Issues regarding the use of dynamometers

A dynamometer is basically a tool to deliver an effective comparison or analysis of an engine output or performance. Dynamometers are a lagging indicator, which means the dyno only tells you what has occurred during the dyno run or test period. After you have applied your best engine building skills, the dyno serves the purpose of evaluating the engine's capabilities at a specified moment in time. A dynamometer mainly measures Horse Power (usually at the crank shaft but in the case of a chassis dyno, Horse Power is only measured at the rear axle), torque, RPM range over which the engine was tested, temperature and air flow (volume and velocity of the air that ventilates the engine). Some dynamometers also measure noise levels of exhaust and intake manifold pressure, fuel flow, BSFC (the measured...

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Is your car tires safe?

Do you know most of the car accidents are caused because of one or the other fault in the car tires? Most of the car accident reimbursement that the car owners have to pay to the accident victims or the loss they have to incur in terms of insurance money they get is all due to fault in car tires. So, when you go out to buy a car then with all the factors like performance, brand, price, appearance, comfort, and maybe even safety, do consider the performance and integrity of the car tires as well. Even if you own a pre-owned car do make sure that your car tires are in good condition and match your car type, the kind of use it is put to and the geographical demand of the area where you live. Reliable Tires Remember different kinds of vehicle require different kinds of tires. So, you must do...

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Is Your Car A 'Lemon'?

Sooner or later we all must buy a car. And when we can, we buy them brand new. However, most of us are stuck having to a buy a used car from a dealer or private party at some point. The downside to this is that you can get a car that at first seems like everything you ever wanted, but soon becomes your worst nightmare. What I have come to learn is that by the time that you begin to realize that you have a lemon on your hands, it is usually too late. The car has already outlived its 90 day warranty which is often filled with loopholes for the dealer anyway. What does this mean for you? If you're like most people, you're thinking to yourself, "it means you're screwed." However, read on. Most people who buy their cars used know that dealers set up their agreements in terms that will serve...

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Is It Necessary to Change My Oil at 3,000 Miles?

When Do I change my Oil? Motor oil technology has gradually progressed since the days of the earliest automobiles. In those days, standard motor oil drain intervals were between 500 and 1000 miles, and motorists had to switch viscosity grades with the changing of the seasons. The development of oil filtration and additive technology in the 1930s allowed drain intervals to increase to 2000 and later 3000 miles, while the development of viscosity modifiers in the 1940s allowed the formulation of multi-grade oils that could be used in both hot and cold temperatures. The technology for extended oil drains is obviously available, but until now, the major oil companies have had other agendas. Marc Graham, who is president of Pennzoil-Quaker State-owned Jiffy Lube International, was quoted in a...

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Is America Ready For A Tiny BMW?

I wrote previously about Mercedes’ foray into the small car market. As strange as that may seem to many Americans, both Mercedes and BMW have long produced smaller and less costly models for the European market. Now, it appears that BMW is considering doing the same: introducing to the North American market a truly compact car, smaller than any BMW that has ever graced our highways and back streets. Is this a good move for the German automaker? Or, will it water down a prestigious brand name? Part of any automaker’s marketing strategy is to convince you, the consumer, what their vehicle line is all about. Dodge would like you to believe that they sell sporty cars and rugged trucks; Scion touts their youth oriented vehicles; and both BMW and Mercedes, like Cadillac, sell luxury vehicles. Millions...

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Is A Pre-Purchase Inspection Worth The Cost When Buying A Used Vehicle?

When people are doing research on how to buy a used vehicle, they often see information encouraging them to have an independent pre-purchase inspection done of the vehicle before purchasing it, but people may wonder whether or not it’s worth the money. It is almost always a good investment. For around $100 you can typically get a general inspection of the mechanical condition of a vehicle. It is generally a good idea to have this done even if the vehicle has been certified and inspected by the dealer. Ask your regular car mechanic to do the inspection for you. If you don’t have a regular car mechanic ask family and friends for their recommendations. Or look for certified facilities. There are also companies that specialize in pre-purchase inspections. Their services often include an estimate...

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In-Vehicle Communications Systems. Valuable To Consumers, Law Enforcement

An estimated 1.3 million Americans had their vehicles stolen last year, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's annual Uniform Crime Report. After years of steady decline in the '90s, victims of motor vehicle thefts lost an estimated $8.6 billion in 2003. As police agencies across the country look for new ways to crack down on this nagging problem, consumers are encouraged to take active measures to deter auto theft. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting insurance fraud and vehicle theft, recommends a multi-layer of protection to deter car thieves. The suggestions include not leaving keys in the car, locking doors, parking in well-lit areas and using visual and audio deterrents, such as steering wheel locks and car alarms. In-vehicle...

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Internet the World’s Biggest Auto Marketplace

The next time you need to sell or buy a used car you don’t need to rush to dealers and spend precious time negotiating the best deal. The internet has come to the rescue once again. Following the success of various classifieds sites including job sites, dating sites, real estate site etc auto classifieds sites are the next big thing. Online used cars & bike classifieds are a big draw for buyers and sellers because of the many features they offer which conventional newspaper classifieds lack. Features of Online Auto Classifieds: 1. Full page color ads 2. Multiple photos of your vehicle 3. Country wide ad listing for long periods up to three months 4. Personal account & response management system 5. Privacy options (manage responses via online mailbox only) These features are...

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Insuring Your Cadillac For Less Money

Just because you own one of America’s premier luxury makes doesn’t mean you must pay a mint for car insurance. True, Cadillacs are not cheap cars but you shouldn’t have to pay a premium for your Cadillac car insurance. Are you in the market for better insurance coverage for your Cadillac? Do you want information that could save you hundreds of dollars per year on your Cadillac car insurance? If you answered yes to either question then please read on as I have important information that can result in big savings for you. Over the past decade, the Cadillac line up has been overhauled to compete much more effectively against foreign luxury brands. No longer simply Lincoln’s chief competitor, Cadillacs are routinely mentioned in the same breath as Mercedes, Lexus, and BMW when comparing global...

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Install A Cold Air Intake For Better Performance

A simple way for any car buff to get more power out of his or her ride is to install a cold air intake system. A cold air intake is designed to reduce the temperature of air entering a vehicle to maximize the engine’s power. The net result is a vehicle that performs better, saves on fuel, and produces a nifty intake tone. Additionally, a cold air intake will improve the look of a vehicle's engine bay. Fortunately, installing a cold air intake system is not a difficult job: you can do it yourself. Let's take a look at the advantages of installing a cold air intake. More Power – Denser, colder air acts like “food” for your engine. The lower the temperature of the air entering your engine, the more efficient it runs. If an engine could speak it would say, “feed me cold air.” By installing...

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Inspections Show Most Vehicles Need More Care

Do you have your vehicle's oil changed every 3,000 miles? Do you regularly check the air pressure in your tires or have them rotated on a set maintenance schedule? Are your vehicle's fluids checked regularly? If you answered "no" to any of these questions, you're not alone. According to the Car Care Council, 87 percent of vehicles inspected during National Car Care Month earlier this year failed one or more aspects of the annual inspection. "Compared to the 90 percent failure rate last year, the 2004 inspection results indicate that the motoring public is beginning to understand the importance of maintaining their vehicles and is starting to take action to reduce vehicle neglect," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "While we are thrilled to see the numbers decrease,...

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Inspect Your Shocks And Struts

Most owners know their vehicles require routine maintenance, including periodic inspection of their batteries, spark plugs, tires, windshield wipers, filters and fluids. But often the parts drivers can't see-such as shock absorbers and struts, located under the vehicle-don't get the attention they deserve. In addition to causing an uncomfortable ride and poor handling, weak shocks may cause changes in vehicle ride height. This may lead to increased wear on other suspension components-including tires, ball joints and springs-which could cause premature component failure in extreme cases. These components are often more expensive to replace than the shocks themselves. "Shocks and struts are the only devices on your vehicle designed to help reduce up and down movement," said Sherry Allen, product...

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Increasing Gas Mileage Products

With the steady increase in gasoline prices, everybody is looking for a way to save money at the pump. Some will drive miles out of their way to save 3 cents on the gallon--about a 1% savings for today's prices. Still others try to walk, bike, or take public transportation more--but that isn't an option for everybody. So, people are looking at increasing gas mileage products as a means of saving money. What are some of the increasing gas mileage products and how can you use them? Some of the products are air filters that go into the car's air flow system to make your engine work more efficiently. Some popular products are the Fuel Genie and the Tornado Fuel Saver. These increasing gas mileage products claim to work by improving the air circulation in the engine and thereby making a better...

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Increase Your Torque And Save On Gas

If you were to mention to someone that most performance automotive parts can conserve fuel while producing more power, likely you would not be believed. In previous generations this statement would probably have held true, but today -- due to technological advances -- you can usually see an increase in power along with the added benefit of receiving a slight increase in fuel economy. This holds true for exhaust headers, the topic of this article. Exhaust headers are one of the simplest add on accessories you can utilize to enhance your engine's performance. Headers make it easier for the engine to drive exhaust gases out of the cylinders and to purge the manifold's back pressure. Instead of a shared manifold that all of the cylinders use, each cylinder has its own exhaust pipe. The result?...

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In-Car Entertainment Can Soothe Passengers

Imagine turning "Are we there yet?" into "We're there already?" A growing number of families are doing just that by adding rear-seat entertainment technologies and other conveniences to their vehicles in time for the summer vacation season. In spite of the increased cost of fuel, Americans are expected to hit the road in record numbers this summer, just as they have in virtually every year since the late 1950s. In fact, estimated annual miles driven by consumers reached 1.7 billion in 2004, nearly three times the miles logged during the 1960s. Yet, in spite of the growing allure of distant theme parks, beaches and interactive museums, families still face the challenge of keeping kids happy while strapped into their seats. "A bored child can make any drive seem harder for everyone," said...

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Improve Your Gas Mileage

Does the cost of gas have you fuming at the pump? If carpooling and public transportation are not the answers for you, you'll be happy to know there are ways to improve your fuel economy no matter what type of car you are driving. Here are some good habits to practice for better gas mileage, from XenTx.com: * Drive safely. Aggressive driving wastes gas fast. Hard braking or jackrabbit takeoffs can waste gas and curb mileage by as much as 33 percent at highway speeds, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. * Slow down. The faster you drive, the more gas you waste and the more money you lose at the pump. Each mile per hour you drive over 60 is like paying an extra 10 cents per gallon, according to DOE. * Keep it covered. Your gas cap, that is. About 17 percent of cars have missing...

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Improve your car’s performance by using dynamometers

The dynamometer is a device used to measure mechanical force, power and torque produced by an engine. Its inventor, Charles Babbage, is also known as the “Father of Computing. There are basically two types of dynamometers: the first one is bolted directly to an engine, and it’s called engine dyno, while the second type of dynamometer can measure power and torque without removing the engine from the frame of the vehicle, and it’s known as a chassis dyno. An engine dynamometer measures power and torque directly from the engine's crankshaft (or flywheel), when the engine is removed from the vehicle. These dynos don’t take in consideration power losses in the drive train, such as the gearbox, transmission or differential. A chassis dynamometer measures power from the engine directly...

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Idees Pour Mariage et Lune de Miel Inoubliable

Alors le divorce, entre l'avocat, les frais de procédure, et la durée de ce dernier, tous nos bas de laine y passe. Alors assez! Pour vous, les places à ne pas manquer pour réussir et votre mariage, et votre lune de miel! L'endroit incontournable pour un mariage hors norme et à bas prix: Las Vegas. Pour vous marier a Las Vegas, rien de plus simple. Autre que votre billet d'avion, le budget évalué pour un mariage est de près de $700? Pourquoi hésiter? Ces frais incluent: le permis de mariage, évalué à $30, la cérémonie civile, $50; la chapelle offrant en général la cérémonie, les témoins spéciaux, la limousine et les photos pour un montant se situant entre $200 et $500, a moins de vouloir pour témoin Elvis Presley, la ça monte un peu plus haut mais pas de grand chose, Votre divorce? Pourquoi...

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I Love To Enjoy Car Shows

One of my favorite ways to spend a weekend is at car shows. I'll admit that I was never raised to think much about cars or to consider looking at cars fun. When I married my husband, however, all of that changed. He is a car fanatic and he took me to car shows from the second week that I met him. The first few weekends I spent at car shows it was not too exciting for me. I went because he loved them, and that was good enough for me. I found myself much more interested in the people that attended the car shows than in the actual cars at the car shows. I would wander with my husband and his other car-loving friends but my mind would wander aimlessly to anything other than the cars. I guess my love for car shows began as I began to force myself to pay attention to what was happening around...

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Hybrids Don't Make Sense Financially

Hybrid vehicles are becoming more and more popular as the cost of gas continues to rise. The problem is, they really are not the best decision financially. Hybrids do provide a benefit to the environment in that they do not use as much gas as a conventional vehicle, but they do not save you money in most cases. Most people that buy hybrids do so for the gas savings. They assume that because they are using less gas that they are saving money. On the surface they are correct. The may be able to stretch a tank of gas out twice as long so they are only going to the gas station half as much but they are still not saving. Let me give you a couple of examples. I am going to use Toyotas to prove my point because they have probably the best made hybrids on the road right now and they also have excellent...

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Hybrid vehicle buying Incentives in California

California is one of the few states that provide huge incentive on hybrid vehicle purchase. This incentive is not limited to tax credits only like other states. You can avoid highway lane restriction; get parking privilege if you are driving a hybrid vehicle. Also some of Californians City offer benefit on hybrid cars. Here are some benefits in California for buying hybrid vehicles: State Hybrid HOV: On Jan. 1, 2005, CA will allow hybrid electric vehicles that get at least 45mpg and have SULEV emissions ratings to use high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes without regard to the number of passengers in the vehicle. As of 8/10, this incentive is now in operation. Current eligible vehicles include the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight and Honda Civic hybrid. Vehicles must have special decals in order...

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Hybrid Engineering: A New Chance for Less Contaminating Cars

For a long time, there is a agitating demand for fuel-efficient automobiles that are gentle on the wallet and kind on our fast, harmful surroundings. The automobile industry answered to this need by setting in motion hybrid cars and these cars were soon proposed as cars of the future. There has been a lot of growth in hybrid car engineering but the dream of Hybrid Cars converting the automobile industry has not been accomplished yet. The big car mass-producing companies like Toyota, GM, Ford, and Honda are all reacting to the process and putting their best foot forth for better technology and market economy in hybrid cars. Sales Run Comparable To Progress in Hybrid Automotive Engineering Many cars are now equipped with electric power steering that brings .05% - 2% better gas mileage in...

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Snow Tires – A Canadian Must Have

A tire or tyre is a covering provided on the circumference of wheels of vehicles. The functions of tires is to dampen oscillations due to uneven surface of the road, to prevent wear and tear of the wheel, to provide a high friction bond between the vehicle and the road for proper acceleration and handling of the vehicle. They are usually made of synthetic rubber. Snow tires are special tires designed to run on snow, ice, wet roads, sleet, slippery roads and mud. They have better traction and handling properties. Snow tires differ from regular tires in the following ways: Hardness. They are made up of softer rubber, which heats up quicker. The softness and hardness of tire rubber depends upon the amount of carbon black in it. For summer tires, the amount of carbon black is more and for snow...

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Hybrid Cars – Cheap Transportation?

Copyright 2006 Debt Management Credit Counseling Corp. Maybe you want to do your part for the environment. Perhaps, you want a more economical way to travel since gasoline prices are on the rise. Or, you may want to purchase a vehicle that rewards you with federal tax incentives. Regardless of your reason for purchasing a hybrid vehicle, you need to do research and make sure you get the most out of this financial investment. There are many websites which help consumers with the process of purchasing a hybrid vehicle. However, the research itself can still be overwhelming. Therefore, below are some important aspects you should consider. Review Review Review The cost to replace hybrid parts can be extremely expensive. Reviewing your options when considering these costs, can help you quickly...

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Hubcaps Or Wheel Covers, What’s In A Name?

Cars and trucks built before about 1935 came on wire spoke wheels with small metal caps installed to seal the wheel hub on the axle. Those early "HUBcaps" were smaller than 3" in diameter, made of heavy gauge plated steel hammered onto the hub of the wheel. Their main function was to keep dirt out of the spindle nut and the wheel bearings. In the 1930s, automobiles transitioned from mere modes of transportation to statements of status and style. Hubcaps became more decorative than functional. The ‘dog dish’ style was born, chrome hemispheres 9 inches in diameter, covering the lug nuts and the center of the wheel. About the same time, wheel technology advanced and spoke wheels were replaced by wheels formed from stamped steel. In the ‘40s, Cadillac lead the pack in adding sparkling chrome...

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How Windshield Repair Works

Just because you get a chip doesn’t mean you need to foot the cost of getting a new windshield. Why not do a windshield repair, which uses modern technology to quickly and efficiently repair the windshield, It’s a much more cost effective solution. Here’s how windshield repair works. If you think about it, you’ll agree that ordinary house glass is pretty amazing. It’s strong, clear, and really quite affordable. Its only real drawback is that it is brittle so when it breaks it can create dangerous shards, making it a poor choice for automobile glass. Plastic is safer, but it isn’t scratch resistant so it doesn’t remain clear enough for automobile glass. Auto manufacturers’ use tempered glass on the side windows which is much stronger than house glass and when it does break, it breaks into...

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How to Win More From the

It may be for the excitement, it may be for a vacation but it is the dream of going home a big winner that keeps us going back to the casinos, but are there ways other then cheating that can help you take home more cash? The answer is yes. Believe it or not gambling at on online casino is a great way to gain experience so that you can win some big money in the casinos. May online casinos besides having games as low as 50 cents, also have practice rooms that are free. You are given some play money to make your bets, but no real money is exchanged. These practice rooms are available for most of the different casino games like poker, blackjack, roulette and baccarat. This is a great way to gain experience. Not only do you get to play, you also get the experience of playing against other people...

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How to Win at Multiplayer First Shooter Games

The way most first player shooters score kills is simple to understand the harder it is to make the kill the more points you get. This means that if you kill someone with a knife you will get more points then someone using a chain gun, but running around with just your knife out is a big gamble unless you are extremely skilled at the game. This method of play will usually just make you the biggest loser. One way to get a good score is to take a long range weapon like a sniper rifle and camp out near the enemy camps spawn point. By doing this every time someone on the opposing team gets killed they will instantly revert back to the spawn point and you can shoot them, then they will disappear and then reappear and you can shoot them again. You get fewer points like this, but it is the same...

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How to Watch the SuperBowl

On February 4th hundreds of thousands of Football fans will be gathering around their televisions to view the SuperBowl, but what are the essentials to maximizing your SuperBowl watching experience The teams may not have been decided yet, but it is not like it really matters, no matter who plays most eyes will be glued to the game. With the exception of the fans of those teams that are playing most people who watch the SuperBowl are just hoping for a good game. One thing people like to do to make the game more interesting is an office football pool. This is when everyone throws money into a pot and you get a box latter numbers are randomly put in each box, then at the end of each quarter the score is checked and whoever is on the box that corresponds with the current score wins some money,...

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