Monday, 25 February 2013

Cars And The Media - Interest In Cars Gets Into Top Gear

Whether it is Clarkson, James May, Richard Hammond, Vicki Butler-Henderson, or any other media car reviewer or online amateur, it seems as though everyone has an opinion on what the best cars to be driving (or seen to be driving) are.

Looking back, it seems as though just a couple of decades ago, there were only a few real mainstream magazines on the shelves, most notably Motor magazine which merged with AutoCar, and Performance Car which then became Car magazine; now it is difficult to escape the mass of car magazines which fill the shelves of the nation's newsagents.

The current best selling car magazine, Top Gear was first published in 1993 as a spin off to the Top Gear TV series, which first came into being in 1977 as a 30 minute BBC Midlands TV programme, which reviewed new car models and covered other car-related issues such as road safety, classic cars and motorsport. Since this time, the two biggest mainstream UK Car programmes, Top Gear and Fifth Gear, have become important parts of media car culture in Britain.

Over recent years there has been a change in the way that cars have been dealt with by journalists in the media. As time has gone on, and following a major revamp in 2002, Top Gear has moved away from a standard journalistic show and focused on a more light hearted and quirky based entertainment style of programming. The actual motoring information provided on the show has been decreasing, as global ratings have been increasing.

It still remains one of the most entertaining shows on TV and provides essential viewing to both petrolheads and millions of non car enthusiasts alike. However, with the inclusion of celebrity challenges, outrageous stunts and challenges, and the regular destruction of caravans, the focus these days is very much on entertainment and personalities rather than cars.

Fifth Gear was originally intended as a replacement for Top Gear, which went into a period of lull around the start of the century following Clarkson's departure before being cancelled. But the new programme on Five was launched just as the BBC announced they would bring back a new modified 60 minute version of Top Gear. Although achieving nowhere near the viewing figures that the Clarkson lead show has managed, Fifth Gear is generally less outrageous and more of a straightforward informative motoring show.

Now interest in motoring has also gone online, with Top Gear being the most pirated TV show in the world, beating programmes like Lost and Desperate Housewives. The BBC reported that one video of Clarkson achieved 938,000 downloads on YouTube before they asked for it to be removed. Even interested non-journalists are now able to find videos and offer advice through car forums, motoring blogs [http://www.motoraddicts.com/blogs], general car sites and the many online owners clubs.

With the future looking rosy for professional motoring journalists both on TV and in print, and as the public appetite becomes increasingly voracious to get involved in the action, and sites provide more interactivity, it is hopefully only a matter of time before we get fully immersive interactive super car test drives with a background commentary by Clarkson.

Friday, 22 February 2013

Fictitious Electric Cars and Facts - Part 1

Fundamentally these automobiles are somewhat like the modern-day's famous and well-known gasoline automobiles as for the characteristics, reliability, extent, performance, usefulness and protection from harms are concerned. As the matter of fact, today's gasoline vehicles, e.g., the Chevy Volt and Nissan LEAF, are far better than any luxurious vehicle and there might not be any other brand or structure oppose their traits.

Electric Cars are equally responsible for Pollution

Few of the electric vehicles' producers claim loud of zero emissions. This is due to that electric cars are lesser responsible than those automobiles which run on gasoline or diesel. Why they are less polluting? It is due to the batteries throw the power directs electric motor and moves to the wheels. This is like burning of liquid fuel directing through internal combustion engine and transporting. The supply of electricity from the feeders through the wires to your home or power stations emit more pollution than reforming the usable oil through the ships and vehicles to a gas station.

Drivers of Electric Cars might get abandoned

Electrical cars might affect the drivers a great deal as these cars can only run 100 miles while charged once. It requires to be recharged and the approximate time for a single recharge is about 8 hours. The drivers have to keep an eye on the indicator on the dashboard where ' state-of-charge' would show the current situation of the battery. If you ignore this feature, the chances are that you would be abandoned in the middle of the road.. This is like a driver with gasoline car which can travel 200 miles with single fueling, tries to cross 300 miles distance and going to a stranded place where there is no gas station or any other kind of help which could take you out of this misery.

Electric Car Power Charging- Most Important Feature

This is one of the issues if solved, the electric car's future might be bright. People often point out that there should be sufficient public recharging stations where they can easily recharge the cars and it is mainly because they fear they might get abandoned or stranded before they reach their destination. Those who have driven Tesla Roadster and electric Mini E for few years, have better idea of how limited the range of those cars can be.

They know the best places to recharge your electric car is either home or office. As most of the people in America travel less mileage so it can easily handle the distance in one-go charge.

Only wealthy people can buy Electric Cars

It is a fact that as new technology is introduced, it is always expensive. For example if we think about the times when we were kids or in our teens and we heard about computers, laptops, mobile phones, etc. were expensive and we could only dream of buying them as they were the luxuries for the rich people. But the business does have a magic of its own which at last makes it within a range of the masses. Demand of a product increases the production so hopefully, it would be in range of middle-class.

Sunday, 17 February 2013

Used Mercedes Benz Cars and the CLK Class

Mercedes Used Cars: Mercedes cars are famous for their quality and reliability. Mercedes drivers are cautious, and keep their cars in good condition and in top maintenance. The Mercedes Benz used cars put up for auction are therefore in an excellent state, and they are usually equipped with top quality accessories like air conditioning, power steering, power windows, airbags, and more.

Mercedes Used Car Export: Toronto imports new and used Mercedes Benz cars, and all the essential spare parts. The collaboration of Mercedes all over the world, has given this market a distinction in their dealing of consumer's needs, at reasonable prices obtained at Toronto. They maintain a state-of-the-art inventory with an inventory revenue rate updated regularly.

The cars in Toronto also remain in good shape because Canadian roads are great. Hence, despite being in use for a long time, Mercedes cars barely display any wear. The suspension is usually at 90% of its original condition, even after the car being driven for 6-7 years. Since repair costs are high in most cases, customers usually are forced to buy new cars, rather than repairing a broken down one. Hence, used cars have low mileage and are in good mechanical condition, which is what makes Toronto a very attractive used car market.

Many people in Toronto choose the CLK class because of its great features. The Mercedes-Benz CLK class includes a range of two-door, four-seat coupes and convertibles, with elegant design and interior luxury. With its responsive performance and superb high-speed stability, the CLK is even better on the open road. The CLK model is equipped with 17-inch wheels, 7.5-inch wide front wheels and 8.5-inch wide rear wheels. These wheels are made of a light alloy, five-spoke design, otherwise called a monoblock design. The CLK class' V8 engines benefit from a five-speed automatic transmission. Such advanced technology can't be undermined and that's why Mercedes Benz is a popular choice.

Thursday, 14 February 2013

Selling A Car For Parts - When To Do It And How

At times you have an old car that you need to get rid of. It might not work anymore or you might have upgraded and don't need the old one anymore. Sometimes old cars are actually worth more sold for parts than as a whole unit that is not functional. You might be able to sell that old car for parts and make more money off of it.

When should you sell the parts as opposed to the whole car?

If you drive a popular model that many people are still driving this is very helpful. Someone will need parts for this so they will be easier to sell. If it's an obscure model, this is more difficult.

The parts could be worth more than the whole car. Check to see the prices of the parts and see if you could make more money this way.

If you don't need all the money at once, sell it for parts. You will get your money gradually but many times it will be more.

If you have the time to sell each one individually, you could consider doing it this way.

How can you sell parts easily?

List the parts online. There are many auction sites that you can use to list things. Be sure that you use pictures and even video to give the potentially customer more information. The more they see, the more likely that they will buy.

Use sites like Craigslist to find any local buyers. It's free to list here and you could get someone interested in more than one part if they are already buying one.

Take everything else to the junk yard that doesn't sell. You can get some money of out it this way and be done with having to deal with the car. Shop around and see if one will give you more than the other in town.

Sunday, 10 February 2013

Cars and Dreaded Air Fresheners

Cars, cars cars! Despite their dastardly effect on the smooth running of the natural ecosystem, we are still obsessed with four wheeled petrol-guzzling contraptions.

There's just something so alluring about the sleek bonnet of a new car and the fresh smelling interior of a leather covered driver's seat that can release the soul from its imprisonment.

But one of the things I despise about cars is not the affect it has on my diminishing bank balance nor the ever-growing road tax cost - it's those horrific, smelly tree things people insist on hanging from their rear view mirrors!

I love the smell of clean, fresh air that is easily obtainable with a quick roll-down of the passenger window. I don't need a man made cardboard cut out of a Christmas tree to add a suspiciously fake aroma to my cherished vehicle. The sweet smell only works to quicken the stirs of a fast-approaching headache on my part and I can assure you that I'm not a happy bunny when my paracetamols have gone astray and a bumpy country road has unsettled my stomach.

In fact any kind of smell that doesn't mirror the aroma of a natural breeze is anathema to my poor nose. The worst kind of road trip is the type that's long, hot and involves the consumption of foodstuffs within the confines of a four door hatchback.

Kids are the worst; especially ones who like munching on salty and vinegar crisps whilst spilling fruit juice on the back seat. It's not the ensuing melange of wet crisp mush that annoys me. It's the vinegary smell infecting the air molecules and passing through my olfactory area.

So if I ever need to hitch a ride in a Ford, Corsa or Limousine, the first thing I'll be looking for is a tree-free windscreen and an empty backseat.

Wednesday, 6 February 2013

Automobile Components and Parts - A Brief Description

Every automobile has a number of complex parts that help in efficient and accurate functioning of the car. Some parts may be trivial but it is vital for the smooth working of the car. Automobile parts are being manufactured all over the globe with precision and advanced technological methods. Some of the important automobile components include the engine, gearbox parts, drive axle, steering and suspension, brakes, and so forth.

Variety of Automobile Components

Each and every component in an automobile has its significance and is quite indispensable for the right functioning of the vehicle. Some of the important components include:
• Engine: this is the most important component of an automobile. Different types of fuels are used by engines like diesel, ethanol and gasoline for the functioning of the vehicle. Some vehicles are also run on batteries these days.
• Gear box: this is also known as transmission which has a number of gears in it. These gears transfer the engine's power to the wheels of the vehicle. There are many types of gearbox parts in different cars. Transmission is available in two types mainly the manual and the automatic models.
• Brakes: a hydraulic fluid is transferred through steel lines to the wheels of the vehicle when the brakes are applied thereby stopping the vehicle at once. Brakes are another important component of an automobile
• Drive axle: another important component includes the drive axle which propels the vehicle.
• Steering: both the suspension and the steering help the driver to choose the travelling direction with the aid of steering wheels. There are sufficient shock absorbers that ensure comfortable journey.
• Oil filters: filters are essential in removing dust and abrasive particles from the engine oil. Such particles can harm the engine and prevent proper functioning.

Gearbox Parts and Oil Filters

There are quite a variety of gearbox parts included in the transmission. Most of these parts can be availed from the online stores for replacement and for brand new purchase of the component. Some of the parts include the gearbox cover, the shifter fork, the shifter rod, gearbox fork, synchronizer rings or hubs,

There are many manufacturers and suppliers listed in the online portals who supply precision manufactured gearbox parts of different varieties.
These parts are highly resistant to corrosion, tensile and of superior quality. Most of the components produced by these manufacturers are guaranteed against thermal and chemical reactions. It also produces lesser noise and vibration and is therefore in great demand in the markets today.

In addition to gearbox parts, there are different types of oil filters available today. According to the specific design and type of filter material, these filters are classified as high efficiency filters. Superior quality filters must be used in vehicles to avoid clogging of the engine with dust and abrasive materials. The efficiency of these filters is assessed by the amount of particles collected in the filters including the miles travelled by the vehicle.

More than a hundred varieties of automobile parts and components can be obtained easily through the online business portals at reasonable rates.

Monday, 4 February 2013

How to Draw Cartoon Cars and Amaze Your Friends and Family

If you love to draw, need to draw something for someone, or are just plain bored and want to learn how to draw cartoon cars, well you have come to the right place.

Many people take drawing to be an incredibly difficult task, but in reality drawing is an awesome past time and when broken down into the right steps, can seem easy. Cartoon cars are incredibly easy and fun to draw, don't let the final appearance of the car detour you.

Many people look at the end product of a drawing and immediately put up a red flag in their mind telling themselves that they will not be able to complete the task at hand. The humorous part about it all is the task at hand is not as big as you may imagine.

Every great artist starts out small and slowly escalates their skills to bigger and better things. For all you inquiring artists we are going to break down how you can draw a cartoon car and amaze your friends while doing so.

-Draw a big rectangle on your paper to start off with; this will be the main body of the car.

-Draw another small rectangle right on top of the bigger rectangle; make a diagonal line in the front to commemorate the windshield.

-Then its wheel time just two simple circles on the bottom of the first rectangle-Trace over your original picture with a darker marker, to give the car a more cartoon look-Next, draw the headlights of the car and the bumper. This does not need to be anything fancy, just a circle for the light and a half smiling face for the front bumper.

-Then you need car windows, just draw a vertical line through the smaller triangle on top.

-Draw a small square underneath the winder and of course a door and a handle, this is pretty simple!

-Then to make the car look like its moving draw a cloud of smoke coming from the back.

And, now you have just made an awesome looking cartoon car!