AUTO PICTURES CONTEST

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3

Transportation and Comfort
2007-11-29 08:17:00
Motorhome Hire - When Comfort Met Tran sportation Allan Elvin Have you ever wondered how nice it would be if you could just fly around with your homes to places you always wanted to visit with friends and family? You would still be enveloped inside the cosiness of your homely comfort with the exception that what would lie in front of you would be a whole new world. Travelling can be real fun and we all know that, especially when we develop this occasional urge to break free from our regular schedule that can become painfully mundane. But, travelling along with your homes would be a totally new experience and that's what motorhome hire is all about.Now when I say that the holiday idea of motorhome hire can let you travel in your homes, I am not far from the truth. Motorhomes are recreational vehicles that provide you with enough space within them to fit in quite a lot of your home essential items in the likes of beds, table, chairs, restroom, shower zone, gas, microw...

Car Security System
2007-11-22 14:21:00
What You Need To Know About Buying A Car Security System Narendra Dewayanto Perhaps, what come across your mind when hearing the words "security system" is those annoying honks, sirens, and flashing lights that always seem to go off in the middle of the night for no apparent reason. The sad truth is that many people do not feel the need to purchase an alarm until their car actually is stolen and end up in chop shops. Even among folks who are aware of the importance of security, many of them put off buying an alarm.Protecting our loved ones and our vehicles should be a top priority for us all. Crime prevention and security experts estimate that a vehicle is stolen every 20 seconds in the United States. According to The National Insurance Crime Bureau, more than 1.3 million cars, motorcycles, and trucks are stolen every year. Car thieves do not take a vacation during the summer and take weekends off. Those are the fact. Knowing the tips and using common sense measure ...
More About: Stem

Your next New car?
2007-10-26 08:15:00
Four Wheels and Two: Will GM Be Driving Your Next New Car? Eric Peters Big Brother may be about to get just a bit bigger.General Motors just announced a new and improved version of its OnStar telematics system that could be used to shut your car's engine off (or at least, cut back the power) remotely.Touted as a "safety" feature (of course), the upgraded version of OnStar would give external authorities (law enforcement - and, of course, GM) the ability to send out a signal keyed to the car's on board computer, which in turn would ease off the gas - no matter how hard you're putting foot down. GPS-equipped cars already can be located in real time at any time, whether moving or stationary. The "enhanced" version of OnStar would, however, be the first use of satellite technology to physically control the vehicle/supersede the driver.The system goes live in 2009, when GM will begin offering it on more than 1.7 million new cars and trucks. Chevrolet will lead the way...

2007 Chevy
2007-10-06 21:10:00
Four Wheels and Two: New SUV Review -- 2007 Chevy Trailblazer SS Eric Peters It's not that electric cars don't work - they're just so expensive they aren't workable as mass market consumer products.GM stopped making its EV1 battery-powered coupe because even with subsidies, the retail cost per car was comparable to what you'd pay for something like a BMW 330i luxury-sport sedan. And rather than a powerful, fun-to-drive BMW, your $30,000-something would get you a minimalist two-seater with a range of about 100 miles under absolutely ideal conditions that needed several hours (or longer) to recharge itself.A modern 250 cc motorcycle is faster, runs longer and costs less than $5,000 brand-new. A decent late-model econobox that gets 35-40 mpg costs less than $15,000.Not surprisingly, GM gave up and stopped building its electric car - as did all the other big-league automakers.But for the dedicated - and deep-pocketed - electric cars are still available. For examp...

Cheap Gas
2007-10-04 08:29:00
Why Cheap Gas Doesn't Pay In The Long Run Mike Rosania Clean fuel injectors are a must for peak engine performance, fuel economy and emissions. If the injectors are dirty and can't deliver their normal dose of fuel, performance, fuel economy and emissions are all going to suffer. Dirty injectors can't flow as much fuel as clean ones, nor can they delivery the correct spray pattern that is so essential for clean, efficient combustion. The fuel feedback control system will compensate for the leaning effect once it is in closed loop, but it can't correct the underlying condition that is causing the problem.Where do the deposits come from? Mostly from the fuel itself. Gasoline is a mixture of many different hydrocarbons, including oilfins, which are heavy, waxy compounds. The heavier the hydrocarbon, the more energy it yields when it burns. When the engine is shut off, the injectors undergo heat soak. Fuel residue in the injector nozzles evaporates, leaving the waxy...

BMW 5 /2008/
2007-10-04 08:27:00
www.ArcaMax.com | News | Books | Comics | Games | Subscribe | My Account Four Wheels and Two: New Car Review -- 2008 BMW 5-Series Eric Peters BMW sport sedans are still very much the "ultimate driving machines." It's just a shame you have to fight with a lot of often very frustrating technology while you try to drive the things.The '08 5-Series, for example, is without question the most powerful (and quickest/fastest) regular production 5-Series sedan BMW has ever offered. For the new model year, it has been updated with a larger, 3-liter, 230 horsepower version of the famous DOHC in-line six now standard in the base 528i ($44,300) and a new-for-2008 twin-turbo version of the 3 liter six that produces 300 horsepower in the mid-range 535i ($49,400). The top 5-Series engine is a 4.8 liter, 360 horsepower V-8 in the 550i ($58,500) that delivers 0-60...

Tips to Improve Your Car
2007-10-04 08:25:00
5 Simple Tips to Improv e Your Car Detailing Chad Hervig Did you know that, apart from a house and the expense of raising children, an automotive is the most expensive item the vast majority of us will ever buy? Why then do we find it acceptable to neglect these expensive purchases? C'mon folks, let's get out there in the sunshine and give our cars a good cleaning! They love it, I know they do.I used to run a pickup and delivery car wash business, and I quickly realized the importance of the following five tips that I'm going to share with you. Some may sound simple, but you'd amazed at how many of my friends and neighbors I see washing their cars the hard way.I'm going to assume that everyone knows to spray your car down with water thoroughly before employing these steps. It dislodges the loose dirt and dust that would otherwise be swirled around with your mitt, and it also effectively cools the surface temperature of your car a bit before washing, which makes ...
More About: Prove

MERCEDES
2007-10-04 08:23:00
Four Wheels and Two: Memory Lane -- Mercedes -Benz SL series (1954-present) Eric Peters Mercedes SLs, like any other noble line, trace their antecedents back to a single great forbear. That illustrious ancestor was, of course, the 300SL coupe - known just as well to enthusiasts by its more familiar name, "Gullwing." This car established the ongoing dynasty of SL-series coupes and roadsters, from the 190 and 280-450 SLs to the current generation SLK retractable hardtop.The production 1954 300SL (W198) was a road-going version of the purpose-built race car (W194) Mercedes-Benz fielded beginning in 1952); it was both a stunner as well as a runner - racking up an impressive series of victories in the Carrera Panamericana road race, the Mille Miglia (with Stirling Moss driving), the 24 hours of Le Mans and the Bern Grand Prix, among other highlights. Max Hoffman, Mercedes' U.S. importer, is credited with convincing company managers to offer a street legal version of the...

Government Car Auction
2007-09-27 10:15:00
Cars at 90 Percent Off? The Truth About Government Car Auction s Eric Peters There are a lot of easy ways to buy a cheap car. Of course, you can buy a used car or you can even try to import a car from Japan, but the easiest way to buy really good, even a new car, is government car auctions.Have you ever heart about it? If you are interested in buying a car, truck, motorcycle, ATV, RV, boat, or even a small aircraft but feel as though you simply do not have the money, a government car auction might be the best opportunity for you. These auctions can be a great source for finding used cars at very cheap prices, starting from as little as $100. I am not kidding. The prices there are really very low. The reasons government car auctions is that they go though so many cars and the original buy price is so low that they can afford to sell them at such a low price. These cars are offered there starting at such low prices, up to 90% off the book value to cut the expense invol...

Chevy Trailblazer SS
2007-09-26 08:08:00
Four Wheels and Two: New SUV Review -- 2007 Chevy Trail blazer SS Eric Peters Few really big things are graceful. Jackie Gleason managed it, despite his 300-plus pounds of curb weight. And so does the Chevy Trailblazer SS - despite being many times more bulky than Sheriff Buford T. Justice - and despite its truck-based, full-frame underpinnings.It also runs to 60 in 5.7 seconds - just half a second or so off the pace of the current Corvette. Like a Saturn V Moon rocket - which is also real heavy - the four-door, five-passenger Trailblazer SS overcomes mass with sheer thrust. Its 395 horsepower 6 liter LS2 V-8 gets all 4,500 lbs. moving with an athleticism comparable to performance cars that weigh a thousand pounds less - and which seat only two.It's quite a package - and could be just the ticket for the guy (or gal) whose situation or family responsibilities simply won't allow a Corvette - but which might allow a Corvette's drivetrain to sneak in under the radar -...
More About: TRAI

Chevy
2007-09-25 08:26:00
57 Chevy - An American Classic Joyce Boulan When the 1957 Bel Air went on sale, nobody - not even Chevrolet - expected to make history. Instead, it became one of the landmark images in American pop culture; one of the most recognizable cars the world has ever known.Today, automakers still hail the 57 Chevy as a perfect example of good design and great timing coming together.What we call the 57 Chevy was actually 19 distinct models. All 19 models were based on a single frame or platform, the basic structure of the car. The 1957 models were the final year in that frame's life. It had been the backbone for Chevrolet's model line for the 55, 56 and 57 model years. The only other car Chevrolet sold then was the Corvette.Ford and Chrysler had all new frames and styling for their 57 models. They should have mopped the floor with the aged GM model, but Chevrolet outsold Ford by 126 cars in 1957. It sold 1,522,536 units of the various 57 Chevy models and 6,339 Corvettes.Th...

Trucks-Cars
2007-09-21 08:30:00
Four Wheels and Two: Truck-Like Cars and Car-Like Trucks Eric Peters Cars are designed mainly to carry people - while trucks are designed primarily for hauling (or pulling) things. But what if you need both attributes - and don't want or need two vehicles?Years ago, hybrid car-trucks (or truck-cars) like Chevy's El Camino, Ford's Ranchero and the Subaru Brat combined elements of both into a single package. The El Camino, for example, was basically a car with a pick-up bed - while the higher-riding Subaru Brat was more like a compact pick-up that could also be used to carry people - including two passengers in the bed-mounted, rear-facing jump seats that were this vehicle's signature feature.Similar vehicles also exist today - and may be just what you're looking for. Here's a survey of what's available right now in the way of truck-like cars - and car-like trucks:* 2008 Honda Ridgeline (Base MSRP $28,000) The Ridgeline looks trucky but is actually based on a p...

Tires
2007-09-20 09:01:00
Five Safety Checks For Your Tire s Eric Peters The following five measures will help you protect your family from injuries in preventable car accidents.1. Monthly Air Pressure Checks.The tire pressure should be checked when the tire is still cold, that is before it has been driven more than a few miles. The correct safe pressure is usually listed inside the glove compartment or gas cap door or on a sticker on the doorjamb.2. Observe the Weight Limit.Do not operate the vehicle above the safe weight limit listed for the vehicle. An overloaded vehicle heats up tires. Heat can cause tire failure. The safe vehicle weight is listed on the placard in the door jam of the vehicle and in the owner?s manual.3. Check the Tread Depth.New tires average 10-11/32 inches of tread depth. The tread depth is needed to channel water to prevent hydroplaning in the rain and to provide traction in snow and mud. Legally the tread needs to be only 2/32 of an inch deep. This is usually the poi...

Pontiac G6
2007-09-19 08:24:00
Four Wheels and Two: New Car Review -- 2007 Pontiac G6 retractable hardtop Eric Peters Remember when VCRs cost $1,500? Today, you can get one for $75 (or even less). Once the basic technology was hammered out, the focus turned to stamping them out in ever larger quantities - at ever lower prices. It's called "economies of scale." And it's the same with automotive gadgets and technology. Like GPS, which went from being an ultra-exclusive (and ultra-expensive) feature found only in a few high-end cars to a commonplace option on cars costing as little as $20k today. Or retractable hardtops.As recently as a year or so ago, the handful of cars that offered this feature were premium-branded -- and premium-priced. But just like GPS, retractable hardtops - which offer the same secure feeling in bad weather (and bad neighborhoods) as a hardtop coupe with the option of open-air motoring just a touch of a button away - are filtering down to reasonably priced cars in the $30...

Female Drivers
2007-09-18 08:11:00
Female Drivers are Better Than Male Drivers - A Proven Fact Jan Gamm A title like that can get you lynched in our house but I honestly believe lady drivers have achieved a driving competence a country mile ahead of men. My husband is a superb driving technician. He understands every cog and wheel in the engine and knows exactly how the pistons should work and how the engine should sound if it is working efficiently, and all that sort of depressing stuff.Behind the wheel of a car he is absolutely the most obnoxious character who ever applied rubber to tarmac. Two tiny, almost imperceptible horns pop up on his head, and a cute little spiky tail sticks out from his bottom as he drives along, screaming obscenities at pedestrians and tail-baiting other unfortunate motorists in an attempt to intimidate and dominate the road.Whenever I am unfortunate enough to be the front seat passenger during these excursions into insanity, I hang onto the nearest armrest for dear life a...
More About: Female

Back to School for Older Drivers
2007-09-17 08:11:00
Four Wheels and Two: Back to School for Older Drivers Eric Peters It's not just young kids heading back to school this fall. Driver's Ed for older drivers is a growth industry these days, too.These courses (more properly speaking, "interventions") are not so much about teaching folks how to drive as they are about helping elderly drivers learn to deal with and even compensate for some of the physical and mental declines that often come with aging.That would include poor night vision, reflexes that aren't what they used to be, mobility issues caused by joint problems, arthritis and so on - as well as the effects of illnesses such as stroke or diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.In Virginia, the state DMV has a referral service set up that puts elderly drivers (or their family members) in touch with specially trained older driver/rehabilitation experts. For a free ranging from $200 to $400, these experts offer comprehensive driver evaluation screening - along with re...
More About: Back to School

Make Your Car Last Forever
2007-09-14 09:18:00
Four Wheels and Two: Make Your Car Last Forever (Or At Least, As Long as Possible) Eric Peters There's no reason why you shouldn't be able to get at least 12 years and 150,000 trouble-free miles out of a new car today -- and that can make your initial "investment" (on average, $24,000 today) a lot easier to swallow. But the key element is proper care -- and proper driving. Cars are a lot like our bodies; live like Elvis -- and don't expect to live very long. But treat your body (and your car) with care and respect -- and both should last a very long time.To enjoy the benefits of a long-live car, keep in mind -- and try to live by -- the following rules:* Regular maintenance per the factory recommendations -- Not just oil changes, but general maintenance, including periodic service of the brake system, cooling system, transmission -- and so on. Most automakers provide a service schedule with their new cars, listing what should be done (and when) according to milea...

HONDA HYBRID
2007-09-13 06:21:00
The Honda Fit Hybrid - A Car of Mythic Proportions Adam Taiz As of this writing the long rumored Honda Fit Hybrid vehicle seems to still be a myth at best. In truth, there has been no official announcement from Honda. However, it does appear that Honda will be releasing a new hybrid to replace the Insight. Will this be a FIT hybrid? Nobody but Honda really knows for sure. Does it really matter? In my opinion, no. Bottom line is that I believe that Honda will release a respectable replacement for the Insight in the next year or two.Whether to call it a Fit, Insight or something else really does not matter. This new vehicle will still serve the intended purpose of the model that it is replacing. To me, that is the only really important thing. There was a great buzz going last year about the Fit hybrid being introduced in 2008 or 2009, but that is all it was, buzz. It is very likely that this new hybrid will be priced well below the Civic. This will open up great oppor...
More About: Onda

BMW Mini Cooper S
2007-09-12 07:30:00
Four Wheels and Two: New Car Review -- 2007 BMW Mini Cooper S Eric Peters Most redesigns are pretty obvious - and sometimes, far from being an improvement. Hence the general rule: If it aint' broke, don't "fix" it.With the updated '07 Mini Cooper, however, you'll have to look closely to tell it apart from the original - even though there are many significant differences, inside and out.And these subtle changes are also improvements - a rare trick these days.For openers, the new version's about 2.5 inches longer overall. The stretch job was done primarily to improve the car's crashworthiness by increasing the car's "crumple zones" - especially up front. More metal to bend and absorb impact forces in a wreck means less energy imparted to the passenger cabin - and those riding inside. But what's really neat is that while the exterior had to be re-skinned to accomplish this, the wheelbase of the '07 version remains the same as that of the '06 version at 97.1 i...

Prepare Your Kids Car!!!
2007-09-11 08:08:00
Will Your Kids Car Be Ready? 5 Facts Every Car Driver Needs To Know To Avoid That Late-Night Call Drew Turnbaugh We find ourselves again at that time when the fledglings pile their belongings into the car and head out for another year of academic achievement. Mom, Dad, Legal Guardian? you all should be proud they?ve made it this far!And with all the pressures they are under, here are some tips straight from the pros to save you unwanted stress and spending along the path to higher learning.#1: One of the most frequently overlooked ways to keep your kids safe is to simply take care of oil changes. ?You would be amazed how many people forget to do this? says Bob, owner of SPARKS Complete Car Care in Naperville. ?It?s an inexpensive way to make sure everything?s working. In fact, any good shop should be doing a full visual inspection while changing the oil just to make sure there aren?t any problems waiting in the wings.?#2: Skip maintenance to save money? Sure, only i...
More About: Pare , Prep

Finding a New Car.......
2007-09-10 06:51:00
Four Wheels and Two: Finding a New Car with a Comfortable Ride Eric Peters New cars - including even a few family sedans and many "luxury" cars - often boast of their high-powered engines, tire-scorching 0-60 times and high levels of cornering ability ("professional driver on closed course," the ad copy warns). SUVs, meanwhile, tout their ruggedness and off-road capability - and small cars, their economy.These are all fine things, of course. But what about a comfortable, quiet ride?As new cars have become more aggressive in the handling and acceleration departments - or built to tackle inclement weather and off-road terrain - they've also become a bit less forgiving when they hit a pothole. Shocks/struts (and tires) designed to limit body roll in a hard corner and keep the vehicle feeling "tight" and "responsive" when driven under test track conditions - or with similar enthusiasm on public roads - also tend to make the car feel a bit more firm-riding than some of...

ArcaMax.com - Four Wheels and Two: Best of Both Worlds, on Four Wheels
2007-09-07 08:06:00
ArcaMax.com - Four Wheels and Two: Best of Both Worlds , on Four Wheels: "From the ArcaMax Publishing, Automotive Newsletter: http://www.arcamax.com/news/automotive/s- 230786-163803 Four Wheels and Two: Best of Both Worlds, on Four Wheels Eric Peters Old cars, like older homes, have unique charms. They've got history - and personality. They stand out from the crowd. You won't see one just like yours at every traffic light. And they're fun to take to weekend cruises and get-togethers with fellow hobbyists. But old cars also have their downsides - the automotive equivalent of bad plumbing and obsolete wiring. Out of date technology - and the wear and tear of 20 or 30 years - can make even a $400 per month new car payment seem appealing. The good news is that just like fixing up an older house with discretely added modern amenities, you can transform an older car into a reliable, fun-to-live-with daily driver by updating it with modern car technology. The result is the best of both...
More About: Heels , Heel , Eels

Four Wheels and Two: What's Here, What's Coming, and What's Hot in 2008 Car
2007-09-06 07:08:00
ArcaMax.com - Four Wheels and Two: What's Here, What's Coming, and What's Hot in 2008 Cars and Trucks: "From the ArcaMax Publishing, Automotive Newsletter: http://www.arcamax.com/news/automotive/s- 230788-588247 Four Wheels and Two: What's Here, What's Coming, and What's Hot in 2008 Cars and Trucks Eric Peters 2008 may still be a few months away yet, but the automakers are already gearing up for the new model year. Here's a look at some of the coming year's standouts: Compact/economy cars * 2008 Smart Fortwo (base MSRP $11,995) Formerly a Europe-only deal, the ultra-compact, two-seat Smart Fortwo is designed mainly for stop-and-go, city/suburban driving - with its chief virtue being its ability to return hybrid-like fuel economy (50-ish mpg in the city; 40 mpg 'combined') at about half the purchase price of a hybrid like the Toyota Prius. The Smart Fortwo will be sold through select Mercedes-Benz dealerships and will be available in both hatchback coupe and convertible...
More About: Heels , Ming , Heel , Eels

: New Car Review -- 2007 VW Eos
2007-09-05 07:08:00
ArcaMax.com - Four Wheels and Two: New Car Review -- 2007 VW Eos: "From the ArcaMax Publishing, Automotive Newsletter: http://www.arcamax.com/news/automotive/s- 230785-379532 Four Wheels and Two: New Car Review -- 2007 VW Eos Eric Peters VW is trying to branch out from its 'people's car' roots - and become a more upscale brand. The six-figure Phaeton ultra-luxury sedan didn't do so well, though - mainly because luxury car buyers just weren't willing to pay Mercedes money for a VW, no matter how good the car itself might be. (And objectively speaking, the Phaeton was a fine car every bit the equal of its higher-prestige peers.) The new Eos four-seater retractable hardtop coupe is VW's next move on the chessboard - and much more subtle. Unlike the Phaeton, the Eos can be affordable - with a base price for the 2.0/six-speed version of just $28,110. That makes it the least expensive retractable hardtop on the market right now. With the exception of Pontiac's G6 - which at $28,6...

Save On Gas
2007-09-04 10:34:00
ArcaMax.com - Less Commonly Known Ways To Save On Gas: "From the ArcaMax Publishing, Automotive Newsletter: http://www.arcamax.com/news/automotive/s- 227592-169441 Less Commonly Known Ways To Save On Gas Joshua Rose With the high price of gasoline, many of us have surfed the internet to find various gas saving tips so that we can save as much money as possible at the pump. And thereâ??s lots of good information to be found that will help us all. While weâ??re probably all aware of the most common ways to save on gas, such as driving the speed limit, keeping our vehicles tuned up, monitoring tire pressure, emptying the trunk of extra weight, and so forth, there are several other tips that seem to be less commonly known and donâ??t get very much attention on the web. So, I thought Iâ??d add these tips here for those of you looking for additional ways to help offset rising fuel costs. - Have you noticed that gas often dribbles onto the pavement from the hose when youâ??re finished at t...

ArcaMax.com - Four Wheels and Two: Make In-Car Breathalyzers Mandatory?
2007-09-03 10:02:00
ArcaMax.com - Four Wheels and Two: Make In-Car Breathalyzers Mandatory?: "From the ArcaMax Publishing, Automotive Newsletter: http://www.arcamax.com/news/automotive/s- 227591-141384 Four Wheels and Two: Make In-Car Breathalyzers Mandatory? Eric Peters 'Pre-emptive war' got us into a real mess in Iraq. So maybe we ought to think twice before adopting similar measures when it comes to traffic law. Specifically, when it comes to an idea floated by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to require that all new cars be fitted with an ignition interlock that can detect alcohol in the driver's system - and shut the car down if it does. Several large automakers (including GM, Ford, Toyota and Honda) also support the idea - and are working on ways to get these things into new cars - maybe within the next two or three years. Could be sooner. Sounds ok in principle - sort of like the idea of liberating Iraq. The devil's in the details, though. The technology itself is pretty straightforwar...
More About: Heels , Tory , Heel

ArcaMax.com - Consumer Reports Lists Best First Car for Teens
2007-06-08 01:44:00
ArcaMax.com - Consumer Repo rts Lists Best First Car for Teens : "From the ArcaMax Publishing, Automotive Newsletter:http://www.arcamax.com/news/au tomotive/s-197383-621507Consumer Reports Lists Best First Car for TeensRyan ThomasAs summer approaches, parents are once again thinking about buying their teenagers their first cars for that summer job or for those who will be going to college. In choosing the best first car for teens, it is typical that parents should opt for easy to drive vehicles as well as units that come having a good fuel economy. Consumer Reports, one of the leading consumer watchdogs, lists some of the wisest choice for teens. What the cars in the list have in common is reliability, driver friendliness, fuel economy, safety and the price, of course. Parents are warned against buying high performance cars for their teens since they are commonly harder to drive and consume more fuel. Since the car will be for teens, it is of utmost importance that parents should take ...