Tiny Device Alerts You To Pump Up Your Tires

A new federal auto safety requirement has engineers busy perfecting a tiny sensor that could help make accidents resulting from underinflated tires a thing of the past. The regulation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires all passenger cars to be equipped with tire-pressure monitoring systems by 2008. Automakers will begin installing the systems on their 2006 models. The rule gives manufacturers of micro-electro mechanical systems, also called MEMS, a lucrative opportunity to cash in. According to a report by ASME, a professional engineering organization, there could be a demand for 70 million MEMS tire-pressure sensors a year as a result of the requirement. Vehicles equipped with MEMS-based tire-pressure systems have a sensor attached to the inside of the rim of each wheel, which measures the tire pressure and transmits the data to a central receiver in the vehicle. The receiver then analyzes the data and tire-pressure readouts are displayed to the driver. If the tire pressure is too low, warning lights alert the driver of a potential hazard. The pressure sensor is a high-tech device containing several components including a temperature sensor, voltage sensor, accelerometer, micro-controller, antenna and battery. The NHTSA estimates that the new mandate would cost auto manufacturers an average of about $48 to $69 per vehicle, depending on the technology used. Currently, engineers are working to design tire-pressure monitoring systems that are functional, cost-effective and, at the same time, able to withstand extreme temperatures, vibrations and other rigors of the road. MEMS manufacturers are presenting their prototypes to automobile and tire companies for consideration as they move to comply with the rule.

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Magnesium Wheels Race to U.S. Market

Automotive enthusiasts can now upgrade their vehicles with high-performance, forged magnesium wheels adapted from Formula One racing designs. Magnesium.com recently announced the introduction of one-piece, forged magnesium wheels for street use in North America. The wheels are 20 percent to 30 percent lighter than forged aluminum and offer increased safety and performance. "The U.S. wheel market is quite formidable and we intend to supply a smaller but very important segment of the 100 million vehicle wheels used in North America," said Mark Lisnyansky, president of Magnesium.com. The magnesium alloy wheels are initially available in 20-inch and 22-inch sizes, and are treated with a high-tech anti-corrosion coating. The company will also be developing wheels in various sizes and compositions for specific North American applications. "Steel wheels are becoming nearly obsolete and the prevailing trend is toward cast aluminum wheels," Lisnyansky said. "While most people are not familiar with forged wheels, performance car enthusiasts know that forged wheels offer significant advantages. And forged magnesium wheels, which are lighter and much stronger than their aluminum counterparts, are the next logical step in optimizing vehicle performance." Magnesium wheels offer consumers improved safety by shortening braking distances and delivering higher acceleration rates as well as improving gas mileage. The "dampening" factor of magnesium allows for vibrations caused by road imperfections to be absorbed six times more effectively. Using specialized aviation industry equipment, the company has been producing Superbike and Formula One competition wheel forgings for many years. The wheels are forged in Russia by a subsidiary and then machined and finished in Italy.

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Tips on Choosing the Right Auto Repair Shop

As the weather gets warmer, motorists should begin thinking about getting their vehicles ready for the busy summer driving season. Given today's busy schedules and complex vehicle systems, many drivers prefer to take their cars to repair shops than do the work themselves. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) offers these tips for choosing an appropriate repair facility. * Start shopping for a repair facility before you need one. * Ask your friends and associates for their recommendations. Also, consult local consumer groups. * Arrange for alternative transportation in advance so you will not feel forced to choose a shop based on its location. * Look for a neat, well-organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and modern equipment in the service bays. * Look for a courteous staff, with a service consultant willing to answer all of your questions. * Look for policies regarding estimated repair costs, diagnostic fees, guarantees and acceptable methods of payment. * Ask if the repair facility specializes or handles your car's type of repair work. * Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area, such as civic, community or customer service awards. * Look for evidence of qualified technicians. This includes trade-school diplomas, certificates of advanced coursework and certification by ASE. ASE was founded in 1972 as a nonprofit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive professionals. Its certified technicians wear blue-and-white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact areas of certification. Their employers often display the ASE sign.

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Moving Truck Rentals

Moving to a new house or office is a challenging task, especially if you are moving to another state. Moving truck rentals, if you get a good bargain, can make the whole process easier and help you cut down on the cost of moving. The cost of moving truck rentals depends on a number of factors, including is the size of the truck and the distance this truck will have to cover. Some well-established companies providing moving trucks may charge a little bit higher rent. The new players in the market might offer you a lower rate. But you must consider two important factors: safety and reliability. The bookings for a moving truck can be made online also. Online resources provide detailed information about moving truck rentals by different companies. For different locations and destinations, different rates are available. The rental costs could also depend on whether you have hired a moving truck to shift household items or are looking for a quick business delivery. Before one finally makes a decision about the company whose truck one is going to hire, it is better to compare quotes. During peak season, the costs spike upwards. They come down during certain months of the year. This movement in moving truck rentals depends on geographical locations and climate. The moving truck rentals should also be compared with moving trailer rentals if you require a number of trucks. As the carrying capacity of an average trailer is greater than that of an average truck, a truck rental could prove to be much costlier to you. Moving truck rentals are quite high if you want to deliver a package across international borders.

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Quick Tips For Improving The Look Of Your Car

Sometimes it really is what's on the outside that counts. That's the opinion of many of today's car owners who say they're always on the lookout for ways to make their autos look better. While many drivers turn to high-tech fixes, accessories and add-ons to change the look of their ride, many forget a simple-and inexpensive-step: waxing. Waxing helps protect a vehicle's paint by minimizing the effects of wear and tear. But perhaps just as important, it can breathe new life into a faded paint job-helping your car look its best. A thorough waxing can take less than 30 minutes-especially if you follow a few tips from the experts: • Always wash the car thoroughly to remove surface dirt that can scratch the paint while waxing. • Minor scratches and swirl marks caused by snow brushes, tree branches or improper care can be removed with a scratch and swirl remover. • Apply wax evenly in a circular motion and always remove wax with a clean cloth. Wax On, Wax Off You may be surprised at just how far wax has come over the years. For instance, new Turtle Wax Ice looks more like baby oil than traditional car wax. It was designed to clean, shine and protect all exterior surfaces of a car, including plastic and rubber trim, without leaving residue. "The paint on today's cars has come a long way, but that exterior finish still needs to be cared for on a regular basis," said Michael Schultz, head of the Turtle Wax Shine Center. "We developed the new Ice formula to provide better care for diverse exterior surfaces." For those who prefer to stick with traditional waxing methods, the original Turtle Wax Super Hard Shell and Platinum Series are used around the world.

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Recall: Not Necessarily A Bad Word

Recalls may sound bad at first but they may actually make you safer. They are simply an action by the manufacturer to remedy a safety or emissions-related concern regarding a vehicle defect or regulatory requirement. It may require that you return your vehicle to the dealer for service. If your vehicle is not affected, it may be because it was built at a different time or using a different part than the affected vehicles. A safety recall can be issued on either a whole vehicle or on a piece of equipment within a vehicle, when the manufacturer uncovers a "noncompliance with a Federal motor vehicle safety standard." In people-speak, that means when a piece of equipment in a specific line of vehicles shows a defect. In most cases, the remedy is as simple as repairing or replacing the equipment in question. It is usually covered by the vehicle's warranty, or the manufacturer may extend the vehicle's warranty for the recalled part. Naturally, the sooner you have the recalled item replaced or repaired, the less you have to worry about the performance of your vehicle.Ê While manufacturers attempt to contact all affected vehicle owners, with some 40+ million used vehicles changing hands annually, the task can be daunting. Many car owners may not receive official notice of a recall. That's why used-car owners and even shoppers need to be proactive in learning about existing recalls. Carfax, for example, works with a number of auto manufacturers to display information on open recalls, directly benefiting consumers. Here are some steps you might take: • Ask the dealer. Ask him if there are any outstanding recalls on the vehicle or its parts. Often, dealers remedying one recall will check to see if there are any other open recalls on the vehicle and offer to repair them as well, but it never hurts to ask!

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Light Your World With Xenon Headlamps!

Lighting has certainly changed over the years...for cars, that is! No longer do drivers have to rely on halogen headlights as Xenon lighting is coming into vogue. Nor do owners have to go with stock tail lights, as European [or Altezza] lights are in fashion. Even fog lights have come a long way, baby! Let’s take a look at the newest kid on the block, Xenon headlamps, and how they can light up your world of driving. If you could have a set of headlamps that produced twice the light of Halogen bulbs while expending only half the power, that would be a good thing, right? Yes it certainly would and that is the idea behind Xenon headlamps which are fast gaining acceptance as standard equipment on luxury vehicles from around the world as well as finding their way on certain popular, mass production vehicles too. A key feature of Xenon headlamp technology is that they produce a clear white light closer to natural daylight, which has been proven to improve driver concentration. Lessened eye strain means that drivers can do what they need to do best: get to where they and their passengers are going, safely and securely. Road markings and signs are easier to read with Xenon headlamps compared to Halogen bulbs. Indeed, Xenon headlamps are a strong, safety improvement as the field of vision for the driver increases sharply, thereby improving reaction time in emergency situations. Traveling along dark, unlit back roads can be a safety hazard even in broad daylight. However, with Xenon headlamps that buck you might have hit with your halogen-powered car will enter your field of vision much sooner with Xenon lights installed, allowing you to avoid potentially deadly contact [for the buck definitely!]. Popular surveys reveal that as much as 80% of all accidents occur because of poor visibility. In European markets, cars with Xenon technology also come equipped with a headlamp cleaning system to ensure optimum visibility as well as an automatic leveling system to allow limited swiveling of the headlamp projector as you turn your vehicle. Some systems take Xenon technology one step further: Xenon Dynamic Bending Light or DBL technology are special headlamps that rotate the light beam according to the angle of the steering wheel. Working in both high and low beam mode, bi-Xenon headlamps help to enhance vision in wide curbs by up to 90%. Naturally, Xenon technology is expensive and you cannot convert halogen powered headlamps to Xenon or Xenon to bi-Xenon...yet. However, some manufacturers are selling auxiliary lights that can be added to your bumper to give you an alternative. Of course, price is one factor why Xenon technology isn’t yet widespread. Even on luxury cars I have seen bi-Xenon headlamps offered as an option, to the tune of $750 extra! As with all technological advances, you can expect that some one, somewhere is refining the technology – which hit the market in 1992 – in order to bring Xenon headlamps to the masses. This is good news for everyone as accidents associated with poor visibility should begin to drop accordingly.

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