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Increased reliance on cell phones has led to a rise in the number of people who use the devices while driving. There are two dangers associated with driving and
cell-phone use, including text messaging.

First, drivers must take their eyes off the road while dialing. Second, people can become so absorbed in their conversations that their ability to concentrate on the act of driving is severely impaired, jeopardizing the safety of other motorists and pedestrians.

This topic has gotten a lot of attention. Some want it to be banned all together, while others want to impose tougher laws about drivers who use them. With all of the factors that are required to drive safely, it’s imperative to keep all safety factors in
mind.

Suggestions for cell phones and driving;

1. Keep in mind there are many distractions on the road. If you are driving alone and can do so safely pull over to make or answer a call.

2. If someone is with you, have them talk on your behalf.

3. There are devices immediately to allow for a hands free call, allowing for you to keep your hands on the wheel.

That doesn’t take from the distraction of the conversation itself but, it’s a way of being able to take or manufacture the call that’s less imposing on your driving attention.

Most important thing to bear in mind when driving is that your ability to concentrate and take care on the road is your first responsibility. Any call that important is worth pulling over for.

Some regions and states have made driving while using the LG cellphone against the law. This decision is still under investigation and consideration in other areas. It’s important to understand before driving through one of those regions what their laws are on cell phone use in cars.

Cell phones are not just for business tycoons and parents on the run, children are more and more getting their own cell phone tracer.

Elementary aged children are bringing them to school. Many schools are banning cell phones, so your child may not be able to have or use the mobile phone GPS tracking during the time when he is most likely to be distant from home.

Although the Firefly Phone is a real, functional cell phone, pre-teens and teens likely won’t think so, and they will probably want a regular cell phone.

The positive side of your child having a cell phone is being able to contact them or them being able to contact you in an emergency. The negative factor is that many children are not using them responsibly. If you are going to buy a cell phone for your child, it’s important to ensure they realize what is classified as proper use and what is not proper.

Being able to keep in touch with your child when he or she is not with you is a valuable perk; yet, with the right education on how to use them responsibly they can continue to be a valuable tool for your child.

Tags: Cars, Cell Phones, gps, mobile, tracker

Even from the time that Ford showed the way with the first “muscle car” in 1964 in the form of the Mustang, America has been in love.

Pretty well everyone has a favorite classic muscle car. Yours might be the 1963 Dodge Dart 413 Max Wedge 426 Hemi, 1967 Dodge Charger or the Australian 1972 XA Falcon Phase IV GTHO 4 door.

With the incredible performance and power that these cars offered, the Ford Mustang became the top selling car for many of the years during its “performance era.” Times are different, though, and there are many factors that would seem to decrease the muscle car’s popularity. High fuel prices and strict Federal regulations would seem to be likely culprits in putting a harness on all that horsepower. But these horses can’t be corralled and the muscle car remains a steady seller, especially to the new generation. And for them, there is a new generation of muscle cars hitting the dealer lots.

Cadillac CTS-V

This high performance Cadillac makes an impressive introduction to the muscle car ring. While Cadillac may not exactly historically call for performance, the CTS-V delivers with superior handling, a comfortable and roomy interior as well as significant power. Showing off its impressive 400 horses of power with a 6.0 liter V8 and 395 pound feet of torque, this powerhouse sits you in they type of car you would expect from Cadillac with a surprisingly low and very pleasing performance.

Pontiac GTO

GM after too many years brought back the “Goat”, much to the delight of muscle car enthusiasts. One of the original muscle cars, the GTO was introduced in 1964 and ran through the 1974 production year. Pontiac wanted to keep the awesome power and performance of the GTO without without a sky high price. With a 6.0 liter LS2 V8 offering 400 horses, the new breed of GTO ran from 2004 to 2006. But, this is one car that can’t be held down and we can only hope that it will emerge again in the future.

Infiniti G35

A good example of the new breed muscle cars, the Infinity G35 offers high end performance, great handling and a great look. Sporting a powerful 3.5 liter V6, 306 horses strong, you will be driving the old school muscle car style combined with the newer, technological plusses of the 21st century. With this car, performance is its strong suit. It offers great handling and a superior, “beauty meets beastly power” look and feel.

Lexus IS 350

Another sprightly muscle car with high performance, the Lexus IS 350 offers 306 horsepower with its powerful V6. Its inventive safety designs give it an edge over some of the other muscle cars out there. While you probably equate the Lexus name with luxury, the IS 350 shines with top performance as well.

Ford Mustang

You can’t say muscle car without thinking about the Ford Mustang. The classic muscle car, this pony with horsepower has seen some significant design changes over the past twenty years. The latest Mustang, though, still will impress you with a wicked performance V8 version with 300 horses galloping under the hood in the GT version. The retro chassis will take the old timers back and spark an interest in new enthusiasts just discovering this classic to a new love.

There are many other muscle cars that could easily make this list and be competitive against their high performance cousins. Take some time to test drive a few of the latest muscle cars and find the performance package that speaks to you. Performance, design and power make a muscle car, but you need one in your garage to really appreciate it.
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Tags: Cars, ford, muscle cars, mustang, mustang gt

I can hear it now from the Prius loving, gas sipping, and bike riding crowds: a more powerful car is environmentally irresponsible. Balderdash! Not that anyone should care what others think of them, but this thought pattern is totally incorrect. Thanks to advances in automotive technology, virtually every performance part on the market will yield greater fuel mileage for your car as well as give you more power. A true win-win result; let’s take a look at four powerful performance enhancing parts for your vehicle.

1. Power chips and programmers. Whether your replace your car’s computer chip or enhance it with a power programmer, in either case you will achieve noticeable gains in horsepower and thrust. By overriding the factory limitations imposed on your vehicle you can get more power for a small amount of money.

2. Reusable air filters. Now this is a part that the tree huggers love: air filters which can be used over and over again. That’s right, no need to clog up our landfills with paper filters once a year. Instead, air filters built for race cars can be put in your car and reused. Your engine breaths better and better breathing engine sucks up less fuel. Guess what? Your fuel economy improves!

3. Cold air intakes. That growl coming from underneath your hood is your engine telling you that it loves its new air intake. Designed to suck up colder, denser air a cold air intake delivers the “fuel” that you engine wants. Again, your engine runs smoother and fuel economy increases. The best part? A cold air intake is an awesome looking addition to your engine bay!

4. Performance exhausts. Yes, your stock exhaust system just doesn’t cut it. For starters, it works against your engine and not with it. Specifically, power flow is inhibited and your engine works harder and sucks up more gas in the process. With the wider pipes found in a performance exhaust system you can get more horsepower, achieve greater torque, and watch your fuel economy rise as your engine and exhaust work in harmony.

What many motorists do not understand is that some stock parts are not the best parts for your car. Manufacturers, in an ongoing bid to save money, will often opt for those parts that cost less to hold car prices down. Unfortunately, your car is the biggest loser as power is restricted and fuel economy drops. With the right parts installed by you the trend can be reversed without significant increases in exhaust pollution; your car will still pass its emissions test and it will runner faster and more efficiently.

Of course, the big question is this: aren’t performance parts expensive? They can be if you do not shop around. Visit the web site of a trusted online wholesaler and compare prices. Do the work yourself and your saving will more than cover the cost of having someone install stock parts for you.

This article is distributed by Hansel Gunners. He owns a site, jamorama. Feel free to look at his jamorama website. You can also send your feedback at his jamorama site. Thank you.

Tags: Cars

Gas prices remain at historically high levels and the long term trend is indicating that they will stay high. If you own one or more cars, you understand that saving cash somewhere, somehow is important to helping you preserve your budget. The following are some important tips to help you manage your car expenses.

Look over your insurance. If your car is between two and three thousand dollars, consider canceling your collision coverage. The money you save could then be set aside by you toward a down payment on your next vehicle.

Keep your tires suitably inflated. Your gas mileage will fall if your tires are under inflated. Keep your tires at the suggested pressure amounts and your gas mileage should stay stable.

Do not change your oil too often. Unless you drive entirely in the city you do not need to change your oil every 3000 miles. Most cars can last up to 7500 miles between changes. You will, however, still need to change your oil twice yearly even if you drive infrequently.

Do some minor maintenance yourself. You can change your wipers, the air filter, battery, and replace a tire yourself. If you rely on others, your costs will climb considerably.

Use regular gas. If your car requires regular gas, do not indulge in premium. Your car probably will not run any better and you will have paid as much as 25 cents extra per gallon extra.

Don’t purchase an comprehensive warranty. The amount of money you pay for an extended warranty is usually more than what the warranty is worth. If you feel that a particular car model requires an extended warranty, perhaps you should consider shopping for a vehicle that is much more dependable.

You can save plenty of money by washing and waxing your car yourself. Treat yourself to the services of a car wash no more than 2-3 times per year.

Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. The manufacturer of your vehicle will know how long parts should last. Change your timing belt before it becomes a problem, your fuel filter as required, and keep an eye on your brakes, tires, and shocks. Most cars built today do not need a complete tune up for as long as one hundred thousand miles, so do not put down the $250 for a tune up before one becomes a necessity.

Use a private garage. No, you do not have to take your Chevy to the Chevrolet dealership for service. If you have a decent, local garage that knows your make and model you can typically save money by using them instead.

We aren’t likely to see gas prices below $2 per gallon again, while $3 per gallon may soon be the rule. Supply and demand cannot be controlled, but you can take the above steps to make certain that your car does not cost you more than it should.

This article is distributed by Hansel Gunners. He owns a site, jamorama. Feel free to look at his jamorama website. You can also send your feedback at his jamorama site. Thank you.

Tags: Cars

Classic car parts are not easy to come by. But if you have finally been able to purchase the classic car you’ve always dreamed of, finding the classic car parts to restore and accessorize it may be a high on your priority list.

Whether you have a muscle car, an antique or a vintage model, you will inevitably find the need to replace and restore some of your car parts. Classic car parts are not as readily available as for the cars that are still in production. You can’t just walk into a dealership and place your order because the parts are no longer being made. But with a little digging, they can be found.

Some places to start your search include:

Online Auctions

Online auction sites, such as Ebay, are probably the easiest place to begin your search for classic car parts. If you’ve seen the ads that Ebay has “It,” you know this is true. Ebay Motors has many listings for hard to find vehicles and classic car parts. You’ll have to cover the shipping charges, so that is something to consider when purchasing larger items.

Swap Meets

Finding a local swap meet may be just the thing you need to locate the classic car parts you need. They are great places to find older model accessories and other outdated items.

Classic Car Part Dealer Publications

Often times you can find the parts you are looking for in car part dealer magazines. The only drawback here is that you will probably have to spend top dollar. This option could be used as a last resort though if you are unable to find a specific part anywhere else. Exhaust all other possibilities first if money is tight.

Clubs and Organizations

Clubs and organizations exist for as many hobbies that people can think up. Certainly, there are a fair number of clubs and organizations geared toward car enthusiasts. Locating and joining one such club may prove beneficial in your hunt for classic car parts. You will be able to make connections with other people who share your interest.

In the Internet age, it is also possible to find a club or organization centered on classic car parts by doing an online search. Try searching Yahoo groups and you are likely to find a list of clubs you could join. Again, making connections with people who share your interest in classic car parts may lead you to a dealer or another source from which you can purchase classic car parts.

Junkyards

Maybe you don’t picture yourself hanging around a junkyard to find used classic car parts, but you may be able to find a diamond in the rough. If you have never used this type of service before, it could be worthwhile to check it out. Everything is computerized and usually a visit or a phone call is all you need to check and see if they have the part or accessory that you need for your precious investment.

Of course you will want to take good care of your classic car to limit the number of parts that you will need to search for. The less time you spend tracking down parts, the more time you can spend enjoying the car of your dreams.

This article is distributed by Hansel Gunners. He owns a site, jamorama. Feel free to look at his jamorama website. You can also send your feedback at his jamorama site. Thank you.

Tags: Cars

From the time I can remember, each year my father, three brothers, myself and our grandfather would take a week away in the summer and go on a tour of old cars shows around the country. We would try to see different old cars shows each year (you’d be amazed by how many there are to choose from!). So I guess you could say that I have come to my love for old cars honestly. It has literally been growing in me since the time I can remember. My mother, grandmother and sisters would take that same week each year to enjoy at our lakeside cabin, and even though we offered for them to join us for the old car shows, they never seemed interested.

At first, I loved going to the old cars shows because it was a great time to spend with the guys I loved most. My dad didn’t get very much time off of work, so when he did we made sure to enjoy it. I didn’t care too much about what we saw or what we did at the old cars shows, I just loved hanging out with my brothers and goofing around with my dad and grandpa.

As I got older, my love for this beloved week of summer changed a little bit as I actually started to enjoy the whole purpose of our trip: to see as many old cars and learn about them as we possibly could in a week. Hour after hour in the car was spent discussing old cars and talking about the intricacies of each make or model. We would stop by our public library each year before the trip and gather as many books and magazines about old cars as we could. It was simply astouding to see how much had been written and published on the subject within a year.

The more I learned about old cars, the more I too became fascinated with them. I have always loved anything to do with history, and I guess I figure that old cars are historical in the sense that they teach us about the history and progression of automobiles in our country. There is nothing I love more than finally seeing a make and model of an old car that I have been anticipating viewing for a year. I’ll admit that I have even gotten emotional a few times as I have finally gazed upon an old car that I had been dreaming about all year.

If you don’t have a love for old cars yet, I’d suggest that it isn’t too late. Grab some books, do an online search, or get yourself to an old cars show as soon as you can! You won’t be sorry.

This article is distributed by Hansel Gunners. He owns a site, jamorama. Feel free to look at his jamorama website. You can also send your feedback at his jamorama site. Thank you.

Tags: Cars

If you have an old car in your garage (or backyard) and you don’t have a clue how to get rid of it, one way is to donate your car to a charity. You might think that your old car won’t matter at all and it’s a piece of junk, but your car can still be useful. You will be helping a lot of people, and at the same time gain something for yourself. Car donation is the best option to get rid of an unused car while giving you the chance to help yourself and others. Your charitable donation might mean a lot, without you even realizing it.

You can get started by finding a charitable institution online. It is best to search for them online because it is the easiest, fastest way to get the information you need. While online, you can speak to a representative and they will explain the steps and procedures and the law regarding tax deductions. If is important that you are aware of the tax deduction rules so that you’ll know what to expect regarding the benefits you’ll get from your donated car.

If you donate your car, you can claim a tax deduction of up to $500. If the charity sells your vehicle for more than $500, you will be notified with the exact amount of the sale, and can use this amount on your tax return. The market value will depend upon the kind of vehicle you donate. Not all values are equal. For example, late model cars and vans that have seen a lot of miles can be used, though they might need some costly repairs before they are ready to be put back on the road by the charity.
Donating your unused car to a charity is a great way for you to get a deduction on your taxes. Some of the organizations use the cars for their services and personal travel, while the others sell them directly to raise funds. You should also know that some programs aren’t run by charitable institutions, but rather salvage companies that use the name of the charity as a front, and in return they pay the charity a set amount for each of the vehicles donated.

To make sure that you are dealing with a trustworthy charity, you should ask what they are planning to do with your vehicle. If they plan to sell your car, will they use a broker or not? You should also ask if the charity is receiving a large amount of the selling price, so that you know how much of the money will go directly to the cause you are trying to support. Your best choice is a charity that is collecting a percentage of the sales price, rather than the per-car flat fee.

This article is distributed by Hansel Gunners. He owns a site, jamorama. Feel free to look at his jamorama website. You can also send your feedback at his jamorama site. Thank you.

Tags: Cars

We all know that when driving, if an emergency vehicles comes up either behind or in front of your own car, you should let it pass. If you don’t move out of the way, you are stopping the emergency vehicle from possibly saving a life.

In most cases, you are driving along while the vehicles is coming up behind you and all you have to do is pull over to clear it’s path. However, where do you move if you’re sitting at a red light? This is the problem that car driver Philip Lilley had when he sat waiting at a junction.

The two vehicles in front on Mr Lilley, one to his left and one directly ahead, had already moved into the junction to allow extra room. Now the decision was down to Mr Lilley, either choose to move over the white line into the junction, or just sit there and block the emergency vehicle’s path.

With only a short amount of time to make his decision, he moved out slightly over the white line. However, even though he let the emergency vehicle pass through the lights, Mr Lilley still received 3 points on his licence and a fine for jumping lights. It is questionable really whether he did jump the lights because he only moved about a yard over the line, and it was obvious that he had no intention of breaking the law.

The Driving Standards Agency said that rule 219 of the Highway Code is ‘motorists should consider oncoming emergency vehicles but still comply with traffic signs’. However, I have the same opinion as Mr Lilley. If drivers don’t want to get more points on their licence, many will not move out of the way incase they get fined, this could waste time for emergency services which as a result could lose lives.

So if you were in that situation, would you still move out into the junction to let an emergency vehicle through if you knew you were going to get a fine? Mr Lilley has always done so in the past, no anymore though.

If you are currently looking for cheap car leasing deals, you’ll find the best offers online. Whether you are looking for something with a little more luxury like a BMW lease , or possible a slightly cheaper car like a Fiat lease , the best deals available will be found online.

Tags: car leasing, Cars, law, leasing, motoring

The giant of the motoring industry, General Motors, who own brands like Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Pontiac and Buick, have reveasleda line-up of new cars. Just last month, the motoring giant recovered after 40 days of bankruptcy, within those 40 days, the government invested $50 billion, making it around 60% owned by the public.

Now that General Motors are save from bankruptcy for a while, they are starting to look ahead and make changes to their brands. Just a few days ago, they announced they are exploring new methods for selling their cars. One of the methods announced, which began on August 11th, is by selling the new cars on eBay, the online auction site.

Last Tuesday, August 11th, General Motors invited a group of hand chosen consumers to Detroit for a special event. The reason for the event was to show off the new series of cars that General Motors are releasing for various brands. After they bounced back from bankruptcy, General Motors have been looking at their current car models, and they want change.

Currently most of their cars are the size of tanks and eat fuel, these used to be very popular, however, due to climate change, they are becoming less popular as drivers become more eco-friendly. To try and full in some younger clients to their showrooms, General Motors have designed a set of smaller and more fuel efficient cars for a number of their car brands.

The Chevrolet Volt was just one of the announced cars which is expected to be a big hit. This car is already becoming popular due to the large number of miles per gallon it can do, currently it’s due for release in 2010. Currently, it’s been reported that the new Volt can do around 230 miles per gallon of city driving.

The new model Cadillac was the other big annoucnement at the event. The new model Cadillac is a small sports sedan and you can choose either rear or four wheel drive. The new car came with no release date, but it is said to be smaller than the very popular CTS model.

During the event, a number of planned changes were announced by General Motors, all of which are expected to take effect within the next 3 years. Some of the plans said included doubling the amount of cars in Buick’s range, giving them a total of 6 models. We’ll have to keep one eye open to see what cars are released first and what sort of effect they have on General Motors’ market share. I just hope we in the UK will get some of these new models coming to the contract hire market. Currently if you are after leasing a large American car, you have to get a Chrysler lease. Alternatively, another option to you would be to opt for cheap van leasing because they’re the closest size match to a Chevrolet.

Tags: Cadillac, Cars, Chevrolet, General Motors, leasing

Advantages Of Diesel Engines
If you’ve had a diesel powered vehicle in the
previous or if you have one now, you no question appreciate
the qualities this engine provides you with. More
torque, better fuel saving, and easier care
are but a few of the attributes of having diesel
powered vehicles.

Nevertheless, there are some automobilists that still
complain about the engine’s weak power, especially
when speeding up from a complete stop. What you
may not be alert of is the fact that diesel motor can be tweaked to give more power without
harming the fuel saving.

Diesel motors use air compression to produce
combustion versus the fuel/air mixture that is
required by gas engines. This assign means
that diesel engines do not require spark plugs
and so don’t require to be tuned up.

Diesel fuel has a much superior fuel concentration than
gas, which effects in fuel saving increases
of 20 - 30% over petrol powered vehicles.

Diesel motors are also less expensive to maintain as
they have fewer components than that of a gasoline
powered motor. The life span of a diesel
motor is also much longer.

If you are expecting for torque, for pulling a
boat or other equipment, then the diesel
motor has the outstanding advantage. Diesel
motors are surely weaker, particularly when
beginning from a complete stop, although when you
go up hills or go over bridges, the diesel
engine is surely up to the task.

With trucks, diesel is normally the leader
over gas engines in terms of performance and
fuel economy. Diesel trucks will obtain
more miles than gas trucks, and the price for
diesel is a bit cheaper than gas these days.
And with gas prices on the rise, diesel will
continue to dominate for an endless time to come.

Diesel And Petrol Costs

Over the years, the prices of both gas and diesel
have gone through some drastic changes. Many years
ago, the price of gas was around a dollar or a
little more, not the same like it is today. Back then,
petrol was not high in cost although the demand for
vehicles wasn’t what it is today either.

As the demand for such vehicles grew, the demand for
fuel grew as well. Other actions and events have
worked into the equation as well, leading in
the rising costs of fuel. Fuel is something we
all require to run our vehicles, as we would not be
able to go anywhere without fuel.

As you may acknowledge, a majority of the gas we get at
local gas stations derives from abroad, mainly
the Middle East. Therefore, we have to pay taxes
and such on the petrol we use, which compensates for the
gas as well as the shipping. If we got our gas
from inside the United States, one can’t help
but wonder whether or not the costs would indeed
be lower.

Diesel on the other hand, has constantly managed
to keep a price lower than gas. Diesel comes
from inside the United States, so the prices are
of course going to be lower. The only problem
related with diesel fuel is finding it, as
many gas stations don’t sell it.

When it comes to the choice between the two,
diesel fuel is apparently cheaper to buy. Gas is
in supply more, which means that you can find
it almost anywhere. If you own a petrol
vehicle, you obviously do not want to put diesel
in it. If you have a diesel vehicle, then you
of course would not require to put gas in it either.
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Tags: Autos, Cars, Diesel, Fuel Saving, Vehicles