We’ve seen how vehicles evolved through the pictures in history books and museums. They had different forms and functions. However, function wasn’t the only important factor to designers and consumers. Aesthetics and style played crucial and constant roles as well.Ancient civilizations have started the tradition of designing and embellishing their chariots, wagons and other ancient forms of transportation. Egyptian chariots of gold and silver decorated with date palm branches, animals and other motifs were the most preferred. Today we see how different people especially the men, choose to buy cars with slick wheels and other parts and accessories. The whole craze is absolutely nothing new and as the famous saying among men goes- “you don’t drive a car, you wear it”. A car can magnify a lot, if not all of the traits of its owners and here some of those clues. • For the women, safety, reliability and value are at the top of their list while men prefer performance, power and style. According to Imre Molnar, dean of College for Creative Studies (Detroit), men’s desire to showcase power and aggression with the vehicles they drive stems from an “animal nature”. They dress up their vehicles as if it’s “mating season,” he quips. Molnar further elaborates that these attributes of masculine, big wheels, flush or protruding wheel faces and high “shoulder line” and taut lines can be found in most vehicles men drive today. Predator-looking vehicles that sit higher at the back have the “ready to pounce” look and this has become very common among sedans. At the top of the list are vehicles made for looking good and going fast or as Molnar calls them “testosterone show-off devices”.
• Studies, however, prove that most women prefer vehicles that are understated, opulent and with a comfy interior. “Ease of entry and useful interior storage, including space for a purse, are elements that make vehicles especially attractive to women,” states Brigid O’Kane, a design professor and coordinator of the Transportation Design Track program at the University of Cincinnati.
• To create a distinctive look, women wear jewelry, high-end fashion and expensive handbags rather than cars while men create an image of wealth and influence by the cars they “wear”.
• Buying used vs. buying new: While men are most likely to buy used vehicles if they can’t buy the flashy new one, women are prone to settle for a new affordable car rather than their dream model.
• In general, men are more willing to sacrifice a smooth ride for sharp handling than women or to overlook an impractical cargo arrangement for an engine more pep, experts say.
• Strategic Vision’s new-vehicle experience study shows that 31 percent of men said driving is one of their favorite things to do, while only 18 percent of women said the same.
• According to the experts, SUVs with a “big and powerful” look resonates with men, while small, inexpensive vehicles are preferred by women.So now you’ve got clues on what vehicles most men and women want. These studies and indicators fairly explain what vehicles both sexes prefer to drive or “wear.” www.autoterminal.com
John and Helen Taylor, the famous Aussie couple who broke the Guinness World Record in 2006 for fuel efficiency successfully circled the globe using only 24 tanks of gasoline while averaging an amazing 52.3 mpg.Similarly, there has been a trend of cross-country road trips among the young and old.Call it challenge or madness; more people know how to have a great sense of thrill and adventure. Are you planning to go on a cross-country road trip yourself?Before you to take part in that daring quest, while increasing your “cool factor” enormously, you will need to follow these essential tips:At least three weeks before you go:1. Plan Your Journey.
Plan your route, keeping in mind rush hour situations where possible. Check the map before leaving or make sure the portable GPS navigator (if you have one) works so you can be more fluid on your trip. Avoid getting lost and unnecessary stops as it burns a lot of fuel.2. Have your car checked for repairs/maintenance.3. Tune in your engine.
This will improve fuel economy on your vehicle by about 4%.4. Check vehicle fluids. Coolant – flush the cooling system and replace coolant. Oil – use the recommended motor oil to improve fuel efficiency. Break fluid – Make sure the fluid reaches the full line of the master cylinder.5. Look for any leaks. 6. Check the battery. Clean the top surface with a rag or fresh water before you remove the vent caps. The fluid level should be just below the bottom of the vent hole, level with the filler ring, for each cell.7. Check the belts. Replace belt if it is cracked or can be easily pushed more than 1 inch.8. Check the AC and heater. Check if all heater fans turn on. If moist air is coming from the vents with antifreeze smell, while the windows become foggy when the heater is turned on, there may be a leak. If your vehicle has rear air-conditioning unit, test it as well.9. Check the tires. Are they inflated enough? Tires with pressure too low can cause heat buildup which leads to a blowout at high speeds. To check the tire pressure, use a tire gauge. The tires may become low as the temperature drops because air contracts with cold. It is also best to make sure you have a spare tire that has been fully-inflated with the appropriate tools needed. Don’t risk driving without the jack, tire wrench and lock-nut adapter (if your vehicle has wheel locks); you never know what could happen.10. Check the glove box / glove compartment. Make sure you have your owner’s manual and vehicle registration. If your manual is missing, search the internet for automakers with pdf manuals in their sites. If you are travelling in the US and have a roadside assistance program such as AAA, make sure to bring the card (or your member number) along.At least 5 days before you go, you must do the following checks:1. Recheck for any scheduled maintenance.2. Recheck the tires.3. Wash and clean your vehicle. Get rid of useless equipment; you don’t need to bring the whole apartment/house with you. Useless objects mean more fuel to burn and more money wasted on the junk you don’t need. Vacuum, wash and scrub your vehicle like there’s no tomorrow. Nobody wants to travel long in a smelly, crappy and filthy car. Every extra 100 lbs (45 kg) you carry can drop fuel efficiency by 1-2%. So keep your boot or back seat clear of unnecessary items. 4. Check air filter. Clogged air filter? This can affect the fuel economy and performance of your vehicle at high altitudes. An air filter that’s been in your vehicle for more than 10,000 miles needs to be cleaned or replaced.5. Prepare an emergency winter kit. At the trunk of your car put the following: blanket, extra boots and gloves, ice scraper, small snow shovel, flashlight and kitty litter (for traction incase you get stuck in snow).1 day before you go:1. Gas up. Fill the tank. It is more expensive to keep refilling on the road.2. Recheck your gear. Write a checklist to make sure you already have the complete necessary gadgets, documents, identifications and kits which you prepared before hand.Preparing your vehicle is key and as long as you’ve followed these guidelines carefully, major problems could be avoided. Lastly, enjoy the ride!
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There are loads of stuff that you can employ to assure that your vehicle is always in tip top shape, while easing on the budget and saving precious time. Instead of always going to the car shop whenever conks are heard under the hood, why not fix minor car problems on your own?You’re not only giving yourself a favor by not going thru the hassle of the long wait to have your car fixed at the local car shop, but you’re also protecting yourself from unscrupulous mechanics who might take advantage of your predicament. Here are a few tips to get you worry free on the road. 1. Read your car repair manual and other Do it yourself (DIY) books It wouldn’t hurt for you to take some time off to read and study the ins and outs of your car. You’ll be familiar with the specifications and the proper maintenance of your vehicle. DIY books also abound, providing you the basic and advanced techniques which could save you hundreds perhaps thousands of dollars on repairs. By reading, you’ll have the ample knowledge to get the job done yourself whenever unpleasant situations arise. Like a bible is to a clergyman, always see to it to have a book or two beside you for quick reference in emergencies.2. Keep the right tools in your toolboxIt is very important that you use the right tool for the right job because if you use the wrong one, you might end up with broken nuts and bolts or worse, have them worn out. Here’s a rundown of the basic tool must-haves for your toolbox. A. Jack and Jack Stands – Conventional for changing tires and fixes under the chassis. Remember to never rely on the jack whenever lifting your car. Always have jack stands on hand for support and safety.B. Philips and Flat tip screwdrivers - Always have a pair handy for turning loose screws and replacing worn out ones. You can also use these to poke and reach things fallen among tiny and hard to reach corners.C. Standard and Long nose Pliers - It never pays to have a pair of these handy for gripping and the easy removal of bolts and nuts. These can also be used to hold or clip wires when you’re working on wiring connections. D. Wrench or Spanner set - Always keep a set to turn bolts, nuts and other hard to turn items. Select the appropriate wrench size and number to that of the bolt and nut you will turn. E. Wire strippers and cutters - Must-haves for fixing and replacing old worn out wires or stripping them. F. Standard Tire Wrench/ Iron - A must-have for tire replacement. G. Towing Cable - Very helpful when you need to be securely towed away in an emergency. H. A roll of Electrical tape (Preferably fire retardant) – Handy in times of replacing and insulating stripped or worn out wires. Select the fire retardant type as it provides maximum protection and adheres better than the regular type. I. Spare bulbs - It surely pays to have a spare bulb on hand for sudden shutdowns in important beacons such as signal, safety, break and head lights while driving down dark roads at night.J. Work light / Flashlight – Very useful to lighten dark nooks and crannies that you’re working on. A work light can either just be a regular flashlight or the kind with nodes that you can tap to the positive and negative terminals of your car’s battery. K. Tire Inflator – Though this tool may not fit your toolbox, but having one beside it in your baggage is very helpful for mending flat tires while travelling in areas where car shops and gas stations are scarce. 3. Driving routine check upsBefore hitting the ignition keys, a short round up check is helpful to ensure hassle-free and safe driving. A routine check up may be time consuming, but it can save your life and of those you’re travelling with. A. Check for Water, Break, Steering and Transmission fluid levels. This is to avoid overheating, steering problems or worse, break loss while travelling. Fill up to recommended levels only. B. Check the Tire pressure. Remember that unequal pressure among your tires will greatly dampen speed and stamina, thereby increasing your car’s fuel consumption. C. Check the lights. For those who frequently travel at night, a check on all signals and lights is a must. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know what dangers await you, driving down that dark road with busted lights! Relax and safe driving.AutoTerminal.com
The “right” set of tires greatly affects your vehicle's performance and handling, road worthiness and safety, and fuel economy. Here is the spin on how to choose the right tires for your vehicle.
There are so many brands available in the market today and they all claim to be the best performance-boosting-safety-enhancing-fuel-efficient-super-tires. Well, maybe they really are but how would you choose the right one for your vehicle?
It all depends on the type of vehicle you drive, the climate and terrain of your locality and how you intend to use your vehicle. After considering these factors, your decision should be based on the tire’s performance and safety, price, brand and appearance.
To help you weigh your options, here are a few basic tire classifications to start with:
TIRE DIAMETER and WIDTH
Each vehicle model has a specific range of appropriate tire sizes. This is usually listed in the owner's manual or on a label posted on the vehicle. Anyway, it's easy to get this information online.
TIRE TYPE
There are three basic tire types: radial, bias-ply and bias belted. Most vehicles today come equipped with radial tires because they generally offer better performance and more durability.
Of course, you don't need to know that some tires specify in their labels that they are for use as temporary spares, for passenger cars or for light trucks. But now you also know.
TREAD DESIGN
Tread, here, refers to the rubber on the circumference of the tire which is designed to make contact with the ground.
The most common are all-season tires which can be used for regular highway conditions, rain, snow, slush and mud. This type of tire usually has an “m + s” (mud + snow) label. Then there are also specialized treads for snow or for regular highway conditions only.
All tires made by manufacturers who distribute to the US (most likely those also available in your area) must meet federal safety standards. Grades are assigned by manufacturers after performing tests designed by the government.
Except for off road tires and temporary spares, each tire has a label printed on paper or molded on the side of the tire. The quality ratings are based on the tire's tread wear, traction and temperature resistance.
Tread wear grade
This tells you how long the manufacturer expects the tire to last in comparison to other tires if all were subjected to the same usage conditions. For example, a tire rated 200 is expected to last twice as long as a tire rated 100.
Traction rating
This is scored A, B or C, tells you how well the tires can stop your vehicle on wet roads. Those tires rated “A” offer the best traction.
Temperature resistance
This rating, also scored A, B, or C, measures how well the tire will resist overheating during sustained high speed use. Yes, a tire graded "A" represents the best performance.
MAKING SENSE OF LABELS
Here’s how a typical tire label looks like: P205/60R-16 91V
In this tire label, "P" indicates that the tire is for passenger cars. Variations are “LT” for light truck or “T” for temporary or spare tire.
"205/60" means that the tire is 205mm wide and its side walls are 60mm tall.
"R" in this case means that this is a Radial tire.
“16” refers to the diameter of the wheel rim which is 14 inches.
“91” is the tire’s load index.
And the last letter “V” refers to the speed rating, the maximum safe speed that the tire can still be performing under ideal conditions. Variations are: Q (99mph), S (112mph), T (118mph), U (124mph), H (130mph), V (up to 149mph), Z (more than 149mph), W (168mph), and Y (186mph).
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