About Car Audio Brands - II

Panasonic have an extensive product range including CD, MP3, MD and cassette players, CD Changers and Packages on which they introduced the world’s first flip-out centre speaker. Panasonic also produce an excellent range of Audio Visual equipment such as DVD players and Widescreen Colour Monitors. If you wish you can turn your car into a mobile movie cinema with Panasonics range. Panasonic Car Audio recently released the lowest priced range of In-Dash CD Players & MP3 Players that enables you to have amazing value for money.

Philips manufactured the very popular RC-026 CD changer that has recently been replaced by the VDO CDC-026 CD changer model as VDO Car Audio has merged with Phillips car audio. The factory fitted radios that the RC-026 was compatible with are now compatible with the VDO CDC-026. The VDO unit has exactly the same robust and stylish design and features as the RC-026 but has a new VDO logo badge. See VOD below for more info...

Pioneer are one of the most recognised brands on the Car Audio Plus website. They offer a complete range of in-car products CD, MP3, MD & Cassette players, CD Packages, CD Changers, Amplifiers, Subwoofers, Speakers AV products and a large range of Navigation Systems. Pioneer Car Audio are the creator of the ‘Organic EL’ display technology found on their cutting-edge radios.

Road Angel radar/laser gps detectors are probably the most respected and reliable products to aid driving a modern car and a great way to protect your licence from hidden cameras. Road Angel do not condone excessive speeding but appreciate how easy it is to unintentionally exceed a speed limit and so released this range to protect you and other road users.

Road Angel radar/laser detectors have been specifically designed to operate at the most effective level possible, both in the UK and Europe using their unique revolutionary technology.

Sony along with Kenwood is one of the UK’s most popular brands of car audio products and are industry leaders in radio technology. Offering a superb range of stylish, high-performance products at very competitive prices. The comprehensive product range includes CD, MP3, MD & Cassette Players, CD Changers, CD Packages, Amplifiers, Subwoofers and Audio Visual that includes DVD players and Widescreen colour monitors.

Sony Car Audio are known worldwide for their X-Plod range of high-performance products that have sharp looks and offer a whole new listening experience. Sony's CDX-T69 CD Changer and their classic MDX-66XLP Mini Disc Changer are fully compatible with many Factory Fitted radios with the aid of a CD interface.

Taurus have shook up the car accessory market by innovating the first ever parking sensor commonly known as a reversing aid that does not use the conventional ultra-sonic type of sensors. Taurus Parking Sensors use a revolutionary Electro-Magnetic Technology that is 100% reliable and eliminates the need to drill your bumper that leave nasty looking sensors becoming the unexpected focal point of your car.
The Taurus T213 uses an adhesive antenna that sticks like glue to the inner side of your bumper providing an extremely responsive and reliable operation, alerting you via audible tones to the whereabouts of surrounding objects when parking or reversing. Will your car remain scratch-free without one?

Toad M3 provide you with a great range of mobile multi-media products for use in the car, that include Navigation Systems, TV and video packages and the latest in-car LCD monitors. Toad, are manufacturers of the very popular 'Video Traveller' fully portable VHS video system that includes a 5" TFT screen, VHS video player, twin speakers and comes in a portable carry case, that can be run off your vehicles cigarette lighter or the mains, and can be removed from any vehicle easily providing excellent security. Toad M3 also offer roof mount monitors and DVD players.

Vauxhall Compatible In-Dash Cassette, CD, MP3 Players and CD Changer packages are available from leading brand as trusted by many car manufacturers VDO. These very stylish radios are designed to be directly compatible with your Vauxhall dash display and steering wheel controls offering you a simple upgrade without the excessive dealer prices. Look our for the CR441XED, CD441XED, CD783 &. P6441CED.

VDO or Siemens VDO Trading is one of the leading service companies in the automotive aftermarket. Having recently merged with Phillips in-car electronics they are now using the VDO name and logo and have continued to manufacture the very popular RC-026 CD changer and have re-named it and re-badged it as the VDO CDC-026.

It's no-nonsense reliability, robust design, solid looks and ease of installation makes it a big hit with many car manufacturers and it is directly compatible with many Factory Fitted radios found in various Citroen, Fiat, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Range Rover, Renault, Rover and Subaru models.

The VDO CDC-026 and its predecessor the RC-026 are both compatible with the Phillips aftermarket analogue range of products. VDO Dayton another product range under the Siemens VDO name also consist of CD changers that are also directly compatible with many factory fitted radios and the VDO Dayton aftermarket range of products. However the 2 brands are not compatible with each other, meaning you cannot interchange the two brands.

If the CDC-026 is good enough for Land Rover, Peugeot and Subaru then I can guarantee you, it will be a sound investment.

VDO Dayton offers a stylish range of in-car radio, Navigation and CD Changer products that meet current demands in safety and comfort. Drivers who use their products enjoy a seamless blend of high-performance navigation and hi-fidelity audio. The VDO systems give an elegant fusion of information, communications and entertainment in one intelligent system. VDO Dayton Car Audio manufacture the superb range of analogue and digital CD Changers that are recommended and fitted by Renault to work directly with their very popular Tuner List radio. Installation is a breeze as it is a seamless push-fit connection
Visteon Corporation is one of the world's leading full service suppliers of premium quality automotive components and systems and are responsible for the superb Visteon 2080 CD changer that is one of the smallest CD changers available in the world. With its tasteful styling, robust compact design and shock resistant features you will experience hours of endless music from your favourite artists and all at the touch of a button.

The 2080 is recommended and fitted as standard by Ford and is compatible with the very popular Ford 4050, 5000, 6000, 7000 and VNR9000 radios found in the majority of Ford Cougar, Escort, Fiesta, Focus, Galaxy, KA, Maverick, Mondeo and Puma models.

If you have the 12-pin pre-installed CD lead in your boot or under your passenger seat that is an extra bonus as installation is made even easier. The changer connects by push-fit directly to the lead (where available) or to the rear of the radio. Fords investment in the Visteon 2080 cannot be wrong!
By: Ben Smith

About Car Audio Brands – I

Alpine has a strong reputation for offering high quality audio performance, from input to output, and offers you a distinguished acoustic performance and balance. Alpine boasts an extensive range of Audio, Navigation and Multi Media products including the much talked about PLAY LOUD ‘Bass Engine’ stereos, V amplifiers and ‘DVD Car Navi’ GPS Navigation systems. Other products include CD, MP3, MD & Cassette Players, CD Changers & Packages.

Alpine Car Audio are famous worldwide for their CD changer range that are without doubt the best aftermarket CD changers available anywhere. They are built to last! From the stylish robust casing to the high quality electronic components used inside they give skip-free, superb quality sound playback from CD, MP3 or, CD-R/RW (copied) discs. Their classic CHM-S630 '6 disc' changer is fully compatible with many Factory Fitted radios with the aid of a CD interface. Autoleads are leaders for in-car audio accessories. Autoleads manufacture unique installation accessory products that are highly regarded within the motor industry, that offer the motorist greater flexibility when choosing and installing car audio equipment. Their product range includes Harness Adaptors, Fascia Adaptors, Steering Wheel Remote Control Adaptors and Telephone Mute Leads. Becker is an industry leader at producing in-car Navigation systems, CD players and CD changers using pioneering technology. If you are attending important business meetings or looking forward to driving to your holiday destination, then Becker Car Audio has the product for you. A fascinating combination of a navigation system, CD player and RDS Tuner, in one unit, offering the latest information technology, which guides you to your destination anywhere in 18 European countries. As fitted by Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Land Rover, BMW, Ford, VW and Ferrari. Blaupunkt known worldwide also as Blue Dot or Blue Spot are real innovators in the car audio field. In 1932 they produced the first ever car radio, and were also the first to introduce the stereo car radio, the car CD player and RDS car radio. More recently they have produced the Radio Phone and Dynamic Navigation Systems. Blaupunkt Car Audio have an excellent range of in-car products including CD, MP3, MD, Cassette players, and Navigation Systems. Their robust CDC-A03 CD Changer is compatible with many Factory Fitted Blaupunkt car radios. Clarion have recently had great success with their award-winning in-car navigation systems and their DAB (Digital Audio broadcasting) system that are becoming more popular each month as more and more quality radio stations are launched. Clarion Car Audio also produce an excellent range of high quality Car Audio products including CD, MP3, MD and cassette players with the very popular Clarion DC628 CD Changer being directly compatible with many Factory Fitted car radios. Connects 2 are a respected worldwide manufacturer and supplier of car audio installation and multi-media accessories. Their Connects 2 range boasts the very popular and unique range of CD, MD & MP3 changer interfaces that enable Factory Fitted radios to operate and control CD, MD & MP3 changers, offering you an alternative to expensive dealer CD changers. Also in the range you will find radio harness, fascia and steering remote control adaptors that allow fast and seamless installation. New products in the range include multimedia interfaces and iPOD icelinks that connect Apple's iPOD to your factory radio giving you your very portable CD changer from MP3. Grundig manufacture the MCD-46 CD changer, the choice of Fiat, Seat and Skoda that has a great reputation for its robust stylish design, compact size and ease of installation into any available space in your boot, under a seat or in your glove box. The Grundig MCD-46 compact CD changer is recommended and fitted as standard by Fiat and is directly compatible with factory fitted radios as found in Fiat Brava, Bravo, Marea and Tipo models. It is also directly compatible with some SEAT and Skoda models with Grundig radios fitted as standard. The Grundig MCD-46 is equipped with a high vibration resistance and is resistant to road impacts and vibrations. JBL Whether you are looking to upgrade a factory sound system, or looking to build a world-class competition system, JBL car audio has got you covered. Amplifiers, subwoofers and loudspeakers. JBL speakers can be found in many US sporting arenas and restaurants such as Hard Rock Café and Planet Hollywood and are used on tour by many top music artists. JVC continues the tradition of offering seamless mobile entertainment, with many variations in style and function for mobile entertainment. JVC Car Audio has the products to meet your lifestyle and is the Manufacturer of the much talked about EL CHAMELEON range of car radios. Their range of car audio is topped by their claim to make the smallest 12 Disc CD & MP3 Changers available in the world. Kenwood along with Sony are probably the UK’s most popular brands of car audio and in-car entertainment products due to their comprehensive range, superb quality, excellent styling and competitive pricing. Creator of the world famous ‘MASK’ system, (now with removable security fascia) that has won high acclaim as an anti-theft system.

Kenwood Car Audio recently released radios that have variable colour illumination to co-ordinate with any dashboard lighting that you care to install it with. Kenwood have an excellent range of products including CD, MP3, MD & Cassette Players, CD Packages, CD Changers, Amplifiers, Subwoofers, Speakers, AV/DVD, plus many more.


Ben is a successful technical consultant on design of iPod systems and writes regularly for http://ipodcarkitdirect.co.uk



By: Ben Smith

New Car Technology Advancements

Car technology is advancing at amazing speed so its no surprise that at least a couple cool things turn up each model year. Here are some of the latest innovations that will be coming out sometime in the near future that new car buyers can look forward to seeing.

Economy Mode

While we consider that most of us drivers are set in their ways and odds are we will never make the necessary changes to conserve on fuel. One example of such would be, we know that by simply not using our AC increases our fuel economy when we drive, but rather than just rolling down our window when we could to save fuel we opt to use the air conditioner to keep us cool. We are simply set in our ways when it comes to running our AC even when we could be just as comfortable at this time with a window down. With the new idea and innovation of the Economy Mode the car it will be able to determine what systems in your car are non-essential at the time and turn them off to save on fuel for the driver; examples could be the AC, Cruise Controls and others. The car would begin making these adjustments for the driver automatically. It’s not just an idea in fact; some Hybrids feature an economy mode that limits A/C use on several models right now.

Black Box Technology

Planes have them and cars will too, and why not the Black box on planes have be literally invaluable for many years with its ability to get detail records of trips and logs of what happens to a plane in flight or when accidents occur. It’s still being debated like most things that come to personal privacy and many people will no doubt object to the idea of the black box being implemented into their personal vehicles. The fact is that both Ford and General Motors already are using black Box technology in around two-thirds of the models built, but they are referred to as "recorders". Drivers can expect the advancement of these “recorders” to be able to tell police officers and insurance companies about car accidents, how fast you were driving, where you had driven that day and much more.

Cars That Park for You

Yes, a car that actually will do the parking is already in production today. There is already one type of system where the driver keeps his foot on the brake while the car amazingly enough parallel parks it’s self. Its future looks bright, as this type of application could be very useful in the future not just in parking but also use in other tight places like garages.

Let the Car do the Driving

It’s no longer just a dream or something we have seen in the movies, with the advancement of GPS and robotic technology setting your car on Auto Pilot where the navigation system guides the car to its destination while the driver sits back and relaxes will become a reality sooner than many people could imagine. Experimentation and planning is underway with the use of magnets and GPS to make this dream become a reality.

Crash Detection

Is already a reality with the Acura RL and it’s called the Collision Mitigation System. Hopefully, one day all cars will include this type of safety feature. Where the cars decides on its own that a wreck is unavoidable and will warn the driver to brace for impacts as it automatically takes action for the driver by deploying the airbags hitting the brakes and tightens up seatbelts etc. all own its own.

The near future is indeed an exciting time.


Dennis runs Car Dealer Check which has reviews on Alaska Car Dealers Including Anchorage Car Dealers.



By: Dennis James

Hybrid Cars and the Basics of How They Work

The auto industry has been abuzz about the developments and introduction of new technologies for as long as it’s been around. The big new of this decade is the introduction of the Hybrid car. It’s not quite the electric machine everyone thought we’d be driving by now, but it’s halfway there and it’s a good solid step in that direction. But what exactly goes on under that slick new hood that makes these cars so special?

The science is a bit stuffy, but the basics are simple enough. It’s not even new technology necessarily. Buses and trains have been running with the help of electricity for years, but now it’s a consumer product, something you and I can go out and pick up from the car lot and drive around town.

Electric cars have a lot of drawbacks. They’re hard to maintain, harder to charge up, and don’t go nearly as far as you’d like, and we all know the drawbacks of the gasoline powered machines we drive around now. The mixture of the two is an attempt to cut back on emissions and gas mileage while not falling victim to the pitfalls of electric cars.

Basically, with a hybrid you’re bypassing the negatives of both sides. You still run your car on gasoline, but now it takes half as much and instead of the gasoline powering your car directly, it powers the batteries and generator that do most of the actual work.

If you brake or release the accelerator, the generator takes and stores energy from the motion in the car’s motor, putting it back in the batteries and recycling it into the all powerful energy that will propel your car forward. It sounds complicated but it’s really a matter of inserting a middle man between gasoline and your car that doesn’t pollute or deplete as you use it.

The fact that you’re still using gasoline is a necessity at this point as it would take a 1000 pound battery to emit as much energy as 1 gallon of gasoline. Gasoline is still an amazing formula capable of storing vast amounts of energy. Until a suitable alternative can be found and refined to the degree needed to operate a motor vehicle in our high powered, quick moving world, the hybrid is the scientific equivalent of a godsend. Our only other alternative is walking, or to start breaking the laws of physics.


Anthony Chatfield writes for Go Hybrid, where you can find information on hybrid cars, hybrid car batteries, and more energy-saving alternatives.

By: Anthony Chatfield

The most and least fuel efficient cars

It goes without saying that the more expensive the car, the worse the gas mileage. Although these results display overall value, they do not compare apples to apples. Especially when you consider that most of the cars that get the worst mpg on the road are a very small percent of the vehicle population and are probably not seeing daily use. Not to mention the fact that they possess some big engines. Take a look at what the U.S. Department of Energy display as getting the best and worst gas mileage.

Most Efficient Overall Lately this category has been dominated by our Japanese friends at Toyota. The Prius tops almost every list we've researched with regards to fuel efficiency, and in fact the Prius seems to top lots of 'best of' lists. Pioneers in hybrid technology, Toyota continues to set the pace for manufacturers worldwide.

Two seaters The Mazda MX-5 gets the best gas mileage in the two seater category, which makes sense when you consider their miniscule size. A two seater in every sense of the word, the MX-5 manual transmission gets just a tad better mileage in the city than its automatic sibling. They both however, get 30 mpg on the highway which makes them an ideal candidate for that guilt-free drive up the coast.

On the flip side the two seater with the worst gas mileage is the Lamborghini L-147/148 Murcielago. A car which very few of us have even seen in person, much less been concerned with its gas mileage.

Minicompant results No 'best of' list is complete without a nod to the Mini Cooper, who proves over and over that it is a fantastic investment. Boosting a highway mpg of 40 and city mpg of 32, for the manual transmission the Mini is one of the most stylish non-hybrid options on the most fuel efficient list.

Conversely the worst in the minicompact category is the beautifully stylish Aston Martin DB9 Coupe and Volante, probably because of that gas-chomping 5.9L engine they sport. Chances are, those that will purchase a vehicle like this will not be using it as a daily commuter anyway.

Subcompacts In this category Toyota does it again with their subcompact Yaris. Odd name aside, the Yaris gets good gas mileage without the hybrid hassle and price tag. This makes it a valuable choice in the fuel efficient market today.

On the other hand is the worst in our subcompact category which is the Bently Azure, again in such a high end, specialized category most of us regular Joe's will not even see one in our life time, much less be researching their pros and cons for purchase.

Compact car class The most efficient compact cars is a close tie with the Honda Civic Hybrid giving the Toyota Corolla a run for its money. The Civic Hybrid eeks out close to 20 mpg better gas mileage in the city than the Corolla, and gets about 10 mpg better on the freeway. Although in terms of best value, this is a hybrid who is competing with a regular gas burning engine. The ever popular Corolla is a very economical choice indeed.
Again the Bentley rules the worst in class for gas mileage, this time with their Continental GT. If it can really be called a compact, this Bentley oozes sex appeal, anyone buying this car is far more concerned with image than they are the ozone layer.

Midsized models This is the Prius's category, so its 60 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway speak for themselves. Another brand in this category is the Nissan Versa, also a good buy for being a gas engine vehicle, it gets over 30 mpg both in the city and on the highway without the higher price tag of the hybrid models.

The reigning offender in the worst gas mileage category for midsezed vehicles is none other than the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, but you knew that. Another automobile superbly designed for performance and the open road. Anyone lucky enough to drive one will let any concern about miles per gallon eat their dust.

Large cars Hyundai won this category with its Sonata, a 2.4L 4 cylinder engine powers this large car, managing to pump out about 162 horsepower which makes it well liked by reviewers. Not to mention a quick option that offers good gas mileage and more space.

Again Bentley takes the award for worst gas milage, and in the large car category it is the Arnage that gets the worst gas mileage, at 10 mpg in the city and 15 mpg on the highway. An attractive if posh looking car, it is one that evokes images of chauffeurs and white gloves.
By: Paige Filler

Citroen and BMW Top Safety Study

It would appear that in a study published recently by Auto Express Magazine and Euro NCAP that Citroen and BMW make some of the safest cars on the road. This study was part of an ongoing constant appraisal that Euro NCAP carry out to constantly monitor Automobile safety.

Euro NCAP was established in 1997 and now backed by five European Governments it is fast becoming the premier authority on Automobile Safety within the European Union.

It is supported by motor organisations within the various member countries of the EU and (as they say) has rapidly become the catalyst for encouraging major improvements with regards to Automobile Safety and Design.

So it would appear that they have a rough idea of the plot, certainly one would hope so and I think in this case they do

For BMW their safest option (so to speak) was the 3 Series whilst for Citroen their safest vehicle was the Citroen C4.

For BMW the overall opinion was that the new 3-series achieved five stars (out of five) for protecting its adult occupants. Under crash simulation conditions the main body cell held up under pressure and protected all of its occupants. An intelligent seat belt system was in place and this meant that protection for Children was extremely good (4 stars out of 5)

With regards to the Citroen C4 the jury felt that it was a strong performing car deserving of its five star rating (out of five) for occupant protection. Again like the BMW the strong passenger cell protected the occupants well under pressure conditions. Again, like the BMW the protection for children was good with a four out of five rating overall.

This is probably not surprising but neither of the cars were that good when it came to protection for any pedestrians accidentally involved in any incident etc.

I suppose the moral of the story is try not to run into a BMW at speed if it is travelling the other way and you are a pedestrian. Funny, I could have told them that.

Matt Johnson of the joint sponsors of the study Auto Express said “if the worst does occur to count on the road, you'll want to be in the homework will protect you and your family." Makes sense to me.

“Cars have got significantly safer over recent years thanks to these independent crash tests. A models safety rating is a major factor people consider when choosing a new car.”

“Many cars now score a full five stars [in eight categories]. But within this band some do better than others and our list separates out the very top performing cars.”

“These are the ones which Euro NCAP reckons offers the very highest level of safety for their class and is something car buyers should be aware of."

As had been discussed in the media, both sponsors of this study were concerned that safety is now of such paramount concern that it is essential that as many prospective buyers of cars are aware of safety issues overall.


Scott James writes about a number of Automobile based issues such as Automobile Technology and used cars for sale and all sorts of general matters relating to Car Dealers.

By: Scott James

Car Driving Safety Tips

For many of us, the car has almost become a second home as more Americans find themselves stuck in traffic over 40 hours a week! Besides doing your best to maintain your mode of transportation, here a few tips in driving safety that should be beneficial:




Don't drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These tend to dull your mind and reflexes. Did you know that alcohol is involved in at least half of all fatal crashes?


Keep your mind as well as your eyes exclusively on driving. While driving, don't put on makeup, text message, chat on the cell phone, or eat a meal.


Do not get upset when you encounter a hostile driver. There is no doubt you'll be angry if an obnoxious driver cuts you off, plows through a red light or tailgates. However, dangerous situations are not the time to be competitive or combative.


Beware of falling asleep at the wheel. This results in over 200,000 accidents per year alone. Driving between midnight and seven in the morning is particularly bad. If you are heading off on a long trip, get plenty of rest the night before, wear comfortable clothing, listen to the radio and make frequent stops. If you are experiencing drowsiness, stop at a hotel or motel and get some sleep.


Don't be a 'yellow-light accelerator' or a 'green-light anticipator'. Yellow light accelerators speed through an intersection to beat the red light. Green-light anticipators speed up when they think the light is about to change from red to green. A large number of traffic accidents happen at intersections, and many are due to drivers who second-guess signal changes.


Steer clear of large vehicles like trucks and trailers. Too often your view is blocked. Carefully work your way around them and stay far away (if possible)


Avoid the far left lane except when you need to pass another car. Drivers who like to drive fast usually remain in this lane; insurance company representatives call it the 'death lane.'


Observe all basic driving rules and regulations. Adjust your speed to coincide with weather and traffic conditions.


Wear your seatbelts. This cannot be emphasized enough.
By Kiya Sama

8 Ways to Save Money on Gas

High gas prices can make the simple task of getting from one place to another an expensive prospect. Here are 8 ways to save money on gas that will get you where you need to go without leaving you broke.

1. Carpool or take public transportation

Although carpooling or taking the bus can seem a bit inconvenient it can save money on gas and cut your expenses dramatically. Not only that, but cutting down on the number of cars on the road is good for the environment as well which means you can feel twice as good about what you are doing.

2. Get Your Tires Checked

Under inflated tires or tires that are not properly balanced can rob you of precious gas mileage. Either check your tire pressure yourself or take your car in to have your tires checked and balanced to get better mileage.

3. Drive More Slowly

Did you know that driving 55 m.p.h. can save you as much as 10% on your fuel economy over driving 65 m.p.h? For most cars as soon as you pass 60 m.p.h. gas mileage decreases. By just slowing down a little you can save a lot of money on gas and dramatically decrease your expenses. Leave a little earlier so you can avoid speeding and take your time getting where you need to go.

4. Take Paved Roads

Dirt and gravel roads can create a lot of drag and cause your car to get poor gas mileage. Whenever possible stick to paved roads to save gas.

5. Look Ahead

Be aware of what it happening in front of you on the road to avoid having to suddenly slow down or speed up. For instance, if you see a hill coming up in the distance it is better to accelerate before you reach the hill than after you have started climbing. Try to avoid tailgating as well since riding too close to the car in front of you can cause you to change your speed frequently which uses a lot of gas.

6. Use a Gas Card

Most gas stations offer gas cards where you can get a discount on gas with the card when you buy from them. Try to get a card from a gas station that is convenient for you and you can save money each time you put gas in your car.

7. Fill Your Car When it is Cool Out

When temperatures are cooler gas is denser. That means that you get more gas per volume when you get gas when it is cool out. Try to fill your car in the early morning or late evening to get the most gas for your dollar.

8. Convert Your Car to Use Water

Although it may sound a little strange, you can easily convert your car to run partly on water and double your current gas mileage. The modifications are not permanent, do not damage your car and also decrease emmissions making it a good deal all around. To learn more about how to convert your car to run on water, please visit http://www.saveongas.info


By James C.

Pedestrians and Dangers From Hybrid Vehicles

The other day, I put a scare into both myself and a driver when I almost stepped out in front of her hybrid car. She was shaken up and looked stunned that an adult would be so careless. I was just embarrassed.

But as I told a friend about it the next day, I found that it's more common than I thought. He had done the same thing a few weeks earlier. Then, someone else told me about a woman who was putting groceries in the trunk of her car and didn't even realize that a hybrid vehicle nearly backed into her!

Hybrid cars are so popular that auto manufacturers are having a hard time keeping up with the demand. The ones already on the market include Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry, Toyota Highlander, Lexus, Honda Civic, Honda Accord and the Ford Escape.

They use both gas and batteries to operate. At higher speeds, they run on gasoline just like any other car. However, at lower speeds (such as less than 20 mph), hybrids are powered by batteries. At the slower speeds, these battery-powered cars have virtually no noise compared to their motorized counterparts that have a running engine.

As great as they are for the environment, the problem is, you can't always hear them coming!

Pedestrian groups say the lack of noise poses a new hazard to people,especially those who are blind or don't hear very well. While these groups are still in favor of the benefits that hybrid cars offer - a cleaner, greener environment and less noise pollution - they say these new safety concerns need to be addressed and are working with manufacturers to come up with solutions.

Meanwhile, it's up to us.Both drivers of hybrid cars and pedestrians need to be reminded that things are a little different than they used to be.

* Whether you are driving or walking - Be aware of what's going on around you and never make someone else responsible for your safety!

* Remember and practice proper safety measures when crossing the street. Use crosswalks, look both ways, and don't walk out from between cars.

* Be extra alert if you are talking on your cell phone or having a heated conversation.

* Be clearly visible to the driver. Make sure they see you. Crossing the street from between two parked cars makes it difficult and is extra risky. That goes double if it's after dark.

* Look for signals on automobiles that can tell you they are in operation. Look for reverse lights. Look for headlights. Cars manufactured within the last few years come with daytime running lights. If the lights are on, that can be a signal that the driver is getting ready to pull out.

* Always make sure you have emergency contact information with you, whether you're driving or walking.

Hybrid cars are here to stay and lots of us like that idea, but everyone needs to take extra precautions to safeguard themselves as pedestrians. If you drive one yourself, just remember pedestrians can't necessarily hear you coming, so be extra alert when they are present.

Valerie Nay is the founder of http://www.EmergencyContacts.com and writes a free monthly newsletter full of valuable information to help you and your family stay safe.

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


By Valerie Nay

Show Your True Colours with Car Accessories

Your Car is just another reflection of your personality. How you decorate it, is symbolic of your persona. Therefore you should choose the car accessories discreetly. They ought to help you maintain and enhance the kind of image you want to create in the public mind. For example, if your friends know you as a style conscious person, you can beautify your car with groovy chrome styling accessories. Together with a high definition music system, you can add a lot of vitality to your car.

Now coming to the tough question, how would you decide what goes best for your car and what not? To know the answer to this, you first have to do a little soul searching and then some internet searching or window shopping in shops of brick and mortar.

Soul Searching
This part of the job is purely meditative. After you have possession of your car, first visualise how you would want your car to look like. What protective measures would you require for your car. What are the things that you would need to make your car look more stylish. Do you want an elegant look, a sporty look or a classy look for your car. Now think of the colours you would want in your car accessories. You can go for matching colours – the same as your car colour. Or you can also highlight by creating a contrast. Basically, the idea is to have a holistic image of how your car would look like after adding on the car accessories.

Internet Searching
You can also search in shops of brick and mortar, but since most of us in UK do not have much time, therefore let us just stick to internet browsing. There are a number of online showrooms that display and provide car accessories. These sites offer both car accessories for protection as well as for style. After you have done your soul searching, there would little space for doubts in your mind while making your choice in buying car accessories while browsing through web stores.


Alexus Devon is a automobile writer specializing in automobile spare parts like car accessories products and many more. He has done his Master in Business Administration and is currently assisting directcaraccessories as a car accessories specialist.

By: Alexus Devon

Car Stereo Buying Guide

I’ve seen a lot of people asking what kind of car stereo would best fit their ride and I have seen a lot of people get frustrated of their car stereo just because of following someone’s advice. Don’t let this happen to you. You can avoid the common mistakes done by a lot of people in choosing their car stereo by following the guidelines that I’m about to give you. You might say, “Okay Richard, is this a sales pitch?” not even close. The truth is that a lot of people are seeking advice from others not realizing that those people are not the best ones to ask about the matter and in turn could have a negative effect after having bought the car stereo. Commonly, they get frustrated. Let’s face it, some people love to give advice even if they don’t know anything or just a little about the matter.

So what should you do now?

Follow these guidelines and tips before purchasing a car stereo.

1. Decide on what type of car stereo you want, will it be a plain tuner, cassette player, CD player, DVD player, HDD stereo, car stereo with video, 1 ½ din player (GM/Chrysler Fit) or any combination of the above.

2. When you see someone with a nice car stereo or know someone who has a nice car stereo, try to ask them the brand and model of that car stereo unit, ask them about the good and bad things it has and ask them if they would recommend that kind of stereo but don’t buy just yet or you might end up like the one I was talking about above “Frustrated”.

3. After having a list of car stereo, go to a store and ask the salesperson for a demo. Pay close attention to what the salesperson is talking about so you could compare what he is saying with what the person you asked about the car stereo will tell you.

4. Listen carefully to the sound that the car stereo is producing. Take note if the sound has a loud bass, clear or if the feature can produce both sound. Some people like the sound of loud bass while some go for clarity. It’s just a matter of preference but personally, I’ll go with the one that could produce both a loud bass and a clear sound.

5. Inspect the feature of the car stereo if the quality of sound can be easily manipulated like the bass, mid and high frequency and check if the car stereo control is user friendly and driver friendly.

6. Inspect the specification if it will be compatible with the current speakers you have (if you have speakers already) or not. This is a better way than having to buy a new set of speakers if your speaker’s circuitry is damaged by the power of the stereo because some stereo are so powerful that it could easily damage speakers.

7. The technology of car stereos are evolving the way computers evolve so consider new features like iPOD, Bluetooth, GPS and such if you plan to attatch this devices into your car stereo. Not every car stereo out in the market is iPOD, Bluetooth and GPS ready. So choose wisely.

8. Take into consideration future enhancement and sound expansion. I mean like having expanded bass and separates for better sounds. Inspect whether the car stereo unit has expansion inputs and outputs. You might decide in the future to join a car sound set-up competition. ?…
. Warranty. Check the warranty, the longer warranty period, the better.

10. Select a price range and eliminate those that does not fit in your list of car stereos. (consider all the guidelines above before eliminating some stereo from your list).

Having followed these guidelines, you should have a list car stereo that will match your expectation. Again, it’s just a matter of choice depending on your preferences and other factors to consider like the price.

Now for the sales pitch ? (kidding).

There are a lot of good car stereo brand out there too many to mention here some of the many brands are Alpine, Kenwood, Bose, Sony, Eclipse and Pioneer car stereo which has 2 kinds, the Pioneer Car Stereo and the Pioneer Premier Car Stereo.

Whichever you choose depends on you.

The bottomline is choose wisely so you can avoid getting frustrated and not end up spending more money.

That’s it for now.
By: Chard B.

Car Accessories: Need of Every Set of Wheels

Once a new car is bought, it needs to be dressed up with accessories. Some of the car accessories are mere beautifying kits; some others are really important add-ons. Without them a car may not show the performance and provide the comfort that is expected from it. From a high power racing car to a common private vehicle; every set of wheels needs accessories to be able to live up to the expectation of the owner.

Car mats is one of the most frequently used accessories for cars. This particular accessory is used all over the floor. However, using it in the trunk has some benefits. It keeps strong hold on the accessories put in the trunk. At the same time, it prevents anything from penetrating into the floor. Thus, it keeps goods safe from getting damaged because of shaking and jerking. It also faces any threat to the safety of the floor.

Car accessories are produced by different manufacturers. They make all these kits available in the market through agents and dealers. To help you beef up the capability of car so that it can accommodate some extra luggage, there are roof boxes. To make the car flashier in look, there are other car accessories. Fluorescent and scintillating car lights and bulbs are there to make you car stand out from among the rest easily.

Of late, Momo Corse car accessories have hit the list of popularity. This brand started off as a manufacturer of racing car wheels. After reaching its niche in producing top of the class racing car wheels, it very soon graduated to manufacturing other car accessories. It took little time for the brand to win the heart of millions of car owners round the globe. Their products are famous for being attractive in look, easy to handle and long-lasting.


Alexus Devon is a automobile writer specializing in automobile and Car accessories products and has written authoritative articles on the car accessories industry. He has done his Master in Business Administration and is currently assisting directcaraccessories as a car accessories specialist.
By: Alexus Devon

Capacitate and Glamorise Your Car with Accessories

Accessorising a car is probably the best way to make it comfortable in use and attractive in look. If you find your car falling short of some ready facilities, do not blame the manufacturer. Once you buy a car, even the one in pristine condition, it needs to be dressed up with accessories. Unless you make some necessary add-ons, it will not fit for living up to your expectation. Such is the importance of car accessories!

However, not all car accessories are really important add-ons; some of them are mere beautifying kits, necessary only for glamorising the car. If you are a fashion-freak then they will carry extra importance to you. Otherwise, you can do away with them. Same is the case with those who are fortunate enough to by exceptionally expensive cars like Lamborghini, Bugatti, and Lexus etc. They will have their swanky car already equipped with enough accessories.

There are different manufacturers of Car accessories. Similarly, there is variety of options in the products. To help you capacitate your car to accommodate some extra luggage, there are roof boxes. These boxes and other roof racks are cute in look and available in colours of average car. To increase the flashiness of the car, there are other accessories. Among them car lights and bulbs are there to make a car fluorescent and scintillating.

Though the market has a number of manufacturers, Momo Corse car accessories have recently hit the list of high popularity. Momo was initially a manufacturer of racing car wheels. After reaching its niche in producing top of the class racing car wheels, it very soon lunged into manufacturing other car accessories. Being attractive in look, easy to handle and long-lasting in nature, it took little time for the brand to win the heart of millions of fashion-freak car owners round the world.


Alexus Devon is a automobile writer specializing in automobile and Car accessories products and has written authoritative articles on the car accessories industry. He has done his Master in Business Administration and is currently assisting directcaraccessories as a car accessories specialist


By: Alexus Devon

Joys and Woes of That First Car

No matter how you look at it, the first time is a high point The first word, the first day at school, the first date, the first car -- they play a major role in the people that we become. Once we have crossed these milestones, there is no looking back. You just move on towards the future with a new mindset and a new attitude that transforms your earlier take on life.

Perhaps the mindset transformation is the most distinct once you have bought your first car. A first car is like having a baby. You want everything to go right with it. Even the tiniest scratch heralds a lot of distress. So it is important to scent out the vehicle that reflects your true nature; one that best fits the bill of speed, looks, and service.

Once you finally decide what it is that you want in your car, pick out the winning model. However, this is only the beginning. Maintenance is an extremely important aspect of making the best use of your vehicle. Washing it, servicing it, making sure that it is in running condition -- all these are things that you will have to deal with once you get home your first vehicle.

And then, you will be plagued by whether or not you should get insurance. I know of a few people who are willing to go without insurance for their cars. They just choose to go about believing that accidents are fictional entities. Okay, so maybe the chances of a bad accident are not that high, but even a simple dent on the fender might be a very expensive job. A tiny scratch made by a passing motorbike may not appear to be worth worrying about, but go for repairs and you will end up spending a lot more money than you might have bargained for.

It really would be so much more effortless to use your insurance to pay for expenses such as these. You are paying the premiums on the insurance only so that you are less stressed out by sudden breakdowns. So you will be relaxed when the time comes to spend larger amounts on things for which you cannot be faulted. Moreover, if this is your first car that we are talking about, paying huge amounts on repair may be an entirely new experience. It is a prudent choice to let the insurance agents cope with those if it can be helped.

If you have just got your first car, treat yourself by going on a joyride. Remember, however, that a car is a major responsibility. Servicing, repairs, and insurance issues are issues that you have to keep in mind to keep your car in top condition. Get ready for it.


New car owners compare car insurance. Prospective car owners find out how you can get auto loans and car finance.

By: Ajeet Khurana

Car Subwoofers

Car Subwoofers are widely used by car owners and fans all over the world. However, a lot of people don't know what a subwoofers are and what do they do? Car Subwoofers are loudspeakers intended to generate the lowest frequencies, or bass end of the audible sound range. Car Subwoofers range from 4" in diameter all the way up to 36" meant for highly specialized scientific purposes. For the majority of consumer purposes however, sizes are pretty much consistent at 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 8, 10, 12, 15, and 18 inches, with the 6.5 to 12 inch sizes being the most used.

Because car subwoofers are specialized reproducers, their design maximizes their potential for generating the lowest frequency. Therefore they will have cones that are balanced in such a way as to promote the maximum back and forth motion, called XMAX. Middle frequencies have smaller cones and less excursion, or cone travel. Tweeters have cones, domes, or diaphragms that may seem almost motionless. Even so, they can produce sound in their frequency range that is just as powerful as their larger siblings.

Car Subwoofer cones must move in and out with the longest possible extension because sound waves get longer as they get lower in frequency. Current technology provides us with firm cone materials like Polypropylene, Carbon and Polymer Laminates that preserve their shape under stress, resist moisture, and are very light. The cone works as a piston to compress and alternatively evacuate large masses of air. To do this most effectively, the subwoofer must be connected to an amplifier that produces the high amplitude waveforms that can create this motion. Because such signals require substantial electrical power behind them to control the cone movement, the highest power available is needed strictly for bass reproduction.

Most car subwoofers are housed in a box (enclosures) to achieve their maximum audio power.


Visit: http://www.sonicelectronix.com


By: John H