Friday, August 29, 2008

The Untold Trucks Fuel Saving Secrets - Trucks Running on Water

Most truck owners love their vehicle. This is because a truck is very dependable, versatile and can haul heavy loads from one location to another without much problem. Unfortunately, just like any vehicle, a truck is highly dependent on fossil fuel. With the recent global crude oil shortage, local gasoline prices have shoot through the roof. This has caused many challenges to truck owners because of the sudden inflated gasoline bill. Are there any ways to reduce the fuel cost? Most people do not know of a truck fuel saving secret. The vehicle can easily be converted to run on water. How is it possible? This article will shed some light on the science behind a truck running on water.

Generally, all trucks have an internal combustion engine to generate power to move the vehicle. The basic engine design is to use fossil fuel. Most people do not know, the same engine set up can also be used to burn hydrogen gas (H2). The H2 for truck can easily be generated from water with an electrolysis device. From elementary science, we understand that water is the product of 2 molecules of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen hence the name H2O. Hydrogen gas produced from the electrolysis process can be used as an alternative fuel for trucks.

It is not feasible yet to run an engine with purely hydrogen gas. However, a truck engine can burn gasoline mixed with H2 just fine. The concept of modifying a truck to run on water fuel is to release the collected hydrogen gas into the engine air intake system. When the engine is running, H2 will be channeled into the combustion chambers and burn. The gas mixture has a potential to generate a much stronger explosion in the engine.

In theory, when a truck is consuming the same amount of gasoline and achieving a bigger engine output, the vehicle is capable of traveling further thus increasing its mileage. Improved mileage means fuel cost savings. Most people do not believe that a truck can be converted to run on water. In actual fact, it is quite easy to modify a truck engine to use hydrogen fuel. To make the conversion, you will need a good instructional blue print.

See You Soon...!! Zzuuupppp..... It's a Plane...! It's a Bird ...!! No.. It's SUPERZAM ...!!!

5 Accessories For Diesel Performance

Diesel performance has come a long way. Let's face it, trucks have not always performed as well as they do today. Diesel engines originally were only good enough to run construction equipment. As technology advanced so did the uses, until today when we see trucks and even some cars powered by diesel.

With the popularity of diesel engines, there are many aftermarket accessories available to increase the performance of your diesel engine. Below are 5 of the most popular accessories for increasing diesel performance:

Diesel Performance Fuel Systems

The fuel system is a popular diesel performance upgrade that is usually done on most diesel trucks. Unfortunately most diesel trucks fuel tanks are mounted at least two feet below and ten feet away from the fuel pump and this can cause problems with the fuel delivery to the engine, one of the biggest ones is retarded timing. If you upgrade your fuel system to a diesel performance fuel system some of the benefits you will experience are; increased horsepower, increased fuel economy, reduced engine and cab noise and a smoother idle and quick throttle response.

Performance Exhaust Systems

Another major modification that is very popular for diesel trucks is to add a larger diameter and less restrictive exhaust system. A larger diameter and less restrictive exhaust system relieves back pressure on the engine because now it will not have to exert the effort as much effort to push the exhaust away. The main benefit of adding diesel performance exhaust system is better fuel economy and a longer lasting engine. This diesel performance accessory is especially important if you have already added a performance module because the exhaust system will help to keep temperatures lower, resulting in the engine not having to work as hard.

Diesel Fuel Injectors

One of the most popular accessories is upgrading to performance diesel fuel injectors. The main benefit to upgrading your fuel injectors is of course more power and better fuel economy. Diesel performance fuel injectors come in a wide variety of makes and models and can add up to 150hp to your diesel engine.

Diesel Performance Modules

Diesel performance modules are another accessory upgrade that is most commonly completed on a diesel engine. One of the benefits of adding a diesel performance module is the module can provide up to a 35% increase in torque and an additional 150 horsepower. It can also increase fuel mileage by about 10%. Another added benefit of installing a diesel performance module is that you will not have to reprogram the truck's main computer chip. You can just install the performance module in any areas where there is a gap between the computer and fuel injection.

Cold Air Intake Systems

Upgrading the cold air intake system is another way to get great diesel performance out of your diesel truck. The cold air intake is sealed away from hot engine air and it is used to bring down the temperature of the air going into a diesel engine. The main benefit of installing a cold air intake is an increase of the power of the internal-combustion engine and with the higher percentage of fuel being burned the better it is for fuel economy.

See You Soon...!! Zzuuupppp..... It's a Plane...! It's a Bird ...!! No.. It's SUPERZAM ...!!!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Modify Your Car's Tail Lights to Make Sure You and Your Car Stand Out

A car's tail lights are very important since these things prevent us from bumping into each other's cars all the time when we're on the road. They show the drivers behind us where exactly we are at nighttime and they also signal the other cars when we've started to put on the brakes. That way, they could ease up on their gas as well and we'll all be able to get to where we're going safe and sound. But the lights on a car's tail can also have one more additional function. They can be customized so that we can show our own individuality and how fashionable we are through this very important car accessory.

But how exactly does one go about customizing his car's tail lights? A worry that keeps most people from getting customized car accessories involves how customization might take a lot of work and money. But the good thing is that with enough research and patience, any car owner could get very attractive car accessories without having to spend much.

Use the Net to Find Out How to Get an Attractive Tail Light Set

The resource that is easily available to many people nowadays is the Internet. By using the Net, one can search for tips on how and where to get attractive car accessories. The lights for a car's rear could be bought through many online stores. One could pay for them and have these delivered to one's own home afterwards and that can be a very convenient setup for many people.

An advantage to using the World Wide Web involves the great range of choices for car accessories available through the Internet. One doesn't have to limit one's choices to the lights available at the customization shops near one's home. One could also order lights from anywhere in the world and because of this, one could get tail lights with very unique and beautiful designs. One just needs to be very patient in order to find attractive lights with very low prices so that one could get the best value for one's money.

One could also join forums for car buffs and car customization experts. That way, one could be made aware of many of the newest trends in tail light customization. These people could also give you a lot of advice on where to go for the best deals regarding tail light customization in your local area.

Don't Limit Yourself to Designs Made Just for your Car Model

The designs for many lights could be made to fit a wide variety of cars and vehicles. That is why one shouldn't limit oneself to choosing designs made just for one's specific car model. In order to make sure that the tail light design would work for your car, one could easily contact the makers of that tail light set. This could be done using the Internet and e-mailing the tail light makers or by simple phone calls.

Know the Legislation for your Area Dealing with Car Customization

A lot of places prohibit people from modifying their car's lights without permit. That is why it is often easier to bring the cars to professionals so that they could be the ones to install the lights. That way, you'll have peace of mind and always be sure that your car's lights would work properly at nighttime. These professionals are also aware of the legislation in your area so they could advise you about the kinds of tail Light you're allowed to use.

See You Soon...!! Zzuuupppp..... It's a Plane...! It's a Bird ...!! No.. It's SUPERZAM ...!!!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Used Cars Maintenance - What Should I Do Outside of Warranty

1. 1000-3000 miles. Check your oil and filter. For basic oil, you'll need to to change oil every 3000 miles. With new synthetic oils, the urgency of an oil change is closer to 5000-6000, but an oil filter change is still necessary. Synthetic oils are only more resistant to heat and breakdown. Therefore, they can stay in your engine longer and will require the oil filter to do more of the cleaning work.

2. 4000-8000 miles. Check your air filter, fluid levels and basic car safety. Your air filter will get dirtier and dirtier by basic dirt from the air and particulates in the engine compartment. A dirty filter can cause poor performance and poor fuel economy. Basic filters are cheap and easy to replace. Moving to an aftermarket parts by companies like K&N and Green will improve performance and mileage with only a negligible cost increase. Check your fluid levels like coolant and brake/clutch fluid. If you can, check your transmission and differential fluids as well. Coolant is important to make sure you're not leaking and potentially causing extra heat buildup in your engine. A brake/clutch fluid leak can be dangerous for obvious reasons. A hard to engage/disengage clutch can be a sign of a leaky fluid line. Transmission and differential fluids are very important, but often go overlooked because of the difficulty getting to them. You could safely go 50000 miles without a change, but those who drive high performance cars or drive aggressively should change these fluids more often as it could become harder to shift and eventually can cause premature wear on gears. Basic car safety means things like your tire tread, suspension parts, brake pads and other bids that passively contribute to a road-worthy vehicle. Windshield wipers are another bit to check, but wear will be obvious when it rains.

3. 15000-20000 miles. More safety systems like lighting should be checked often, but making sure the systems are working and there's not an electrical problem (not just a bulb out) should be something to check if certain bulbs continue to break prematurely. More importantly, this is about the time you should be looking into changing your fuel filter. Random sputters or long start times could be attributed to fuel pump/filter problems. This is a simple fix, though getting under the car and having gas splashed on you is usually a deterrent to most people.

4. 25000-30000 miles. This is another good interval to check brake pad wear again and in most cases, a great time to replace pre-preemptively. Some also recommend a fuel injection service to make sure the engine is working at its peak. A liquid fuel additive can work wonders as a fuel injector cleaner, making sure gas is sprayed evenly and effectively in the cylinder. Also checking your accessory belts is another good thing to check. Any cracking or noticable wear should be noted and the belts should be replaced.

5. 40000-50000 miles. Timing belts! Cars with a timing belt should have that belt changed. It's a $300-500 job that can save you the cost of rebuilding a head. The timing belt connects the crank shaft with the camshaft. Should the belt brake while the vales are pushed out and a piston makes a full revolution and you'll have a bent valve. Do not neglect this. If you don't know if your car has a timing belt, as your dealer or search the web. Brake flush. The brake lines will get water in them over time and if you drive the car hard, the brake fluid can overheat causing fluid breakdown. Bleed the brakes or have a professional do it. Be sure to add the best fluid you can afford. Most cars are required to run DOT3, but DOT5 has a higher temperature tollerance and will last longer and work more effectively. Transmission fluid flush. Change your transmission and differential fluid. Every day driving will cause enough debris to get caught in these that the 50000 mile mark is as long as you want it to go before a change of fluid. Around this time you might want to check your battery. However, if all is running well and your car starts well, leaving it in would be reasonable. Lastly, if your car is handling is not up to par, you might want to get your springs/shocks checked. Poor handling can lead to accidents or poor ride quality.

6. 75000 miles. Around this time your exhaust system may start to see excess wear, especially in Northern states that see a proper winter. Your yearly emissions check will do a good job checking the quality of your system. If you hear rattles and squeeks though, you'll often need replacement exhaust hangers or replacement parts. These can be costly.

Of course, in the mean time of any of these intervals you'll get the standard problems that crop up. Broken starters, busted alternators and flat tires happen from time to time. Some things are prudent to fix before braking (brakes and tires, for example). If you drive locally 95% of the time, you can get away not being preemptive on things like an A/C compressor or a new radiator. However, if you travel often, getting regular preventative maintenace is a must. Keeping your car healthy isn't always easy, but it's more than worth the peice of mind and enjoyment of driving down that country road or highway and knowing you'll make it to your destination without any hiccups.

See You Soon...!! Zzuuupppp..... It's a Plane...! It's a Bird ...!! No.. It's SUPERZAM ...!!!

Saturday, August 16, 2008

How to Find a Reliable Mechanic You Can Trust

1. Car clubs and car forums. This is by far, without a doubt the number one place you should try first. If you ignore all on the list except one, make this the one you use. Talk to the local chapter of whatever car you own. There are national level clubs for every car from Datsuns, Hudsons, Packard, Ducati, BMW, Mustangs, to Hondas and Toyotas to Trucks and Motorcycles. Search the internet for those chapters and find a phone number. If you can get in touch with a member of the club, speak to them about your problem and you might even have someone from a club willing to help out with small problems. Internet car forums like Bimmerforums, honda-tech.com, ls1.com and other model specific forums are the greatest wealth of knowledge you as a car owner have. Search " forums" and replace with whatever sort of car you have. You'd be surprised what sort of clubs are out there! Most forums that have a regional section of the board will also have a thread that's always at the top of the board that gives a list of recommended and reputable mechanics. These people are experts and won't do you wrong.

2. Talk with your dealer. Cars out of warranty oftentimes won't bring in as much money as those being brought in for warranty work. So, talk with your local dealer and see if they know of any independent shops that specialize in your car who might be worth a call.

3. Speak with friends. Your friends have cars too and getting a feel for their experience at various shops may help you determine who to take your car to, or at the very least, who NOT to take your car to.

4. The internet! Here's the no brainer. Google dealers in your area and see what comes up. Often times you'll come across sites like Kudzu.com or epinions.com that gives options as well as user reviews. Though many sites still don't have the majority of shops out there (because there are so many), most of the good ones will be spread quickly by word of mouth and become well known in your area.

As you can see, there are plenty of options out there to find your perfect match. So, next time you find a great mechanic, help a friend out and recommend them. It's hard to come by a good repairman and passing along a reliable "wrencher" is a valuable to anyone driving a car!

See You Soon...!! Zzuuupppp..... It's a Plane...! It's a Bird ...!! No.. It's SUPERZAM ...!!!

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Best Gas Mileage Pickup Truck - Top 5 by Ranking Revealed

Not only is the economy severely faltering right now but gas prices are through the roof and there seems to be no end in site. An increasing number of states are already seeing prices that are in danger of skyrocketing right past five dollars per gallon. As such, it is vitally important to find the best gas mileage pickup truck; our wallets practically demand it. Truthfully, whether you want to buy a car, a truck, or a sports utility vehicle, getting the best gas mileage for your money is crucial. This is especially true for pickup trucks and sports utility vehicles, however, because they generally haul heavier loads. Trying to haul anything heavy with a truck that gets poor gas mileage is financially disastrous, so you simply have to take the time to find a vehicle with good mileage.

In the world of pickup trucks, there are small ones and standard ones. In both cases, gas mileage is determined in large part by standards and guidelines imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as how many miles they get per gallon of gas for highway driving and city driving. If you are trying to find the best gas mileage pickup truck for a small truck, the top five are as follows:

Ford Ranger, for a variety of years, is usually ranked as the highest, it is a two wheel drive truck with a 4 cyl, 2.3 liter engine.

Next up is the Mazda B2300, followed by the Toyota Tacoma with a 4 cyl, 2.7 liter engine.

The fourth ranked small pickup truck with the best gas mileage is the Chevrolet Colorado with a 2.9 liter engine, followed by the GMC Canyon, which has similar specs.

For standard pickups, a lot of the top ranked manufacturers are decidedly different. In the top spot is the Dodge Dakota with a 6 cylinder, 3.7 liter engine, followed by the Mitsubishi Raider, also a 6 cylinder with a 3.7 liter engine.

In third place is the Chevrolet Silverado; it has an 8 cyl, 5.3 liter engine. Following that is the GMC Sierra, which has a 4.3 liter engine, and last, there is the Honda Ridgeline, which is a four wheel drive truck with a 6 cylinder, 3.5 liter engine.

Basically, in order to find the best gas mileage pickup truck, you simply have to be informed. Do some research on the Internet and practice comparison shopping, and always make sure to tally up how much you can expect to pay for gas for the entire year, even if it is only a loose estimate.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Forster

It's a Plane...! It's a Bird ...!! No.. It's SUPERZAM ...!!!

5 Tips to Reduce Your Company's Fuel Costs

With the rising cost of fuel, managing your fleet effectively is key to the successful running of your business. Vehicle tracking systems along with proper training can save your business a packet. Read out top 5 tips to reducing your company's fuel costs.

1. Invest in Driver Training Invest in a driver training program for your drivers, ensuring they are safe, reducing fuel wasting habits like idling the engine and aggressive driving and ensuring the vehicles in your fleet are driven safely to reduce the wear and fuel costs incurred through bad driving.

2. Review Energy efficient vehicles and type of fuel used. Compare the fuels use in your fleet vehicles and identify cost and environmental benefits. Diesel, compared to petrol, compared to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), compared to natural gas or electric will all yield different results.

3. Control out of hours vehicle use Try to reduce the number of unnecessary or repeated visits - making two trips when one can suffice will increase your fuel consumption. Monitor out of hours use of all your fleet vehicles to ensure that the fuel your company is paying for is benefiting the business and not your employees. Using vehicle tracking software can increase your ability to easily report on these key factors.

4. Monitor and maintain vehicles Just a few statistics on this include:

  • Keeping the Engine Properly Tuned give a Fuel Economy Benefit of 4%
  • Regular Maintenance of Air Filters gives a Fuel Economy Benefit of up to 10%
  • Ensuring tyres are inflated properly gives a Fuel Economy Benefit of up to 3%
  • Using recommended motor oil gives a Fuel Economy Benefit of 1-2%

5. Choose the shortest route for all trips Tracking the routes your vehicles use to reach each destination can help effective route planning. Saving your drivers time from idling in traffic or getting caught in road works can reduce fuel costs, particularly if you have many drivers making the same trip.

Trimble Vehicle Tracking Solutions can offer a whole host of reports showing where vehicles have been in any time period with playbacks of journeys made. You can also receive reports of vehicles used outside of work hours and highlight inefficient driving, helping you manage and reduce your fuel costs.

See You Soon...!! Zzuuupppp..... It's a Plane...! It's a Bird ...!! No.. It's SUPERZAM ...!!!

Friday, August 8, 2008

Automobile Maintenance Tips

Automobile repairs can cost us a bomb and are particularly very high for the imported motors. But its regular maintenance can keep us away from all the troubles. Maintenance is one of the most important aspect, which we generally ignore. It helps in the proper functioning of the car, and determines the longevity, performance and reliability of the automobile, we drive. Here are some auto maintenance tips to save the money and reduce your auto repair bills. These maintenance tips are so simple that you can do-it on your own and will take care of all the parts of the automobile. Take your car, scooters, motorbikes, mopeds, trucks, vans etc to the service station for servicing at the regular intervals. Check the battery, keep an eye on the oils and the electrical system. Change the oil and lubricate the engine, as it keep your vehicle in a good shape. Don't take chances with your brakes and repair them time and again. Prevent the breakdown before they even happen, with the cooling system repairs. Check air filter every month. Replace it when it becomes dirty. Be extremely cautious, while handling the battery. As it produces explosive gases, it is advisable not to smoke near the battery or create a spark or produce explosive gases. Inspect the belts smoothly and and replace glazed, worn or frayed belts. Check the brake fluid monthly. Regularly wipe dirt from the brake master cylinder reservoir lid. If you need fluid, add the improved type and check if there's any leaks throughout the system. Make sure all the lights are clean and working. Check brake lights, turn signals and emergency flashers. Always, carry spare bulbs and fuses in your vehicle. To run smoothly on the roads, change oil regularly, and don't forget to replace the oil filter with very oil change. For your own reference, keep details of all the repair, maintenance and routine check-ups, that you do on the monthly basis, so that you can have an accurate idea of what needs to be done and when. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Smith_Spencer See You Soon...!! Zzuuupppp..... It's a Plane...! It's a Bird ...!! No.. It's SUPERZAM ...!!!
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