Protecting Your Ride

A group of West Philadelphia High School students have impressed us all with their hybrid sports car they built themselves. This hand full of dedicated students are a part of the high school’s Academy of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering (AAME). Over the past several years they have won numerous awards for the hybrid vehicles they have fabricated. This elite group of students has entered competitions where they are competing against large automotive corporations and colleges. Being able to compete at this level is a great accomplishment and the team of students deserves a lot of credit. They have chosen the high road and have dedicated themselves to learning instead of the influences of rough West Philadelphia.

They have created an affordable hybrid vehicle that gives us a good look at what the public may be driving in just a few short years. These kids are currently awaiting the results for the latest contest they have entered, the Progressive Automotive X Prize. There are a number of contests they have won in the past, beating out MIT and major automotive companies, these wins have had large monetary rewards to fund this positive program. These rewards and the recognition keep the students motivated to excel in mechanical engineering.

Ecotec engines have four-cylinders and the technology used is extremely revolutionary. Fuel efficiency is all the rage with the scarcity of our fossil fuels and this product will meet the mark. This new technology is going to reduce the amount of fuel utilized and emissions. In addition, these engines will be designed to last longer without as much regular maintenance required.

GM is investing almost $500 million towards production. New technology yields new jobs and this particular project will require 550 new positions to be filled. They are going to be expanding in three different US plants; upgrading the general warehouse, new machinery, and tools. With this kind of expansion the economy will definitely feel from relief with this new engine and all it entails.

Plug-In hybrid vehicles are eco-friendly and practical, with this new technology car drivers will also be considered environmentally friendly. Normally, these new model cars can get around 50 miles on just one battery charge. The good thing is that if you are traveling a long distance and do not have time to stop and charge up, it also runs on gasoline. Specifically the Kia Ray, a new hybrid not yet on the market, has incorporated a material designed to reflect heat and sun to limit use of air conditioning which will decrease emissions and battery/gasoline use. With these revolutionary designs hybrid cars will take over the auto industry.

With the 2010 North American Auto Show touring around now I feel like it’s appropriate for me to discuss my favorite concept car ever—the Jeep Hurricane. The Hurricane was unveiled in 2005 at the Detroit Auto Show.

As you can see from the images of the Hurricane, it has a very unique four-wheel steering system. This steering system allows the vehicle to move sideways, or even in circles. As badly as you may want to own one of these—they’re unfortunately not expected to be put into production. The concept car was not a complete waste for Daimler-Chrysler though, many patents were secured during the development of the Jeep Hurricane.

RECALL: Toyota announced they will be recalling a number of vehicles due to a ‘sticky’ accelerator pedal. There are several consumers who have already experienced the effects of this dangerous flaw. These runaway cars are causing quite a stir and Toyota has scrambled for a solution. All affected vehicle owners were notified via mail notification concerning the faulty car part and they are encouraged to get it repaired as soon as possible. These consumers can not afford to wait to address this life threatening problem. Toyota dealership’s service hours extended to expedite the repairs for every customer.

If you are a victim to a sticky accelerator pedal you are instructed to push on the brake pedal hard (do NOT pump the brake) and put your car into neutral, when you follow these instructions your vehicle will come to a stop. If you are not already aware of the vehicles affected, here is a list:

• Certain 2009-2010 RAV4
• Certain 2009-2010 Corolla
• 2009-2010 Avalon
• Certain 2007-2010 Camry
• Certain 2010 Highlander
• 2007-2010 Tundra
• 2008-2010 Sequoia
• There is a talk about recalling 279,000 Prius Hybrids as of 2/5/2010.

Be on the safe side and bring your Toyota into a dealership near you to be sure you are not going to be affected by this design error.

If this were your Ford Mustang, I am sure you would want to keep this custom paint job protected with a car cover. Even if your ride is not as fresh and new as this one, it is still a good idea to protect the investment you made in your vehicle. Ford Mustangs have a great resell value – best way to maximize your asset’s worth is to protect it with a cover, even if it is stored in a garage.

Ford, as a brand, has been extremely successful in manufacturing vehicles that last and maintain value. Whether you are contemplating getting a Fusion, Taurus, F-150, or Mustang, you can rest assured that your money will be well spent. In all types of vehicles, Ford is a leader in resell value to its direct competitor. Ford has gone out of their way to produce vehicles that last from the inside out. It is your job, as the owner, to protect its aesthetics of the paint and get a car cover.

This ‘transparent truck system’ has the potential to help safe driving on winding roads. The way this system works is by projecting a video from the front view of the truck to the back panels – giving the illusion that the truck is transparent. With this apparatus cars that are driving behind a tractor trailer will not have blind spots in the event that they need to pass a slow moving truck. Drivers can be sure that there is not going to be a vehicle traveling in the other lane.

The down side to this invention would be that, if it is utilized at night, it would impede your night vision because you would not have the ability to see anything but the image depicted on the screen. This idea is revolutionary, however, maybe not ready for implementation.

According to Forbes, this BMW X6 is one of the most popular crossover vehicles for 2010. This vehicle has been given great performance reviews and has a sleek coupe look. With a V6 engine and 350 horsepower it proves to drive similar to a sports car. Reviews call this an activity vehicle – it is practical for everyday driving but does not skip out on performance. If you are lucky enough to own one of these crossovers make sure you protect it with an SUV cover to preserve its brilliance.

Start the New Year off with reliable and affordable auto insurance. It would be a heavy financial burden in the event an accident occurs and you are uninsured. Being insured with at least minimal coverage is a wise decision to protect your financial assets.

There are affordable insurance policies like liability plans. For example, if you opt for only liability it will protect you from having to pay for bodily injuries and vehicle damage of the other party, if the accident is deemed your fault. This type of policy will not cover you and your vehicle; however, this is a basic plan that is necessary. Preventative action, like having active insurance, should be taken in order to keep yourself and others safe in 2010.

Winter months create hazardous conditions for driving due to snow and ice so it is necessary for road salt to be distributed for safety. Unfortunately, this can damage your vehicle’s paint and cause rust to the undercarriage. Plan ahead, apply a heavy coat of wax to your vehicle to give an extra layer of protection when expecting a storm. In the event you are unable to avoid driving, or exposing your car to these conditions be sure to wash your vehicle when the salt on the road has dissipated. If you live in an area subject to inclimate weather it would be a good idea to cover your car.

In preparation for wintery conditions it is a smart idea to prepare accordingly to protect the integrity of your paint. By thoroughly washing and waxing your vehicle you will be able to prevent corrosion and rust. If you detail your car before the harsh winter months the maintenance will be significantly easier.

After every snowfall or icy condition that requires salt distribution on the road surfaces, it is essential to wash your car. If the salt is left on the paint of your car it can erode the clear protective layer. By washing your vehicle you will preserve your paint job. Be sure not to neglect your undercarriage. When mud and salt is coated on the undercarriage, rust can occur which decreases the life span of your car. This can affect the performance of your car as well.

Purchasing a car/truck/SUV cover is a good investment for these weather conditions. By covering your vehicle before a snow fall you are preventing pollution from causing damage. If you do not have a garage, especially, covers are an essential tool. When snow lays on that paint job for an extended period of time it will break down the protection layer of the paint. This can cause spots of vulnerability and ultimately result in rust. Car covers will ensure long lasting cars and their paint jobs.

This Winter, remember to protect your vehicle. Prepare according to the weather in your area. Apply wax to the paint for an extra barrier of protection against the elements. Be sure to wash your car after every storm, including the undercarriage, to clean off excess salt and mud. Car covers are a good solution to protect your vehicle in harsh conditions. Follow these tips about protecting your vehicle from Winter weather and preserve the value of your car.