You couldn’t possibly stay home the whole of winter and not go to work although in the coldest of days, you just want to spend your time lazing about in bed. For these times that you must and have to go out, you can winterize your car to ensure that you’re on the road safe, you ensure that you’re keeping your car in a good condition and you keep yourself away from expensive repair costs.

Regardless of the type of vehicle you drive, you’ll have a few tips to use when you’re driving in cold winter days. You can find these tips and recommendations on your vehicles manual. Keep this manual in your car and if you have time, read thoroughly on it. Take note of things like fuel consumption, maintenance and how to keep your car in tune even in the coldest of temperature. The more you know about winter car maintenance, the better you and your family will be when you’re riding out in winter.

Here are some tips for ensuring your car is in perfect running order in winter:

1. When you go out for routine maintenance, put a little extra effort for your battery and charging system in the winter season. Make sure they’re working efficiently. You see in the wintertime, the cranking power your battery gives out is greatly reduced. You’re going to have problems with starting your car if you don’t check on this in routine maintenance in winter. Make sure you bring a portable power pack or quality jumper cables in the trunk of your car when you’re driving in the cold.
2. Other parts to check into are your heater and your defrosters. Make sure they’re in good operating condition. Also, check your wiper blades.If they’re brittle or worn, replace them. If they’re smeary, replace them. It will be hard for you to see if your wipers don’t work well.
3. Winter driving will be easier for you if you check your filters, hoses and coolant. Filters for gas, air and oil have to be in good condition and your coolant level as well as your hermostat has to be fully functional so you can guarantee proper engine warmup. After every two years, your coolant has to be changed. Don’t forget your coolant tank pressure cap or your radiator cap. Hoses with leaks on it or feel soft need to be replaced.
4. One of the important things to remember before driving out in winter is lubrication. Use something like a multiviscosity oil like Mobil 1 0W30 or the 5W30. This will help you with engine startup. When temperature goes below zero, you need to have lubrication like fully synthetic oils to protect your engine. A tip to note is that when you use low viscosity oil, you have more speed with startup and you also reduce wear and tear on your car engine parts when the oil flows quickly in startup.
5. With regard to the condition of your tires, tread and pressure matter when you’re driving in cold weather. Check your tires for wear. Just like in normal temperatures, your tire air pressure has to be exact, anything over or under the recommended pressure is undesirable. You’ll be wearing your tire out more and using up more fuel if your tires are low in pressure. Overinflation and you reduce traction for your tires which can be very dangerous for you when you’re driving on icy roads. Tread matters so if you live in a place where there’s heavy snowfall, think about getting snow tires.
6. Vehicle warmup is another way to ensure the upkeep of your car in winter. When you start your car, run it idly for a few seconds. This will ensure that lubrication has already gone through the engine and this provides you with protection. Again, it’s only for a few seconds. If you keep your car running idly for a long time, you’re will be wasting fuel and it will do nothing for your car. After a few idle moments, drive extra slowly.
7. This next tip for winter car maintenance relates to number six. You have to drive slowly. Keep yourself within bounds of speed limits and if possible drive a notch or two slower than that. Drive a distance away from other cars. Pace yourself while your drive so you don’t need to make sudden stops. Remember, you’ll have mostly icy or wet road conditions to deal with and your car will have the tendency to slip before stopping entirely.
8. If you live in a place where snow comes in spades, have a few tools with you when you drive like de-icers, window ice scrapers, and a small shovel. Keep these tools in your trunk. You’ll use the de-icers for your locks just in case and if you have to dig out of snow, you can do it with ease using your shovel. It’s also good for your car if you keep a bag of sand in the trunk. This will provide you with traction if you have a rear wheel drive vehicle. Sprinkle the sand on the snow or ice if you need traction. Pack a blanket along in your car. That’s just in case you get stuck in a snow storm.
9. Drive in the snow fully equipped and this means, your rear window defroster has to be in good working order. Keep your window washer reservoir full. In your attempt to see clearly in inclement weather, these two thing will guarantee that. Don’t forget to check your fuel levels before you set out. You don’t want to get stranded in heavy snowfall.
10. Lastly, clean your car out of ice and snow and we mean your whole car.

You can rest easy if you’ve just bought yourself a car today. The cars in the market now are those that don’t need to be serviced all the time to keep them in go od working condition. What used to be a monthly exercise can now be done a few times in the year. In addition to that, you’re given a long factory warranty so if you ever have problems with your car, you can get these problems fixed and solved at no extra cost.

Sure car maintenance is easier with new cars but that doesn’t mean you can forgo car maintenance entirely. Here are just some of the things you need to remember with regard to new car maintenance.

There are three key tasks when you’ve purchased a new car and you want to maintain its upkeep.

1. Wash your car regularly. Since it’s a new car, you’ll be excited to wash your car and the recommended times for you to wash your car is every week. When you wash it, make sure you clean the body well and hose the undercarriage and fender wells with water. A lot of road salt and dirt will be gathering there and if you want a clean car, you have to get into those tight spaces too. You then wax your new car’s finish if you notice water beads gathering on your car after a wash or after the rain a size larger than a quarter.
2. Check engine oil. This task has to be performed regularly. Monthly is a good amount of time to check your new car’s engine oil. But if you notice that you have engine oil leaks, you have to check more often because you also need to add more oil. Park your car on level ground when you’re checking for oil level with a dipstick. Don’t over replenish your engine oil and if leaks are established, find the leaks and get them fixed.
3. Check tire pressure. When you have a new car, one of the things that can put a damper on the smoothness and quality of your ride is the tire air pressure. You have to make sure you check this monthly. If you’re going on a road trip, check the tire pressure before your trip. Use a tire pressure gauge to ensure that you have the right pressure. You’ll have details on the amount of tire pressure your car needs on the manual or on the tire’s sidewall. Make sure that your spare tire also has the right tire pressure.

After checking for these three things in new car maintenance, you then have to check the other parts as well. When you’re getting your oil changed, make sure that you also get your air filter, exhaust system, brakes, radiator, battery, fluids and constant velocity joint boots checked. With regard to the air filter, you just have to hold a light up to it and if you don’t see any light shining through the filter, it needs to be replaced. You’ll also have service interval instructions to follow when you have a new car.

The exhaust system should be checked for rusted parts and loose parts. Since your car is new, it’s highly unlikely you’ll have rust under your car, but it’s better safe than sorry. While your car is on the ramps, the exhaust system can be checked thoroughly. You also have to listen for any changes with the sound of your exhaust when you’re driving. Brakes need to be checked for worn out brake pads and also for scored drums or rotors. You have to check the condition of your brakes every six months.

In the case of the radiator, you can prevent your new car from ever overheating if you just clean off debris on it and wash the outside with detergent solution. The battery cables and terminals have to be attached securely. Look out for signs of corrosion. With your car, you don’t have to worry about transmission but if you get a new car with unsealed automatic transmission, you have to check your fluids like transmission, power steering, brake fluid and top them off. For the constant velocity joint boots or CV boots, check for any leaks, cuts or cracks.

When you check all these parts of your new car regularly, you can ensure yourself of a smooth and comfy ride every time. When two years has passed, you then have to set off with maintenance relating to your car’s cooling system, your drive belts and hoses, your timing belt and your automatic transmission fluid. For the cooling system, make sure you drain and flush it two years from the time you bought your car. You have to do this after every two years.

For drive belts and hoses, check for wear and tear. If you have a noisy belt, you need to adjust it. For the timing belt, this has to be changed based on the manufacturer’s replacement interval.

If you don’t check on this, you have to replace your whole engine if the belt breaks. As for the automatic transmission fluid, you might have bought a car that doesn’t need this fluid to be changed. If you bought a different model, you might have to replace filter and fluid after every 36,000 miles or 100,000 miles.

It’s easy to lengthen the life of your car and keep it running as good as the day you bought it from the car dealer if you do new car maintenance.

If you do your own maintenance and auto repairs, purchase your Ford, BMW, Chevy and Nissan parts at discount prices.

With so many things to look out for and so many ways to take care of your car, the question now is where do you start and what do you do at certain points in time. With a car maintenance schedule, you’ll make sure that every part of your car is looked after and you’ll know exactly which part to have checked up at specific times.

1. The first thing you have to check off the list of car maintenance is car wash. This is the simplest and also the cheapest car job you can do in the way of maintenance. You can do it yourself on your free days or you can go to a car wash center. You’ll only be paying somewhere $5 to $10 per washing.
2. The next items to take care of with car maintenance happen every week or every time to you go to the gas station to refuel. Check your car fluid levels and fluids cover for oil, coolant, wiper fluid and power steering fluid. If they need to be replaced, go ahead and replace them. This will help with your goal of increasing the life of your car and it also helps preserve your car engine’s character. Don’t forget to use quality branded engine oil. One that’s synthetic oil treated and has additives will help control the friction in your engine. Again, check car fluid levels when you go for a gas fill up. You should also check car fluid levels before you go on a long trip. It will cost you somewhere between $50 and $120 to get an oil change.
3. You also have to check your tire condition, pressure and alignment while you’re at the gas station for a fill up. When your tires are properly inflated, it will help you with regard to fuel economy, it improves it. Alignment helps improve gas mileage for your car and this will only cost you about $60.
4. When your car mileage hits 3,000, or after three months, it’s time to change engine oil and filter. With air and fuel filters, you’re keeping things in check so that no harm is caused to your car engine. This will cost about $10 to $15 for air filters. You have to check hoses for any bulging or leaking and you also have to check the wiper blades.For the tires, tread depth has to be looked into too. Battery terminals as well as the cables should be checked for corrosion. While the battery is the most important part of a car, it can be the most ignored part. If you take care of the battery, paying about $50 to $120 for its care, you’ll have a longer battery life.
5. After six months have passed or every time you rake up 7,500 more miles on your mileage, it’s time for you to get a check up on your service battery, the rotation and balance of your tires and the wear of your brake pad. Again, car for your battery will increase its life and it will only cost you $50 to $120 to look into the condition of your batteries. Your brake pad can be at the mercy of your foot and it needs to be replaced every six months.You ensure a smoother ride when you have your tires checked for rotation and balance and this will cost you $60 and for the suspension work on your car as it relates to alignment, it will be worth $60 to $100. If the suspension system needs to be replaced you need to shell out $1000 to $2000 or more if you drive a luxury car.
6. Every year or every 15,000 miles, car maintenance consists of flushing and filling transmission fluid and changing the transmission filter. You also have to replace the air and fuel filters at this time. PCV and breather elements need to be replaced as well as the carbon canister filter. Again, in maintaining the integrity of your car’s filters will amount to $10 to $15 for the air filters and fuel filter change will be worth about $25.This is also the time to lubricate the parking brake, locks, hinges and doors of your car. Go ahead and check your car’s lignment as well as the CV joint boots of your car.
7. After two years or with every 30,000 miles listed on your mileage counter, your radiator coolant must be flushed and replaced. Brake fluid should also be flushed and refilled. The parts of your car like the distributor cap, wires, rotor, spark plugs, differential/transfer case fluid and the cabin air filter have to be replaced as well. Finally, for the two year car maintenance, you have to inspect the exhaust system of your car.The small parts will be fairly priced and inspection can also be done for you by your mechanic for a small amount.
8. When four years have passed or with every 60,000 miles added to your mileage counter, the power steering fluid of your car has to be flushed and refilled. The timing belt or chain also has to be replaced. If your car has a long warranty, you can get the parts you need replaced for a discount and you can get labor charges on your car waived.

It takes a little bit of effort to making sure your car is in top condition. With the little things you do, you’ll be saving yourself a lot of money from having to get your car repaired or having to buy a new car because you’ll be lengthening your car’s life using the car maintenance schedule. Little attentions here and there go a long way.

Just because a car isn’t new doesn’t mean a car isn’t expensive. And this extends to insurance policies. An antique or vintage vehicle may have even more value than many brand new models, and the insurance costs and options are often quite reflective of this fact.

Finding and selecting the best antique, classic or vintage car insurance to satisfy your needs is vital to safeguarding and providing protection for a very important investment. These vehicles, being special by nature, have an array of unique accommodations and areas to consider.

So whether or not you’re familiar with insurance or not, there is no harm in reading up on the specifics of vintage car insurance. Below we’ll list just a few helpful instructions to assure you make the wisest possible decision pertaining to your vintage vehicle insurance policy.

1. Make Use of some Insurance Policy Restrictions

One important thing to consider is how your vintage car insurance policy covers you, and how it compares it your actual use of the vintage vehicle in question. The more you do with your ride, the more coverage you’re going to need. The inverse is true as well.

If the use is minimal, primarily to and from local community events and vintage car showcases, employ a policy that restricts to those particular uses. This will prove satisfactory for your limited usage and plenty more affordable.

On the other hand, if you are tad more willing to take the car out on the town, run errands, or even drive rather long distances, you’ll need to choose a policy that accommodates for this xxtensive use. Needless to say, a vintage car policy will not need to cover everyday use through all four seasons, but with more frequent use, a less restricted policy will definitely need to be selected. Consult an insurance agent for more information on specific policy restrictions.

2. Know the difference between a Stated and Agreed Value

One important thing to understand with high price vehicular insurance like a vintage car is the distinction between a value that is “Stated,” and one that is “Agreed.” Inquire from your agent how the insurance company you are using classifies these two terms, and which one remains better suited for your car and individual circumstances.

It’s much better to be safe than sorry, and know your value heading in—especially having assurance that value was properly calculated.

3. Rules that affect where you park and how you store

When looking through insurance policies, keep an eye out for restrictions on where you store your car and its parking location. Some of these requirements may necessitate you keep your vintage vehicle incredibly secure, stored in a locked up garage or otherwise kept secure from outsidethreats. You may be forbidden, for instance, from leaving your car in the middle of a parking area as you leave it alone for extended periods of time.

4. Is your “Vintage” car a “Vintage Car”, and is it even eligible for vintage car insurance?

While it may seem simple, this question could save you a lot of time and energy when answered.

While your cool, old vehicle may strike you as hip and “vintage,” whether or not it officially qualifies as a vintage car (for insurance purposes) may be another story. This is an area very important to check up on, and it can be researched rather easily. Simply consult the insurance agent and ask whether your model is defined officially as eligible for antique car insurance. Some require a car be older than 25 years old, or ask that a vehicle was produced between two years or specific dates. Most of the time, these numbers vary from company to company and many classic car insurance specialty companies offer their own definitions.

5. Discover your objectives

A helpful tip for ensuring the coverage you want and need is to head in with some objectives for a prospective policy. For instance, you may wish to keep your old mechanic if a repair is necessary. This is something to make sure is included within your policy parameters if you have a trusted professional you’d prefer to remain with. Like discussed during our “Stated Value” tip, do what you can to assure your vehicle is insured for what you truly feel the car is worth. Is coverage provided for damage at special interest car-shows? Are premiums in some ways malleable to how much and often the car is driven? If so, it should be appropriate and applicable to your level of use.

So in close, just keep in mind that there are varying types different plans, rules, rates, and sorts for your potential coverage. If you’re ready to get serious about vintage car insurance, make sure to do some serious homework, doing research into individual companies and their policies. Costs are of course a factor, and probably a big factor, but it should be kept  relative to good service.

Make sure first and foremost you are getting a good value, and that high prices are justified by quality service. It’s like anything else, you’re looking for a good product here, and maybe it’s more expensive than inferior ones—but you’ve got an investment to secure. If you the call service for customer support is good, claims are handled professionally and well, and the staff seems well-versed in specialty vehicles such as your own, you may have found a great company with which to do business.

If you’re interested in getting the best insurance for your car, iron out the details and head in ready to purchase the best product at the best value!

2010 & 2011 Volvo S40 Engines

When it comes to new additions, the 2010 is back with the 2.4i engine with a five speed manual gearbox while the T5 all wheel drive has a six speed manual transmission and the T5 R-design is the standard sedan driven by front wheels. The sedan’s head restraints have two positions and it has revised options. The general fuel consumption is improved in this version. For the 2011 version, there is no base 2.4i version and also the all wheel drive has been discontinued. The manufacturers have come up with a different look and performance by simply adding some extra features in the existing trim levels.

Different from the previous versions like the 2010 sedan, the 2011 Volvo S40 has bridged the gap between standards and premium versions. The gap has been filled by the introduction of an attractive 4-door luxury themed machine. The 2011 sedan is better than its predecessors but can not match up with other sophisticated European luxury cars. As for the 2010, it can be classified as the vehicle that can fulfill the dreams of an individual who cannot afford an expensive sedan and at the same time doesn’t want a very cheap car.

On a positive note, though the Volvo S40 has been in production for a while now; it still is impressive when it comes to the fresh look. This is more defined in the interior where there is a waterfall center stack that is available in two-tone upholstery, which separates this vehicle from all other types that are more conservative. Beneath the hood of this machine, there is a five-cylinder engine that provides 227 horsepower and a livelier acceleration compared to the four-cylinder sedan. Beyond these specs there are not a lot of things that can distinguish the S40 sedan. This car is not all that, but then again, there is no such thing as the perfect car as long as manufacturers are concerned. The 2011 Volvo S40 has its own benefits and some disadvantages, but the fact that people are still buying them means that the latter is in its minimum. It may not be as good as other popular sedans but it sure fills in the gap when it comes to wallet issues.

The 2011 S40 is available in 2 trims, the T5 R-Design and the T5. The T5 has a CD player with 8 speakers, HD USB/auxiliary and radio input jacks, an automatically imming rear view mirror, telescoping and tilting steering column, Bluetooth, cruise control. With additional packages, there can be more great features such as sunroof, powered passenger seat and leather upholstery, of course at an extra cost. The T5 R-Design possesses all these features but looks sportier with spoilers, side skirts, classic dial gauges, aluminum pedals and a sport steering wheel.

In both trims, there is an option for a car that is fit for any weather. Some of the features in this type are automatic windscreen wipers, auto controlled climate, head light washers and heated front seats. There is a multimedia package with 10 speakers not forgetting the navigation system that displays traffic real-time. A stand a lone option has 18-inch wheels, satellite radio, keyless entry and ignition, blind spot detection system, rear parking sensors and adaptive xenon headlamps. The 2010 version has most of all these features only that they are not as improved as the ones in the 2011 Volvo S40.

The base engine used in the 2010 version was cancelled and the 2011 S40 now is available only with turbocharged 2.5-liter engine. The engine provides a 227 horsepower and a 236-pound per feet torque. The all wheel drive was cancelled and the 5-speed auto transmission drives the front wheels at an acceleration of 0 to 60 mile per hour under 6.7 seconds. The fuel consumption is estimated to be 30 miles per gallon on highway, 21 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon for the combination of both. This is an improvement from the 2010 S40, which does 60 mph in less than 8.4 seconds with 28 miles per gallon on the highway, 20 miles per gallon in the city and 23 miles per galloon in both.

The Volvo S40′s Safety Standards & Interior

For safety, the 2011 S40 has a standard anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control.  The front seats have side airbags and front head restraints for the purpose of reducing whiplash. There is an option of a blind spot warning system. The S40 is among the safest cars in crashes. This has been proved by strenuous crash testing procedures; the 2011 is  safer compared to the 2010 version. The ratings are as follows, 5 stars for the safety of the driver in frontal crashes, 5 stars for frontal crash passenger protection and 5 stars for side and rear impact protection. In fact, the S40 was rated best in frontal crash protection and came second in side impact tests.

The interior of the S40 is created and deigned using good materials with well-shaped seats that provide comfort for long distances. The R-Design has a leather interior that is a good option of a youthful spirit. The climate control is easy to operate but the navigation system is a bit of disappointment with its outdated graphics and menus, and it’s burdened with a lot of not easy to use controls.

The 2011 Volvo S40, with its supercharged 5-cylinder engine, is a great machine for drivers who love power. This car is stable on curvy roads thought the competition from other models in high.

How does it look?

A test drive of the CTS coupe can bring out its superiority on tarmac. This is because it is a high performance vehicle; fulfilling the desires of speed lovers. The design appears to be aggressive and gives any driver the need for speed before sitting behind the wheel. The standard coupe is not the same as the other supercharged versions but still delivers.   The angles in this version is not all that but the exterior still boasts of a great design with hard edges. The car has a wedge shape that is enhanced by perpendicular and parallel lines combined with open plains and tight angles. The shape starts at the bottom grille of the front fascia and extends to the back. The headlamps are designed in an irregular shape which sets the width of the vehicle. Moving from the headlamps backwards it’s difficult to avoid noticing the 19-inch allow wheels having seven well crafted spokes.

The main reason why everyone tends to move their eyes toward the back is because the shape demands it. There is no interruption at any point because the coupe version has C6 corvette-style doors in place of the more traditional handle doors. At the back there is a centered dual exhaust outlet with a vertical line that runs from the top and divides the two outlets. The car leans towards its anticipation owing to the raise rear end.

The Cadillac CTS Coupe Interior

The cabin looks like a combination of sporty and luxurious touches but the materials used tend to say otherwise. Contrary to other dash boards in other cars, the dash in the 2011 CTS does not have padding beneath the leather and consequently feels hard as a rock. There is a metallic colored plastic surrounding the center stack which is a bit complex thanks to the buttons that are not easy to read especially if you pass a quick glance.

The base price of the coupe is set at $38,165 with a premium version that can be acquired for $51,030 because of the additional special features such as headlamps with high intensity discharge, heated and cooled front seats that can be power adjusted in ten different ways, an improved Bose sound system, ambient lighting in the interior, Bluetooth, heated steering wheel and a navigation system with a touch screen with a camera for the rear view displays.

The down side is that the base price rises from the $38,165 mark to a staggering $47,010. This can hit the $50,000 mark as a result of purchasing the extras such as the steering wheel with shift controls, the summer tire performance with the 19 inch alloys, a brake upgrade and other additional charges.

The fact that the CTS coupe comes in two doors tells a lot about what type of a car it is. This is probably the type of car that is meant for two people and the rear seats should be use to carry small items and not people. The front is comfortable and luxurious but complaining about lack of ample space in the back is not reasonable for a two door coupe. It would be like complaining of too much space in a minivan.

The most important part of driving is the windscreen, which allows you to see where you are going. Well, this is taken care of in the 2011 Cadillac CTS coupe thanks to the massive slab of glass used. Trying to see what is at the sides can be tricky but the coupe has got all this covered with the use of a rear view camera display that makes reversing the car child’s play, though you need to pay more attention when switching lanes. There is a touch screen display on top of the center stack that is used for interfacing with the infotainment system and also used for navigation. The display at its normal position in the dash shows basic information about the audio system but can rise and display more functions. For safety reasons, it is advisable to keep the screen hidden but it automatically deploys every time the car is being reversed to display the rear view.

Does it stop?

The braking system can seem to be a bit tricky and if you are not yet used to it you will find the connection between the braking action and the pedal application not communicating effectively. With time it is easy to get used to the process and you won’t have to be forced towards the safety belt every time you brake. The aerodynamic styling used in making the CTS puts it at a better performance position compared to coupes from other manufacturers. German manufacturers have the say when it comes to cabin quality and though the Cadillac’s interior is comfortable it can not compete with the qualities that the BMW, Audi or Benz possess. However, Cadillac is superior when it comes to the engine performance and fuel consumption. Every aspect of Cadillac’s 2011 CTS coupe contributes to the performance and beauty of this machine.

Looking at the coupe, you can classify it in a sports and luxury category, but after driving it for a while you will notice that though the exterior is outstanding and the interior super
cool, the luxury part is over shadowed by the sporty appearance and feel. The 2011 CTS coupe has earned Cadillac a Masters degree in science and art used in the motor industry.  The 2011 CTS coupe is the ultimate sports machine with an element of luxury.

So what are the specs?

The CTS coupe comes with Cadillac’s direct injected V6 putting up 304 horsepower.

Upgrading the Cadillac’s CTS-V Coupe will bring you up to 556 hp as a result of a supercharged V8. Plus, you’ll be upgrading to 19 inch wheels and some amazing sport seats.

The car can rocket from 0 to 62.14 mph or 100 km/h in about four and a half seconds with a top speed of 155.34 mph or 250 km/h. The car is compact and weighs about 3,472.28 or 1,575 kilograms and the fuel consumption is an amazing 26 mpg and the emission of carbon dioxide is at 341.18 g/mile or 212 g CO2/km. All this is possible by the technology used in the regenerative system, which is meant to recover some energy during the car’s decelerations.

The RS3′s Engine

The 2011 Audi RS3 has a 2.5-liter engine that will surely thrill the passengers because it has a strong pulling power and the 6,800-rpm. The Audi engine’s growling  and roaring soundtrack combined with the signature 5-cylinder firing order creates a strength feeling in the car and gives the driver gobs of power on the road. There is a flap in the exhaust system that is controlled by the sport button, also used in varying engine response, and is used to further intensify the sound.

The 5-cylinder engines have a history in Audi. It was used to edge out the existing competition in race cars in the 80s. The first RS model, 94, had one of these engine types. The engine now is redefined and has earned the top position in engines ranked by a panel of automotive journalists. This means that the engine is created to have high performance and the general parameters used in it will yield great elasticity and excellent acceleration values.

At just about 403 pounds and 19.29 inches the Audi RS3′s 5-cylinder unit is super compact. The vermicular-graphite cast iron use in making the crankcase is a light weight but strong material that contributes a lot in the overall light weight of the unit. In fact, this material has been used in gasoline engines for the first time by Audi. The block loadability is further enhanced by the reinforcement’s which are perfectly placed. The light weight design is meant to keep the weight of the Audi RS3 in check so that it can pay off when it comes to axle load distribution which translates to an excellent and ultimate car handling.

What about boost?

The 2011 Audi RS3 has a turbocharger that is responsible for up to a 1.2 bar pressure boost while the intercooler achieves a cool 80% efficiency. Just like other Audi gasoline turbo engines, the RS3’s unit combines the turbo charging with FSI direct injection system. The combination of the two technologies create high compression ratio (about 10:1) and consequently raise the efficiency ratio. The air is mixed as it is flowing in by the flaps positioned and the intake tract. The mixture formation is further enhanced by the two adjustable (by 42 degrees – crankshaft rotation) camshafts.

Audi RS3′s Transmission

The S Tronic, seven-speed, transmits power straight from the 5-cylinder engine through three shafts. Two of these are output shafts while the other one is the drive shaft. The car has two transmission structures since it is a dual-clutch transmission. This results in a smooth shifting process which takes a very short time during the clutch switch. The two clutches make sure that there is no power interruption during the shifting process. The seventh gear, being very tall, is the ultimate way of saving on fuel consumption.

There is a choice of two automatic modes and a manual mode. The gear shift can be made through the selector lever or via the paddles on the wheel. The control system  manages to launch the car from a dead zero to the explosive turbo power while maintaining the car’s stability and minimum tire slip. The all-wheel drive gives the RS3 dynamics, stability and traction. The main component is its multi-plate clutch that is electronically controlled and placed at the propeller shaft’s end for the purpose of achieving an advantage in axle load distribution.

The famous Audi Quattro

Quattro enables the distribution of propulsive power to all the axles as required. Every time there is slip in any of the axles, the oil pressure is increased in a jiffy by an electric  powered pump. The two clutch plates are pressed on each other in a similar continuous motion which permits the redirection of torque accordingly. No matter how many words are used to describe this process the duration of time the actual process is much faster than the description. This is just to make sure that there are no interruptions caused by the slip.

The stiff body lays the cornerstone in the RS3 handling but the chassis makes everything fall in place. There is a four-link suspension that has a 60.16 inches track anchored to the sub frame. The front suspension is more widened but still has a separate sub frame. The major components of the construction are aluminum. The vertical support is provided by the shock absorbers and the coil springs. Compared to the A3, the sports suspension lowers the RS3 body by 0.98 inches.

The Audi RS3′s Interior

In the interior, there are a number of logos reminding the passenger that they are inside an Audi RS3. The interior comes in black with leather seats that are stitched in contrasting silver stitching. The car has a flat bottomed steering wheel, all leather and multifunctional. The instruments and the selector lever are uniquely designed. The driver information includes a lap timer, boost pressure and the oil temperature. The 2011 Audi RS3 comes with different standard equipment, such as the Sport button, climate control, xenon headlights, chorus radio system, and rear parking system.

The 2011 Audi RS3 not only comes with Quattro permanent all-wheel drive, but the new version will also enjoy the new S Tronic 7-speed transmission from Audi. This transmission uses a tall 7th gear that increases the efficiency levels of the vehicle at motorway speeds. Though the car is sporty, the exterior can appear as though it was a business car.

The dodge challenger SRT8 392 is a step towards showcasing the improvement in performance. This 2011 version is the grand return, to the streets, of the famous 392-cubic inch power train. The engine beneath the hood has the kind of power that most muscle car enthusiasts dream of. It pumps out 470 horsepower, which creates 470 pound per foot of torque. The HEMI engine installed in the new SRT cars creates a further 90 pounds per foot of torque with 2,900 rotations per minute (rpm), which is stronger than the previous version. The additional torque makes it possible to have an inspired standing start as well as an improved performance. Plus, the new motor mounts are tuned to improve ride control and idle stability.

There are two options when it comes to the gear box, it’s either the automatic transmission which is a standard five speed or the 6-speed manual transmission which first made a debut in the 2008 Viper SRT10. Dodge made sure that the shifting in the 2011 version is made easier via the installation of a heavy-duty clutch. Just like its predecessors, the 2011 Dodge SRT8 has am impressive performance in the street and will make heads turn, it can move from 0 to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds. Compared to other cars in its class, this speed puts it at its own position of excellence.

There is a new technology used in this version that allows it to use four cylinders therefore saving a lot on fuel. This does not mean that the vehicle cannot be all-powerful; the engine can use all the eight cylinders when required. This can only be found in the automatic transmission model. The valve covers together with the logo and the silver painted ribs give the engine a clean but aggressive appearance. The exhaust system has been redesigned; this has resulted into a note with a lot of strength that commands a lot of
respect from onlookers both on the racetrack and the street.

The 2011 Dodge SRT8 will have an exclusive exterior as well and interior. The body works will be improved and there will be two colors or the striped combination. You can either choose the bright white coat with Viper Blue stripes or the deep-water blue combined with store white stripes. The front grille, in this model only, comes in the body color. This makes the car look so natural from the front, and makes the grille look like it
is attached to the body completely.

This car lives up to its name, challenger, in terms of torque and horsepower ratings. The quad tip exhaust adds a note of performance and completes the rear, which gives the car a look of a modern muscle machine. The car rolls on 20-inch wheels, which feature satin black pockets and a polished face. The interior is race themed. The white leather seats bring this out with a special blue stitching that matches with the unique blue stripes. The center stack and the instruments have a high performance look that is created by the clean silver metal finish. The interior of this car creates a feeling of racing and when the car starts moving, the racing feeling becomes a reality.

The body shape still maintains the Dodge look that is aerodynamic and when looked at closely reveals the impression of a vehicle that has stability superiority on the road at any speed. The front fender spats and the front splitter, which results in an overall balance and high speed, create the aerodynamic shape. The top speed now lies at 173mph for the automatic transmission and 180 mph for the manual transmission. The fascia has been modified and also contributes to the aerodynamics and is also painted to give the vehicle an improved aggressive look. The rear spoiler is also painted to match with the body color.

There is a new interior styling for the Dodge Challenger SRT. The steering wheel comes in a right size that has three metallic painted spokes and a wheel that is leather covered.  This is a sporty look especially because the spokes are positioned at 9, 6 and 3 o’clock. The instrument panel has a new unique graphics and chromed accent rings; this gives the gauge cluster a more mechanical look that suggests that the vehicle is a high-speed machine. Powered front seats are standard for the Dodge challenger SRT8 models. The front seats have a seatback tilt that has memory and thus the seats are easy to use.

On the road the 2011 Dodge challenger SRT8 is easy to handle and maintains the ability to challenge different situations. The suspension geometry was recalibrated to improve the steering responsiveness, cornering ability and the balance. The challenger now has quicker steering ratios that improve its appetite for speed. The steering is powered, fully hydraulic, with a heavy-duty pump, which gives the drive a direct feel of the wheels.  All these features have worked together to create a Dodge SRT8 that will challenge its rivals in every aspect of performance. This is not the best of Dodge but before they make anything better than this, then this is the muscle car to purchase.

Quick Challenger SRT8 Specs

The 6.4L Hemi V8 of the SRT8 will pump out 475hp & 460 lb/ft of torque.

The 5.7L Hemi of the R/T will be pounding out 379hp & 410 lb/ft of torque.

The price range is supposed to be in the range of $25000 – $43000.

MotorTrend’s Video Review of the SRT8 2011 Challenger

Final Thoughts

I wouldn’t mind finding one of these beauties in my garage this spring. What do you think about the new 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8? Let us know in the comments below.

The popularity of electric cars was on its best in mid 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century. This was due to the comfort and functionality on the car that could not be experienced in gasoline propelled cars. However, the improvements in the gasoline engines brought down the reign of electric cars during this period. The impact of thegasoline cars on the environment has made car manufacturers, especially the big players, to rethink the idea of having electric cars on the road once again.

The environmental concerns combined with the oil crisis have seen the electric cars being manufactured in new and improved models that are enjoying their fair share of popularity all around the world. The car is environmentally friendly as it runs on a battery that can be charged at home and thus it is does not pollute the environment and is economical compared to gasoline cars.

Big time vehicle manufactures have electric cars that are either on the road on their near future plans. We will look at a few of the electric cars that have been manufactured and are on the road or are scheduled to be released in the near future from different manufacturing companies.

The Nissan Leaf: This is an environmentally friendly yet affordable family car. It is one of the best electric cars from Nissan with 5 doors and a compact look with a sitting capacity of five. The manufacturers placed it at 100 miles or 160 kilometers driving in the city with on an eight-hour full charge. This is suitable for a daily commuter because 100 miles will cover the needs of a daily commute. The energy unit comprises of 4 flat laminated cells with 48 modules and enclose in a rectangular battery pack. The pack is about 600 pounds and is stored below the passenger seats for a low center of gravity.

CODA Sedan: a private company, CODA AUTOMOTIVE INC, which concentrates on building electric cars, makes this model. CODA is a name derived from music and refers to the end part of a music piece. This name is supposed to signify the end of combustion engine cars and mark the start of the electric car domination. The CODA Sedan is CODA’s first that can do up to 120 miles on a single full charge. The car is 4-door and 5-passenger vehicle that is scheduled to be released in mid second half or 2011. The mile range and the fact that this car does not pollute the environment is reason enough for this car to make headlines.

Ford Focus BEV: This is a prototype electric car from the ford motor company that is supposed to hit the market by 2011 in the US and in 2012 in Europe. This project has 15 BEV prototype cars now, which are meant for demonstration purposes. The BEV has a range of about 100 miles and a single full charge with a top speed of up to 85 mph. A full charge of the lithium-ion battery takes between 6 and 8 hours via a common socket of 230 volts. This car is being developed for the sole purpose of creating a comfortable car that does not contribute to the pollution of the environment.

Chevy Volt: This is an electric plug-in hybrid car that is being manufactured by the division of general motors, Chevrole t. The release is scheduled in 2011, but deliveries are expected to be made as early as December 2010. The car runs on a lithium-ion battery (16 kW-h, of which 10.4 kW-h are usable). Simply plugging it into a residential power outlet, between 120 and 240V AC, can charge said battery. The car has a combustion engine that directs its power to the electric motor and the remainder goes to the battery.

This model is not completely out of the pollution class because of the 4-cylinder engine. The car, with batteries alone, can travel up to 50 miles while the combination of electricity and gasoline totals to around 379 miles.

Hyundai BlueOn: This is a product of the Hyundai Motor Company and it is a five-door hatchback electric vehicle. Going with the manufacturer’s report, the BlueOn has a range of about 87 miles and a top speed of up to 81 mph. Tests involving 30 units were began in late 2010 and the official market release is scheduled for 2012. The car runs on a 16.4 kWh lithium polymer battery pack, which fully charges for about 6 hours using a standard 220 V power outlet and only 25 minutes if a three-phase outlet is used. The max speed is 81 mph and can move from dead zero to 100 km/h in just above 13 seconds, which is impressive for an electric car. The car has a sound that mimics gasoline combustion engine, which gives the driver a feel of power.

Tesla Model S: this is an electric full-sized sedan in the process of devolvement by Tesla Motors. The production for the retail market is scheduled for 2012. The car has a range of about 160 when fully charged. The model can move from zero to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds. There will be an option of larger batteries that are expected to hit the 300 miles range on a full charge. The charging will take about three to five hours, though this will entirely depend on the capacity of the battery. This is a high performance vehicle that can compete comfortably with the BMW 5-Series.

Electric cars are the future of a pollution free world and we are living in the beginning of that future.

The jeep brand was established in 2002 and has ever since dominated the mid-sized SUV world. There have been improvements along the way, which has brought us to the new 2011 Jeep Liberty.

Scope
The 2011 Jeep Liberty is a 176.9 inch long and 72.4 inches wide vehicle with a 106.1 inch wheel base. It has a curb weight of 3985 lbs with the gross weight reaching 5600 lbs. The luggage capacity is 31.5 cu. Ft. and a maximum cargo capacity of 64 cu. ft. The maximum seating comfortable seating capacity is five.

Performance
Beneath the hood of the 2011 Jeep Liberty is a V6, 3.7 liter engine with 6 cylinders and a 210 Horsepower. The engine has a maximum rpm of 5200 and a 235 ft-lbs torque. The maximum payload that the jeep can handle without strain is 1150 lbs and a towing max capacity of 3500 lbs.

Fuel consumption
The 2011 Liberty has a fuel tank that holds 19.5 gallons. The fuel consumption approximation is: 16 mpg in the city, 22 mpg on the highway and an average of 18 mpg for the city and the highway combined. The Jeep liberty is petrol driven machine though there was a short-lived diesel version. With a full tank you can drive the Jeep for 312 miles in the city, 429 miles on the highway and 351 miles for the combination on average.

Features
Mechanical features that make the 2011 Jeep Liberty outstanding include; a 3.7 displacement V6 single overhead cam engine. The gas engine has 12 valves that manage to give it a 210 horsepower at 5200 rpm. The Jeep also has a fuel cut-off when decelerating to economize on the fuel.

The sport utility is a 4 x 2 rear wheel drive with a brake hill holder. It is fitted with a tachometer, a clock and a low fuel indicator to complete its instrumentation.
The 2011 Jeep Liberty sports 16 x 7.0 alloy wheels fitted with all season tires. It has  a temporary spare tire, a steel spare wheel and an underbody mounted full size spare tire. The windscreen is fitted with intermittent wipers and the rear window with a defogger and a wiper.

Safety and comfort
Safety features that stand out in the 2011 Jeep Liberty are the ABS brake system with electronic brake force distribution, emergency braking assist, traction and stability control, fitted head air bags in the front and rear, occupant-sensing passenger airbags, front and rear seatbelts, tire pressure monitors, engine immobilizer, dusk sensing head lamp, 2 rear and front headrests passenger’s and driver’s whiplash protection, child seat anchors and safety door lock.

To travel comfortably the Jeep Liberty can hold 4 passengers and the driver. The front seats are made in a bucket design to enhance comfort. Rear seats have a folding and reclining ability. It is easy to operate doors band windows as they are powered with the windows being heated. The 2011 Jeep has cruise control on a power tilt-adjustable steering wheel. The accessory power was retained as from the 2010 version. There are cup holders at the front and door pockets. The Jeep is air conditioned with interior air filtration. There are both rear and front reading lights.  Another feature is duel illuminating vanity mirrors.

For people interested in music, the 2011 Jeep Liberty has got you covered as it has a CD Mp3 player with a total of six speakers. The Jeep comes with a 12 months subscription to satellite radio and an auxiliary MP3 output. The vehicle also has an AM/FM radio, a 6.5-inch touch screen, a 30 GB hard drive and a Garmin navigation system.

General car Info
The 2011 Jeep Liberty retains the SUV look but with better features. The new version has more cargo and storage space and improved seats for comfort. It comes with a sliding sunroof that allows an open air experience while driving. There are features fitted in the

new Jeep that makes it better than other Jeep versions like the remote start and memory seats. The 2011 Jeep Liberty lives up to its tough exterior look by being able to cruise rough terrain which is a trait not found in its SUV competitors. Steep approach and departure angles and exceptional suspension makes it easy for the Jeep to travel off-road. This is simply an all road sport utility vehicle.

Even with the improvements the Jeep may not be able to compete well with other SUVs because of its performance and fuel consumption. Apart from this the advantages and the
features of the new 2011 Jeep Liberty beats the down side by far.

The jeep is a good off-road vehicle for urban people with the desires of driving off the pavement. The safety of the Jeep has been proven through many test drives to come up with the current features that will ensure the safety of the drivers and their passengers.

The 2011 Jeep Liberty is available in either a six-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission. You can also choose to get the 4 x 2 sport trim or the 4 x 4 limited versions. When ordering for your 2011 Jeep Liberty you can specify the color you want or choose from the available four new exterior colors. The exterior can show some improvements as the curves are more defined and the body more aerodynamic. With more dashboard functions and added controls on the steering wheel, it is so comfortable and easy to manage a 2011 Jeep Liberty.

Prices
There is a difference in prices of the 2011 Jeep liberty depending on the trim you want to purchase. All the models have a 3.7 liter V6 engine with 210 horsepower. The prices range from $23, 250 for the Sport utility to $28,250 for the limited edition sport utility, the other one which is the Renegade comes in between for $27,250. You can be able to get Jeep accessories at a price.

Generally the 2011 Jeep Liberty’s prices did not change but the features were definitely upgraded. Whichever trim you choose to drive, just remember that Jeep is a machine that allows you to cruise in the city, on highways and in rugged terrain if you must.

Final thoughts from the editor

I love this little truck. For the price it’s one of the best ways to get off road out there. The fuel economy sucks, and it’s not going to win any speed records, but when it comes to the trails you get Jeep’s legendary track record and reputation for quality.

Had an experience with a Jeep Liberty? Thinking of buying a 2011 Jeep Liberty? Let us know in the comments below.