BellaJay

29/11/2015

Selecting the Right Tires
Selecting the right tires for your vehicle is an important decision. Your safety, as well as driving enjoyment over the next years and thousands of miles will be determined by this decision. The information provided here and the advice/recommendations from the experts at the Tire Rack will ensure you select tires that match your vehicle...and the way you drive it!

How Many Tires Do I Need?
Since tires affect the personality and performance of your vehicle, all four tires should be as identical as possible or handling problems may arise. If your tires don't match, it is possible that one end of your vehicle won't respond as quickly or completely as the other, making it more difficult to control.
Consider the Following:
Just One Tire?
If your tires have a lot of remaining tread depth, but you need to replace just one that has been damaged by an accident, road hazard or a vandal, you should replace it with a tire that exactly matches the others. Select a replacement tire of the same brand, line, size and speed rating. While there may be a less expensive tire available, it wouldn't be a bargain this time because it would be different than the other three tires on your vehicle.
A Pair of Tires?
If two of your tires have a lot of remaining tread depth, but you need to replace the other two because they were damaged or have worn out, you should replace them with a pair of tires that come as close as possible to matching your existing tires. While identical new tires are desirable, others of the same size and type can also provide good results. Only consider selecting new tires that are from the same tire category as your existing tires. New tires should always be installed on the rear axle.
While your vehicle is being serviced ask your mechanic why one pair of tires have worn faster than the others. Was it caused by a lack of tire rotation, out-of-spec wheel alignment or loose mechanical parts? Once the problem has been found, it can be corrected before it damages your new tires. Keep in mind that your ultimate goal is that all of your tires always wear out at the same time so they can be replaced as a set.
A Set of Tires?
If all of your tires are wearing out together, you have the greatest flexibility in tire selection. If you were happy with the original tires, simply replace them. If you want longer treadwear, a smoother ride or more handling, there are probably tires that will help you accomplish that. Review the tire category types until you find a category description that describes a tire that fits your needs.
Once you know how many tires you will be replacing, determine size and type by answering the questions below:
What Is the Right Size for My Vehicle?
Buying the correct tire size can get complicated, especially if you decide to upgrade from your vehicle's Original Equipment size.
A tire's first requirement is that it must be able to carry the weight of your vehicle. No matter how good a tire you select, if its capabilities are "overworked" just carrying the load, it will have little reserve capacity to help your vehicle respond to a quick emergency. So when you are in the selection process, make certain that your new tire's size is designed to carry the weight of your vehicle! Don't undersize.
The other size consideration is overall tire diameter. Since many of the functions of today's vehicles are highly computerized, maintaining accurate speed data going into the computer assures accurate instructions coming out. And an important part of the speed equation is your tire's overall tire diameter.
For cars and vans, staying within a 3% diameter change is desirable. Pick-ups and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are usually engineered to handle up to a 15% oversize tire. Most tire dimensions can be calculated. While at first a 3% diameter increase or reduction in tire diameter may sound very limiting, in most cases it allows approximately a 3/4" diameter change.

Additionally to help with the selection of substitute sizes, a system called "Plus Sizing" was developed. We use Plus Sizing to take into account the diameters of the available tires and the wheels, and then helps select the appropriate tire width that ensures adequate load capacity. Maintaining the tire's overall diameter helps maintain accurate speed data going into the computer.

08/05/2015

So, I’ve heard from several people over the course of my life that it is more fuel efficient to run a car with the windows down rather than use the A/C.
However, a new article on Fuel Economy Myths from CNN-Money suggests that this isn’t so at high speeds.
There’s no question air-conditioning makes extra work for the engine, increasing fuel use. But car air conditioners are much more efficient today than they used to be. In around-town driving, using the A/C will drop fuel economy by about a mile a gallon.
Meanwhile, driving at higher speeds with the windows down greatly increases aerodynamic drag. As speed increases, drag becomes more of an issue, making A/C use the more efficient choice at high speeds.
At most speeds and in most vehicles, A/C use drains slightly more fuel than driving with the windows down, contends David Champion, head of auto testing for Consumer Reports. “My final take on is that it’s very close,” says Phil Reed, consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com. “It’s hard to measure the difference and every vehicle is different.”
The best choice—if temperature and humidity allow—is to keep the windows rolled up and to turn the A/C compressor off. You can keep the fans running to blow in air from the outside, but your car will be as aerodynamic as possible while still letting you breathe. You will save gas, but the fuel economy improvement will be slight.
Other myths include the idea the Premium gas gives you better gas mileage (false in modern cars – the car’s computer can tell the density of the fuel and adjusts the spark plug timing. Lower-octane fuel “slightly” decreases horsepower, but has negligible effect on fuel economy), and that over-inflating tires increase fuel economy (obviously true – less friction, but dangerous due to braking and turning issues)

01/04/2015

How to Set Rear‐View Mirrors to Eliminate Blind Spots

It may surprise you to learn that there is a better way to set the rear-view mirrors on your car.

The quick test: if you look in your side mirrors and you see the side of the car, then you're not using the mirror's capacity! Essentially, most people have a huge overlap between the center and side rear-view mirrors, which is unnecessary. By spreading your side mirrors you lose no information about what's behind you, but gain valuable insight into what's beside you.

1. Lean your head over until it almost touches the driver's window, and then position the side mirror on the car's left side so you can just see the rear quarterpanel (the rear end of the car) in the mirror. Note this will have it positioned farther out than you probably had it before.

2. Lean your head to the right to align it with the center of the car, for example, just between the 2 front seats, at your normal height. From there, position the right side mirror so you can just see the rear quarterpanel of the passenger side in the mirror.

3. Adjust the center rearview mirror to place it facing the center of the rear window.

4. While driving note that a car passing you begins in the center of your rearview mirror. As it approaches you, it moves to the side of your center rear view mirror, and at the same time appears in your side mirror. This shows you that there is no rear blind spot, because there is an overlap between the mirrors.

5. Also note that your side mirrors now capture a tremendous additional amount of information about what is in the lanes right next to your car.Previously you would have to turn your head to ensure nothing was in the lanes beside your car before changing lanes. Now, your side mirrors do a much better job of covering this blind spot on the sides.

Courtesy Wikihow

12/02/2015

What do the numbers and letters mean on an automatic transmission?
1, 2, D, L, S, etc?

That’s what’s known in the automotive world as the “prindle,” the pronunciation that engineers bestowed on the transmission gear selector because it commonly contained the letters PRNDL for Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Low.

Drive, of course, covers all the forward gears, and because an automatic transmission selects those gears automatically based on throttle position, vehicle speed and other factors, that’s the only transmission position most people select for forward progress.
Most automatic transmissions also allow you to manually select one or more lower gears, such as Low (L), 1st (1) and 2nd (2). In the case of L and 1, the transmission will stay in the lowest gear and not shift on its own. That allows maximum power when you need it, such as on a steep hill, but greatly limits your speed. Some automatic transmissions will shift out of 1st once you reach a certain speed, such as 30 mph, to prevent damage to the transmission or engine, or cut power to the engine. And with others, if you select 2, the transmission starts in 2nd gear and is locked in that gear. This is useful when starting out on slippery surfaces or for engine braking when descending a steep hill.
You also mentioned S, which could be a Sport setting in which the transmission downshifts sooner when you open the throttle to pass and holds lower gears longer for sustained acceleration.
See the vehicle’s owner’s manual for more info. You might be enlightened about other ways to maximize performance or reduce stress on the transmission.

29/01/2015

Most expensive car in the world:

DESIGNERS

«What was the reason for the creation of the iron giant? - You ask. Promotion of the German tire manufacturer Fulda in honor of the new series of high-speed tires Fulda Tyres. Means of advertising this company always had a reputation of its exclusivity and originality, but this time they have exceeded all expectations. The whole essence of the problem was that tires have a huge size - 315/25 ZR23 and the pressure was 3.6 bars. To demonstrate the true capabilities of these tires needed a big car.

An interesting fact is that the development of machine design was entrusted to four students from the Polytechnic College. After eight month successful work they provided sketches with fresh, innovative ideas, which subsequently were realized in appearance Exelero. Development of this wonderful motor car made by experts from Mercedes-Benz, and the company worked on the body was Stola.

Short story: May 1, 2005 Maybach Exelero was demonstrated maximum speed of the car on the track Nardo. “Saddled the horse” triple champion DTM races Klaus Ludwig to 351.45 km/h. May 2005 demonstration at the Berlin Motor Show Tempodrom. May 2011 the car bought famous rapper Birdman at auction for 4.7 M Euro ($ 8M). If you ever decide to buy it, for crazy money you get fully assembled manually masterpiece.

TECHNICAL PARAMETERS

Under the long hood Maybach Exelero currently worth mechanical monster - the engine 5.9-liter V12 with two turbochargers, modified by specialists from AMG, rated at 700 horsepower and torque of 1020 Nm at just about 2500 rpm.(In comparison, a 6-liter V12 Lamborghini Murcielago develops 570 hp. and 650 Nm at 5400 rpm).

Maximum speed is 351 km/h. Up to 100 km/h Exelero accelerates in just 4.4 seconds. The only slight minus of Exelero - solid fuel consumption is almost 100 liters per 100 kilometers. Weight Maybach Exelero is 2660 kg. Car Length: about 6 meters.

Air Conditioning, Climate Control, Cruise Control, Wheel electroamplifier, Steering wheel, adjustable driver seat. Exelero used and electronically controlled air suspension, and hydraulic braking system and other high-tech components and assemblies from the Maybach 57.

INTERIOR

The interior designers have kept the typical atmosphere of luxury with typical architecture for the modern supercar cockpit. The interior has been coined in the best traditions of Daimler AG: leather, aluminum, wood insert, neoprene and carbon fiber. Many components (front console, steering wheel, door panels, navigation system and other Command) unchanged taken from serial sedans Mercedes. Electroluminescent devices cluster looks like a standard Mercedes although speedometer is scaled up to 360 km/h. So the center console seamlessly blends with the gear shift, acting as an armrest, and perforated floor pedals are confirming sports car accessories.

EXTERIOR

Maybach Exelero exterior devoid of excessive aggressiveness inherent usually sports cars. Its body is endowed with classic proportions: short pointed feed, long hood and "flowing" to the bottom edge of trunk continuous roof line. At exterior finishing Exelero, chrome used in abundance, as evidenced by the large grille that runs in addition to chrome strips on the bumpers and sidewalls. Predatory narrowed triangular headlights. Striking stylish small side mirrors on long thin legs. On the sides of a thick stretch tailpipes ending huge pipes - exhaust displayed sideways, high-speed tires Carat Exelero (These tires have been licensed for speeds over 350 km/h), fuel filler well located almost on the roof. Crucial for appearance Exelero are three things in the profile - the length of the bonnet and roof line, from the front - a monumental form of the bow. The first two create a sense of greed, and the third - power and unwavering stability supercar.

INTERESTING FACTS

The main purpose Exelero is comfortable movement over long distances, as exemplified by the large four-spoke steering wheel, which has moved from the serial limousine, as well as soft and comfortable chairs. It should also be emphasized that trim just the richest, and the level of engineering work is incredibly high. Huge machine exists in a single copy and is considered the most luxurious and expensive high-speed luxury coupe in the world.

23/01/2015

A top view of the all-new 2015 . Coming to Nigeria early next year! See more: http://ford.to/1cDsvdp

View pictures of the 2015 Ford Mustang, see exterior & interior shots, explore available accessories & more.

23/01/2015

You, an empty road and your car. . . . What car will that be?

23/01/2015

23/01/2015

The all-new Chevrolet Trax in number 9 is part of a burgeoning subcompact SUV segment combining versatility with affordability.

22/01/2015

The Highlander Hybrid might sneak onto this list in the number 10 slot, but it takes the title as the most fuel-efficient 3-row vehicle you can buy.

21/01/2015

Last year, 31 combined mpg was good enough to take the title of top fuel-sipping SUV. This year, a brand-new model has raised the bar to 33 mpg. The 10 cars on the list range in starting price from around $20,000 to about $48,000, and include four hybrids, one diesel and five gas-powered models. There’s even a 3-row model for families that need extra people power. Check out the 10 most fuel-efficient SUVs of the 2015 model year, ranked by combined fuel economy.

12/01/2015

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