PostHeaderIcon The History of Hybrid Cars

Thomas Jones asked:


Ever curious how exactly hybrid cars became the economic revelation they are today? Well, it definitely didn’t start in the 1990s, that’s for sure. In fact, alternative-fuel vehicles and transportation were being developed as far back as 1665, which Flemish inventors used to experiment with steam-power in order to power unmanned cars, and, moving forward to the 1700s, steam-powered carriages.

For the most part, though, these were small developments, and it wasn’t until nearly 1900, in 1898, that the first real hybrid car made its grand debut. Although there are conflicting views as to which hybrid came first, the actual hybrid car developed by Porsche utilized a similar engine as in conventional vehicles today to rotate a generator that would power electric motors, located in the actual car wheel’s hubs. This particular Porsche was able to travel to nearly 40 miles simply utilizing the power in the battery pack before it had to quit, and by 1899, two more hybrids had appeared in Paris, at the city’s Salon.

In the earlier years of the twentieth century, there were thousands of hybrid and electric cars being produced and showcased. It seemed that electric and hybrid cars would be the way to travel, and in 1900, the “voiturette,” the first of these hybrids, was made by Pieper and was very similar to the hybrids we already know. The only difference was most likely in the exterior. After all, the French didn’t necessarily have flames painted along the car and spinners on the rims. For this particular hybrid, the purpose of the battery was to help the car in making its way up hills, and while the car was cruising, the battery would recharge itself. There was even a reliability test in 1902 to see which would fare better, a hybrid, or steam-powered or gas-powered vehicles.

But, then, at some point around the 1920s, hybrids suddenly vanished from the public eye, as if they had never existed. Why and how did that happen?

The answer to that is two words: Henry Ford. Ford’s Model T was not only gas-powered, but his production utilized the assembly line, which made these cars much faster to produce, and easier to do so. Regardless of Ford’s later influence, though, in 1905, H. Piper, an engineer, was hoping to patent his own hybrid vehicle that would use an electric motor along with a gas-powered engine. Even in 1905, someone had thought of the hybrids we would use today. The problem was finding the support needed.

There were also hybrid trucks that were used from 1910 to 1918, and still, hybrid cars offered in 1916 could still reach 48 miles to the gallon, although speeds were much lower. Still, efficiency-wise, the hybrid from 1916 was better than the vast majority of conventional and hybrid cars on the market.

Unfortunately, any plans for hybrids were dropped in the 1920s when Ford’s Model T flooded the automobile market. From 1920 to 1965, there was simply no chance for hybrids to develop. Then, in 1969, GM began to experiment with hybrid cars again, and the next thirty years would be filled with tireless efforts of scientists, inventors, and engineers to help create a fast, eco-friendly hybrid.

Finally, in 1997, manufacturers Toyota and Audi premiered their hybrid cars to mixed reactions. The vehicles were hardly flawless, so it took some time to before hybrids were picked back up by manufacturers and kinks were worked out.

But, the most interesting fact about all of this is that considering the history of hybrids, these cars were originally the vehicle of choice for most engineers. So, how could things have been different if hybrids had remained in the spotlight and not blotted out by Henry Ford?


PostHeaderIcon Bmw Wheels – Extraordinary Wheels for Up Gradation

abicarsy asked:


BMW is one of the most luxuries, stylish and powerful vehicle. Who on this earth doesn’t want to have a BMW in their life. BMW just adds a prestige to your name. It makes its own impression. We know that the part used for building BMW vehicles are made up of superb quality materials and they are good looking also. What if you want to add some sportier features to your BMW? It can be done easily and with very less effort and money. Which shining part of a car or truck a person see, when it is parked somewhere? It is the wheel of the car. The shining wheels are the first thing which a person notices whenever they see a fine looking vehicles like BMW. You can just give a superb look to your BMW by changing its wheels with some aftermarket BMW wheels.

How a BMW wheel can change the look of a car or truck? When you will install BMW wheels you will find out that it is just giving a stunning and striking look to your BMW car. By using a good quality BMW wheel you will see that your vehicle is giving ultimate performance and its looks has also changed. You can find BMW wheels in four different sizes 16 inch, 17 inch, 18 inch and 20 inch. You will have to choose yourself that which will match best in your vehicle. Some most popular aftermarket BMW wheels are:

- 16 Inch BMW Gunmetal E30 Wheels SEM Style 001 — $830 – $840.

- 18 Inch Chrome BMW Wheels Staggered Euro – 830 — $920 – $930.

- 19 Inch CSL Style BMW Wheels Staggered — $1,120 – $1,130.

- 18 Inch Black BMW Wheels Staggered Rivet Style 021 — $910 – $920.

- 18 Inch Chrome BMW Wheels BM-Flare — $780 – $800.

All these aftermarket BMW wheels are made up of fine quality materials and their life are long. You may think, why you should buy an aftermarket wheels? There are many reasons behind buying an aftermarket BMW wheels. The first one and the most important one is that they are cheaper than the factory made BMW wheels. The factory made BMW wheels are also made up of same materials but they charge extra because they have got a popular brand. They are charging for a brand because they have to pay a lot of money for advertisement. The second reason for buying aftermarket BMW wheels is that you will get a lot of options for choosing the right one. Here you will get BMW wheels not only in different sizes but also in different colors and styles. You can choose black wheels, chrome wheels, Euro wheels or flare wheels. Some more popular BMW wheels are:

- 17 Inch BMW Black Spyder Wheels ESM Style 006 — $830 – $840.

- 19 Inch M5 Style BMW Wheels Staggered — $1,160 – $1,170.

- 20 Inch Chrome BMW Wheels Staggered Euro – 860 — $1,190 – $1,200.

All these aftermarket BMW wheels are made with such a precise technology that it fits perfectly on any BMW cars and trucks. Enhancing the vehicle by changing its wheel is just a simple way but very effective way of enhancement. All these aftermarket BMW wheels meet the standard like TUV, DOT, ISO, VIA and JWL. So, there is no worry to think. You can save some more money if you will buy it from online dealers because here you will have to pay fewer taxes and this can save a good amount of money for you. After various types of research and testing, these aftermarket BMW wheels are launched in the market.


PostHeaderIcon How Does A Car Engine Work?

Russell Shortt asked:


First things first, the car engine is an internal combustion engine, of which there are a number of different types, including the diesel engine, petrol engine, rotary engine and two-stroke engine. The internal combustion engine runs on the basic premise of injecting a tiny amount of high energy fuel, for example petrol or diesel, in a small enclosed space, igniting it and creating a massive amount of energy in the form of an expanding gas. The trick the internal combustion engine pulls off is setting off explosions like this hundreds of times over a minute and managing to harness the energy that is thus created. Almost all cars use a four stroke combustion cycle to convert petrol into motion, the four strokes being – intake, compression, combustion and exhaust. At the beginning of the cycle, the piston starts at the top, once the intake valve opens, the piston moves down, letting the engine take in a cylinder full of air into which is also injected a drop of petrol. The piston then moves back up to compress the air with the drop of petrol, the compression will make the explosion that is about to occur all the more powerful. When the piston reaches it’s limit, the spark plug emits a spark which ignites the petrol, causing an explosion thus driving the piston back down. When the piston it reaches it’s bottom limit, the exhaust valve opens and the exhaust leaves the cylinder, leaving the vehicle by the tailpipe. This cycle is then repeated over and over again. The linear motion of the pistons is converted into a rotational motion by the crankshaft which subsequently turns the vehicle’s wheels. So as you may have gathered, the cylinder is one of the core components of the internal combustion engine. Most cars have four, six or eight cylinders.

 




PostHeaderIcon It is The Time to Rally Event at Town & Country Mitsubishi!

Town & Country Mitsubishi asked:


Mitsubishi is a global automobile brand that offers customers a great driving experience backed by the highest standard of engineering and quality. Mitsubishi provides elegant and modern designs without compromising on fuel economy and emission control.



Town & Country Mitsubishi is one of the prominent Mitsubishi Car Dealerships in the Milwaukie and Oregon County Area, near Portland. Town and Country Mitsubishi, is the right place to shop for Mitsubishi cars, especially brand new 2010 Mitsubishi models. Town & Country Mitsubishi is now hosting the Time to Rally Event with special cash back offers, low APR and lease specials on 2009-2010 Mitsubishi cars.

The Mitsubishi special lease and cash back offers provides a great chance for customers in the Milwaukie and Oregon County and nearby areas to take home select new 2009 and 2010 Mitsubishi models through customer-friendly Mitsubishi financing and leasing options. So hurry! Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to make a new Mitsubishi model yours.

Some of the offers are 0% APR for 48 months on the 2010 Lancer Sportback; 0% APR for 36 months on the 2010 Lancer; $179 per month for 36 months on the 2010 Lancer ES CVT; 0% APR for 36 months for the 2010 Lancer Evolution; 0% APR for 36 months for the 2010 Eclipse; 0% APR for 48 months on the 2009 Eclipse; 0% APR for 48 months on the 2010 Endeavor. Please contact Town & Country Mitsubishi for more information on Mitsubishi the Time to Rally Event and the Mitsubishi special offers.


PostHeaderIcon Auto Insurance for Exotic Car

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS is truly amazing. It is the exotic car will give you the top speed. It has the unrivalled technology package that makes this super car is really super. The design of this car is really passionate to reflect the passion of the driver.

It is truly a dream car. And you surely know that this super car is super duper expensive. It will surely be the car on your dream if you never enough money to afford it. It’s even if you have the money, it’s hard for you to afford it if you can’t afford auto insurance for it. Well, for your notification, exotic car insurance is more expensive than the ordinary car insurance. It is because the claim for exotic car is really expensive too. You can imagine how expensive it can be to repair exotic wrecked vehicles. The auto parts of it are special. It costs a lot of money.

So, you need to decide first what kind of exotic car you want to buy. If you don’t have enough money yet to afford it, start saving your money from now because you don’t only need it to afford the car but also the insurance for it.

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PostHeaderIcon Car Wheels

Kalin asked:


To understand on the best possible way what are car wheels all about and why they are usually the first thing to go when talking about upgrade let’s see some information on a research that took place on 1990.

That research was done after the brake down of the wheels on some cars during race. The wheels were heated and this thermal energy could usually result in aging of the material. We talk about aging when the material is in conditions that greatly reduce its normal life.

There is a whole branch of science that is called “material resistance” and it’s about how materials can be made to sustain a long life with minimal resources. This science analyzes the stress caused by various reasons.

Researchers found residual stress that was held in the wheels. When wheels are manufactured the material is processed on many ways. The annealing, forming and some other techniques leave the material in internal stress. This makes it vulnerable and after sufficient load a thermal cracks will appear and after that the material will most likely damage. This could quickly lead to its complete destruction.

When we say residual stress we refer to all the stress that remains after the object is processed and then freed of all load.

After some further discoveries scientists found that the cracking was done by fatigue of the material. It was a result of the fraction that was caused by the brakes. The thermal cracks were found on the axis of the wheel.

The real material resistance plan is about calculating both residual stress made during manufacturing and the stress caused during the service of the wheel. The second one could be done by setting math variables in proper formulas to watch for how the material is damaged during the process. This will help us pick the right material for the time that we need to have before the product become unusable.

To see how we can control the residual stress we have to understand the manufacturing process in depth.

To make the wheels in the proper shape a multi-step process is used. This is about making the inceptive form of the product. Then the residual stress has to be released. This happens when a high temperature is applied. When we do that the particles of the material begin to move more quickly and reorganize in a better way. Usually the temperature that is used is around 871 °C. After the part is reheated it is cooled with a water spray. This helps to gain the proper microstructure of the material.

For conclusion about the research we have to point that after it there is a way for simulation of service and checking how the wheels will respond then it is easy for experiments to be made and better products that will endure more and cracks will be not likely to appear.

One criterion of the wheels is its size. Simple mechanics can tell you that its one of the most important things about wheels because the size is linked to the speed. Imagine a bicycle with small wheels and then with big one. The one with the bigger wheels will move more quickly because one turnover of the wheels will pass a greater distance. It’s the same with cars.

When picking wheels you have to know that different cars have different suspension and you have to insure that the wheels are good for your car. You can see the specification of the wheels to secure yourself from a mistake. In Auto direct save you can see different wheels with different sizes and this will surely help you with your choice. The wheels are the component of the car that interact with the road and let it move so you have to be very careful when picking them.


PostHeaderIcon Hybrid Car Prices: Good Value For The Money

Ernest Jarquio asked:


Retail hybrid car prices as suggested by manufacturers (better known as MSRP) are decided by the car makers and advised to the car dealers to be the base price guide in dealing with public sale. Dealers providing fleet sales to corporate buyers have also the invoice price, or that amount paid by the dealers to the automakers, better used for wholesale purchases being made from the dealers.

While these two serve as guides for the car buyer, prices may increase due to additional costs for non-standard features or add-ons to the vehicles. There are also charges for delivery to move the vehicles to the final destination where buyer is situated. Thereafter, sales taxes, marketing costs, registration costs and other costs may be added by the dealership over and above the MSRP or invoice price.

Price Ranges

As of this writing, at the bottom rung is the Toyota Prius, most reasonably priced at suggested retail of $22,175, exclusive of tax incentives that come along with purchases of hybrid, environmentally-friendly units. At the high end of the spectrum will be the 2007 Honda Accord Hybrid 4-wheel drive four-door sedan, at around $31,000. Both these prices do not include delivery or destination pricing.

The Array of Hybrid Car Prices

In between the Prius and the Accord, the Camry Hybrid from Toyota is priced at around $26,000. The Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid starts at $22,695, a highly recommended purchase by many hybrid enthusiasts. The Honda Hybrid FWD four door sedan starts at $22,600 exclusive of destination costs.

To give you a gauge on SUVs, the Mercury Mariner 2008 Hybrid four-wheel drive SUV starts at the bottom with $27,515, followed by the Ford Escape Hybrid 4FD SUV at $27.250. Packed and loaded with all amenities you can ask for, the 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid can be yours for $32,500.

Price Indicators

The brand name comes with the package. With such prestigious car makers as Toyota, Honda, Ford, Saturn, Mercury, Volkswagen, Mercedes, the name comes at a premium. Brand name notwithstanding, the full array of features and accessories not included in standard units also impact on the final price of the hybrid car you are purchasing.

Hybrid car prices are definitely higher than for conventional models. That’s because the manufacturer requires more resources to produce the hybrids with their added valuable features – these all add up to the cost. It is envisioned, though, that the fuel savings from hybrids will more than compensate for the usually higher purchase price compared to pure fossil-fuel models.

To give you an idea, take the Honda Accord as an example. While a value-packaged 4-door Accord Sedan can fetch for as low as $19,450, the Hybrid Accord’s price is almost twice higher at more than $31,000. While Accord’s special edition sedans and coupes range from $23,350 to $23,450, these prices are still a far cry from hybrid’s prices. Only the EX-L four-wheel drive 2-door Accord Coupe comes close at $27,500.

The price differences among Civic models are somewhat more manageable and saleable. Take a 4-door sedan Civic EX priced at $19,510 add a hybrid system and you’re $22,500 poorer. But the price difference, at least, is not all that much.

Even with Toyota models, the fuel efficiency and environmental-friendliness and zero-emission tags all come at a premium. The Camry Hybrid starts at $25,200 when its conventional sister is priced at only $18,570. Even with the federal tax reductions for hybrid vehicles, the MSRP is still a tad higher.

With the kind of research and development, not to mention the extensive testing done on hybrid or alternative-fuel models, it’s not surprising that hybrid car prices are more expensive. And manufacturers do not stop at the hybrid or fuel-efficiency features; they also try and pack the hybrid with the latest in electronics for the interiors, dash and instrumentation and everything.

Standard or optional amenities notwithstanding, environmentalists will always say that hybrid car prices are worth every penny car buyers shed, if only to ensure a better, cleaner, safer world for tomorrow. Amen to that, say the hybrid manufacturers’ environmental drum beaters.


PostHeaderIcon Cheap sedan Insurance for young drivers

John Lynch asked:


For Cheap sedan Insurance – Click Here

People under the twenty five years who would love to obtain a car know how problematic and tough it is to get insurance rather than a four wheeler these days.These days obtaining cost-efficient and cheap car insurance for young drivers is hard . As it is the teenage drivers are thought to run a risk due to lack of driving experience and not being as reliable as the older experienced generation. The CDC (Centers for disease control and prevention) avers that one in three accidents is caused by the fault of teenagers, which for sure adds anxiety to the parents of teenagers.

Statistical surveys like the above and their prior experiences have made the vehicle insurance firms to charge a steeper rate of insurance premiums for the young drivers. The automobile insurance for young drivers might even be different from one person to another also .This can be due to certain factors like your home location, your former driving record, your *** or the type of vehicle you drive (whether it is a safe automobile or not) .The amount of young driver sedan insurance premium is shifting from not only from one firm to another but also on an individual basis and taking these aspects into consideration one should look for cheap car insurance for young drivers.

It is indeed feasible to lessen the premium charges of your young driver. How? By furnishing some important information and then negotiating with the insurance provider based on the same. First of all if the everyday distance travelled is lesser then there is lower risk so it might lessen the automobile insurance for young driver. Secondly if the car is higher ended in safety features like a four door sedan with alarm system, anti-lock breaks, low mileage etc it will further decrease the premium. Thirdly if the previous driving record is without…Read More


PostHeaderIcon Want a Hybrid Car? Better Compare Them Here First

Floyd Dorrance asked:


Compare ALL Hybrid cars with each other before deciding.

The following article includes pertinent information that may cause you to reconsider what you thought you understood. The most important thing is to study with an open mind and be willing to revise your understanding if necessary.

For the past fout or five years, there has been much ado about Hybrid Cars and the many benefits they could offer. Their popularity has been compounded by the ever surging gas prices and the concern for the environment. It seems that Hybrid Cars are the solution to both. When you use a Hybrid car, you contribute less to the thickening air pollution, plus you save a lot of money since they require less fuel, plus there are numerous tax credits being given by many states.

For these reasons, hybrid cars have experienced a sharp increase in sales and more car manufacturers are joining the hybrid vehicle arena with their own versions. For those who are planning to buy a hybrid car, the choices are numerous, that’s why you have to compare hybrid cars with one another to see which one would go well with your needs.

Two of the top hybrid car manufacturers are the Japanese giant’s Toyota and Honda. They are credited with producing many innovations in the hybrid technology and their hybrid cars are the most acclaimed, most sought after and most awarded hybrid vehicles today.

Here we will compare the hybrid cars they are offering for 2007, these will include the Honda Accord Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid, Lexus GS 450H, Toyota Camry Hybrid and the Toyota Prius.

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about “hybrid car”. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?

Their fuel efficiency can be compared through their average consumption per mile in different situations, like; City Driving – where the traffic is constantly stopping, Highway Driving – where the engine can freely operate at maximum level and their combined average usage.

Miles Per Gallon – Average Miles Used Per gallon of Fuel

· Honda Accord Hybrid – 28 MPG (city), 35 MPG (Highway) and 31 MPG (Combined Average)

· Honda Civic – 49 MPG (city), 51 MPG (Highway) and 50 MPG (Combined Average)

· Lexus GS 450H – 25 MPG (city), 28 MPG (Highway) and 26 MPG (Combined Average)

· Toyota Camry Hybrid – 38 MPG (city), 40 MPG (Highway) and 39 MPG (Combined Average)

· Toyota Prius – 51 MPG (city), 60 MPG (Highway) and 55 MPG (Combined Average)

But before you just pick out the one with the highest MPG average, you still have to consider and compare a couple of aspects as well. This includes the fuel type. All of these vehicles use regular gasoline except for the Lexus which uses Premium Gasoline that is pricier.

Then you also have to compare the size class of each hybrid car and their engine size and liters. The Accord Hybrid is a midsize car with a 3 liter – 6 cylinder engine. The Civic Hybrid is a compact car with a 1.3 liter – 4 cylinder engine. The Lexus is another compact car with a 3.5 liter – 6 cylinder engine. The Camry Hybrid is a midsize sedan equipped with a 2.4 liter – 4 cylinder engine and the Toyota Prius is a compact car with a 1.5 liter – 4 cylinder engine. The more powerful the engine is, the more fuel will be consumed.

Considering this aspect and others is needed when comparing hybrid cars. You have to consider the differences. Before purchasing a hybrid car, compare first and do your research. Find one that would suit your needs and your personality best to get the perfect hybrid car for you.

That’s how things stand right now. Keep in mind that any subject can change over time, so be sure you keep up with the latest news.


PostHeaderIcon Car Engine Modifications

Carazoo.com asked:


Car engine is believed to be the heart of a car. Today, with the increasing numbers of cars, Indian car market also comprises a variety of engines with unique specifications and characteristics. These car engines can be modified or altered to boost engine performance and enhance fuel efficiency.

Here are some of the best tips on car engine modifications:

• The best way to get better power and performance from the car engine is to increase engine displacement. This can effectively be done by increasing the size of the cylinders or by adding more numbers of cylinders to the equipped engine.

• Increase the engine’s compression ratio by fueling the engine by higher octane gasolines. This kind of gasoline helps to compress the fuel mixture and results in early combustion, which thereby produces more power.

• Fix in an intercooler so that the compressed air gets cool before it’s enter the engine’s cylinder. This will help in expansion of air during combustion, delivering more power and performance.

• Improve air flow to the cylinder and out of the cylinder because air resistance can reduce power. The air intake as well as exhaust should not be influenced by any kind of resistance. This can be done by placing two intake valves and exhaust valves in the cylinder. The intake flow can also be improved by adding big air filters to the engine and the exhaust can be improved by adding big exhaust pipes and flowing mufflers.

• Replace heavy components and parts of the engine. Lighter the engine components better is the engine performance. Every time when the piston moves to change its direction it uses the energy from the engine and eventually reduces the power. In such a case, a lighter weight piston will be beneficial as it will absorb less power.

• Fuel injection helps to precise metering of fuel to each of the engine’s cylinder. This helps to boost performance and improve fuel efficiency.

• Optimize the timings of the valve to have better burning efficiency. This will improve production of power and can be done by modifying the camshaft.

• Chip tuning also helps in delivering more power. Most of the new cars are loaded with advanced engine that deliver higher power. Chip tuning in association with the engine management system reduces the excessive power to make the engine operate smoothly and with better performance. This is also known as de-tuning.


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