Auto Performance Tuning, Give More Power To Your Car

Every major and minor working part of your car can be fined-tuned to increase speed, smoothness, and drivability. Let's explore the key areas of performance tuning and see how each can contribute to better driving.

Fine Engine Tuning

There are several key areas of tuning that can help give your car or truck an engine boost. One is to install a performance chip. A performance chip can be fitted in engines with fuel injection and an ECU, or Electronic Control Unit.

With a performance chip, non-turbo engines often result in about a 10 percent power boost while turbo engines often see an increase of 25 to 30 horsepower!

Engines also see a power boost with a performance cam, which can be fitted by an experienced mechanic or a really knowledgeable homemechanic. Cams of about 270 degrees can boost the engine up to an extra 12 horsepower.

A power boost valve can also be installed to replace the fuel pressure regulator, which is located in the return fuel line.

Brake Performance Tuning

Be sure to enhance your braking power before increasing power in your automobile. Brakes are very important for your performance and safety although they are not considered performance-enhancing features.

A simple way to improve braking is to install performance pads and fix performance discs. Performance brake pads enhance braking power and can withstand much higher temperatures than regular brake pads.

Air Filters and Tuning

Probably one of the easiest tune-up tasks is to replace the air filters or the air filter element in a performance air filter. If you have a fuel-injected car, you can also enhance airflow by removing the original airbox, which contains the air filter and hoses and then replacing it with an induction kit.

The kit is a cone filter that can be attached directly to the air flow meter, thus, creating a more directed, uninterrupted airflow to the engine. More air means better engine performance.

Exhaust Enhancement

With exhausts, you're not focusing on what's going into the engine, but what's coming out. There are performance exhausts that minimize pressure restrictions for fumes that are on their way out.

Hint: Replace the factory-made exhaust manifold with an aftermarket brand that is tuned to boost power.

A Better Ride with Enhanced Suspension

Suspension is another key car tuning area that often goes unnoticed. Lowering springs can be fitted to get a better look and feel for the car. Handling is improved because the springs reduce roll when taking corners. Also, the tires will have improved contact with the road.

These springs might feel like standard springs when driving over small bumps in the road; however, when cornering hard they stiffen and reduce roll. This gives comfort and improved handling. Shock absorbers and up-rated bushes also enhance suspension.

Abundant Tuning Supplies
If you have trouble finding the performance tuning products you need, use the Internet to locate thousands of tuning products at great prices. You can find auto parts and supplies for car tuning, truck tuning, SUV tuning, and more.

Also, browse through top brand name products known for their durability and performance-enhancing qualities. There are Sniper tuning products, Diablo tuning products, and many others.
Give special attention to these key areas during your next performancetuning to enjoy maximum results.

The Truth and Lies About Your Car Insurance

If you are a newbie in insurance policies, it is best to be educated on the subject. There are many myths and realities in dealing with insurance companies. It is necessary for you to have a general idea about such insurance rates so that you won't have problems later on.Car insurance is needed by people who want to be assured that their cars won't experience distress, especially when the time comes and they get into an accident or anything else. There are things in this world that you have to be aware and to prepare for. This is why it is vital to assess and choose the most affordable and most reasonable price for your car insurance.

Hence, it is true that the insurance quotes reflect the cost of certain automobile- related expenses. In fact, there are many explanations on how the increasing cost of such insurances is accumulated.

Each year millions of people get into car accidents that involve personal injury. With this type of incidents, the typical price range of such treatment is around $6,000 to $9,000. Thus, this can easily turn into tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the type of car.

This problem is actually joined by the trouble of increasing claims of automobile injury, which are currently as much as 30 % in some states. These dilemmas can turn into the new car insurance holder's burden of additional payments or premiums.

Moreover, another reason for this is the legal expenses that the company needs to pay due to the fact that an average jury award for vehicular liability cases are continuing to rise and can put up the pressure on auto insurance rates.

An average liability can cost from about $187,000 up to $269,000. This was the estimated record from the year 1994 up to the year 2000, respectively. Thus, the number one cause of death for people ages 1 up to 34 is car accident.

According to the United States Department of Transportation, these deaths cost more than $150 billion annually. People who are under the use of prohibited drugs, alcohol abuse, high- speed driving and are not using a seat belt are the leading people who are at risk of such an accident. Auto repair has also increased because of the rapid advancing age of technology, along with construction and design that have now become a must in this era. Automotive innovations and repair costs have increased tremendously and thus, higher car insurance may ensue because of this.

Hence, there is a notion that red cars cost more insurance. This is not true. Colour is never a determinant factor in calculating one's car insurance rate. The factors that are important are the year, model, body, type, engine size and the age of the car. Even if you have a cheap car but you have a large engine, or it is an unusual model, it might cost a lot to have it insured as compared to a more expensive small car.Then again, you will pay for a lesser amount in comprehensive coverage, which can cover the damage that is usually brought about by vandalism, hail, fire or even animal accidents. There is also a case, in which, two speeding tickets can make your car insurance rate go up.

Plus, it is also not true that every car insurance company can charge anyone on any way they please. Despite the increasing expenses of this company, they still have a way of covering all the damages and they also have regulators that review their customer rates.

It is also important to take note of the amount of your car, where in, it's insurance will most likely have a relative cost to. This is due to the fact that some companies shoulders only a minimum amount and will not cover certain accidents. Of course, this will result into a lawsuit but they will not include all the damages. So, it is wiser to read your terms and conditions.

Thus, if someone drives your car and there is an accident, you will still be the one held responsible. You will be financially responsible for the accident. In most states, the car insurance that covers the accident is considered the primary insurance holder, which means that the insurance company is the one that should pay for the damages. Hence, there are cases that it is not enough and the driver's insurance is the next in line to pay for the remaining damages. This is primarily why you need to know the car insurance policy in your state, as well as the laws that go hand in hand with it. States and even countries differ in policies politically and geographically.

Aside from this, there are also other factors that are being considered for car insurance rates. Of course, your rate won't be the same as that of your neighbours. Your age, nature of your work, driving record, type of vehicle and marital status are all considered. This can really vary depending on the company's standards. Sometimes, your charge can go down when you turn 25 because this is the time when car accidents go down. The extremes of ages, like that of a teenager and that of the forty year old individual is where the accident rate is at its highest.

Lastly, there is a so called rental reimbursement that can cover and pay for your rental car. This is for cases, wherein, you are on vacation and you just rented a car that resulted into an accident. This will help drivers pay for the damages to the car but this still depends on the limits you selected. Having more than one insurance policy is not really money- saving technique. In fact, it is more expensive. Most of the time, you can save your money by getting the best rate available in one company. Thus, if you want different types of insurance like that of the auto and homeowners insurance, you can look for another company that can give you the best deal. At times, you will get better deals from different insurance companies.
Car insurance is a way of preparing yourself for some stressful moments while driving your car. Getting one doesn't mean that you are already assuming that you will encou7nter car theft or car accidents. Getting car insurance is a lot like accepting the reality that these things happen and that it is best to be prepared. This is better than not having a car insurance at all and end up paying more, just because you decided is best not to have one. Since car insurances these days have death or disability insurance for the driver or owner of the car, it is a lot like caring for your family and loved ones by leaving them with nothing to worry about.
Since there are many car insurance agencies these days, it is best to assess each one and check which has been in the industry for a long time. You can also check with friends for referrals. This is actually the best thing to do as compared to believing in advertisements and flyers.

Choosing to Get Classic Car Insurance >> NEW<<

Those who own classic cars know the love, care and attention that go into taking care of these cars. Whether you drive it around or not, it is still a good idea to get classic car insurance that is made special for those who own classic cars. One of the reasons to get classic car insurance is because the classic cars are quite expensive thus it is more prone to thief compared to other types of cars. Since classic cars are more expensive and are exposed to higher risk of thief, getting a regular insurance coverage may not really be enough to protect your classic car.

To make sure that your classic car is fully protected, you should always buy adequate classic car insurance for your car. The good thing about a classic car insurance is that it allows to you ensure your vehicle based on its true value rather than stated value. Yes, getting classic car insurance may be a bit costly but if you really want to safeguard your car against theft, accidents and the likes, getting classic car insurance is a must.

Classic Car Insurance

In America today, less that half of collector cars on the road are insured with classic car insurance. These policies have been available for a long time, but many people do not know about them. Most people have a regular insurance policy with high premiums and restrictive policies. You won't get that with classic car insurance. Standard premiums can be at much as 500 percent higher. Why pay that much for such a limited amount of coverage?

There are a few different types of coverage that you have with classic car insurance. There is actual cash value that gives you the book value of the car on a claim, the state value that lets you state the value of the vehicle for coverage, and there is the agreed value that guarantees all of your money back in the event of a total loss. This is the only policy that will not depreciate over the years.

If you are wondering what is considered a collectible vehicle, it may be hard to define. There are many different types of cars that are collected these days, so to find out if your beauty is considered a collectible, you will want to contact a classic car insurance carrier in order to see if your car qualifies for this great insurance.

Finding the Very Best Classic Car Insurance

Before you start hunting for a classic car insurance company for your car, you need to find out first how much the true value of your car is. Getting the true value can sometime be tricky. Bear in mind that an insurance company will want to know how much insurance you want on your car so you need to know the true value of your car.

The value of classic cars can vary and it can be greatly increase based on its uniqueness, its model, its present condition, its age and its history. If your car has some really great history attached to it which can be verified, you can fetch a handsome price on that car. To determine how much is the true value of your classic car, bring your car to an appraiser who works with classic cars in your locality. The classic car appraiser should be able to give you the true value of your classic car.

After determining the market value which is the true value of your classic car, you may now start hunting for a classic car insurance company. First you should call those well known classic car insurance companies. Ask these classic car insurance companies for insurance quotes depending upon the true value of your classic car. When comparing insurance quotes from all these classic car insurance companies, pay close attention to the features of the policy and the cost. Make sure that the cost of the insurance is well justified. You do not really want to pay more money than you should on your car insurance.

Maximizing Your Engine, Performance Tuning

Stuffing more horses into your engine used to take countless hours, cost a ridiculous wad of cash in parts, and usually resulted in the busting of several knuckles.

Thankfully, with today's computer-controlled vehicles tuning is about as easy as playing Pong.

If you've seen the TV shows geared at getting every droplet of power out of a classic vehicle, you know they spend the entire show with a load of time-lapsed video of them tearing the engine apart to put in extremely technical and wildly expensive parts.

When it's all done, they crank up the dyno and get giddy over the 3 horsepower gain realized after roughly 4 hours of work.

That's not exactly how most would want to spend their weekend, and all for a measly 3hp.

Of course, there's quite a bit to be said for those computer-free classics that you can have full control over. However, when it comes to getting more power in no time and without having to tear up your hands or throwing piles of cash on hard-to-find parts, a computer-controlled vehicle has a distinct advantage.

The good news is, you're probably driving a computer-controlled vehicle, like most sold over the last quarter century. This makes tuning much easier, because a set of programs determines how your engine performs.

Simply replace your engine's stock programming with some that's geared toward performance and you'll discover power gains almost instantly.

Just how can you get these power gains in minutes? The answer is easy, with a power programmer or performance chip, like those made by Hypertech or DiabloSport.

These power programmers are designed to hold performance programs created and tested by the pros. It's so straightforward a caveman could do it.

Just plug it into the OBD-II port beneath your steering column, enter a few simple yes or no commands to adjust how you want the engine to perform, upload the new programming, and you're ready to rock with 25 or more horsepower. For most folks, this will take a maximum of 10 minutes to complete.

There are a few drivers out there who want the extra power, but are apprehensive of using this sort of tuning method.Their concern is that how can so much power be gain so fast, when the guys on tube spend hours and only add a few horsepower. But the skeptics can rest easy. Modern automakers simply down-tune their cars for the general population.

Engines are setup to work the same for performance enthusiasts as they do for octogenarians who believe going over 40 mph is breakneck speed. You don't fall into the later, nor are you a soccer mom unconcerned about performance, you demand it.

Performance programmers aren't average settings and that makes them a perfect match for you.

And, you don't have to worry about warranties. The companies that make programmers take safety into account with their settings and further they often give you ways to return to stock settings for service visits at the dealership.

What's more, as with all performance mods, you'll be protected by federal law. It basically states that your vehicle's warranty cannot be voided by performance parts unless they can be proven as the source of the breakdown.

So, there's no good reason to wait if you're look to easily tap into the true potential sitting under your hood.

2008 SEMA Show in Las Vegas

BMW X6 on Giovanna 24 Inch Wheels! Unbelievable!

BMW X6 quality photo gallery

dark blue color

BMW X6 Sport SUV

24 inch wheels

xDrive 5.0i

side view

photos free download

1200x800 resolution

Photo-shoot Date: November 4, 2008, City: Las Vegas (NV), Show: 2008 SEMA Show.

Prepare Your Car for Winter: Four Things to Do Now

VERY USEFULL INFORMATIONS

If you have never lived in a cold climate, you probably haven't had to deal with driving and handling a car in snowy conditions. There is a lot of preparation that needs to be done before you can drive safely through the winter. Just as you change your wardrobe for winter, your car needs a winter wardrobe. Use the following steps to help ensure your car operates safely during the winter.

Preparing your car for winter breaks down into two categories: regular car maintenance and specialty items to deal with inclement weather. Regular car maintenance includes things that you do to your car year round. You need to make sure that these maintenance tasks get done before the weather starts to change so you can make sure that your car is running at its optimum level.

Before the winter starts, you should get your car's routine maintenance up to date. Getting your oil changed and your brakes fixed are essential in preparing your car for winter. Roads can be dangerous after the first snowfall. If you opt to go for snow tires, you should get them installed several weeks before winter hits. Snow tires aren't always necessary but they are a good idea if you are going to be driving in a place that experiences a lot of snowfall. Even if you don't need snow tires, check to make sure that your tires are in good enough shape to handle the wintry conditions.Test out your windshield wipers before the first rain or snowfall. Be sure the wipers don't just smear water across your windshield. Windshield wipers that work improperly can severely reduce your visibility and put you at risk for getting into an accident. Replace your windshield wipers and take a look at the special winter windshield wipers that are available on the market today. If you live in an area where you frequently experience snowfall, this may be a good option. While you're at it, make sure that your windshield wiper fluid container is filled, and put an extra gallon on fluid in your trunk.

The next part of car preparation is gathering together the supplies that you'll need to get your car running when the weather is bad. These supplies should be kept in two spaces: your garage and in your car. For your garage, you'll need a shovel, a small broom and some de-icing spray. These are necessary in order to free your car from any heavy snowfall that occurred the night before. You may also find an ice scraper handy.

For your car, you should carry an additional ice scraper and some de-icing spray to use if you have to park outside during work hours. These items should be kept with a winter emergency kit that is stored in the trunk of your car. In addition to the scraper and spray, you should store a blanket, some dry snacks, first-aid supplies and bottled water. If you're ever stuck in a snowstorm, these items will help you survive.While driving during the wintertime certainly isn't something that you should worry about, you should take the steps necessary to prepare your car for the coming months. Get your car tuned up and stocked with emergency supplies and you'll be ready to take what ever the winter weather throws your way.

10 Ways to Lower your Car Insurance Payments

Many people buy their own cars because it makes life easier. However, many also struggle with the costs that come with maintaining a car especially when it comes to making car insurance payments. Many car owners are continuously in search for better ways to lower their car insurance premiums. What most do is simply search for companies that provide cheap car insurance. However, what many do not know is that they can save so much more just by following a few simple tips.

For those who aim to save on car insurance payments, the first thing to do is make sure to shop around every so often. In fact, the reason why six-month car insurance polices are most preferred is that it allows car owners to switch and buy car insurance from other providers at the soonest possible time. This means that it is important to continuously survey the insurance market to search for the cheapest car insurance around. Some people find that it is most effective to check out rates for car insurance online while others learn about the cheapest services from their friends and family. No matter what your preferred method for getting car insurance quotes may be, the bottom line is to find the best car insurance to not only suit your lifestyle but your budget as well. Many people who make this a practice report savings of over $300 on policies valid for six months. This would translate to so much more in a span of one year.

Another thing to consider when trying lowering your car insurance payments is to take the option for higher deductibles. Many car owners feel afraid to do this because choosing higher deductibles means shelling out so much more money in case they get into a huge accident. However, the logic behind choosing higher deductibles is pretty sound. Obviously, higher deductibles mean lower premiums. Therefore, lower car insurance payments. Car owners should not worry too much about higher payments when a major accident happens because minor accidents happen more often than major ones and when it comes to minor damages, car owners will still pay the same amount.

Many motorists prefer paying for their premiums in monthly installments because it allows them to shell out a relatively smaller amount at a given time and budget their car insurance payments along with the rest of their monthly expenses. However, what they do not realize is that even the cheapest car insurance providers add on administrative fees for each payment. Even if the additional amount is only $7 or so, for people paying their premiums at monthly installments, this could easily add up to $84 which they could have saved over the period of that one year

Another useful tip to help you lower your car insurance payments is to also look around for companies providing multi-line insurance. This means that you purchase all your insurance from the same company. Most insurers offer huge discounts for this. However, many people still try to look for cheap providers for each type of insurance they need. What they do not realize is that getting their car insurance and home insurance from just one provider can easily translate to about 15% savings.

Furthermore, if you think of yourself as a good driver and no evidence to prove otherwise can be gathered, here’s a good tip for you: look for car insurance providers that can reward you with big discounts simply because of your driving. In fact, some states such as California have made it illegal for car insurance providers to disregard good driving discounts. So, if you have not gotten yourself into any car accidents or received tickets for at least the past three years, do some research or ask around. You may qualify for lower premiums.

Nowadays, a lot of insurance companies will base the prices of their car insurance policies on your credit history. If you have been diligent in building a solid credit standing, then you stand a good chance on getting lower car insurance quotes when you buy car insurance. Aside from making sure unpaid bills don’t pile up, keep your credit balance as low as possible and don’t acquire more credit than you need. Keep your records updated and make sure to correct any errors so your credit history remains accurate.Many car insurance companies also offer discounts to people whose cars have safety features. Airbags, seatbelts, anti-lock braking systems and other factory-installed safety features on your car may help you find the cheapest car insurance you can get. Make sure you tell your insurer that you have such features installed on your vehicle when you get car insurance quotes.

Sometimes it pays to be diligent to the point of being anal. If you want the cheapest car insurance you can get, you should review your car insurance coverage to check for unnecessary expenses in it. If you’re not thorough you may be spending on additional coverage that you don’t need or already have. A perfect example would be towing services. Most, if not all, auto clubs provide such services yet this is part of most car insurance policies as well. So before you buy car insurance review the car insurance quotes you’ve gotten and eliminate all the unneeded expenses.

If you’re looking for cheap car insurance, look for insurers that give discounts to students and senior citizens. Some car insurance companies will offer discounts for students with good academic records and for drivers over the age of 50. Ask around or research on car insurance online, as well, if you have a college student in your family. Some insurers give discounts to parents with college-age children who go to school a certain distance away from home and don’t bring a car to their campus.

One last great tip to lower you car insurance payments is to use your car less. There are a lot of car insurance companies that will give you discounts if you keep the annual mileage on your vehicle low. So, evaluate how you use your car. If you make frequent short trips around town you might consider planning ahead and organizing all your errands so you can check all of it off your list in as few trips as possible.One thing to remember though is that car insurance companies may differ in what they consider to be low annual mileage, so do your research. If you think you might be able to lower your mileage then get updated car insurance quotes.

Following just a few of these recommendations will surely help you lower your car insurance payments. Remember, it is not always about finding the cheapest car insurance provider. Most of the time, it is simply about knowing your options and weighing them to find the perfect car insurance strategy for you.

New Cars From Pontiac In 2009

It's been confirmed that Pontiac will be selling the G3 5-door hatchback in 2009. The vehicle is based on the Chevrolet Aveo5 (also known as the Daewoo Kalos in Korea). The sedan version of the G3 was sold in Mexico previously and also sold in Canada as a 5-door hatch that was called the G3 Wave.

The G3 will be mechanically identical to the Aveo, using a 1.6 liter 4 cylinder engine along with a 4-speed automatic / 5-speed manual transmission. Features will include GM's OnStar system, AC, airbags, and more. The car also comes with standard fog lights and a hatch spoiler to improve the style of the car.

Although it is an economy hatchback, the G3 adds a different flavor to the Pontiac line of cars. Also, in 2009, Pontiac will have 4 cars with EPA highway fuel economy of over 30 mpg, making it a lot more competitive in today's car market. These vehicles include the G3, Vibe, G6 sedan, and the G5 coupe.

The price has not been determined as of yet.

The G6 nameplate was new when the sedan and coupe came out in 2005 (with the convertible following), but the G6 is ostensibly the sixth-generation version of the Grand Am line. The G6 is also available in hardtop convertible form. Trim levels start with the base sedan, fitted with a 2.4-liter four and a four- or six-speed automatic. The G6 GT comes in all three body styles-it's the only droptop trim-and has a 3.5-liter V-6 with a four-speed auto. The GT convertible can also be optioned up to a 3.9-liter V-6.

At the high end are the GXP sedan and coupe, with a 252-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 with variable valve timing. The GXP recalls the body-clad Pontiacs from days of yore, with a giant rear spoiler, large grille, and hood scoops inspired by the successful Pontiac GXP.R that races in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series. The look doesn't translate well to the street.

The Pontiac G6 is based on the same unibody platform as the Chevy Malibu, but the newer Malibu benefits from three additional years of development and a vastly better interior. By comparison, the G6 feels like a rental car, with cheap plastic coating the cabin.

A six-speed transmission is a new option for the 2.4-liter base car, and it results in an impressive 33-mpg EPA highway rating. Remote start is now standard on GT and GXP models.We picked the G6 convertible first in a comparison test against the Ford Mustang and Chrysler Sebring, but it's worth noting that the trunk is all but unusable with the folding hardtop stowed. We're not huge fans of the aggressive styling of the GXP, but someone-somewhere-must love it. The GT lacks any driving thrills despite 221 horsepower. That leaves the base car, which has appeal in its lower sticker price and higher fuel economy. Our best recommendation, though, is to walk over to the Chevy dealership and look at the Malibu.

Front, front side, and curtain airbags are standard on the sedan and coupe; the convertible makes do with front and front side bags. ABS and traction control are standard on the base and GT cars. Stability control is standard on the GT convertible and GXP models; the GT sedan and coupe get stability control as part of a $1590 Street Edition package.

Giving Your Car a Thorough Auto Tuning ( GOOD TIPS )

Auto tuning is really important if you want to keep your car in its tip-top shape. This will also improve your car's handling as well as raise your car's value.

If you own a car, you probably know the importance of auto tuning. There are people who do auto tuning as a hobby and there are people who actually do this for a living. When you subject your car to an auto tuning, you basically give someone the right to modify it, usually to improve its performance or its handling.

Some people also have their cars tuned to fit their style. This is not as hard as you would think and all it takes is a little knowledge and skill.Understanding Auto Tuning
Cars are pretty much generic. Yes, they can be worth millions of dollars but they are pretty much generic. They are not made specifically to suit your style or your needs. This is why there are people who have their cars tuned.

There are really many ways of tuning a car. You can have it sprayed with a different color. Does your car have a boring blue paintjob? Would you like to have it painted black with lightning streaks of red on the sides? You can place accessories that maybe unnecessary but could make your car look good. You could add in spoilers, side skirts, air vents, double exhausts and bumpers. You can spray symbols or other designs as well.

One of the many popular tune-ups that cars usually have is the engine tune up.

Aside from tuning up the engine, you can also do other things related to your engine's performance. You can adjust your fuel economy or you can modify your car's RPM. All these things are done not only to improve the aesthetic value of your car, but also to allow easier handling and better comfort.
These days, auto tuning is not something that is taken lightly. In fact, there are events that you can join. People actually hold events for car owners to meet and compete. The judges will usually pick out the car with the best tuning. You can even win prizes for having the best auto tuning.

The Auto Tuning Your Car Needs

It is advisable that your car should get a tune up every 30,000 miles. This is a good way to prevent permanent damage to your car. A thorough auto tuning includes replacement of fuel filter. Sparkplugs and sparkplug wires, distributor cap and rotor, valves, belts, air filter and positive crankcase ventilation. You may want to check your fluid levels as well. If your transmission or brake needs some fluids, provide it with some. Give your battery a thorough cleaning as well. While you are at it, check your brakes, lights, wiper blades and other car gauges.

Auto tuning is important. This prevents damage to your car. This allows easy handling as well. With regular auto tuning, you will ensure that you will always have a clean and trustworthy ride.

Crash Barriers- Making Road Travel Safer for You

Crash barriers keep the vehicles from going off the road and steer them safely back on to the road. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that their very presence can boost the confidence of a jittery driver on a mountain road.

Crash barriers can be classified on the basis of their design and implementation. Guardrail, wire rope safety barrier, crash cushions and high containment barrier are a few that can be seen on roadways. All the crash barriers work on a similar principle, they are designed to absorb the impact of the vehicle going off track and hence help it get on to the road again without letting it lose its balance.

At times, the crash barrier to be used on a roadway is determined by the kind of vehicle traffic the roadway gets. For example high containment barriers are put up on the roadways with a large traffic volume of heavy vehicles. Then, crash cushion is specifically designed to protect motorists from impacting the end of concrete barriers and toll plazas. Guardrail is the most commonly seen crash barrier but has a history of highest injury and fatality in a fixed object crash. This is where wire rope safety barrier scores over guard rail as it consists of wire ropes and is flexible.
Though the crash barriers prevent several accidents everyday, they sure don’t prevent all of them. There have been incidences of fatalities, which were mainly attributed to the design and material of the crash barriers. Most of the roadways get all types of automobiles and therefore it becomes difficult to decide on the height and strength of the crash barrier. For, a motorbike can slip under the barrier that’s meant to keep a car from going off track, while a big truck may trip well over the same barrier.

As a step towards ensuring safe road travel, road safety products are first tested and then put up on roadways. The crash barriers are tested in accordance with the guidelines mentioned in National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 350, “Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features”.

These guidelines are based on the findings of continuous road safety researches and are subject to revision.

Eco-tuning: Saving More Gas Without Sacrificing Performance

With the rising costs of fuel in the global market, it is no wonder that more and more car owners are resorting to various methods to save gas. In order to lessen their dependence on fuel, most consumers are opting to use hybrid vehicles that offer great mileage while consuming relatively little amounts of gas. Others are using non-conventional gas saving tips such as using public transport or using a bicycle to avoid spending money on fuel. One such method on how to save gas is eco-tuning. But what exactly is eco-tuning and how would it help a car owner in saving energy?

Basically, eco-tuning is one of the many gas saving tips a consumer can avail of. To put it simply, it is done to improve the power of the engine for conservation purposes rather than using it to travel faster on the road. The vehicle will be tuned specifically to meet optimal performance standards and save gas at the same time. This means the vital parts of the vehicle will be modified to reduce fuel consumption without sacrificing the vehicle’s standard performance. Some of the advantages a consumer can benefit from eco-tuning are 15% increase in engine output, a fuel consumption decrease of 2.5 to 6 liters for each 100 kilometers and a more reliable performance from your vehicle. Eco-tuning is very useful for car owners who travel long distances regularly as it will help them save gas more. Plus, using an eco-tuned vehicle will give the car owner the benefit of not changing gears too often. This will result in more gas being saved every time a car owner is travelling for long distances.

There are a lot of auto shops out there that specialize in eco-tuning vehicles. These various shops can help any car owner achieve their desired tuning for their respective cars. In addition, these shops can provide car owners with gas saving tips to maximize the use of their eco-tuned car. In this way, the car owner can drive their car ideally without worrying about the rising cost of fuel. Plus, their fuel consumption is bound to decrease by 20% with the help of eco-tuning. This will result in a better performance from the vehicle and a lessened dependence on fuel. Just make sure the vehicle is suitable for eco-tuning to avoid any complications.

How to Increase Your Sports Cars Fuel Efficiency

One of the blights of owning a flashy sports car is the large amount of gasoline they consume. Unlike the larger, bulky vehicles that consume a lot of gas due to their size, sports cars usually burn a lot of gas due to fast accelerations and all around fast driving. With the price of gas going up all over the country, the fun of owning a sports car is quickly diminished when it comes time to visit the pump. In order to reduce a bit of the hurt that these sports cars and do to your wallet, keep these fuel tips in mind.

The first thing that you can do in order to save money at the pump is to simply cut down on your driving. You can try car pooling or taking public transportation when available. This way you can save driving your sports car to when you really enjoy it, not for boring commutes. For when you are driving the car, remember to keep it as light as possible. The fewer heavy objects and people that are in your car when you are driving, the less expensive your fuel bills will be.



One of the more prominent reasons why sports cars guzzle so much fuel is due to their fast acceleration. It is a lot of fun to be able to go from 0 to 60 in just a few seconds, but think about what it is doing to your cars gas mileage. Keep your foot lightly on the gas pedal while accelerating; there is no need to get off to a lighting fast start all of the time. Another thing that guzzles gas is driving too fast. Driving fast is what makes sports cars fun, but the gas bills that result from it are anything but. In order to get the best fuel efficiency, drive in fifth gear at 40 to 55 miles per hour when possible.



The next thing that you can do in order to increase your sports cars fuel efficiency is to keep your tires inflated. If you are unsure as to how much air pressure you should have in your tires, consult your vehicles doorjamb, or owners manual. The number on the tires themselves may be inaccurate for your particular vehicle.
insurance cheap car insurance online auto quote
During the summertime, a debate that often occurs concerns the best way to save on gas, to either open the windows or use the air conditioning. While there is no simple answer, it all depends on a few factors. When driving at faster speeds, it is usually better to have the windows closed in order to prevent drag. When you first enter your vehicle, if it is very hot, it is better to drive around at relatively slow speeds with the windows down. This way you can get rid of the hot air quickly without overworking your air conditioning. If you own a convertible sports car, you will burn less fuel if you keep your top up.

insurance cheap car insurance online auto quote

Guaranteed Auto Loan Now – Receive Your Car Finance Now

When it comes down to it in today's world not many people want to go out there not knowing exactly what the process encompasses when they are trying to buy themselves a car either for their own personal luxury or for them to get from place to place with. You really need to make sure that you have all the knowledge that goes with buying a car already in your head or else you risk ending up having to spend a lot more money then you should be in the first place. In order for you to make sure that you are going to get the best possible deal on a Guaranteed Auto Loan you are going to want to make sure that you get car finance before you ever walk into a car dealerships car lot.



A Car Finance Loans is simply a way for you to go about paying for the car that you are looking to purchase. You are going to take out a car loan from a financial lending company and bring it to the car dealership with you. The reason for going about doing this is because the moment that you bring your own Used Car Finance to a car dealership you are then considered what is known as any cash buyer in that you can buy the car pretty much out right from them just as if you are paying for it in cash in the first place. You can then you should car finance in order to either buy the car that you want from them or you can also use it to lease a car through them.



If you happen to have gone through the process of buying a car in your past then you more than likely know how a car salesman is going to work with you. The first thing that they would go about doing is checking your credit score through their third party financing company before they ever begin to negotiate on a fair price for the car that you are looking to purchase a car finance with you. The moment they go about doing this they are going to then offer you a supposedly special finance deals in any attempt to make you buy the car and finance it through their own third party financing car finance solutions. This is something that you are going to want to avoid like the plague and is going to end up making you pay a lot more money down the line in the future on the car that you desire simply because you did not take the time and energy to do all the research that is required before getting yourself a car finance that you need.

Irish Construction Insurance

One of the most interesting facts about the Irish Construction industry is that there is no legal requirement for a construction company to hold any from of construction insurance! In fact, the only insurance an Irish contractor is legally obliged to have is basic motor insurance on his/her motor vehicles!

Although there is no legal requirement under Irish law for a contractor to hold adequate Construction Insurance it is extremely important that adequate cover is in place.

One of the most important reasons is the high injury & mortality rate on Irish Construction sites. One major positive of the recent construction boom is the fatality per thousand ratio has fallen in recent years although it is still at an unacceptable level.
For example, in 2001 28% of workplace fatalities were Construction related and the Irish Construction industry is consistently second only to the Irish Agriculture& Forestry Industry.

As many primary contractors require their subcontractors to hold Construction Insurance the reality is that although Construction Insurance is not a legal requirement it is usually a prerequisite to obtaining work on the majority of the countries construction sites so the need for construction insurance is a necessity in everything but law!

Although Construction Insurance is quite a complex field the four main areas of cover are as follows:
• Public Liability Insurance
• Employers Liability Insurance
• Contractors All Risks
• Personal Accident
Public Liability Insurance
Public liability insurance [PL] provides cover in the event that the policyholder is sued by a third party who feels that they have suffered injury or loss as a result of the policyholders negligence (lack of care).
Consider the following examples where Public Liability Insurance will provide cover:
• You run a plumbing company. One day you are called to an office to sort out a problem in their kitchen. Accidentally, you burst a pipe, and flood the office. Your client then makes a claim against you for the damage to their carpet and computer systems which have been damaged by the water.
• You are a building contractor. While walking along scaffolding one of your men drops a piece of equipment which falls to the street, injuring a passing pedestrian. The pedestrian makes a claim against your firm.
Obviously these are very simplified examples and we haven’t discussed the complexities of Products Liability/Liability Law/Duty of Care etc however it should provide a basic understanding of Public Liability Insurance.

Employers Liability Insurance

Employers Liability Insurance [EL] provides cover if any of your employees suffer physical injury or death, and it is proven that as an employer you acted negligently and subsequently could have prevented their loss. If they then decide to pursue you for compensation the insurer will pay the cost of the claim.
Consider the following examples where Employers Liability Insurance will provide cover:
• You run a carpentry company. One of your employees loses a finger while using a chop saw and decides to claim against you for his injury
• You are a scaffolding contractor and are erecting scaffolding around an apartment block. While erecting the scaffolding one of your employees falls and suffers severe bodily injury. He decides to claim against your firm.
Please note that Public & Employers Liability is offered ‘hand in hand’, that is when arranging construction insurance you will need to arrange both Public Liability & Employers Liability Insurance together [Also known as Combined Liability Insurance] as Employers Liability Insurance is not available on a ‘Stand Alone’ basis..
Contractors All Risks Insurance

Contractors All Risks insurance (also known as Contract Works insurance) is an insurance policy specially designed for builders and a number of other trades working at a contract site. Contractors All Risks insurance can include cover for contract works, own plant, hired-in plant and employee's tools. The main part of the contractors all risks insurance is the contract works section which provides cover for the property being worked on (e.g. new house, etc.). However, cover for the existing property is excluded (e.g. the existing structure when building an extension) and must continue to be insured under its own insurance cover.
Consider the following examples where Contractors All Risks Insurance will provide cover:
• You are a building contractor and are building a house for resale. So far you have spent €200,000 on materials and labour. The property catches fire and is destroyed before it has been completed. • You are groundwork’s contractor and are presently digging foundations for a new housing development. Naturally you leave your excavator on site until the contract is completed however one night your excavator is stolen.
Personal Accident Insurance

Personal Accident Insurance [Also known as Income Protection Insurance] is highly recommended for a sole traders, business partners and company directors as a combined liability policy does not cover any injury caused to a sole trader/business partner while it is extremely difficult for a company director to sue his/her own company. A policy can be tailored to your exact needs and policies include a tax free monthly benefit, a lump sum [capital benefit] and hospital cash.
Consider the following examples where Personal Accident Insurance will provide cover:
• You’re a self employed carpenter with no employees. You cut your hand and are unable to work for eight months. As you have Personal Accident cover you receive a tax free benefit of €1,500 after one month and continue to receive this amount until you return to work.
• Although Personal Accident/Income Protection insurance is no substitute for full time earnings it will provide you with an income if you are unable to earn and it will reduce your financial worries at a time when your recovery should be your number one priority.

Machinery & Plant Insurance
Machinery & Plant Insurance is normally arranged on a case by case basis and provides Accidental Damage Fire & Theft Cover on Machinery. This policy is normally taken by contractors who wish to cover a specific number of items.
Health & Safety Executive

In Ireland the HSE [Health & Safety Executive] have the ultimate authority over Construction Sites and have the ability to close a site if they feel it is a safety hazard. Their primary initiative is the ‘Safe Pass’ – a one day site safety training programme.
Who needs to do Safe Pass awareness training?
Safe Pass is a one-day safety awareness programme aimed at general construction workers, craft workers and "on site" security personnel in the construction industry. The aims of the programme are to:
• raise the standard of safety awareness in the construction industry
• ensure that site personnel after completing the one day awareness programme can make a positive contribution to the prevention of accidents and ill health while working on the site
• maintain a register of personnel who have received training
• provide participants with a FAS Safe Pass registration card, indicating that the holder has attended a formal course in health and safety awareness
Under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2006 Safe Pass / Safety Awareness Programmes applies to -
(a) craft and general construction workers,
(b) persons undertaking on-site security work, and
(c) persons or classes of persons as may be prescribed by the Minister.
For more information on Irish Site Safety please visit the website of the Health & Safety Authority www.hsa.ie while for more information relating to Irish Construction Insurance please visit the website of Keystone Insurance www.keystone.ie, Ireland’s premier supplier of Construction Insurance

AC Cobra 212 S/C Sports Car 3506 cc V8 Twin Turbo (Lotus) Engine

AC Cobra 212 S/C

The AC Cobra 212 S/C used the ultra low weight of the advanced Formula One carbon fibre body technology pioneered on the AC Cobra MKIV CRS. High performance Avon tyres have been selected to create a special road/race package for the AC Cobra 212 S/C to ensure that the output of the Lotus V8 reaches the road.Powering the AC 212 S/C is a 350 bhp Lotus engineered 3.5 Litre, V8, Twin Turbo engine mated to a 6 speed gearbox all hidden under a carbon fiber body.
John Owen says,"With the AC 212 S/C we've been able to bring together three tremendous assets in the same package".
AC Car Group Limited's Chief Engineer and the man who earlier led the Lotus design team which conceived the V8 unit. "We've got the ultimate sports car looks of the iconic AC Cobra. We've developed the pioneering F1 carbon fibre technology from the CRS. And we've mated all of this to one of the most powerful engines available today - the Lotus V8."
The car develops 350 bhp at 6,500 rpm and 295 lb ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. It drives through a Tremec T56 six-speed manual gearbox and BTR Hydratrak final drive (ratio 3.73:1) to the rear axle. Power steering is standard together with AP Racing dual circuit servo-assisted ventilated discs all round.The specifications of the AC Cobra 212 S/C model reflects the power of the 3.5 litre Lotus engine with twin Garratt turbochargers.
"The AC Cobra 212 S/C is a hugely valuable addition to our line up of models which so proudly display their AC Cobra pedigree", said Mike Hall, AC Car Group Limited's Joint Chairman. "

$52,500.00 - $63,000.00

BMW X6 costs of reliability

BMW X6 passenger compartment

BMW X6 control display

BMW X6 baggage

BMW X6 price.

MSRP: $52,500.00 - $63,000.00
Bodystyles: Sport Utility
Drivetrains: All Wheel Drive

Pricing Announced

BMW will offer two models of its X6 "Sports Activity Coupe," the xDrive35i and xDrive50i. The xDrive35i features BMW's 300-hp, twin-turbocharged in-line six engine and has a base price of $54,000. Buyers with a little more spare change can opt for the xDrive50i that comes equipped with the new twin-turbocharged V-8 that will develop 400 hp; 50i models start at $64,500.

There is a long list of options for both models, including active steering ($1400), comfort access system ($1000), head-up display ($1200), and rear seat entertainment ($1700). There are also an assortment of packages with names like Cold Weather ($900), Premium ($1750), Premium Sound ($2000), Rear Climate ($900), and Technology ($2,000 for 35i, included on 50i). Fully optioned, a V-8 X6 can easily top $80,000.

We'll get our first chance to drive BMW's newest SUV offering very soon. For more preliminary information, click the links below.

2009 BMW X6

We saw the X6 and Active Hybrid concepts in Frankfurt and have now learned that the production version will roll onto the show floor in Detroit this January. With it, BMW brings a fresh pot of alphabet soup and what may be their most convoluted naming scheme yet. The new "Sports Activity Coupe" will come in two flavors, the X6 xDrive 35i and the X6 xDrive 50i.

Let's take a moment to break down those names. Both models are equipped with BMW's xDrive permanent all-wheel-drive system and standard Dynamic Performance Control active rear differential - what varies is the engine used to turn the four wheels. You may have already guessed the X6 xDrive 35i makes use of the same twin-turbo 3.0-liter in-line six that sees duty in the 1-series, 3-series, and 5-series cars that bear the 35i suffix. The surprise here is a new engine for the top-of-the-range 50i - it's not the 4.8-liter engine that's found in the 5-series, 6-series, and 7-series cars that use the 50i suffix. It is instead a twin-turbocharged, direct-injected 4.4-liter V-8.

Output for the 35i is the same 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque we've come to expect - and thoroughly enjoy - in its other applications. The new turbo V-8 makes a similarly welcome 400 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque - far better figures than that old normally aspirated 4.8-liter V-8. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic that drivers can shift themselves if the mood should strike.

BMW has somehow managed to package the turbos and catalytic converters within the valley of the V-8 block - a hint that the engine may wind up in other models not originally designed for it. The resulting short intake and exhaust manifold lengths should also help to reduce turbo lag.

The exterior design is nearly identical to what we saw in Frankfurt. BMW has extended the four-door coupe concept that little bit further to create what it calls a Sports Activity Coupe. The look of the bottom half is all X5 while the top says Porsche 911. From pictures, it appears the X6 has a longer rear overhang than the X5, which may help offset some of the cargo capacity lost with the sloping backlight. We're interested to see how much this affects real-world stuff-carrying ability.

Look for our coverage of the 2008 Detroit show in January, where we'll get our first chance to see this new Bimmer in 3D. Or, as BMW would call it, X6 x3D ActiveViewing.

BMW X6 Concept

Luxury German marque BMW went through the effort of shipping over the X6 Concept for the Australian International Motor Show in October.

Billed as a Sports Activity Coupe (SAC), the X6 Concept is based on the popular X5 SUV with which it shares the same wheelbase amongst other things. In the metal, the X6 looks somewhat like a moon buggy and is unlike anything else you see on the roads today.

Image keywords: bgmw, bm x6, bmsw, bjmw, bma, vmw.

The overall shape and styling of the front-end is a cross between the X3 and X5 while the sloping roof is similar in profile to the Z4 coupe!

If the X6 Concept makes it into production - which seems very likely at this stage - expect it to create a niche market for itself.

Image keywords: bmws, bmvv, bmv, bhmw, bmwa, bmnw.

BMW x6 on the road

BMW x6 hq photos

BMW x6 aggressive design