M Coupe, X3 and the new MINI. In other BMW news, their plant producing the Z4 M Coupe will be canceling tours as vehicle production is set to go underway. The plant is located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Robert Hitt, the Department Manager for Public Affairs, has this to say about the closing of the plant to tours: "This is standard operating procedure, and is the same action we took when we began working on the Z4 Roadster and the X5 Sports Activity Vehicle."

The Pros and Cons of Buying Repossessed Cars and Homes

It is becoming more and more popular in today's society to buy repossessed items such as cars and homes from government auctions. It makes sense due to the fact that people can buy a vehicle or home at ten percent of its market value. However, it has never been so important to take caution when deciding to go to one of these auctions and protect yourself from buying something you'll surely regret later. Here are some tips when buying from a seized car or home auction.

1. When buying a Seized vehicle such as a repossessed car or truck, if possible, bring a mechanic or someone who is extremely knowledgeable about vehicles. It may even be a good idea to hire someone to save money in future repair costs. This one particular rule will go a long way and can save you much heart ache. So always bring an expert.

2. Don't go with the intention of feeling you have to buy something. This one behavior can get you in to a lot of trouble. It is much more important to think quality over quantity. You already know you'll be getting something for less than retail, might as well make sure you are buying something of value. Be patient, go to numerous auctions if you have to, and be decisive and particular. You'll thank yourself later.

3. Find out why a particular item is in an auction. If you are buying repossessed cars and trucks, make sure you know why it has been repossessed in the first place, this may give you insight in to reasons why you should or should not buy. Knowing this is extremely important for homes as well. If the previous owner was a drug dealer, when you purchase the home, you may be responsible for any clean up that the state requires in order for it not to become condemned. This also is a safety and health risk as well.

It comes down to one thing when buying seized merchandise from a government auction, knowledge is power. The more you know and the more cautious you are, the better transactions you will have. It also makes great sense from a business standpoint. If you plan on selling repossessed cars or repossessed homes, it is absolutely vital for your business to consider these points as it may give you a bad reputation in the future.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars vs Electric Cars – Which Is Really The Car Of The Future?

With gas prices being so high, alternative fuel vehicles have become a popular topic. Two of the types of vehicles that tend to get a lot of press are the hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles and electric powered vehicles. Both are lauded as the way of the future

But which of these two options are really has the better chance of being the car your children drive.

Let's look at hydrogen fuel cells first. When burned in an engine, the only emissions giving off is water, so a hydrogen powered vehicle is a zero emission vehicle. Hydrogen is also a better fuel than gasoline, it actually has the highest energy content per unit of weight of any known fuel.

Hydrogen is also a very abundant element. While current methods for making hydrogen are done by using fossil fuels, such as natural gas, coal, and oil, American wouldn't be dependent on foreign oil anymore. Also, hydrogen can be extracted from water, and we all know there's a lot of water on this planet.

However, hydrogen is not without its share of drawbacks. Probably the biggest problem right now is that it would require an entire new infrastructure. While gas stations could be outfitted with hydrogen fueling stations that would take years. Also, the technology to store hydrogen efficiently is still not ready for prime time.

Then there's the electric car. Electric cars can also be considered zero emission vehicles since they give off no emission when running. However, electric cars do require power from the electric grid, which does give off emissions. As the electric grid gets cleaner, though, so do electric cars, and electric powered cars are substantially less polluting than gasoline powered cars due to the fact that power plants are far cleaner and more efficient than an internal combustion engine in a vehicle.

The technology for mainstream electric cars is also not quite ready for all the major manufacturers to stop making gasoline powered cars, but it's much closer than hydrogen currently is. The challenge with electric cars right now is the batteries. The batteries are both expensive and current models, like the Tesla Roadster, have a range of only 250 miles – great for commuting, but not so good for road trips. The other problem is the length of time these vehicles take to charge. It's not simply a matter stopping at your local power station and plugging in for five minutes and leaving. A typical charging cycle for current prototypes is 4-5 hours – again, fine if you're commuting, but impossible for a road trip. While technology is being developed to make charging your vehicle as quick as quick as filling up with gas, it has a ways to go before it's ready, just like hydrogen fuel cells.

Fleets of electric cars will certainly be hitting the roads sooner hydrogen fuel cell cars, but which one ultimately ends up being the vehicle of choice for American drivers remains to be seen as both have plenty of challenges to overcome before people will readily give up their cheap gas powered cars in favor of these alternatives.

A Twist on the Fighting Back Against Rising Fuel Prices Problem

I just got back from the gas station, and I got $20 worth of regular and that equaled less than 6 gallons of fuel. The price of gas is truly making me sick to my stomach. Yes I know where spoiled, and in some countries they are paying up to eight dollars a gallon for regular fuel. But this fact does not make me any happier about the high fuel price situation.

My first suggestion is to replace your air filter on a regular basis. The air filter is one of the most overlooked parts that can easily help you fight back against high fuel prices. It is easy to forget about the air filter replacement as far as regular maintenance. But it is a large bang for your buck, car maintenance investment. The easier your car can breathe, the better the air gas mixture and the more efficiently the engine will burn your precious fuel.

Yes, and the next one I am sure you have heard a million times, but I must mention it. Keeping your tires properly inflated. This is the second easiest way to fight back against high gas prices. You do not want to overfill the tires, what you do want is to keep the tire pressure at the maximum recommended level. The harder the tire is the less resistance it takes to roll it down the road. A soft tire is not only a safety problem, but is also the leading cause of poor fuel economy.

Keep in mind that your vehicle is designed to get a specific amount of miles per gallon. You want to make sure that your vehicle is at least close to this maximum figure. Once you are at that point, almost nothing that you do will help the situation in the fight against rising fuel prices.

I am trying a new twist in my own personal flight back against rising fuel prices. As I was driving down the road burning my fuel, I noticed many vehicles that were wrapped in advertisements. At first I did not understand what this was all about, but after doing some research on the Internet I found out that these people are either receiving a free car to drive in exchange for exposure for advertising companies or receiving monthly payments for driving these mobile billboards. I did some research on the subject and found that you can also place advertisements on your own vehicle and receive a modest monthly payment for your advertising services. If you receive only $200 a month for placing a small ad on your vehicle. This may alone, cover your monthly fuel costs depending on how far you drive.

The website that I visited to do some research on this subject was called free car index. Before you embark on your journey to fight back against rising fuel prices, I wanted to share something I learned about the process. These advertising companies are looking for vehicles that do a lot of daily driving and keep their cars clean. So when you fill out these applications make sure you meet the profile the advertisers are looking for.

Honda to Increase Presence in Indian Auto Market

The Asian continent is fast becoming a huge market for automobiles. While some European markets seem to be slowing down and the U.S. auto sales is hampered by housing problems, Asian countries are increasingly becoming a favorite of car manufacturers. In fact, China and Japan are only next to the United States in terms of auto sales.

Aside from these two countries, another Asian country is fast becoming a hub for car manufacturers. India is now the fourth biggest car market in the Asian continent and car companies are taking notice. Not so long ago, General Motors announced their interest in the growing auto market of the country. Aside from General Motors, the alliance of Nissan and Renault has already started testing the Indian auto market. Following their steps towards the high ranks is the second largest Japanese car manufacturer Honda.

The company announced that they will be manufacturing and selling compact cars in the region by the year 2009. The company's decision to market smaller cars in the country is due to the fact that the three-quarters of all the cars sold in India are compact cars. General Motors, Volkswagen, Nissan, and Renault have also announced that they will be manufacturing small cars for the country. Honda's small cars to be sold in India will be built on a plant to be constructed in Rajasthan. The company reported that they expect to spend $728 million in the construction of the new assembly facility.

Honda's announcement to enter the small car market in India is fueled by the prediction that the country's demand for small cars will continue to increase in the near future. It has been estimated that by the year 2016, annual car sales in India will reach 3 million units. This predicted car sales will be divided by car manufacturers such as Suzuki and Hyundai, both of which have an already established buyer base in the country, as well as other brands like Nissan, Renault, General Motors, Volkswagen, Honda and other domestic and international brands who are willing to invest in India.

Although it is speculated that Honda will be manufacturing small cars, the Japanese car company is yet to name what model they will be producing at the Rajasthan production plant. Upon completion, the assembly facility will be expected to produce 60,000 vehicles annually. By the year 2014, Honda plans to expand the facility and increase its production capacity to 200,000 per year. The facility will handle all the processes handled by a full time automobile assembly plant. Although Honda is yet to announce the full scale of jobs to be handled by the facility it is expected that the brake assembly for vehicles will be one of the tasks of the plant.

To meet the expected production output, the new plant will be employing 4,000 workers. This means that Honda will not only benefit from the growing market in India but they will also be helping the country's economy.

What To Know About An ATV Winch

You've got the ATV, the trailer and the accessories, but you forgot all about an ATV winch. Why do you want to put a winch on your quad? Consider this. ATVing can be loads of fun, especially if you are fortunate enough to find lots of mud or loose sand to play in. But what do you do if you or someone gets stuck? How are you going to get out when pushing, pulling and cursing at your ATV doesn't do the trick?

That's where an ATV winch comes in handy and is an accessory that you won't want to do without. Having an ATV winch attached to the rear end of your machine will come in handy some day, you can guarantee it. Can a winch pull you out of a quagmire? You bet! A winch can pull up to three thousand pounds, which is more than you can say for two or three guys huffing and puffing knee deep in mud trying to do the same thing.

How does an ATV winch work? It pulls power off your quad battery, which provides electricity to turn the drum your cable is wrapped around. Pretty simple, really, but a powerful tool when it comes to insuring safety and loads of fun on your ATVing excursions.

Keep in mind that you don't have to attach an ATV winch to the back of your machine, but can carry it in a compartment on your quad for easy storage, Just remember that if you get stuck, you will have to anchor your winch to an object sturdy enough to resist the pull while trying to extricate another quad out of the mud, sand or water you find yourself stuck in. If your anchor doesn't hold, you won't be going anywhere.

Once you have your ATV winch attached to something solid, disengage the clutch and begin pulling your cable from the drum. This is also called spooling, and is much like pulling fishing wire out of the reel on your favorite fishing rod.

Never wrap your winch cable around something and then attach the cable hook to that because the cable may be damaged. Once you've attached the hook to the stuck quad, engage the clutch on the winch and then stand back, as a snapped cable can cause severe injuries.

Restart the ATV, make sure your brakes are locked, wheels are blocked and then slowly allow the cable to pull out the stranded machine. Keep your engine revved at about medium speed, as using an ATV winch pulls a lot of juice from the battery and you don't want to stall. A way to avoid this danger is to install a more powerful battery than comes from the manufacturer.

An ATV winch is a powerful and necessary accessory to your ATVing equipment, but many people don't bother with purchasing one, which makes for many ruined trips, especially in wintertime. Do yourself, and your friends, a favor and make sure that a winch is on the top of necessary items to carry on or in your quad.

The 2008 Jeep Liberty Up Close

With the wheelbase stretched a couple inches and the spare tire moved up underneath the vehicle, the 2008 Jeep Liberty gets its interior refreshed with hard plastic on the majority of the surfaces. The seats are now covered with some fairly nice perforated two-tone leather. One truly unique feature is the sliding canvas roof, which Jeep calls "Sky Slider".

The Jeep Liberty has remained a leader in the mid-size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) market since its introduction in 2002. All new from the wheels to the roof for 2008, the Jeep Liberty remains true to its legendary 4x4 heritage by offering two Jeep Trail Rated four-wheel-drive systems. The all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty offers a balance of off-road capability and on-road refinement with its all new
independent front suspension, all-new five-link rear suspension, and a power rack-and-pinion steering system.

The all-new Jeep Liberty is designed to appeal to customers who are looking for Jeep 4x4 capability as well as comfort and convenience. Inside, cargo and storage space are increased and seat comfort improved. The 2008 Jeep Liberty will make its debut as the new "Sky Slider full-open canvas roof"; giving the Jeep Liberty that "Only in a Jeep" open-air experience. Added to the vehicle's ever-growing list of available features and options are remote start, rain-sensing wipers, memory seats and mirrors, and express up-down windows. There are two models for next year, the Jeep Liberty Sport and the Jeep Liberty Limited.

The 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 engine provides the 2008 Jeep Liberty with competitive peak power and torque while providing smooth, quiet operation and proven durability. It produces 210 hp or 157 kW at 5,200 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. or 319 N•m of torque at 4,000 rpm. Fuel economy has also been improved.

Two transmissions are offered on the Jeep Liberty in the United States: a six-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic transmission.

The 2008 Jeep Liberty was designed and engineered under the Chrysler Development System (CDS), which is the comprehensive, coordinated and disciplined product creation process that improves quality and speed-to-market while reducing costs and encouraging practical innovation in new products.

Liberty is now a more rugged and classic Jeep design that is guaranteed to strengthen its draw to current owners and broaden its appeal to a new audience. Jeep classic exterior styling and functional interior space are designed to broaden its consumer appeal. Cargo capacity increases and front and rear passengers will notice the improved seat comfort along with added space.

It has a full range of active and passive safety systems. Among the vehicle's standard equipment are Electronic Stability Program, Electronic Roll Mitigation, All-speed Traction Control, Brake Assist, advanced anti-lock brakes, rain sensing wipers, Tire Pressure Monitoring, side-curtain air bags and the Jeep exhaust.

The 2008 Jeep Liberty will be built using Chrysler Group's modern production process, called the Flexible Manufacturing Strategy (FMS). FMS allows multiple products to be produced at one plant in a time-efficient manner, which are of higher quality for lower cost. The new manufacturing process will make heavy use of robots at the Toledo (Ohio) North Assembly Plant.

The Jeep Liberty will be available at Jeep dealerships starting in the third quarter of 2007.

To maintain the performance and assure the environmental effects of your car, get informed about the Jeep exhaust system for the 2008 Jeep Liberty.

Troubleshooting Tips for Cars -1

A guide to D.I.Y car troubleshooting.
If you are having trouble with your car hopefully i can help you to diagnose some of the most common and easy to solve issues, and possibly save you some money for a rainy day.

So lets begin with the basics and we will work from here in the coming articles:

Almost every engine requires three things to function - air,fuel and fire (some of the exceptions include rocket engines and some pulse jet engines, but that is another days work).

If either of these three is missing or interrupted for whatever reason, the engine will cease to function.This in fact is the main cause of the vast majority of car trouble - an upset in the flow of fuel,a change in the ratio of fuel/air mixture or a problem with the ignition coil circuitry and components.

Lets investigate some of the possible causes for an upset to the flow of fuel. We will start from the source of the fuel,the fuel tank and work our way toward the business end,the engine.
The most obvious one i can think of is......there is no fuel,but i doubt you are that stupid,are you? Go on,check the fuel gauge and come back to me (or not)!!

Ok, so it is not the fuel supply. Next under the microscope is the fuel lines, an easy way to check these is to turn over the engine a couple of times and see of you get a strong odour of fuel or a patch of fuel on the ground. I would strongly doubt this to be a cause as the fuel lines are well out of the way of any damage and are usually still intact when the rest of the car is on its deathbed.

Next up is be the fuel pump,this in my opinion would be the greatest culprit of any fuel supply problem. The fuel pump is essentially a hermetically sealed electric motor that sucks the fuel out of the tank and into the carburettor for combustion inside the engine.