Students Of Success

Autos are essential within many of our lives. Simply living in a big city may mean that we have to drive to our jobs, to school, and to play. Or, if you live within a small town that is sprawled out, you will need autos just to get from one place to the next to buy a gallon of milk or to take a friend to the movies. No matter where we live, having the right transportation is essential to daily life. It is in that that lays the reason why we need to invest wisely in our choices.

How many autos are there to choose from? Hundreds and even thousands of different makes and models are out there. It is easy to get lost in the shuffle trying to decide which the right one to invest your money in. But, there are several things that you can consider to make the right choice. Here is a list of things to think about.

First, know your budget. There is no sense in buying too much car or spending too much money and having to lose the car later. Or, purchasing a cheap car when you can afford something a little nicer is also a downfall. If it is going to break down on you within a few weeks, is it worth the purchase?

Know the features that you must have. Colder climates need salt resistance, strong heaters, and good tires. Warmer environments may not need these things but will need air conditioning.

If you are on a tight budget, things like power windows and locks may be an area to avoid. Extra features cost more money. So, choose wisely!

Then, you also need to consider payment methods of the autos you do choose. If you plan to make monthly payments, you will end up paying more once the interest is factored in. But, if you can’t afford to pay the entire price up front, this may be the next best option. But, choose the dealership with the best rates so that you do not spend too much money on interest.

Some autos offer warranties or guarantees on their construction and parts. Others do not. When purchasing any auto, ensure that it is fully running and working correctly. It is often wise to have a trusted mechanic take a look at it before you sign the paperwork away.

When purchasing autos, it is wise to shop around before you buy. It is ideal to know a little about the make, model, and relative price of the auto before you sign it away. You often can haggle the price down, but don’t expect to pay nothing. In the end, this essential part of life can either cost you big time or be an investment in your future.

Mike Wall, a talented author for Autos site. An info portal for Cars.

When do you need to replace your lubricating oil? If you have
a large quantity of lubricating oil to change, it is going to
burn a hole in your pocket. So most plant operators try to
preserve the properties of the lubricating oil for as long as
possible.

One of the most important functions of lubricating oil is to
reduce the friction between the moving parts of machinery. But
there are other features to look at.

When do you know that the oil needs to be changed? Below is a
rough guide:

1. Viscosity has changed by 10%
2. Flash Point has dropped to 150 degree Celsius
3. Water Content has reached 2%
4. TBN, or Total Base Number has reduced by 20%

5. Insoluble Content has increased to 5% of the oil

Due to the oxidation of the oil when exposed to heat and oxygen,
the viscosity of the oil tend to reduce. With the reduction of
viscosity, the film of oil between rubbing metal surfaces
becomes more difficult to maintain. This results in metal to
metal contact, micro seizures that leads to scuffing, abrasion
and other damages.

In large diesel engines, fuel oil from dripping injectors or
fuel pumps sometimes finds their way into the lubrication oil
sump. This has the tendency to reduce the flash point of the
lubricating oil. In addition to reducing the viscosity that is
detrimental to lubrication, this contamination with fuel oil can
be quite dangerous. If there is a hotspot in any of the rubbing
parts, this can lead to a crankcase explosion.

Water can also find its way into the lubricating oil from leaks
in the cooling water system o-rings or gaskets. In addition to
reducing the lubricating properties of the oil, the presence of
water in the oil can give rise to bacteria or fungal growth,
which will quickly damage the oil properties as well as
contributing to acid corrosion and oxidation of the oil, changing
the chemical composition of the oil itself. However, if the water
content is below 0.5%, it can still be removed by centrifugal
purifiers.

The total base number is especially needed for the cylinder liner
lubrication of engines that run on poor quality fuel with high
sulphur content. The base additive is used to reduce the
corrosive effects of the sulphuric acid fumes on the cylinder.

With large diesel engine installations, the lubricating oils are
continuously filtered and purified to reduce the insoluble
particles in the oil. Special strainers containing magnets are
used to trap particles of carbon or iron particles. In large
diesel engines, the carbon particles are byproducts of combustion
while the iron particles comes from rubbing of gears, cams or
other parts where wear down still occur.

The presence of these particles interferes with the lubrication of
bearings, most of which contain soft white-metal coating. The
particles can become embedded into the soft metal and cause
abrasion of the metal parts.

The contents of this page are part of a page from my e-book
“General Engineering Knowledge Notes” that will help candidates
prepare for the Marine Certificate of Competency Examinations.
This e-book is available for FREE downloading at
http://www.free-marine.com/ebook.htm

Until next time…

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Many years of working experience in Marine, Facilities,
Construction has given the author material for writing e-books
and articles related to engineering, and management. Subscribe
to facworld ezine at mailto:facworld-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
More information at http://www.free-marine.com and
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If you live in Alabama and want to know what insurance you need
read on. By speaking with car insurance agents online you will
also be able to get car insurance estimates. Having the right
coverage and getting it for the right price are important.

Bodily injury liability is required by law in Alabama. It
provides coverage for damages to a person covered by the policy
to pay for bodily injuries to other people involved in the
accident when you are responsible. If you injure someone in an
auto accident the liability can add up very quickly sometimes
totaling into the hundreds of thousand of dollars. So you need
to make sure you have adequate bodily injury liability coverage
to protect yourself and your financial interests. Always
purchase the highest amount you can afford. The more assets you
have and the better off you are financially the more coverage
you will need.

Property damage liability is also required by law in Alabama.
This coverage protects the policy holder from damage caused to
property when you are at fault. Property includes vehicles,
houses, lamp posts and any other non human item. Here again you
should purchase as much as you can afford. Remember some of
these new cars are worth a lot of money and if you don’t have
adequate insurance to replace the vehicle then the other party
will come after your personal assets.

Uninsured motorist bodily injury is not required by law, but the
law does require your rejection of coverage in writing. Since
you have to buy insurance to protect yourself from financial
loss for others you might as well buy some coverage to protect
yourself too. Uninsured motorist bodily injury protects you if
the other driver is in the wrong and does not carry adequate
liability insurance. It’s a good policy to have.

Medical payments are not required by Alabama law. This coverage
protects against medical expenses incurred as a result of an
accident. Costs such as ambulance, x-ray, hospital visits are
all covered. Whether you require this will depend on what type
of medical insurance coverage you have. If your coverage has
limitations you will want to carry medical payments coverage.

If your existing medical insurance has unlimited coverage you
may not require this coverage. The only problem is that medical
payments also covers passengers in your vehicle and if they
don’t have adequate medical coverage you could be held liable
for expenses and without medical payments coverage it could put
you in the poor house.

Collision coverage is not required by law in Alabama. This is
the coverage that helps pay for damage to an insured auto as a
result of an accident even if you are in the wrong. The premiums
can be reduced by choosing a higher deductible. This is the
portion you are willing to pay before the insurance company
starts to pay. Never choose a deductible that is higher than you
can afford because the insurance company is not going to pay
their portion until you come up with yours.

Comprehensive coverage is not required by law in Alabama. This
coverage protects against damage to your vehicle that is not a
result of an accident. For example, hail, theft, vandalism, or
falling objects. Again you can reduce your premium by choosing a
higher deductible.

There are also additional coverage you can purchase if needed.
For example coverage for your stereo system, or loss of vehicle
coverage. If you require any of these coverages check with an
agent.

It is very important that you make certain you have adequate
coverage. An accident occurs in just a split second and no
matter how good of a driver you are you just never know when you
might be involved in an accident. You certainly don’t want to
risk the financial well being of yourself and your family by
buying insurance carelessly. So take you time and make sure you
understand the coverage you have purchased. Make sure you have
adequate coverage for the laws of Alabama.

Entering the automobile world in 1992, the Dodge Viper has had
undergone many changes as well as many obstacles. This year,
2006, the Dodge Viper is already on its third generation of
vehicles. This time around, the vehicle is introduced as an
all-new coupe.

Dan Knott, the director of Street and Racing Technology (SRT)
for the Chrysler Group states, “Demand for a Dodge Viper Coupe
started the day we introduced the Dodge Viper SRT10 Convertible
for 2003. The all-new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 coupe is a natural
evolution of the heritage of the Dodge Viper, and gives
enthusiasts exactly that they’re looking for in the ultimate
American sports car.” He also adds, “Dodge Viper SRT10 customers
want to go beyond the level of the regular enthusiast, to the
level of outrageous performance. Our all-new 2006 Dodge Viper
SRT10 coupe gives our customers that performance in a stunning
new package.”

The most obvious change for this new vehicle is that it now
holds the aerodynamic “double bubble” roof. This roof holds a
unique shape that provides a smooth airflow over the vehicle as
well as assists in accommodating a large amount of space inside.
Other new things for this new 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe
include the door glass, the rear quarter panels, the integrated
rear spoiler, and the wraparound tail lights. It is very much
similar to the original Dodge Viper GTS coupe’s look but this
new one owns up to a more contemporary flair. Also added in are
a set of unique alloy wheels which measures 18 inches for the
front end and some 19 inches on the back.

The 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 coupe holds an 8.3 liter all-aluminum
motor that works with ten cylinders. This engine has the power
to produce some 500 horsepower and around 525 pound feet of
torque. To help it all up is a six speed manual transmission.

Backing up Knott’s statement regarding this new vehicle, Trevor
Creed, Chrysler Group’s senior vice president for design
exclaims, “It was important for us to sustain the emotion in the
design. We wanted the 2006 Dodge Viper SRT10 coupe design to
include a nod to the original Viper GTS coupe, but in a
contemporary way. The Dodge Viper SRT10 coupe owner is often a
racer, and the car has to scream that, even when it’s idling at
the stoplight. The bottom line is that the new Dodge Viper SRT10
coupe’s design says a lot about its unique character, and the
car’s performance is the payoff.”

To continue Dodge’s tradition of offering unique and excellent
in performance vehicles that is outstanding in its value and
class, auto parts companies like Car Parts Rush offers top of the line Dodge parts. The customer has a choice
from a vast array of auto parts and accessories. It offers new
and used Dodge body parts, body kits,
performance parts, and Dodge accessories among many
others.

For anyone that has a low credit score, or has encountered
serious credit problems in the past, a bad credit auto loan is
of one the few options available. A bad credit auto loan will
allow the borrower a chance to obtain a car. However, because of
the high credit risk of the borrower, the loan will usually have
to be repaid in a shorter time frame and at a higher interest
rate than a conventional auto loan.

Bad credit auto loans typically only apply to used cars and
require the loan to be repaid within 48 months. These terms make
for a less risky loan for the lender. Because used cars are
typically cheaper than new cars, a shorter loan term will give
the borrower a better chance at fully repaying the loan, and
reestablishing their credit history.

If you are thinking of applying for a bad credit auto loan,
there are a few things you should take into consideration:

1. You should have an idea of what prices used cars sell for in
your area, and how much you should borrow. There are some
unscrupulous car dealers out there that will take advantage of
car buyers financing through bad credit auto loans. They will
charge unknowing consumers higher prices based on their credit
situation, and corresponding lack of options.

2. You should definitely shop around for the best terms and
conditions available. Not all lenders are created equal. By
shopping around, you can ensure you get the best deal possible.

3. You need to know the specific requirements stipulated for the
bad credit auto loan you are applying for. There are some banks
and financial institutions that will only write auto loans for
vehicles that are no more than 4 or 5 years old. Make sure you
know all these stipulations before you go shopping.

Even though a bad credit auto loan may not be the ideal way to
finance a used car, for many there are few other options. Do
yourself a favor and shop around for the best deal possible. And
remember that this loan may be the start to obtaining a better
credit history.

Looking to buy a used vehicle with a tight budget? Try State Surplus Agency auctions where you will find many well-maintained vehicles being place on the block from as little as $500. Dodge Rams were sold for as low as $200, a 1983 Jaguar for $3,599 as well as many others at an absolute bargain! Most of the vehicles have been retired after 5 years or 60,000 miles. And unlike cars sold at the police or sheriff’s auctions these cars are usually in excellent conditions as they were previously owned by government officials.

Tips for scoring yourself a real deal are to arrive early and stay late because the best items are found at either the beginning or at the very end of the auction. Premium bargains can usually be found on rainy days during rainy weather as less people make it to the auctions on days like this. When your target item goes up for bid, try to place the starting bid yourself. Keep the bidding low and go slow, you don’t want to get caught up in the frenzy of the bidding war and end up spending too much for the car. And last, keep in mind that with auctioned car, you have to pay a buyer’s premium which could bring the cost over market value so be careful.

If you are looking to buy a Ford car, I advise you to do your homework. Don’t forget to check out our
Ford Taurus Amarillo. We have the best car buying tips.

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The Mustang has been loved by car enthusiasts since it was first
introduced back in the Swinging Sixties. In fact, the Mustang
had one of the most successful auto launches in history! People
were enthralled with a car that had sleek sports car looks and a
smooth, powerful engine. The Mustang was the best of both
worlds… the ultimate status symbol and the most powerful car
of its time.

Boss Mustangs were infused with a powerful engine, a sturdy
design and stylish good looks. Each series in the Boss line was
slightly different in design and engine, but all were excellent
performers.

The first of the Boss series, the 302, came out in 1969. It had
a 302 (surprise!) engine that was documented 290 hp. Owners of
this vehicle would later dispute this by saying the horsepower
was closer to 350. This vehicle came standard with exterior
stripes and front spoilers. The rest was optional and could be
added for extra fees.

The Boss 429 was available in 1969 and 1970 only. This means
that Boss fans had only two years to purchase this automobile
new. Because of this, there is a lot of interest in finding a
mint Boss 429 or at least, finding one that can be renovated to
look like it did originally. As a standard Mustang SportsRoof,
this car came without the usual extravagant paint job or decals.
Instead, the focus was on its amazingly powerful 429 V8 engine
and Magnum 500 wheels. The Boss 429 did not have an automatic
transmission or air conditioning, but it did have a 375 horse
power engine! The air conditioning must have been left out
simply because there was no more room under the hood with such a
gigantic engine taking up all the space!

The Boss 351 enjoyed many acclaims in its day as well. It was
produced only in 1971 and had a 330 hp four-bolt Cleveland block
and crank shaft. This Boss had a large hood scoop and amazing
performance. Because of its rarity, the 351 is probably the most
popular of the Boss series amongst collectors.

Back in the day, a Boss Mustang would have set you back only a
few thousand dollars. Today, depending upon their condition,
these cars can be sold for over three hundred thousand dollars.
This is due to the fact that these cars are not only still
beloved, they’re a hobby.

Some people drive their Boss Mustangs, while others only have
them for show. Those that don’t purchase their Boss in mint
condition will quickly let restoring it become their favorite
pastime.

There are many reproductions of the Boss series out there and
it’s takes a person with an extensive knowledge of the Ford
Mustang to be able to tell the real from the fake. Keep an eye
out for the original parts, decals and always know the VIN and
chassis number. Each car was documented by these numbers and
with a little research, you can find out for yourself if the car
you want to buy is truly a Boss Mustang or not. Be aware that
creating a fake Boss is very much an art. The people that do it
aren’t amateurs and have been known to fool even those
considered to be experts. So, before you hand over the cash,
beef up on Boss so you can rest assured that you’ve just
purchased the real deal.

The Ford Escort has been roaming the streets of Europe since 1961, however, North American was introduced to this vehicle in 1981. This was crafted basically after inspiration hit over the success of its European model. And if the Ford Escort has been a success in Europe, it has well been another success for the Ford Motor Company, its manufacturer, with its introduction to the US.

This vehicle shares most of its parts with the European Ford Escort Mk 3. However, this vehicle, the Ford Escort of North America, bears a design and styling that is different from its European counterpart. When it was introduced, Ford made certain that it was available in two body styles that comprised of the 3-door hatchback and the wagon that sported four doors. It was also manufactured in five trim levels that include the base, the L, the GL, the GLX, and the SS. This vehicle come equipped with a small engine that starts with the 1.6 liter 68 hp upon its introduction, up until the 2.0 liter 130 hp engine that was mounted on the final version of the Ford Escort – the Ford Escort ZX2. What was standard was a 4-speed manual transmission, and given as an option was the 3-speed automatic transmission.

Revolutionary when talking in terms of its style, the Ford Escort was a squared-off modern hatchback with an attractive rear bustle. This was actually developed by Mazda, the Ford Motor Company’s Japanese partner. This vehicle held something unique for even the Princess of Wales and Sarah Ferguson drove Ford Escorts for themselves. Moreover, this vehicle claimed the top spot as the world’s top selling nameplate.

The Ford Escort held its head high above competition more because of its style rather than the power and performance that it held since its power and performance was considered to be meager. This vehicle proved to its patrons that it was a capable, reliable, and practical car at a relatively affordable price. In Britain and the rest of Europe, the Ford Escort was a legend and eventually became an icon. Come 2002, the entire Ford Escort line up has been replaced by the Ford Focus. Even if this vehicle has come to its end in terms of manufacture, the Ford Escort still is remembered fondly by those who have come to own and use it. Thus, the Ford Escort was considered and held the reputation as a capable and reliable car in every aspect.

The Ford Motor Company has certainly made technological and styling wonders with the cars and vehicles that they have crafted over the years. Ford Parts and Ford Auto Parts offers the most impressive line up of Ford Escort parts and other Ford auto parts, performance, and replacement parts that includes accessories, brakes, clutch parts, climate control, transmission parts, exhaust system, and service tools among others.

Ford Parts and Ford Auto Parts,
Ford Escort parts,
clutch parts,
###
Jason Moore, a 35 year old freelance writer from Austin, Texas. He also works as a marketing analyst for an established auto parts store in the country.

Prices for top selling luxury cars can easily top $50,000 when taxes, destination charges, and dealer prep fees are factored in. Generally, this isn’t a problem as the customer who purchases a vehicle of this renown can afford the big price tag. However, automakers have learned that there is a market for “entry level” luxury cars for up and coming buyers who want the name without paying the steep price. The dilemma for automakers is not to water down the product line, rather to offer a car that upholds the marquee without diluting its value. One such car that has successfully filled that criterion is the Jaguar X Type, the focus of this review.

Admittedly, I am biased toward purchasing American cars even through the ups and downs of the U.S. car industry. Still, I am fascinated by changes that occur in vehicles throughout the world as I know that at some point those changes will be incorporated into cars traversing North American highways. One such feature that I have seen grow more commonplace is the use of all wheel drive to power automobiles. Subaru, for years, has offered all wheel drive across their model line, but few cars – foreign or domestic – have incorporated what has chiefly been the realm of sport utility vehicles.

In 2002 Jaguar introduced its first all wheel drive car, the X Type, a compact sedan. Fresh on the heels of the successful launch of the midsized S Type, the X Type’s base price began around $30,000 well within the range of other entry level luxury cars in its class including the Saab 9-3 and Audi A4. As a “bonus” all wheel drive was made standard supposedly giving the X Type an edge over most competitors. Unfortunately, it did not work out that way.

The original X Type performed poorly against the competition. Published reports stated that the car was too small, less dependable, and not as powerful as other cars in its class. Sales were sluggish for the first three years before Jaguar overhauled the car in time for the 2005 model year. For 2006, these changes were brought forward and include as many as one thousand component changes over the original model.

If you purchase an X Type, there is only one engine that comes with the car: a 24 valve 3.0L V6. Paired with a five speed automatic, the engine kicks out a respectable 227hp, not bad for a car weighing in at just over 3500 lbs.

The interior is atypical Jaguar: beautiful. Bronze Sapele wood, finished chrome, and leather appointments truly make the X Type a car lovely to behold on the inside as well as the outside. Standard interior features include an Alpine® 10-speaker, 320-watt sound system; 8 way power adjustable driver’s seat; tilt/cruise; power everything; are some of the stand outs of the X Type. Optional equipment allows for owners to select Bluetooth® hands-free voice connectivity and SIRIUS® Satellite Radio. For ultimate luxury the Vanden Plas edition, formerly available on only larger Jaguars, is now available on the X Type. Larger wheels and an assortment of trim packages are the hallmarks of a Vanden Plas equipped car.

For the exterior, traction control is mated with the all wheel drive system to give an optimum level of handling and braking performance. Rain sensing wipers, power/heated door mirrors, and automatic headlamps are all features found on the X Type. Of course, one of the most sought after features is its looks: distinctive Jaguar lines, the trademark split grille, and quad round headlamps.

Base price for the X Type starts at about $33,000 for the sedan and is three to four thousand dollars more for the Vanden Plas sedan and sport wagon models, respectively. Roughly half of all Jaguar sales come from the X Type and the entire company’s success in North America is dependent on how well the X Type is received. Judging by the changes put in place by Jaguar, the X Type should continue to carry the lion’s share of the market while keeping the Jaguar name front and center.

Copyright 2005 — Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for Auto Parts Canada, a wholesaler of fine
Jaguar parts and accessories
for your vehicle.

Equipped with the latest innovative diesel technology, the E320
CDI has 201 hp and 369 lb-ft. of torque, enough to propel the
car to 100 km/h on the test track in just 7.0 seconds. Good
performance, low exhaust emissions, great fuel economy and low
noise levels this latest generation of electronically injected
CDI engines is changing consumers’ dated perceptions about
diesel engines.

Like all diesels, the E320 CDI gets great fuel mileage and has
increased cruising range over a comparable gasoline-powered car.
What’s more important, the E320 CDI will do that without
sacrificing performance. The E320 CDI gets 8.9/5.9 l/100km for
city and highway driving, respectively, while virtually equaling
the acceleration of the gasoline V6. Thanks to its CDI
electronic fuel injection, even the usual diesel engine sound is
muted. From inside the vehicle at idle, the E320 CDI registers
just 44 decibels. For comparison: An average doorbell produces
about 75 decibels.

The double-wishbone of the E320 CDI front suspension is similar
to that of the S-Class, and its patented five-link rear
suspension provides unparalleled wheel motion control.

The E320 CDI comes standard with four-zone climate control that
allows different temperature settings for the rear outboard
passengers as well as the driver and front passenger. A long
list of standard equipment include power tilt and telescoping
steering wheel, power windows with one-touch up/down operation
and auto-dimming mirrors. A power flip-down panel in the centre
console opens to reveal extra storage space or the optional
six-disc CD changer.

The standard COMAND display, which can be fitted with an
optional DVD-based navigation system, also includes a
nine-speaker audio system with surround sound. An optional
harman/kardon LOGIC7 system takes high performance audio to a
new level with seven-channel digital surround sound, 420 Watts
of total output and 12 high-end speakers.

Several options are: The Keyless Go system, which allows the
driver to unlock the car simply by touching the door handle, and
to start the car by touching the gearshift knob. The Parktronic
parking assistance system uses ultrasound waves to detect
obstacles in front of or behind the car, and warns the driver of
detected objects

Mercedes-Benz’ pioneering role in modern diesel engine
development is likely to play a key role in the company’s future
products that could include hybrids, advanced piston engines and
fuel cells.

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